Sony FX 6 User manual

Sony FX 6
firmware version 2.0
Quick Start Guide and Tips
Centre for Digital Arts
Concordia University
2022

Contents
Introduction, P. 3
Important Features, P. 6
APR warning, P. 9
Power and Batteries, P. 10
Recording Media, P. 11
The kit zoom lens, P. 18
Menu navigation, P. 21
Audio, P. 29
Shooting Modes: Introduction, P. 40
Custom Shooting Mode: Settings, P. 44
Custom Shooting Mode: Exposure, P. 55
Focusing, P. 82
Cine EI Shooting Mode, P. 97
Cine EI Option One: Exposing Slog 3
with the s709 LUT, P. 103
Cine EI Option Two: Importing custom LUTs,
P. 1 2 9
Cine EI Option Three: Exposing Slog 3 without
a LUT, P. 136
S and Q Shooting, P. 143
Attaching the Viewfinder Loupe, P. 156
Tripod Tips, P. 170
Additional Resources, P. 180

Introduction
Sony FX 6

Introduction
This guide summarizes key information on the Sony FX 6 in one resource.
The guide is not written for the absolute beginner but it does explain some
fundamental concepts common to all video cameras.
It is ideal for the somewhat experienced person who wants to quickly
familiarize themselves with the camera.
I suggest the Sony Z90 and FS5 cameras in the EV Depot for beginners.
Additional resources are referenced at the end of the guide.

Introduction
The FX 6 is a full frame sensor Sony “cinema” camera.
The image quality is fantastic and the camera can serve as a good introduction
to the world of digital cinematography.
If you have never used a digital cinema camera that can import LUTs, read the
section on Cine EI shooting mode carefully.
The method of exposure using a LUT described in this section, is similar to how
many digital cinema cameras expose using LUTs, regardless of their
manufacturer.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this guide. Please
email:
[e-mail]

Important features: Camera Specifications
In addition to NTSC and PAL options there is also a 4K DCI (digital cinema) 24 fps option.
4.2K Full Frame sensor: very good low light performance!
Shooting Resolutions: HD 1920 x 1080, 4K UHD 3840 x 2160, 4K DCI 4096 x 2160
Standard frame rates (called frequency scan): NTSC: 59.94p, 29.97p, 23.98p, PAL: 50p,
25p, DCI: 24p
S &Q frame rates: 4K: 1 to 120 fps, HD: 1 to 240 fps
Recording options:
XAVC-I 4:2:2 10 bit (I Frame) for HD and 4K
XAVC-L (long G.O.P) longer recording time and lower quality, HD: 10 bit, 4K: 8 bit
4K RAW recording requires an external recorder (4K 16 bit RAW output via SDI and HDMI)

Important Features: Shooting Modes and Dual Sensitivity
Shooting Modes:
There are two shooting modes: Custom and Cine EI. If you want to shoot in
Slog 3 then you must shoot in Cine EI mode. This is common to all Sony
cinema cameras. In this guide, the Custom shooting mode is presented
first, as it is the easiest choice.
ISO:
This is a dual sensitivity camera, meaning that the sensor is optimized for
two different ISO settings called base sensitivity: Low and High. The low
and high ISO ratings change according to the shooting mode. See next
page.

Important Features: Dual Sensitivity ISO
Base Sensitivity Settings (higher numbers mean more sensitive to light):
Low:
Custom (709) Low: 320 ISO
Cine EI Low: 800 ISO
High:
Custom (709) High: 5000 ISO
Cine EI High: 12800 ISO
The Base Sensitivity (ISO) settings change according to the shooting mode.
See the sections on Shooting Modes and Exposure.

APR warning
When you first power up the camera, it may ask you to “execute APR”.
This is the automatic pixel restoration feature that minimizes noise in
the LCD when lighting conditions change.
Put the lens cap on and press OK. It only takes 5 seconds.
If you cancel this option, do it next time. It should be performed on a
regular basis.

Power and Batteries
Power button on side of camera.
AC power on the back right side of camera (bottom
connector).
Smaller battery (BP-U35): 150 minutes
Larger battery: (BP-U100): 400 minutes
Shooting high frame rates will diminish the battery
time.
The batteries take several hours to charge. Charge
them overnight.