Making the Sony FX3 a REAL Cinema Camera

[@mattcurr9931]

you have no idea how much "that little thing that comes with the cage" makes me happy. no more searching for a screwdriver or just the right coin. the dopamine hit is real. such a small but elegant quality of life improvement. i will love smallrig forever just for that addition. always there, always ready to go.

[@cristiat]

Got my Cineback 2 weeks ago, it's just nuts! Coupled with the Smallrig cage it turns my FX30 into a proper cinema rig. Totally love it!

[@invisibleadversary]

I go back and forth on the actual utility of this. It is a clever build for sure (other than having to gut the battery slot and implement a dummy battery) however I wonder if it's worth giving up the internal NDs. You could just buy an FX6 with internal NDs but then again, you can't strip it down to the size of an FX3 when necessary. You do get the best of both worlds with this rig sans the internal NDs. Overall, it's innovative and nice to have as an option with the FX3.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I think that’s exactly it, gives you the variety to use or how you want, when you want

[@invisibleadversary]

@@chrisbrockhurst Right. Props to Caleb for the vision. As an FX3 owner, it's nice to have the option.

[@dj_DERANGED]

That is gorgeous! ..& let's be real... clients love to see stuff like this. It makes them feel you just might be worth your rate...

[@mcfrisko834]

Facts and true entrepreneurs must understand this. Looking the part is what gets you through doors. As long as you can deliver, you will always get business when you make your clients feel like stars.

[@joshuarothe3312]

As someone who's rigged an FX3 to perform like an FX6, and then finally just buying a used FX6, I think it's best to skip this process, and go straight to the camera you're trying to imitate. I was able to get my FX6 used for $4,500, and that was cheaper than buying the FX3 audio handle and a cineback. I'm not saying to not rig your FX3 this way, but if you're just now deciding between the two, from experience I'd recommend going straight to the FX6.

[@motionpikczer]

True!

[@MikeKangaroo-cj3gk]

The automatic ND’s are essential. Unless you are simply exposing and not panning or tilting the fx3 is fine. As soon as you pan and tilt on the fx3 your exposure is wrong.

[@danielstassen813]

I was going to leave the exact same comment! Buy an FX6 instead of trying to imitate it. You will get the internal ND as an added bonus. I love my FX6 ❤

[@poti732]

Sure, you are right , but you are also forgetting that. The fx 6 is big compared to the fx3. If you use 2 QR systems on the Cineback , one w the bottom one on the top , you can literally pull off the cineback in a second. ( I use the kondor blue qrs to do this ) it will be easier to shoot a thumbnail , client photo work if needed, balancing on a gimbal and so on. Also the cine back is literally a glorified D tap splitter. You can buy a Splitter for 50 , attach it to a rod mount and a back plate , boom cineback. Will look a bit worse but than the 2 cameras are not even close in price. My point. You can always build UP but cant scale an already bigger camera down. Flexibility for some gigs is key. Iv had plenty of requests to take a photo of something, unlocked my cine back , slide down the top handle and boom , iv had a semi-decent photo camera. Whether it was real estate or doing brandwork with a model, this was always really nice to have. Especially when I balance it on a gimbal.

[@LoudlabsNYC]

But some need the FX3s form factor for gimbal work

[@IndigenousEventRecordings]

Add one of the smallrig quick release plates that have feet, and it'll look amazing! Part number 3912, both manfrotto and arca swiss versions!

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Yep!!

[@karimrangeen]

First I like to congratulate him for making this, I think the reason most people would use this over an FX6 Is because Choice of recording formats on the FX3, that said if SONY or anyone else had designed this everyone would complain that it has too many loose screws why there’s an empty Space in the middle of it etc. and also there is no price on the link for the cost of the unit.

[@BurekNeinDanke]

How's your experience with dummy battery? I've heard a lot of horror stories about them frying motherboards or bricking the cameras and i'm kinda worried. I wanna use my FX30's C connector to connect my smartphone via Monitor+ app so the dummy battery is the only way left to power it via V mount...I'm looking at the black version of Kondor Blue to Dtap simillar to yours...What do you think should i do it or nah? Also does the kondor blue dummy give you warning message after latest firmware?

[@ego1356]

I’ve been using the Kondor Blue one recently and as long as I turn on the cineback and then the camera when turning on and then turning off the camera and then the cineback when powering off, I haven’t had any issues. the battery warning of course comes up because of Sony’s system but so far it’s been no issues. I’m hoping it stays this way because kondor blue has been a great and credible brand so far and the cineback only has a 10A output at its max. I wasn’t a fan of the dummy battery due to the same scare but the USB C gets difficult to handle and I worry about breaking the cable inside the port when I’m running and gunning on my shoots

[@acaiv1797]

Nice setup!

