This year has been revolutionary for me with the launch of the Sony Burano. This camera has redefined the possibilities of capturing the type of projects I direct, which are essentially projects involving extreme and action sports. It offers the ease of use found in the FX line, such as sensor stabilisation, E-mount, and autofocus, while maintaining the cinematic quality of CineAlta.

My name is Horacio Cabilla, and I’ve been a Sony Video Pro ambassador since 2018. As a director and cinematographer specialising in extreme shoots, I have always been drawn to pushing the limits of visual storytelling, putting recording equipment to the test in the most demanding environments. I have my own audiovisual production company, based in Barcelona, where we work for brands like Red Bull, Nike, and Dakar Rally, creating advertising, branded content, and documentary projects.

Recently, my team and I embarked on an exciting project at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia: the Drift Masters as well as a side act show organised by Red Bull. The Drift Masters is the European drift championship where the best drivers compete head-to-head with the most impressive vehicles in the category. Our mission was not only to capture the competition’s high-adrenaline moments but also to participate in the creation of content for a unique fusion of disciplines: Drifting + Paragliding. Jakub Przygoński, at the wheel of his Toyota Supra, and Horacio Llorens, 6-time world paragliding champion, piloting his paramotor, performed a unique choreography to the delight of all the spectators at the circuit.

The Kit

As part of this project, we chose the Sony BURANO as the main camera. The Sony FX6 served as the B camera, and the FX3 was used as the onboard camera for inside the vehicle.

One of the main reasons we chose the Sony BURANO as the A camera was its focus system with E-mount lenses. Shooting an event where many things happen simultaneously and there is no possibility of repeating shots, it was essential to have a reliable and precise focus system that ensures accuracy at all times. With this in mind, we also decided to shoot the entire project with Sony G Master lenses. I operated the camera while previewing from an external monitor, while my assistant controlled the autofocus through the camera's touch screen.

Another important reason for choosing the Sony BURANO is its ease of operation. Its size and weight allow for swift movement and comfortable operation on a tripod, handheld, or with an easy rig for hours. During this project, we shot for 16 hours a day on average, making it essential to have camera equipment that could be used for extended periods without causing extreme fatigue. Additionally, the BURANO's sensor stabilisation is invaluable, providing support for fluid, organic movements, while also allowing for disabling stabilization when rawness and intensity are desired.

Furthermore, the 16-stop dynamic range offers many possibilities when working in post-production, allowing us to achieve the look we are aiming for. Its colour depth is incredible, making the project’s colour grading process really enjoyable.

A standout point of this project is the combination of BURANO with the FX6 and FX3 cameras. All of them are able to shoot with the same colour profile, which in this case was SLOG3, and with similar menu configurations. These factors made our workflow much easier, both during shooting and when downloading content, during the editing process, and in post-production.

The versatility of Sony cameras has been a crucial factor in my work. The ability to switch between different models and configurations has allowed me to adapt to various filming environments and creative styles. Whether I'm shooting in a controlled studio or in extreme desert conditions, I can always rely on the reliability and quality of Sony cameras to capture stunning images.