With the announcement of the new Venice2, every Cinematographer wanted to get a hands on demo on the camera. WICA, in association with Sony, made that possible. So, on the 15th of March, 2024, Sony India conducted a workshop on Sony VENICE2 8.6K cinema camera exclusively for the members of WICA.

The session started with a presentation on the Cinema-Line Products followed by product presentation on SONY VENICE2 camera.

• The presentation covered interesting topics such as:
• Full Frame Sensor involving advanced CMOS technology.
• Wide Dynamic Range.
• Dual Base ISO and its practical benefits.
• Various Imager Modes including Spherical and Anamorphic.
• PL and E-Mount Lens system.
• Full Range Internal ND filter System.
• X-OCN Recording Formats.
• Followed by the presentation of hands-on-demonstration of the camera.

SONY VENICE2 8.6K camera is the flagship product and top of the line camera in the Cinema Line of Products. Created by and for the cinematographers, VENICE2 offers a choice between 8K and 6K sensors, both of which boast incredibly wide latitude and gamut. Filmmakers have greater freedom of expression in grading than ever before, with either 16 or 15+ stops of latitude and exquisite colour rendition.  This means that both the imagers can deliver phenomenal images with very little noise, in conditions that range from searing sunlight to almost no light. VENICE2 also excels at High Dynamic Range imaging, allowing for unprecedented creative freedom in grading.

The 36mm X 24mm Full-frame image sensor is designed specifically for the demands and performance of high-end cinematography. both of which boast incredibly wide latitude and gamut. Filmmakers have greater freedom of expression in grading than ever before, with either 16 or 15+ stops of latitude and exquisite colour rendition.

VENICE2 features dual base ISO, meaning that the 8K sensor offers Base ISO3200 in addition to Base ISO800. High Base ISO3200 excels in low-light, High Dynamic Range capture, with an exposure latitude from 6 stops over to 10 stops under 18% Middle Gray, for a total of 16 stops.

VENICE2 follows the world first of VENICE, with a servo-controlled 8-step Mechanical ND filter mechanism built into the camera chassis. It offers a massive ND of 0.3 (1/2 = 1 stop) to 2.4 (1/256 = 8 stops) range that reduces time lost on set changing external filters. The ND filters also greatly increase VENICE’s flexibility when being controlled remotely on drones and cranes, or in an underwater housing.

The imager modes allows use of wide variety of lenses including Spherical and Anamorphic lenses in Full frame and S35 mm. VENICE 2 supports internal recording of X-OCN or 4K ProRes recording onto AXS memory cards, removing the need to attach additional recording hardware. Full 4K, 6K or 8K resolution, with extraordinary color reproduction, nicely suits Sony’s third generation colour development, S-Gamut 3. In particular, 16-bit scene linear tonal gradation retains the camera’s full dynamic range, with far greater capacity for visual expression than 10-bit or 12-bit digital formats.
16-bit X-OCN offers significant file size reduction, which makes working with full resolution content from VENICE 2’s 8.6K or 6K sensor far more practical in terms of file transfer times and storage requirements.
VENICE 2 supports embedded LUT and CDL data within MXF clip files. These are recorded in the same folder as a separate clip to simplify post-production workflow. VENICE 2 can apply 4K or HD LUTs to its monitor output.
This session was quite interactive and saw the participation of about 20 WICA Members.
The DOP Mr. Tribhuvan Babu who was present in the event shared his first-hand experience working with SONY VENICE2 during his filming of his forthcoming project which is scheduled to be released soon.
On behalf of SONY India Ltd, we would like to thank each and every member of WICA who had participated in this event. Special thanks to the WICA Managing Committee members, especially the General Secretary, the Joint Secretaries and the office staff of WICA for the smooth conduct of the event.

Credits:

• Demonstrated – Sony Venice2 (8k)
• Lenses – Sigma Lenses.
• Camera & other equipment supplied by – Sony India Ltd,
• Camera Lenses were supplied by – Sony India Ltd.
• Demo was conducted by Sony technical representative – Shri Sandheev Nair.
• The entire event went on for two hours – from 2-30 pm to 5-30 pm. in WICA Office.