Sony Fs7 Owners Manual

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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D7.3 For a shallow depth of field, film-like look you should 
use a large aperture (f1.4 – f5.6). To avoid softening of the 
image due to diffraction effects you should avoid using 
very small apertures (f16, f22 etc). Most lenses provide 
the best performance in the middle of their aperture 
range. Use the cameras built in ND filters to maintain your 
desired aperture when there are high light levels.
Note that with some 3rd party lenses the iris may operate 
in steps and the lens may be heard to click. This is normal.
D8. ND Filter system
Neutral Density filters are used to reduce and control the 
amount of light falling on the sensor in bright filming 
conditions. They allow the use of larger apertures than 
would otherwise be possible in high light level scenes. 
The PXW-FS7 has a system of 1 clear filter and 3 neutral 
density filters to assist with exposure control. The filters are 
selected via a knob on the side of the camera. The options 
are: Clear, 1/4ND (2 stops), 1/16ND (4 stops) and 1/64ND (6 
stops). Use the appropriate amount of ND filtration to gain 
the most appropriate iris aperture. 
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D8.1 PXW-FS7 II and the variable ND filter
The PXW-FS7 II has an advanced variable ND filter system.  
When the filter dial is in the clear position there is no 
additional filtration in the optical path. When you select 
ND filter dial position 1, 2 or 3 the variable ND filter system 
is inserted into the optical path. 
When the ND filter switch is set to preset you the filter 
provides 3 preset levels of ND filtration: 2 = 1/4ND (2 
stops), 3 = 1/16ND (4 stops) and 4 = 1/64ND (6 stops). 
However if you wish you can change these preset ND 
levels in the menu 
(MENU: Camera -ND Filter).
Switching the ND filter switch to Variable allows you to 
use the IRIS/ND Dial to vary the amount of ND filtration 
smoothly and seamlessly from 1/4ND (2 stops) to 1/128ND 
(7 stops). The variable function allows you to use the 
aperture you desire for the best depth of field or lens 
performance and then finely control the exposure via the 
variable ND filter. 
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D8.2 The Variable ND filter can also be made to operate 
automatically by engaging filter position 2, 3 or 4 and then 
pressing an assignable button that has been assigned the 
auto ND function. I suggest assigning Auto ND to button 7.
(MENU: System –Assignable Button). 
D9.  Focus, Peaking, Focus Indicator 
and Focus Magnification
D 9.1  When fitted with a suitable auto focus capable 
E-Mount lens the camera can be set to Auto focus using 
the Focus Auto/Manual switch. In addition the Focus Push 
Auto button can be used to momentarily engage the 
auto focus system. Otherwise the camera can be focused 
manually. In order for the cameras auto focus functions to 
operate correctly if the lens has an AF/MF switch it must 
be set to AF. If using a lens with a focus ring that slides 
between AF/MF it must be in the AF position. 
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D9.2 The focus detection area of the auto focus system 
and the one push auto focus can be altered. If you chose 
the flexible spot function you can use the hand grip 
joystick or scroll wheel to move the focus detection area to 
any part of the frame. 
(MENU: Camera – Focus)
To assist with obtaining the best possible focus there are a 
number of focus aids.
The focus detection area (yellow box) can be moved by selecting 
“flexible spot” in the Camera – Focus  menu. 
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D9.3 Peaking
The cameras peaking function can be turned on and off 
via the peaking button on the side of the viewfinder LCD 
screen. The peaking settings can be changed in 
(MENU: - VF – Peaking). 
Often colored peaking is easier to see than normal balck 
and white peaking so consider setting the peaking type to 
color. Avoid using an excessively high peaking level.
Peaking works by enhancing the appearance of sharp and 
high contrast edges within the image by adding colored 
or black or white (normal peaking) highlights to the high 
contrast areas. This makes it easier to determine which 
parts of the image are in focus. However it should be 
noted that as peaking is contrast based, in high contrast 
scenes the peaking signal may be seen across large areas 
of the image, even areas not quite in focus. As a result 
peaking should be used with caution and high peaking 
levels should be avoided.  
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D9.4 Focus Indicator
The focus indicator appears as a bar graph across the 
lower middle of the viewfinder screen with a white box 
above (Focus Area Indicator). The bar graph measures 
the sharpness of the image within the box. When the 
graph is all the way to the left the image is soft. When it 
is to the right it is sharp. Best focus is when the indicator 
peaks as far to the right as you can get it, typically about 
75% of the full scale. The indicator will never get all the 
way to the right. The Focus Indicator and Focus Indicator 
Area box can be turned on and off in 
(MENU: VF – Display On/Off – Focus Indicator /and/ 
Focus Area Indicator). 
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D. Preparing the camera and shooting
D9.5 Focus Magnification
The Focus Magnification Function allows you to magnify 
the image seen in the viewfinder to closer inspect the 
focus. Pressing assignable button 4 on the hand grip 
magnifies the image by 4x, pressing a second time by 8x 
and the third press returns the image to normal. Focus 
Magnification has no effect on the recordings or HDMI 
or SDI outputs so can be used at any time. When Focus 
Magnification is enabled the joystick on the handgrip can 
be used to select which part of the full image is magnified. 
The Focus Magnification function can be assigned to an 
assignable button in case you are not using the handgrip
(MENU: System – Assignable Button).
  
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E.  Advanced picture settings for Custom Mode
  1. Gamma and color settings in Custom Mode  39
  2. Gamma categories (custom mode)  41
 3. Custom Mode Matrix (color) settings 46
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E.  Advanced picture settings for Custom Mode
E1. Gamma and Color Settings In Custom Mode
In Custom Mode you have the ability to change many of 
the cameras image quality settings including the Gamma 
Curve and Color Matrix. 
The gamma curve of the camera can be changed to alter 
the contrast and dynamic range of the captured image
(MENU: Paint – Gamma). 
Using different gamma curves can dramatically alter the 
look of the recorded image. There is no requirement 
to use any specific gamma curve. You should use the 
gamma curve that provides what you regard as the best 
looking images. It is worth experimenting with different 
gamma curve settings to achieve different looks.
A gamma curve with a large dynamic range will capture 
a larger scene brightness range but result in a flatter on 
screen image. A gamma curve with a smaller dynamic 
range will result in a higher contrast image but is only 
capable of capturing a narrower scene brightness range 
before the recorded image becomes over exposed. 
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E.  Advanced picture settings for Custom Mode
E 1.1  Suggested gamma settings
For shoots that take place under controlled lighting then 
the standard default gamma curve (STD5 R709) provides 
pleasing images with accurate contrast. For challenging 
lighting situations the Hypergamma gamma curves (HG) 
are very useful. If you are producing material that will 
be used directly within a broadcast TV show then HG1 is 
a good all round curve that is broadcast safe (does not 
exceed 100%). For very bright scenes then HG2 may be 
used.
For other productions where you do not need to ensure 
you are broadcast safe then HG3 works well as a general 
purpose curve and HG4 works well for very bright scenes. 
(MENU: Paint – Gamma – Gamma Catorgory – HG) + 
(MENU: Paint – Gamma – Gamma Select).
Note that if using zebras to check skin tone exposure you 
should reduce the zebra 1 level to 60%. 
(MENU: VF – Zebra – Zebra 1 Level). 
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