Adam Wilt: "Three three-letter cameras: EX1, F23, RED"

Eric Pascarelli · March 17th, 2008, 11:41 PM

The El Cheapo is an amazing find.

Benjamin Eckstein · March 18th, 2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Thomas

Bill, if I under expose, I'm not finding the EX1 very noisy. There's more noise, but I'm not sure if I 'd call it very.

The JVC footage I'm working on now I'd call that "very" compared to any under exposed EX1 footage. Well, in the HD100 camera's defense, it was low light concert footage

I definitely agree with that with my EX-1.

Bruce Rawlings · March 18th, 2008, 01:58 AM

I agree with Bill Raven's earlier posting. The EX1 is a cheap camera in professional terms, it should not be compared and then knocked down for so called failings. Sony have raised the bar for this type of camera.

I use the EX1 as a B Roll camera in conjunction with HDCam material and it stands up very well. But since the HDCAM's Fujinon broadcast lens cost more than double the EX1 what should I expect from the $7,500 spent?

On a daily basis the EX1 is superb. I feel guilty that for once in life I have a winner, a trouble free unit (so far) compared to others who have problems. But once you get a good one and just use the camera and forget its so called design failings you will be rewarded with fantastic pictures that your clients will be happy with.

Bob Grant · March 18th, 2008, 04:45 AM

After reading Adam's article I'm trying to figure out how to put a B4 mount on my EX1 so I can use those Digiprimes. That should cure the vignetting problem.

Paul Kellett · March 18th, 2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

with the el cheapo shoulder mounter it is absolutely brilliant for run and gun. I have been shooting for long days with it all handheld and I barely got tired.

I fitted a Manfrotto MN-577 quick relase plate and adaptor to my el cheapo (i presume you're talking about the ebay £18/Prestons £65 plastic folding job)
shoulder mount,my manfrotto 503/hdv head uses the exact same plate (501 pl) so now i can swap from tripod to shoulder mount quickly,without unscrewing the mount and screwing on my tripod plate.
To me,the shoulder mount is now complete,mine has now cost me around £70 in total,rediculously cheap for what it does and how well it works.

Paul.

Kevin Shaw · March 18th, 2008, 07:34 AM

In my tests the Ex1 worked fine for hand-held use when fitted with a "mini-rover" bracket on the left side, which provides both better stablity and an extra spot for mounting accessories. I did have concerns about the autofocus performance and awkward shutter speed controls, but overall the EX1 seems like a decent camera for the price. Surprisingly, many event videographers are leaning toward the new Z7U as a more practical "run and gun" camera, for what that's worth.

Bill Ravens · March 18th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Steve...

My definition of VERY noisy: If I have to use a noise reduction tool like NeatVideo, in post, to smooth over quantization noise and blockiness in the shadows, then it is VERY noisy. However, I agree that the noise is not as bad as what I've experienced with the HD110.

Bruce Rawlings · March 18th, 2008, 07:57 AM

Could someone please remind me of the "El cheapo" ebay site for the shoulder mount. Thanks.

Scott Vystrcil · March 18th, 2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

with the el cheapo shoulder mounter it is absolutely brilliant for run and gun. I have been shooting for long days with it all handheld and I barely got tired.

What shoulder mount did you buy Phil?

Paul Kellett · March 18th, 2008, 08:40 AM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/camera-shoulde...em310032167386

This is the support that me and i think Phil are using. Copy and paste it into your address bar.

There's quite a few similar items in ebay now.
If you type in "shoulder support" in the ebay search bar you'll find them.

Paul.

Bill Ravens · March 18th, 2008, 08:44 AM

There is also a very similar shoulder support available from Cavision, which I use. It's quite inexpensive, attaches to the standard 15mm rail system; and, by drilling 3 small holes, will easily mount a v-mount adapter and battery brick, which greatly improves the balance for run and gun. I'm now running my EX1 thru the 12v power port to an IDX battery brick. Anyone interested in a picture of the rig, I'll be glad to post one.

Paul Kellett · March 18th, 2008, 09:04 AM

Yeah go on then Bill,let's have a look.

Here's mine with the Manfrotto adaptor fitted.
Manfrotto part number MN-577. It also comes with the plate for the bottom of the camera but obviously i just needed the reciever assembly.This fits the plate from my 503hdv perfectly.

paul

Eric Pascarelli · March 18th, 2008, 09:28 AM

I use exactly the same setup. Works great.

