Sony has announced a new add-on for users of its CineAlta Venice 2 high-end cinema camera. The Sony Venice Extension System Mini is a tiny camera that enables you to shoot in ways that the larger camera wouldn’t allow.
Extension System Mini
The Sony Venice Extension System Mini consists of a tiny head unit that connects to the Venice 2 body via a cable. It’s compatible with both the Venice 2 8K and Venice 2 6K cameras. The head unit also uses the same 8.6K full-frame CMOS sensor as the Venice 2, so you won’t notice any difference in image quality. Interestingly, this means that Venice 2 6K users can capture in 8K when using the Extension System Mini.
Compact design
The head unit of the Sony Venice Extension System Mini measures 2.5 inches (63.9 mm) by 4 inches (103.2 mm) by 2.4 inches (60.2 mm). This means that it is around 70% smaller in volume than the previous Extension System for the Venice 2.
In addition, the Extension System Mini weighs 19 ounces (540g) when using the E mount for your lenses. This means that it is less than a third of the weight of the previous system. It’s also half the weight of the larger extension kit when using the included adaptor for PL mount lenses.
Cables
The Sony Venice Extension System Mini features a new 14.8-foot (4.5 m) long cable to attach the head unit to the Venice 2 body. At 7.6 mm in diameter, this cable is also 3.3mm thinner than the one that comes with the larger Extension System. There’s an optional 39-foot (12 m) cable if you need a longer distance between the Venice 2 and the Extension System Mini as well.
Additionally, the cable is detachable, so you can more easily install the head unit in confined spaces.
Other features
The Sony Venice Extension System Mini has 15 mounting points, so you should always be able to find an option that works for your setup. There are also two assignable buttons for customizable functions, such as recording start and toggling the false color display. The head unit supports drop-in ND filters, and you can get a set of nine filters, including a clear ND. Usefully, the Venice 2 automatically recognizes the density of the filter being used.
What we think
The Sony Venice Extension System Mini opens up opportunities for shots that wouldn’t be possible with the Venice 2 camera. The previous larger Extension System was used to get the cockpit shots in “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022). However, the new Mini system can deliver high-quality video from much smaller spaces. Also, if you mount two head units side by side, the distance between the sensors matches the average distance between human eyes. This makes the Extension System Mini an exciting prospect for 3D filmmaking. We look forward to seeing how filmmakers use Sony’s new add-on for the Venice 2 system.
Pricing and availability
Sony will be showcasing the Venice Extension System Mini at NAB in April and it’s scheduled for release in July. The system is expected to be priced at around $25,000.
