Horacio Cabilla: "the new Sony FX9 is a perfect camera"

Adventure photographer and filmmaker, Horacio Cabilla, together with Sony Product Specialist, Álvaro Ortiz, have been in charge of publicizing the advantages of the first XDCAM camcorder with an advanced full 6K image sensor and a fast hybrid autofocus (AF) system.

He Sony FX9 Tour arrived this Thursday in Madrid to present the new LFS Full-Frame camera, PXW-FX9. The adventure photographer and filmmaker, Horacio Cabilla, together with the Sony Product Specialist, Alvaro Ortiz, have been in charge of publicizing the advantages of primer camcorder XDCAM with an advanced full 6K image sensor and a system of Fast hybrid autofocus (AF).

Furthermore, the new sensor developed specifically for this camera with Exmor R technology Being positioned practically on the edge of the camera body, it allows the use of an endless number of optics through adapters, opening up many possibilities at a narrative level.

Ortiz has described that the new FX9, more than a successor to the FS7, is a camera that goes one step further by incorporating a series of Enhanced features such as 16-bit output, S-Cinetone or Electronic Variable ND Filter.

Ortiz has stressed that this camera draws on the influence of the Venice, in regards to color tones (Cinetone), uses the same platform as the FS7 and FS7M2, and offers the possibility of using interchangeable photography lenses, mainly which encourages the use of autofocus in situations that until now did not have this critical function.

Building on the success of the PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS7M2 models, the FX9 camcorder uniquely combines high mobility with an advanced AF system, stunning bokeh and slow motion functions thanks to its newly developed sensor. The FX9 also inherits its color science and ISO Dual 800/4000 of the Venice digital cinema camera and represents the definitive tool of choice for documentaries, music videos, theater productions and event filming in general.

El camcorder se beneficia de la versatilidad, portabilidad y rendimiento que se espera de un camcorder de la serie FS7 “Run & Gun”, a la vez que ofrece funciones de Alto Rango Dinámico y Full Frame. Sony ha diseñado esta cámara pensando en su comodidad de uso por lo que resulta muy confortable el uso de la empuñadura con un diseño ergonómico al más puro estilo de los antiguos tomavistas.

The new Full-Frame 6K sensor offers a wide dynamic range with high sensitivity, low noise and more than 15 stops of latitude that can be recorded internally in 4K 4:2:2:2 10bit. He Full-Frame 6K sensor oversampling It allows professionals to create high-quality 4K images with stunning bokeh effects through a shallow depth of field, while wide-angle shooting opens up new possibilities for content creators to express their creativity. This means that all captured scenes look real, whether taken in broad daylight or the middle of the night. The camcorder can also capture content up to five times the speed of slow motion with FHD 120fps shooting.

Álvaro Ortiz has also highlighted the possibilities that having Integrated WiFi, allowing you to directly upload proxies to a server or remote control the camera from a smartphone or tablet. Furthermore, thanks to the platform XDCAM Air, the FX9 can be used in broadcast environments and can automatically upload files to a server. Thus, every time a clip is generated on the card, a proxy will be generated that is sent to a server (up to 9 Mbps in Full HD) allowing immediate editing.

In terms of audio, the FS7 incorporated for the first time 4 audio channels, each with its own potentiometer. Now, after the excellent acceptance of this tool that opens new creative perspectives in sound, the FX9 also incorporates 4 channels.

Autofocus

One of the notable features of the FX9 is its advanced and improved system Fixed Hybrid AF with customizable AF transition speeds and sensitivity settings which combines phase detection AF for fast, accurate subject tracking with contrast AF for exceptional focusing accuracy. The dedicated AF sensor 561-point phase detection It covers approximately 94% of the width and 96% of the height of the image area, enabling consistently accurate and sensitive AF tracking, even with fast-moving subjects, while maintaining a shallow depth of field.

In this way, the user will have absolute control not only of the AF contrast but also of phase detection, with the possibility of precise and very fast object tracking. The camera allows you to focus on a greater number of points over a larger area of the image.

Furthermore, it has automatic face detection, being able to even focus on different points in an image that contains several faces, automatically focusing on each of these faces. It is also worth noting that thanks to the Contents Browser Mobile application it will be possible to control the camera from a mobile device (iris, zoom, focus...).

Electronic Variable ND Filter

For the first time in a camera with a full frame sensor we find a variable electronic ND filter. This allows for more creative effects for content creators and instant changes in exposure level depending on the filming environment, even when moving from an indoor space to the outdoors or while filming in natural lighting conditions. By recording image stabilization information and using it in the Catalyst Browse/Prepare option, content creators can capture incredibly stable images even in handheld mode. Sony is also working to encourage other third-party non-linear editing tools to adopt this functionality.

This Electronic Variable ND It is perfect for unpredictable situations when, for example, the subject moves through different rooms with different lights, at the same time very interesting and creative effects can be achieved by the photo director.

The camcorder debuts with a range of customizations and expansion features. These include support for the new UWP-D series of wireless microphones via Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe) with digital audio interface, the carriers, as well as a DWX slot-type digital wireless receiver that is commonly used in broadcast settings. This camcorder will also be compatible with the new FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G electronic mount lens, which uniquely balances full manual operability for film shooting and self-monitoring functions.

Horacio Cabilla puts the FX9 to the test

The photographer and filmmaker specialized in adventure and extreme sports, Horacio Cabilla, has participated in this FX9 Tour to share his experiences working with Sony cameras in the harshest working conditions.

Cabilla's work, which lives at a frenetic pace capturing exciting images in any corner of the world (in the last year he has visited 14 countries), is characterized by a very personal seal that combines a look at sports with a look at humanity.

For years he has been working with Sony cameras such as the FS7 with which he has covered the latest editions of the Dakar Rally, the Kenian Riders or the Titan Dessert.

Precisely in this last race, Cabilla captured with his camera the challenge of Alex Roca, an athlete with cerebral palsy and a 76% disability, who thanks to his desire to improve has managed to complete all the stages of this tough mountain bike competition crossing the most desert areas of Morocco.

Cabilla has now counted on Roca to record some images in Barcelona with the FX9, achieving a striking result in terms of lights, depth of field, latitude and use of autofocus.

Although the filmmaker only had the camera for a few hours to shoot this demo clip, he quickly “got the FX9, with perfect familiarization, especially for someone who has already worked with the FS7.”

"For me the new Sony FX9 is a perfect camera. I am used to full frame in mirror less, the 35 being the lens that I use the most. The FX9 is very grateful using any type of fixed optics," Cabilla acknowledged.

On the other hand, the new camera has highlighted its sensor that offers unique depth and latitude, as well as autofocus. "In a full frame, if the focus is not controlled, it is quickly lost. However, in this case, the autofocus responds in a great way, giving you a point of freedom to narratively tell the situation without having to be continually worried about the focus."

Finally, he also highlighted the dual ISO and the variable electronic ND filter with gradual step as a positive point.