The ULTIMATE Wildlife Camera? Why I bought the FX6 | Versatile, Good Value, Easy to Use

[@Superjeanmarc]

I work on a wildlife tv show and have to use the Panasonic GH6 as it’s the camera of choice of the production company. It has of course several advantages, mostly in term of reach vs weight ratio with micro for third sensor which is unbeatable. We use the Olympus 150-400 and with its 1,25x integrated teleconverter you can get 1000mm full frame equivalent for the size and weight of a full frame 70-200 f2.8. Yet, as an FX3 owner, I find the image quality and low light performance quite frustrating.. I’ve always thought about the FX6 and never seen a video about someone using it for wildlife.. The cache record and internal VND is just a game changer … it would have been great if you would have included b-roll of things you shot with your fx6 (pangolins for example:) to illustrate your words.. And also .. one thing… I watched the entire review because I’m really interested in the content, but man, the sound quality is quite terrible.. it’s a pity as it discredits your great work .. Hope to see more about the FX6 used for wildlife. Thanks

[@BenTutton]

The GH cameras are great! I've got a GH5 and like you say the reach vs size is unbeatable. I intend to build up my library of footage to supplement these videos. At the moment the most of my footage is owned by production companies, as it was filmed on shoots fr TV shows, so I cant use it on here. I'm also planning on making a night filming video sometime. Cheers also for the audio feedback. Yeah, my study is just a reverberant box 😬 Something to fix for next time!

[@thewildfilesofficial]

This was a tremendous video, I almost only see on KZbin the basic mirrorless camera set ups in regards to filming wildlife. Really informative to see what is used at the pro level, I can’t wait to see the footage you get from this set up!

[@BenTutton]

Thanks! Yeah, there's not too much out there about our setups for TV. I've used the FX6 on a few different series so far. It's a great camera. I'm working on a few things that I'll hopefully be able to show sometime soon.

[@RickBebbington]

Good to see you back on here 😃

[@BenTutton]

Thanks Rick! It's good to be back!

[@adamernsterwildlife]

Awesome video! Wondering if you’ve ever seen the Komodo X on a wildlife shoot? Really interested in getting it for an all around camera. Think it could be super versatile on a gimbal, handheld for narrative work, or on sticks. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@BenTutton]

Thanks - Gad you enjoyed it. I know a few people using the Komodo-X. I've never used one myself, but it would work nicely for all the things you mention. Like any of these smaller box cameras it can be built up however you need.

[@ericaceous1652]

Fascinating breakdown, thank you for sharing your rationale for this kit. Subscribed - looking forward to future videos from you :) understood about production companies owning prior footage you've shot, hopefully you'll have opportunities for filming in future that allow you to publish some more sample footage :)

[@BenTutton]

Thanks! I have plans for future shoots 🎥

[@happy1wandering]

Love all your videos Ben! A few questions.. - When you shoot internally, do you use S-cinetone or slog or a mix of both ? Which is better in your opinion & which LUT do you use when color grading animal shots ? - Why did you choose the sigma 60-600 over the Sony 200-600 ? Is it because of the EF mount ? With the sigma lens do you find that extending the lens offsets the camera balance on the tripod ? I love that the Sony’s is internal. - BTW now you can shoot 4K 120 in pro-res RAW with the fx6 if you use it with the ninja V+! I was seriously considering this camera but ended up with the fx30 as it’s S35 when there’s good light & fx3 in low light. Thanks again & keep those videos rolling!!

[@BenTutton]

Glad you like the videos! -Generally I use S Log, then just apply a 709 LUT and go from there. I'm definitely still learning the colour grading side of things though. - I've had the 60-600 since before I got the FX6. I'd love to try the 200-600. The internal zoom would make things easier! I like the range of the 60-600, but as well as extending, the focus is a bit funky after ~450mm (hopefully more to come in a later video). I've got a fairly chunky tripod, so the extension isn't too much of a problem, but its certainly not ideal. - Yeah, i've been shooting 4K 120 on the Ninja V+. - FX30 and FX3 is a great combo!

[@love4wildlife]

I'll chime in since I use the 200-600 on the FX6. Overall I'm quite happy with it - the internal zoom is smooth as butter, you retain AF (nice to have if you use it - although I think the new E mount 60-600 MAY have it too), and it's sufficiently sharp. The big miss though is the 60-200 bit you get with the Sigma. You need the wide to establish scenes etc as you know.