Bill Ravens · March 18th, 2008, 09:40 AM

here's my rig. after two hours of shooting, my arms aren't too tired...LOL...the rig balances quite well for one handed support while the second hand makes adjustments.

Dan Wells · March 18th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Any suggestions on how to do the "matching quick-release" trick with a Sachtler FSB-6? Sachtler doesn't seem to sell the release assembly separately. Does anyone know if it is the same size as one of the two Manfrottos (or something else readily available)? The plate I have is a fairly standard looking sliding plate that loads by tipping one side into the head then snapping the other down, although it looks like the side loading mechanism is part of the receiver, not a feature of the plate - the plate could also slide in to a different receiver from behind, or even drop in flat and clamp in place.

-Dan

March 18th, 2008, 08:40 AM	#25
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/camera-shoulde...em310032167386 This is the support that me and i think Phil are using. Copy and paste it into your address bar. There's quite a few similar items in ebay now. If you type in "shoulder support" in the ebay search bar you'll find them. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

March 18th, 2008, 09:04 AM	#27
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	Yeah go on then Bill,let's have a look. Here's mine with the Manfrotto adaptor fitted. Manfrotto part number MN-577. It also comes with the plate for the bottom of the camera but obviously i just needed the reciever assembly.This fits the plate from my 503hdv perfectly. paul Attached Thumbnails __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000 Last edited by Paul Kellett; March 18th, 2008 at 09:12 AM. Reason: pictures

March 17th, 2008, 11:41 PM	#16
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	The El Cheapo is an amazing find.

March 18th, 2008, 01:58 AM	#18
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	I agree with Bill Raven's earlier posting. The EX1 is a cheap camera in professional terms, it should not be compared and then knocked down for so called failings. Sony have raised the bar for this type of camera. I use the EX1 as a B Roll camera in conjunction with HDCam material and it stands up very well. But since the HDCAM's Fujinon broadcast lens cost more than double the EX1 what should I expect from the $7,500 spent? On a daily basis the EX1 is superb. I feel guilty that for once in life I have a winner, a trouble free unit (so far) compared to others who have problems. But once you get a good one and just use the camera and forget its so called design failings you will be rewarded with fantastic pictures that your clients will be happy with.

March 18th, 2008, 04:45 AM	#19
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	After reading Adam's article I'm trying to figure out how to put a B4 mount on my EX1 so I can use those Digiprimes. That should cure the vignetting problem.

March 18th, 2008, 07:34 AM	#21
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	In my tests the Ex1 worked fine for hand-held use when fitted with a "mini-rover" bracket on the left side, which provides both better stablity and an extra spot for mounting accessories. I did have concerns about the autofocus performance and awkward shutter speed controls, but overall the EX1 seems like a decent camera for the price. Surprisingly, many event videographers are leaning toward the new Z7U as a more practical "run and gun" camera, for what that's worth.

March 18th, 2008, 07:56 AM	#22
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Steve... My definition of VERY noisy: If I have to use a noise reduction tool like NeatVideo, in post, to smooth over quantization noise and blockiness in the shadows, then it is VERY noisy. However, I agree that the noise is not as bad as what I've experienced with the HD110.

March 18th, 2008, 07:57 AM	#23
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	Could someone please remind me of the "El cheapo" ebay site for the shoulder mount. Thanks.

March 18th, 2008, 08:44 AM	#26
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	There is also a very similar shoulder support available from Cavision, which I use. It's quite inexpensive, attaches to the standard 15mm rail system; and, by drilling 3 small holes, will easily mount a v-mount adapter and battery brick, which greatly improves the balance for run and gun. I'm now running my EX1 thru the 12v power port to an IDX battery brick. Anyone interested in a picture of the rig, I'll be glad to post one.

March 18th, 2008, 09:28 AM	#28
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	I use exactly the same setup. Works great.

March 18th, 2008, 09:40 AM	#29
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	here's my rig. after two hours of shooting, my arms aren't too tired...LOL...the rig balances quite well for one handed support while the second hand makes adjustments.

March 18th, 2008, 09:49 AM	#30
Dan Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Starksboro VT Posts: 30	Any suggestions on how to do the "matching quick-release" trick with a Sachtler FSB-6? Sachtler doesn't seem to sell the release assembly separately. Does anyone know if it is the same size as one of the two Manfrottos (or something else readily available)? The plate I have is a fairly standard looking sliding plate that loads by tipping one side into the head then snapping the other down, although it looks like the side loading mechanism is part of the receiver, not a feature of the plate - the plate could also slide in to a different receiver from behind, or even drop in flat and clamp in place. -Dan