It’s not a secret that Sony’s Cinema Line cameras can be beautifully paired together. In this case study, cinematographer Philip RANG ACS has utilized the BURANO together with the FX3 ($4,298 on Amazon) to get stunning matched shots for the short indie project “Be Not Afraid”. Watch it below.

A cinema camera that was designed for solo shooters

The Sony BURANO was designed for highly mobile, solo cine-style shooting. It’s armed with an 8.6K newly developed full-frame sensor that outputs the same color science as the acclaimed VENCIE. However, the BURANO holds many advantages especially crafted for independent filmmaking, like the unique in-camera stabilization for both E- and PL-mount lenses, fast hybrid autofocus, and an easily adjustable ND filter to enhance single-user capture. The BURANO has the ability to seamlessly image match with the VENICE (1 and 2), and also can fit in easily with more consumer low-end mirrorless like the FX3. And that’s the technical story behind the short film “Be Not Afraid”. The integration of BURANO together with FX3 brought high-end imagery shot by two operators and a very small crew.

BURANO + FX3

“Be Not Afraid” is a short film shot by cinematographer Philip RANG ACS on the Sony BURANO combined with FX3, utilizing natural light and a crew of only two people. Filmed exclusively during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, the film’s visuals are bathed in the warm, natural glow of the Australian outback. According to RANG, the decision to shoot in 6K and downscale to 4K ensured impeccable color matching and resolution. The film was shot using the S-log color gamut, which allowed for a rich and dynamic visual experience. Accompanied by his camera assistant James Bilich, who also operated the second camera with a DJI gimbal ($149 on Amazon) , Philip utilized the new G Series autofocus lenses (12-24mm G Master ($3,248 on Amazon) , 24-70mm G Master II ($2,448 on Amazon) , and 200-600mm G lenses ($2,098 on Amazon) ). The crew’s ability to shoot with a small, mobile setup, focusing on the magic hours of the day, highlights the efficiency and preparation that went into the production. The project showcases the seamless intercutting of footage from the BURANO and FX3, emphasizing the synergy between the two cameras in terms of color science and resolution.

Watch the project together with the BTS below:

Final thoughts

The BURANO and the FX3 are both similar but very different cameras. The first can be defined as a high-end cinema camera (a combination of FX9 and VENICE) with solo-shooting capabilities, and the other is more like a solid mirrorless. Let’s not forget that the FX3 has been utilized on a blockbuster as its main camera (The Creator) which was screened on the huge canvas (IMAX theater). On the other hand, the BURANO might be an overkill for independent shooters who upgraded from their FX6/FX9. Nevertheless, there’s some magic in combining the two, and this case study demonstrates that they can be perfectly matched together, and complete each other to serve the story’s needs. What do you think about “Be Not Afraid” as an indie project that was shot on these cameras?