[@maruwaanmoses]

I fell for the rig hype like most but quickly realised that the portability of my A7SIII is what i liked most about it. I have since stopped using my rig components apart from the monitor on client shoots.

[@AndrewPRoberts]

Fr, stuff like this is all about aesthetics and ego, it's like those car kits that make a Corolla look like a Lambo

[@chrisbrockhurst]

It’s mostly practicality to be honest, not having to change batteries, power things from one source. Heavier setup for more organic looking handheld footage. Definitely not for everyone though

[@kennethwedmorelund]

The link in description seems to be broke ?

[@nvckramos]

I love this from Caleb. Just been anxiously waiting for an A7S 3 cineback to come out. Last I heard was April but I fear we’re not getting one anytime soon :(

[@jayprieto109]

It could be a little bit cleaner if you switch the dtap angle so the cable doesn't have to do that turn. And it's pretty simple to do it's just a Phillip screw, switch the cable side, just make sure you are placing the negative and positive pins in the right spot and screw it back in and done. And you will have the perfect clean setup I have ever seen.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I still think the ONLY issue with this - has nothing to do with Calebs awesome rig - but the fact that your entire shoot is relying on the tiny little spring lock that holds your battery in - since you removed the door. WHY - did Sony not make a notch for this door like they do with the all the other Alpha cameras back to the A6400!!!??? You want to make a product I would buy IMMEDIATELY - make a new door with the notch that allows the cable to come out with the dummy battery - otherwise - I would NEVER use this rig handheld - ONLY on a tripod. I would be so scared to bump that little blue notch that holds in the battery - and if the battery comes out while recording - you will lose that file. It could even corrupt the entire memory card.

[@maicovimuto6341]

I share this concern

[@chrisbrockhurst]

If it helps - I’ve been shooting with dummy batteries for years at weddings. Literally years. With the Anton Bauer Titon bases. I definitely understand your concern but it’s never been an issue, that little catch requires your fingers direct push and pressure to release it and it’s normally very far from my fingers and difficult to reach

[@Arseny.Petukhov]

You can just buy a third party battery door with a hole for the cable.

[@gillesmatheronpro]

Other solution is to use a D-tap to USB-C cable. It is compatible with any "powerback" of all types/brands. There is no need to remove the battery door. With the battery door still in place, the camera remains weatherproof. When you swap the V-mount battery, the camera can still be operated with its own battery... if you want/need to. If you want to remove the camera from the "powerback", it runs on its own battery (still in place, as well). The power supply is regulated by the camera BMS circuit itself, which is always more reliable than third-party control systems. Good cables with dummy batteries always cost more than good cables with USB-C connector. WHTBD

[@waveland]

I can’t say I understand the Komodo worship displayed in this rig. The primary value of the FX3/30 is having so much filmmaking power without the bulk. I suppose it’s an inexpensive way to give clients the impression of higher end cine gear, but other than that I would much prefer a basic cage which I can drop onto a baseplate with rods. Much more flexible because you can go from a lightweight gimbal arrangement, to a shoulder rig, to full sticks with v-mount with zero fuss.

[@siakicreative656]

What a beast

[@pkendall99]

13:16 JUST GET AN FX6! After buying the Cineback Base, Cineback XLR Extension, Small Rig Cage, Wooden side handle and the Sony XLR-H1 Top Handle, it'll be about the same price... plus you get internal ND with the FX6. AND you don't have to wait for the Cineback stuff to be in stock. 🤜🏻 🎤

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Been there and done that! FX6 is great but super quirky

[@DirectorStarrMazi]

Dope, what ND filter are you using on that lens

[@hanley-darlington]

yeah good question

[@eraism]

by the looks of the orange tab, it's most likely a K&F filter. I'm a huge fan, I have 2 of their ND and CPL combo variables, makes automotive content a breeze because I can adjust exposure and reflections with the same filter, with minimal color shift unlike the PolarPro stuff. Polar pro is great until you go into vertical mode, then the footage goes green

[@KaibigangHansoy]

I hope there is a cineback also for lumix BGH1/BGS1. 🤤🤤

[@TimelineVideoProductions]

How did you add your handle with a quick release? What adapter did you get?

[@binaryinfections]

clean build, how do you like that smallrig battery?

[@quiztasiarocks]

How heavy does this make the fx3? Could you use this for filming an entire sports game without your arms getting a tired?

[@Fabianvolf]

I dont personally have it but the V mount alone is 600g with the cage probably being around 400-600g additionally. So no, I don't think so.

