Sony FX3
Full Spectrum Camera Hire
Full Spectrum
Rates
£175/day
£175/weekend
£525/week
All prices ex VAT
Shipping
£38 (pre 12pm)
£48 (pre 9am)
Includes return
Sharing the same sensor as the legendary A7Siii, the Sony FX3 is a small yet powerful cinema camera that boasts incredible low light performance.
Ours has been modified to see the full spectrum of wavelengths, ideal for night-vision applications and filming in low-light, plus creative use of infrared shooting.
- 10 bit 4:2:2 recording
- Up to 4K/120fps
- Up to 409,600 ISO
- ~250nm to >1000nm sensitivity
- Full frame sensor
- In built image stabilisation
- Incredible video auto focus
- Full spectrum modified Sony FX3
- Metabones EF-E mount (or Metabones PL-E on request)
- Choice of IR filter (715nm, 850nm or Aerochrome)
- 82mm hot mirror filter (for visible light only)
- (7) 82mm step up rings (52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72 & 77mm)
- Tilta cage w/ baseplate + dovetail plate
- 15mm LWS rods – 200mm pair
- (4) Sony Tough 64GB V90 SDXC cards + case
- (6) Sony NP-FZ100 batteries
- Hähnel dual battery charger + mains cable
- Supplied in a Peli Air 1535 case
FAQ
Does the camera still work like normal?
Yes, the camera operates exactly the same as an unmodified Sony FX3. In addition to the UV and IR spectrums, it still sees visible light and using the included hot mirror filter, it can still take regular colour video.
The camera may however struggle to accurately autofocus in the infrared spectrum as the light focuses at a different point than in the visible spectrum. Autofocus will still work with regular light.
Is there any colour cast shooting in full spectrum?
The short answer is yes.
The amount of IR light in the scene dictates the extremity of the colour cast. Shooting with any sunlight in the scene (even indirectly, such as through a window out of shot) will result in a heavy red colour cast. Some artificial light sources however do not produce much (if any) IR light: an interior scene shot at night may appear completely normal. That said, it is important to keep an eye on any black materials in particular when shooting without filtration; they may take on a red or purple hue.
Which wavelengths can the camera see?
Unmodified cameras can only see what our eyes see – from about 400 to 700 nanometres.
The full spectrum modification expands the visible range in both directions. The camera is now sensitive to light from around 250nm in the ultraviolet spectrum, all the way to 1000nm and above in the infrared spectrum.
How do I use the camera's night vision?
The infrared spectrum (from around 700nm and above) is invisible to human and animal eyes. The camera however, can see light in this spectrum up to and over 1000nm.
Using infrared lighting, you can illuminate the area or light the scene exactly as you would with regular lights, except this is only visible to the camera. This is how CCTV works at night.
Do you supply infrared lighting?
We have a limited selection of infrared lighting. We can supply the camera with a 5W 850nm torch, or alternative lights may be sourced and provided on request.
Do you supply infrared filters?
Yes, we include two filters – an infrared cut called a hot mirror and your choice of infrared filter: 715nm, 850nm or Aerochrome.
The hot mirror only allows visible light through. With this filter you can use the camera as if it were unmodified, producing realistic and accurate colours.
The infrared filters block all visible light – meaning only infrared light is let through to the camera. You can use this for false colour and, depending on the selected filter, produces different colour effects.
For more information, see our infrared filter page.
I've seen some crazy coloured infrared imagery. Can I do that?
Yes! The crazy coloured infrared imagery is called false colour. You’ll likely want to filter out visible light using the included infrared filter for maximum effect.
These images however are heavily processed and do not come out of camera looking like that. Heavy curves may need to be applied in grading your video for an acceptable level of contrast, plus manipulation of the colour channels is commonplace. Typically ‘channel swapping’ is employed on the red and blue channels to achieve the milky, blue and pink pastel tones you’ve seen.
The exception to this is the Aerochrome filter, which produces red foliage and deep blue skies right out of camera.
For more information, see our infrared filter page.
Which lenses can I use?
The FX3 sports a native Sony E mount, plus either an EF or PL adapter is included with every hire. You can therefore mount any of your existing E, EF or PL lenses on the camera and use them as normal for regular (visible light) shooting.
However, for infrared shooting, some lenses perform better than others – and not necessarily the ones you might expect. Some of the best lenses may not work very well in infrared, and vice versa. The most common problem is the introduction of hotspots – a bright area in the centre of the image. This will vary with the lens, zoom position or even focus distance. Generally they’re more evident at deeper (smaller) apertures and less apparent at wider stops. They’re also not necessarily consistent across the same set, series or era of lenses – so one good lens doesn’t mean all of its siblings will work well too.
The best way to work see what works is to test all of your lenses prior to a shoot and see what you deem as acceptable. That said, a number of lists already exist online that detail which lenses work better or worse, a good example can be found here.