I’m happy to say that we are now stocking the Sony PXW-FX9 cameras. They will be replacing our highly popular FS7’s and according to Owen Tanner from our camera department they are “an improvement in every way over the FS7 - better sensor, colour science, more accessible buttons and better form factor”.

The new Sony PXW-FX9 featuring 6K full frame sensor which records a down sampled 4K full frame image

In fact, I want to thank Owen as he has done all the hard work for me this time. I will be shamelessly cutting and pasting all the technical parts of this blog from his internal email briefing us all on the PXW-FX9’s arrival.

Owen: “The camera has a 6K full frame sensor, which records a down sampled 4K full frame image and has a standard 4K Super 35 mode. There is no option to record 6K currently. All our EF glass will cover the full frame mode. Not all our PL glass will cover this, but it will on the Super 35 mode. Our website has a list of our full frame/large format lenses.” (You can find it HERE)

All our EF glass will cover the full frame mode of the Sony PXW-FX9

BB: Yes but what’s does the PXW in PXW-FX9 stand for?

Owen: “Because the camera has the option for full frame and super 35, there is no reason to offer the FS7 over the FX9 . You aren't excluded from using any lenses that we own. The recorded file for both the super 35 and full frame is 3840x2160. The data rates are the same as the FS7 so it even uses the same amount of storage. “

BB: Ok, I guess I’ll google “PXW meaning”…

Owen: “The kit will come as standard with PL and EF mount adapters and the camera has a native E mount. There is no 19mm bar option, but the PL mount does have an optional 15mm Lens support for heavier lenses. Keep that in mind if the client wants to put a large, heavy zoom on. May not be possible without modification to the accessory package.”

BB: Yes, but is it cool, Owen?

Owen: “The camera currently shoots up to 120fps in 1080p, 60fps in 4K Super 35 and 30fps in full frame 4K. This will be improved with future firmware updates.”

BB: Owen, stop being so technical, just tell me if it’s cool mate.

Owen: “There is no anamorphic de-squeeze option in camera in the current firmware build and it's not on the current update map that Sony have released. You can still shoot anamorphic but you'd need to add monitors that are capable of de-squeeze. Most of our small HD and TV Logic monitors can do this. The camera EVF will always remain squeezed, as will the recorded image. That would need to be de-squeezed in post.”

BB: Ok, well I think it looks cool but does it make YOU look cool. That’s all anybody really cares about anyway.

Owen: “The camera come with Vocas Accessories, including a left hand grip. The FX9 also has the included Sony right hand grip, so no need to add Moose Bars. It also has a quick release plate and shoulder pad included, so no need to add anything extra if shooting hand held.”

BB: Owen stop the mumbo jumbo mate, will I look cool using it?

Owen: “The Sony handle has been upgraded with the Shape Rig quick adjustment arm.”

BB: Nobody cares about the handle mate, look at this chap, it’s not making him look cool, is it.

Owen: “The camera comes with 3x 120/128GB XQD cards with USB reader.”

BB: Not cool.

Owen: “It has 3x 98Wh BP Batteries with Dtap and USB power out and a single charger.”

BB: Not cool, he’s going to drop it.

Owen: “The XDCA extensions are added to the kits as standard along with a set of 4 Mini Vlock batteries. This allows an external RAW output and more power output options.”

BB: “Whoopy woo… It still don’t make you look cool. Look at these dudes from Wayne’s World.

OK, at this point I’m going to stop this entirely fictitious conversation and concentrate on my question. Does the Sony FX9 make you look cool? My initial image search on Google kind of leads me to believe that the answer is no but let me show you a few more so you can see what you think.

Cool? Nope, trying too hard and indoors in front of a studio light with a woolly hat on too.

Nope.

Nope.

Almost…but nope. I’m sure leather jackets are meant to be black.

Ok kind of but cap needs reversing.

Bingo! See it can be done.

Anyway, speaking of cool, I’d better rate it for my BCR (Bruce’s Coolness Rating). As cameras go, it’s a 10 out of 10. It’s cool because it really is better in every way than the FS7. It’s cool because of what it does not how it looks, much like the fine people I have pictured in this blog.

Please forgive me you guys and girls are cool too, as filmmakers you can’t fail to be, and we know it’s not the camera that makes you cool. It’s what you do with it that counts.

Oh and cheers Owen, you’re still kind of cool even though you cut your dreadlocks off and sold out to the establishment.

Now to be fair to all concerned, you can decide for yourself if it makes you cool or not. Either way you opt makes no real difference, what you really need to decide is what cool stuff are you going to do with it.

Cheers BB.