In Broadcast - June 2018 - 32

32

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 8 - Issue 6 | June 2018

InAPAC

Emotions in Every Frame
Sony VENICE

VENICE is part of Sony's
CineAlta family

As one of the first manufacturers to embrace
the full frame technology in high-end digital
cinema camera systems, Sony's VENICE is
generating phenomenal interest within the global
cinematography community...

V

ENICE is fast establishing itself
as a versatile, high-end shooting
solution capable of delivering truly
cinematic results.
Recently added to Netflix's list of
approved cameras in all 4K modes,
VENICE is the latest addition to Sony's
CineAlta family. With its forwardthinking sensor, impressive colour
science and user-friendly operation,
the camera has been created by and
for the cinematographer, pushing
the boundaries of large format image
capture with exceptional picture
quality. It is a testament of Sony's
endless pursuit for unlimited creative
possibility, which started in 1999 with
the introduction of the first 24p digital
motion picture production system
- HDW-F900.
Creative Freedom Realised
Capable of capturing 6K footage up
to 6048 x 4032 pixels depending on
aspect ratio, VENICE is equipped with
the 36mm x 24mm full frame sensor
- the size of the classical 35mm still
photograph negative and twice the size
of 35m 4-Perf film - that offers a more
natural perspective with shallower
depth of field compared to Super35.
It is the first Sony camera with a
sensor area tall enough for traditional
4-Perf anamorphic. Developed from
scratch, the high-speed readout
sensor minimises the 'jello' effect and
comes with very little noise, capturing
a plethora of permutations from full
frame 3:2 to Super35 4K full 18mm
height 4:3, Anamorphic and Spherical,
and everything in between.
In addition to
the 15+ stops of
exposure latitude,
VENICE supports an
additional High Base
ISO of 2500 utilising
the sensor's unique
physical attributes on
top of its native ISO
Camera features
a 36mm x 24mm
full frame sensor

500. This takes advantage of Sony's
unique sensor for superb low light
performance with exceptional dynamic
range - from six stops over to nine
stops under 18% middle gray. The
capability is a result of requests to
increase exposure indexes at higher
ISOs for night exteriors, dark interiors,
working with slower lenses or where
content needs to be graded in High
Dynamic Range, while maintaining the
maximum shadow details.
VENICE features new colour science
designed to deliver a soft tonal film
look, with shadows and mid-tones
having a natural response and the
highlights preserving the dynamic
range. This translates to more control
and greater freedom to work with
images during grading and postproduction using the established
workflow of Sony's third-generation
LOG gamma encoding (S-Log3), and
ultra-wide colour space.
An added benefit unique to VENICE
is its built-in 8-step optical
ND filter servo mechanism.
This can emulate different
ISO operating points
when in High Base
ISO 2500 and
also
maintains
the
extremely
low
levels
of
noise characteristics of the full
frame sensor. This new flexibility
significantly expands the range of
creative possibilities for production
professionals.
Ensuring that it is truly lens agnostic,
VENICE is equipped with industrystandard PL lens mount, ensuring
compatibility with all Super35 and
full frame PL lenses, spherical and
anamorphic. Notably, VENICE's
support for anamorphic lenses
captures breathtakingly beautiful
images with stunning lens flare,
bokeh and emotional impact.
Engineered to Survive
Carefully considering what
the next generation camera

requires, Sony intends for VENICE
to be a reliable partner for creative
professional filmmakers with the goal
to have an intuitive design and refined
functionality that would make it a
pleasure to work with. Key aspects of
the camera are carefully considered -
form factor, ergonomics, build quality,
ease of use, simple and established
workflow.

VENICE features a modular design

With the design concept revolving
around simple and robust, VENICE's
chassis has been rigorously tested
in the harshest condition and is
surprisingly compact, allowing for
shooting in confined spaces or even
on drones. The control buttons
reflect the requirements of camera
operations, carefully positioned for
intuitive operation and even illuminate
to accommodate dark sets. On-set
monitoring is further enhanced with
the additional HD output alongside the
standard 4K-SDI.

With the intention to offer a
future-proof
camera
system,
VENICE's modular design and user
interchangeable sensor allows the
sensor block to be exchanged and
swapped
easily,
accommodating
different shooting scenarios as the
need arises. It also allows the sensor
to be upgraded without having to buy
a new camera.
A Uniquely Creative Tool
Further as announced at NAB
2018, VENICE will be enhanced with
a new MultiDyne Silverback cameramounted fibre system and Teradek
Bolt wireless hardware. Supporting
3G-SDI out of the box, the Silverback
also plans to support 12G-SDI after
a future update, eventually allowing
for conversion of quad-link to and
from 12G and dual-link 6G SDI. This
enriches users' capability to output
live 4K signal over fibre, while
simultaneously
record
6K or 4K on camera.
Further, the wireless
Teradek Bolt allows for
RAW and X-OCN recording
from the VENICE without video
and power cables.
Having already been specified for
shoots, the interest for VENICE is a
testament to the industry's appetite
for a creative tool that promises
natural skin tones, elegant highlight
handling and wide dynamic range.
Sony will be showcasing VENICE
at BroadcastAsia 2018 for the first
time. Drop by the Sony booth at
BroadcastAsia, Suntec Singapore on
Level 4 to experience the uniquely
creative filmmaking tool.
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://www.sony.net/Products/Cinematography/Venice/ https://www.sony.net/Products/Cinematography/Venice/Camera_simulator/index.html https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/digital-cinema-cameras/venice
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