Long-time cine equipment leader, OConnor, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group brand is meeting the challenges of support and lens accessories for Sony’s F5 and F55 4K cameras. The OConnor tools enable professional cinematographers to operate the cameras built-up in large or small lens cine set-ups.
The F5 and F55 share the same camera body form factor, weighing less than five pounds (2.3kg). Outfitted minimally with a simple prime lens and viewfinder, the cameras will remain under 10 pounds (4.5kg), comfortably within the range of OConnor’s 1030D and 1030Ds fluid heads (maximum payloads 30 pounds and 41 pounds respectively). When camera crews take advantage of the Sony cameras’ modular designs, the two heads can quickly adjust the counterbalance to account for the addition of optional viewfinders, recorders and batteries, with payload range to spare.
When the F5 and F55 are fully built-up with large zoom lenses and full-size cine-style accessories, OConnor’s 2575D fluid head, with its maximum payload of 90 pounds (40.8kg) can take over. Should the demands of the shoot require a quick stripping down of the F5 or F55, there’s no need to switch to another fluid head. The wide range of the 2575D’s counterbalance as well as pan and tilt drag will continue to provide the famous OConnor feel, regardless of the payload.
And when it comes to providing professional lens control for the F55 in larger setups, OConnor’s CFF -1 (Cine Follow Focus) is the pinnacle of follow focus design and technology, offering unparalleled performance in an extremely modular design. As a double-sided studio unit, OConnor’s follow focus is ideal for large diameter lenses, and protects the user’s equipment investment by ensuring compatibility with optical systems now and into the future. The CFF-1 integrates seamlessly with existing popular accessories such as whips, gears and cranks, while creating a new standard in compatibility.
For smaller 15mm LWS cine setups, the path to mounting the myriad of standard accessories available in the cine industry to the F5 and F55 cameras is no further away than OConnor’s Universal Baseplate. This sturdy camera platform is engineered to allow optical axis centering of the lens to the correct rod measurement. If necessary it also has the ability to interface with standard studio bridgeplates for setups where large and weighty zoom lenses require rock solid support, adapting any camera to a studio 15mm or 19mm bridge plate by changing out the rods.
For smaller cine setups, OConnor’s O-Focus Dual Mini (DM) cine follow-focus delivers big advantages for both of these Sonys. This compact, double-sided direct drive follow focus unit comes in a Cine Set configuration that utilizes the premium CFF-1 Studio Handwheel to yield a transmission ratio well suited for cine lenses with an expanded focus scale.
To complete a professional setup, operators can add the O-Box WM 2-stage mattebox, with integrated handgrip interfaces. And for today’s versatile handheld work, users can simply add on the O-Grip handles to complete the package.
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