[@happy1wandering]

@@BenTutton Thanks for your input as always! If you ever shoot with the Red Raptor VV & S35 and the new Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K, please make a review of them from a wildlife cinematographer perspective. Big respect to you brother!! You love what you do and i can see it in the glisten in your eyes and in your smile. That's the most precious thing one can have, to really love and be fully immersed in what they're doing (-:

[@emilydixon6145]

Great informative video Ben! What camera where you using before this?

[@BenTutton]

Personally, I've had a 7D and a GH5 for filming wildlife. But obviously used a lot of other cameras for TV work.

[@henrykirkwoodfilmmaking]

Hi Ben, great review, thanks. I'm looking to upgrade to this camera at some point in the next couple of years, I can't afford one yet! I shoot with the Sony A7Siii paired with Sony 200-600, and most of the time have a 1.4x extender on it too! I really like it and it also shoots 4K 100fps and with base native ISOs of 640 & 12,000 which is incredible given its size. I have a question for you if you don't mind in regards to the viewfinder. I only use the standard viewfinder (like the ones on a regular mirrorless camera) on my A7Siii and don't shoot with an external display. If the FX6 came with a standard viewfinder would you still recommend looking into getting a larger viewfinder similar to what you have attached? Thanks!

[@BenTutton]

the A7s3 is the same sensor, and a very similar camera 👌 I use a viewfinder as it gives a 3rd point of contact, and so added stability. It also means it’s much easier to see in bright light than a screen. And it can be moved to a better position if you’re shooting on the floor, or up really high. So, I probably would try and use an external viewfinder, however I know lots of people who just use a larger external monitor and swear by that too.

[@henrykirkwoodfilmmaking]

@@BenTutton Thanks for the reply. I find it much easier to pick up fast moving objects with the viewfinder rather than the external monitor, but I guess it's just personal preference!

[@shamiksanyaldop]

FX6 is an awesome camera to own right now! You can totally use it for side gigs and as well as wildlife shoots. Maybe you could share some footage next time. 😊

[@BenTutton]

Yeah, it’s a great camera! I’m using mine for a conservation documentary at the moment as well as filming wildlife. I’ll try and add footage to the next video if I have some relevant clips. 👍

[@HarryCollinsPhotography]

As a red owner, this has me intrigued. Would love to see some of that high ISO footage samples.

[@BenTutton]

I'll try and head out to film something that covers this. The nocturnal work I've done with the FX6 has all been for TV, so I don't own that footage.

[@love4wildlife]

Smart move on the EF Sigma lens. I'm using the Sony 200-600 but really do miss that wide portion.

[@BenTutton]

Yeah, I’d love internal zoom, but the 10x zoom does give a lot of options.

[@philldixon8001]

I was recently telling someone about using the FX6 with a CN20 with TC engaged and how Ivo Norenburg is doing his remote special head for FX6 with that setup. The FX6 is a great little camera and does a decent job as cheaper ME20F-SH alternate unless you absolutely need the best lowlight. I still prefer S35 for a lot of stuff but its a great package and can setup with flowtechs and a light head. Smilar to the EVA1 which was a gem of a camera in s35. FX6 with Neat Video can do great upto iso 120k. Same for A7siii / FX3. ME20F-SH can go a bit higher or more with a dedicated post team. If only the FX6 had locking mount... Ultimate camera still ME20F-SH for night. General is Amira or Alexa 35 but Varicam LT was lush too. I have a Helium butI have sworn at it many times. Also big shoutout to Nikon's Z9 as a superb hybrid with internal RAW. As an alternate to that godawful lcd and sticking a loupe on it checkout the Kinefinity Eagle just released as looks lighter than Graticals too

[@BenTutton]

Id be interested to see Ivo’s remote rig, that must be a chunky head to hold that setup. I wonder how much extra sensitivity you get in an FX6 with the IR filter removed like the ME20? I’m pretty much there with you on your picks for cameras. I loved using the Amira. Z9 looks super interesting as a hybrid stills/video camera too. I also think that there’s a difference between personal and professional setups. I love the idea of getting to 80%+ of the quality of the rigs I use for TV work for considerably less weight and expense (maybe at the cost of losing some convenience) The idea of a versatile rig in a backpack that can film anything from long lens to gimbal to macro is much closer as cameras get smaller and lighter. I’ll check out the eagle evf.

