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Sony PMW-F3 with 2500 hours on it. Should I buy it?


basil_555
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Hi everyone,

I have two Sony PMW-F3s: one has a damaged sensor, and the other is in perfect condition. However, the damaged one has the RGB444 upgrade installed, while the one in good condition doesn’t, because the RGB upgrade software was never installed with the SxS memory card.

According to the Sony PMW-F3 manual, it’s possible to uninstall the RGB upgrade from the camera that has it by transferring the upgrade software back onto the SxS card, so it can be installed on another camera. The issue is that to uninstall the RGB upgrade from the camera to the SxS card, I need to enter the 4-digit password used when I first installed the upgrade. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the password. The manual says to contact a Sony service representative if the password is forgotten, but since this is such an old camera, I’m unsure if that will help. I already tried contacting Sony, but I was told the camera is no longer serviced.

I’m asking if anyone here has been in a similar situation. What procedure did you follow, and how did the Sony service representative help you if you forgot the 4-digit code? Back in the days?

Perhaps you worked as a Sony representative servicing Sony PMW-F3 related issues and remember how you helped folks who would forget the 4 digit password they would pick before installing the rgb upgrade?

Or maybe you can pinpoint any other solution?

I really appreciate if you read this far, and thank for any help!

Wish you a good day!

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EOSHD Pro Color 5 for Sony cameras EOSHD Z LOG for Nikon CamerasEOSHD C-LOG and Film Profiles for All Canon DSLRs

I had posted this little gem in another thread. So here it is where it belongs.:) I just love what people are getting out of this camera. Btw one youtuber has discovered that the sensor was made by Fuji!

Who is still using or has begun to use that beautiful Cinealta F3? I got one in great shape but have not come around using it. So a "get off your ass and use your vintage camera-challenge" would be awesome! Are you in? @IronFilm  🙂 Anyway, the clip:

 

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I feel like it is just about time to start a Sony PMW-F5 / F55 thread? 😉

They're becoming even cheaper on eBay than the F3 was back when I first purchased my F3 a zillion years ago!

Only US $739 from Adorama, put in a "best offer" and get it for even less:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235749404194

Then get yourself a cheap XQD to SXS card adapter, and you'll be away laughing with cheap media: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003950544795.html 

As you can pick up 128gig XQD cards on eBay for half of what the SXS cards would cost. 

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On 11/1/2024 at 2:18 AM, homestar_kevin said:

That one's been tempting! 

Yeah I've been staring for years at these cheap Sony PMW-F5 deals you see on ebay , being tempted by them. 

But I suspect my next camera most likely will be a P4K

 

On 11/1/2024 at 2:18 AM, homestar_kevin said:

There are other examples out there for like 200 more with the viewfinder too

Yeah, those are to be fair even better deals even though the price is a little higher

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1. Blackmagic is one of my favs ever.

2. Sony has been growing up to my eyes lately...

Manually and auto modes, respectively, IMO.

DJI and Insta360 are the players at small form factor IMO part 2.

My bets as of today.

- EAG :- )

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On 9/10/2024 at 6:08 PM, Gerry J said:

Hi everyone,

I have two Sony PMW-F3s: one has a damaged sensor, and the other is in perfect condition. However, the damaged one has the RGB444 upgrade installed, while the one in good condition doesn’t, because the RGB upgrade software was never installed with the SxS memory card.

According to the Sony PMW-F3 manual, it’s possible to uninstall the RGB upgrade from the camera that has it by transferring the upgrade software back onto the SxS card, so it can be installed on another camera. The issue is that to uninstall the RGB upgrade from the camera to the SxS card, I need to enter the 4-digit password used when I first installed the upgrade. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the password. The manual says to contact a Sony service representative if the password is forgotten, but since this is such an old camera, I’m unsure if that will help. I already tried contacting Sony, but I was told the camera is no longer serviced.

I’m asking if anyone here has been in a similar situation. What procedure did you follow, and how did the Sony service representative help you if you forgot the 4-digit code? Back in the days?

Perhaps you worked as a Sony representative servicing Sony PMW-F3 related issues and remember how you helped folks who would forget the 4 digit password they would pick before installing the rgb upgrade?

Or maybe you can pinpoint any other solution?

I really appreciate if you read this far, and thank for any help!

Wish you a good day!

why uninstall rgb444 upgrade? just put on an 422 1080p external recorder is enough. 

maybe you want to transfer this rgb444 to your good 422 f3? if so, good luck. 

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On 11/2/2024 at 11:39 PM, IronFilm said:

Yeah I've been staring for years at these cheap Sony PMW-F5 deals you see on ebay , being tempted by them. 

But I suspect my next camera most likely will be a P4K

 

Yeah, those are to be fair even better deals even though the price is a little higher

f5 has internal rgb444 2k 440 mbps, where f3 lacks. its 4k is the same as 2k. shoulder ergonomics is great, only second to top tier 2/3 pro eng cams. pro I/o. 

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On 5/20/2024 at 12:14 AM, Lewis78 said:

I like the reliability of the Cinealta F3. I can't say that the F3 is that much different from mirrorless cameras. It seems to me that modern cameras can produce equally high-quality images.

from my experience, f3 has a far better sensor. 

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