[@anuyt3]

Wait, if you don't mind me asking a rubbish question, what is the content of the thing that you attached to the back of the camera to make it look pregnant?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

The battery you mean?

[@FranciscoRamirezAraya]

If you mean the thing between the camera and the battery, I think it's electronics to make everything work: the D-Tap outputs and the kill switch. You need some electronics to move from the big battery to the little plugs

[@anuyt3]

@@chrisbrockhurst oh I meant the thing in between the battery and the camera and someone had responded to me, thank you so much for acknowledging my comment

[@DaddingAllDay]

I get nervous with dummy batteries. With my old EOS R and GH5, I used dummy batteries and they fried the connections. Panasonic voided my warranty, luckily Canon did not. I love this rig just concerned of that battery

[@poti732]

Relax, its Kondor blue. They do really good quality ones , it locks into the slot and they have overvoltage , overcurrent and thermal protections. If you want to use a dummy battery and you buy a GOOD one ( it will be pricey compared to the shitty ones ) . There is literally zero way to fry your camera.

[@SherProductions11]

can the RS3 gimbal pro handle this?

[@Quarter_Muncher]

Cool. But why not just buy an FX6? Gotta be close in price with all that stuff.

[@amberwoodmedia7595]

Great as ever, Chris. Ta! A question related to your cams A & B. What picture profiles do you use on them to make your footage match best?

[@FranciscoRamirezAraya]

I'm sure he's using Slog3 Cine like almost everyone with Sonys do now

[@JunaidKureshi]

So technically you are converting FX3 to FX6

[@HolgerReher]

Great Video! Little hint: Your first link isn‘t working!

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Thanks, gotta fix it

[@f0t0b0y]

Looks like I will continue to wait for a camera upgrade. My FS7 mkii is way less complicated than this. I’m predicting the fx6 mkii.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

We can hope

[@RandomlySet]

Immediately I thought that was a Caleb Pike creation 😅

[@MrEddieNunez]

I need!

[@iDealMedley]

you dont really have to remove the battery door, with the smallrig cage

[@michael14848]

Where could you even buy one of those split cheese plates if you wanted one?

[@ToneyFranco]

SOLD OUT

[@Brazefuze]

does dummy battery works with the new FX update?

[@timoritchie]

I wondered the same thing. I suspect not from what I’ve seen on other channels.

[@Raiendrops]

Ahhh I wish I bought the cage with the top-handle version. It's got more option rather than the boxy one.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

The top handle version is amazing

[@Raiendrops]

@@chrisbrockhurst I’m going to experiment and take the top cheese plate off. I have 2 sitting around.

[@Raiendrops]

I figured out a workaround, since Camera Foundry is out of the Top handle version @@chrisbrockhurst

[@joronbrice]

You buy the top handle separately

[@PeterV]

How's this compare to the Rigid Pro? Does anyone know?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

They copied this design

[@RigidPRO]

Our original CAD models and designs, over 38 revisions before release, up to Gen 3 product now would indicate otherwise. Reach out if you want clarification of this factually incorrect comment.

[@maicovimuto6341]

Oof, 600,- for the version with handle. That's a bit steep for my taste

[@scottjohnson3017]

$730 USD when you count the cage needed, plus the v-mount.... Just get the Rigid Pro and save $200

[@joronbrice]

Sure support the knockoff version with the plastic handle

[@scottjohnson3017]

@@joronbrice It gets the job done and didn't cost 300 just for a handle....

[@ashegeisha]

Sony has spent decades of technological innovation to shrink the movie camera into a pocket-sized device.

[@gillesmatheronpro]

Using such "powerbacks" does not change the camera and all it attributes. You cam have it operating on its own, with zero add-on attached. So... Sony's technology still reigns. WHTBD

[@MiguelBorgesphotography]

In portuguese we call this "Gambiarra"

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Work around? Had to look that up!

[@JedDobre]

Or.. here’s a thought.. FX6!

[@gillesmatheronpro]

Or... have a (deeper) thought.

[@toughlow6941]

Cineback link 404s for me

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I’ll fix. Thanks

[@fieldhousetv]

👀

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Agree 👀

[@frankenstein2735]

this wood handle makes it look trash instant, i dont understand why people chose that other than safe another 5 dollar over the aluminium version

[@tecno8335]

Just bought my cineback for 144 bucks.

[@frankenstein2735]

everybody just doing this to make it look more professional since they dont have money for a real cinema camera, because they suck and cant earn money with production. stop acting like you rig it for "usability".

[@LensofWyant]

Still not big enough rig for your clients not to ask for a photo