Sony FX6 Camera Master Class by Doug Jensen – Now on MZed

MZed Education

by Mascha DeikovaToday

With the film equipment market booming and various camera systems constantly being released, it’s difficult to stay on track. That’s why we are here: To provide reviews, keep you updated, and help you put together an optimal gear setup for your needs. However, it’s not enough to just choose a new camera. You should also learn how to use it – with all its functions and specifications. That’s where educational courses come into play. In particular, we just launched a “Doug Jensen’s Sony FX6 Camera Master Class” on MZed.com, and it’s a must-see if you’ve settled on this camcorder or are considering getting it.

When the Sony FX6 Cinema Camera came out several years ago, it was called a “tiny wonder”, “small sister of FX9”, an “affordable full-frame camcorder,” and so on. And it is still a super option for professional shooters who want something in a fairly-priced category but with good performance. The Sony FX6 offers exactly that: It’s a compact version of Sony’s flagship cinema cameras, boasting a full-frame 10.2MP 4K sensor, 15+ stops dynamic range, and other advanced features.  

However, as with any professional camera of this caliber, it’s not exactly easy to start working with it. Doug Jensen’s new extensive Master Class on MZed.com aims to help camera owners and operators get started on the right foot.

Meet your Master Class instructor

Doug Jensen is a television and video cinematographer, producer, director, and founder of “Vortex Media.” Throughout his career, he has taken on different professional roles, from hand-held camera operator for live sporting events to producer of training videos in the corporate world. Besides that, Doug is a development consultant for products such as Sony’s XDCAM camcorders.

Sony FX6 features recapped in the Master Class

Doug starts his Master Class by recapping the highlights of this particular camera. It is by no means a promotional video or a promotional text, but merely his opinion on what features make Sony FX6 so special. Let’s list some of them here:

• A full-frame 10.2 megapixel 4K sensor that allows a beautiful, shallow depth of field;
• More than 15 stops of dynamic range;
• Almost zero rolling shutter (we explain what this means here);
• Two native ISO sensitivity modes (800 and 12,800), hence great low light sensitivity;
• Sony’s patented electronic variable ND filter that “makes setting exposure about as simple as turning the dimmer on an LED light”, so Doug Jensen;
• Exceptional autofocus capabilities with facial and eye recognition and tracking;
• 4K slow motion at 120 fps or HD at 240 fps with no special processing required and with full 10-bit 422 quality;
• A timecode jack (In or Out) for the accurate synchronization;
• 4K 12G SDI port and 4K HDMI – both can be used simultaneously;
• Five potential ways of audio input, and the camera can record 4 channels of 24-bit 48 kHz audio;
• The option of shooting with S-LOG, HLG, and S-Cinetone (As Doug explains, it’s Sony’s special mode that provides natural skin tones and a cinematic look – for productions that won’t have additional color grading in post).

Quite an extensive list already, isn’t it? However, we’re not here to discuss Sony FX6’s capabilities or compare it to other cameras. If you read this article or plan to watch the course, then you’ve most likely already decided on this camera, and possibly you’re even holding it in your hands right now.

Weak spots of Sony FX6?

Of course, not everything is sunshine and roses, and Sony FX6 also has some weak spots that Doug Jensen highlights in the course. For him personally, one of the biggest disappointing decisions from Sony was not to include a viewfinder with the FX6. Yes, it does feature a decent LCD monitor, which allows for different rigging options on the camera body, but it’s not the same.

An electronic viewfinder (or an EVF) must, per definition, have a glass eyepiece with an adjustable diopter or loupe that you can look through. It is not replaceable with just an LCD panel because a true viewfinder blocks out ambient light and gives you a detailed, bright view of the picture. Apart from that, as Doug explains, the EVF usually adds another point of contact, which makes it easier to keep the camera steady during handheld shots.

In the course, Doug offers several solutions from the third-party company Zacuto, showing and explaining each of them.

Sony FX6 Master Class structure

The 8-hour Master Class is divided into 27 modules, which combine all possible manuals and guides on the Sony FX6 that you may ever need. Doug Jensen starts with the complete camera tour, showing all the buttons (including the nine assigned buttons and how to program them), menu settings, and different functions. He also explains every nook and cranny: from clip naming and recording proxies to the advantages of Cine El shooting mode, or how to make a timelapse. The best part of it: Every explanation and piece of information in this Master Class has a clear, visual demonstration, which is very useful.

Apart from this, in this course, you will learn about different video signals and recording formats, as well as get some tips on external gear that you will possibly need for the Sony FX6.

Read the full description of the Master Class and its chapters here.

Pricing

“Doug Jensen’s Sony FX6 Camera Master Class” is available for MZed Pro subscribers only. Become an MZed Pro member and watch this course along with over 55 others for only $349 for the first year and $199 for every year after that. MZed now also offers a monthly subscription for $49 per month, which grants users the same access as the annual one.

What else do you get as an MZed Pro?

As an MZed Pro member, you have access to over 500 hours of filmmaking education. Plus, we’re constantly adding more courses (several are in production right now).

Starting at just $29/month (billed at $349 in the first year, $199 from the second year, or billed monthly at $49), here’s what you’ll get:

• 55+ courses, over 850+ high-quality lessons, spanning over 500 hours of learning.
• Highly produced courses from educators who have decades of experience and awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award.
• Unlimited access to stream all content during the 12 months.
• Offline download and viewing with the MZed iOS app.
• Discounts to ARRI Academy online courses, exclusively on MZed.
• Most of our courses provide an industry-recognized certificate upon completion.
• Purchasing the courses outright would cost over $9,500.
• Course topics include cinematography, directing, lighting, cameras and lenses, producing, indie filmmaking, writing, editing, color grading, audio, time-lapse, pitch decks, and more.
• 7-day money-back guarantee if you decide it’s not for you (on annual billing only).

Full disclosure: MZed is owned by CineD.
Join MZed Pro now and start watching today!

Who’s a proud owner of the Sony FX6 here? And who is considering buying one? What do you think about these kinds of master classes? Do you usually learn everything about your camera beforehand, or on the go, while shooting? Let’s talk in the comments below!