[@MichaelAhlen]

The Burano in S35 mode with the CN20 would be a dream setup

[@BenTutton]

Yeah, nice combo. I'd love to have a bit of time with the Burano.

[@Valleedbrume]

Best value still out there.FX6 is a tank.By the way what viewfinder do you use?

[@BenTutton]

I'm using the standard FX6 evf with a sony loupe from the fx9, and a "flop stop" from Full Frame Camera Co. I have used the Gratical Eye before though. And also would be interested to try the new Kinefinity EVF

[@BryanBenoitPhoto]

I shoot with a different system but totally enjoyed your video

[@BenTutton]

Glad you enjoyed it Benoit! To be honest, the camera doesn't really matter. The important bit is getting outside and enjoying time in nature!

[@benikochuveetil5517]

Certainly the FX6 is the best value wildlife camera available today. Bit too expensive for me, so I use a bmpcc6k, which is so very unergonomic for wildlife filming, with the sigma 150-600. Thanks for the tip regarding Rigfoot, i need to get one. What camera bag do you use? Are you able to fit the whole assembled rig into that bag without having to remove the top handle?

[@BenTutton]

My first film was made with a Canon 7D and 100-400, which had so many drawbacks, but it was the camera I had! The BMPCC is soooo much better, and the 150-600 is a great lens. The rigfoot makes everything so much easier with 15mm bars. I use an old fstop Loka backpack, the new version is the Ajna. The top handle stays on, but I unscrew the EVF.

[@janardananwildlife]

I use BMPCC 6K pro, the internal ND's are really useful and that alone was worth the extra price than the 6K, atleast for me, and not to mention the super bright monitor❤

[@AmyKingWildlife]

I feel that the 60-600mm sigma is the best pro-sumer grade wildlife filmmaking lens out there right now. The only thing I wish is for there to be a aps-c or s35 version 'cause I use mine with the a7iv in crop mode, and it'll be nice if it was slightly less bulky.

[@BenTutton]

It's definitely not a lightweight lens!

[@Bo_Hazem]

I like the FX6 but ultimate wildlife camera? I would say A9III, A7SIII, FX3 etc because they're weather-sealed.

[@BenTutton]

That’s fair! I’ve yet to drown my FX6 though.

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@BenTutton We have monsoon here which is constant light rain/drizzles almost daily between June-September. That also made me go with Godox GM6s for being fanless monitor with no vents.

[@Valleedbrume]

Got caught in a rain storm several times with my FX6 and had no problems.I might not be as weather sealed as the smaller Sony cameras,but it is a tank.

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@Valleedbrume Glad to hear that as I'm planning to get the newer version in the future, or even a used on.

[@Superjeanmarc]

What is the maximum duration of the cache recording?

[@BenTutton]

Depends on your frame rate. I’m not by my camera at the moment, but I think it’s ~3s at 120fps.

[@janardananwildlife]

What's your thoughts on the canon C400?

[@BenTutton]

Really interested to see the c400. For low light the maximum ISO is "only" 100K, but what I've watched it matches the FX6 in terms of noise at 12,800.. It does have a S35 crop and internal RAW, so could be very useful. Time will tell as people get it in their hands.

[@SkoopVisions]

The fx6 does do super 35 mode u have to go to the image scan to change it

[@BenTutton]

Ah yeah, I meant 4K S35. Should have clarified on that one.

[@SkoopVisions]

@@BenTutton ok i got you

[@BenTutton]

Let me know what your ultimate wildlife camera is.

[@OllyJelleyWildlife]

Not sure if it gets much better than the RED One

[@BenTutton]

Taking it back to the old-school! If you boot it up, it'll be on by the time I get down to Bristol!

[@kyleshootsthingsphotograph2226]

RED V-Raptor X

[@BenTutton]

@@kyleshootsthingsphotograph2226 Oh nice! 👌

[@PaulBienvenu1]

I don't have the budget for an FX6, but the R6 ii with internal pre-recording up to 5 seconds, and the EF-RF adapter with ND makes a great wildlife camera ! Paired with the 60-600, it's a very versatile combo !