Shooting ENG style with EX1 & EX3 at DVinfo.net

Craig Kovatch · February 13th, 2010, 03:18 PM

Has anyone done any ENG style shooting with either the EX1 or EX3? I'm talking about shooting with one hand on the tripod pan handle and one on the lens. I'm using a full size rig right now, with most of my shooting done like this. I'm thinking shooting would be very awkward with these cameras, without having a proper viewfinder to look into. Also, how stable do you guys find these little camera to be on a tripod when you're zoomed all the way in? As much as the PDW350 would fit the bill, it's beyond reach for me right now. Even the EX3 would be tight. The EX1 price wise is perfect. But I'd hate to sacrifice the "feel" of a full size camera.

Thank for you input.

Jerry Porter · February 13th, 2010, 03:24 PM

I know that at least two local D.C. T.V. stations shoot with EX1's all the time. When I talk to the guys running them they seems to love them because of the low weight factor.

Dave Nystul · February 13th, 2010, 03:35 PM

Craig,

I shoot ENG style with our EX-3 on a regular basis. The camera isn't perfect but it does so many things well I have learned to work with a few quirks. I have a Fujinon zoom controller that is on my tripod frequently, but when I'm on/off the tripod a lot it tends to stay off. Shot steadiness is really a function of your tripod. A Sachtler FSB 6 works just fine for me when I travel.

Dave

Charles Newcomb · February 13th, 2010, 04:57 PM

I also use the EX3 frequently for ENG. With the Sachtler FSB8 and carbon fiber quick release sticks, it's pretty solid. I've done live shots with the BNC monitor out and they look as good as any other Standard Definition. I've never done an SDI out HD live shot, however.

I bought a V-lock adapter. The bigger battery helps balance handheld shots, and it gives me a D-tap for the toplight.

I use the Varizoom controller because I can dial the zoom speed up or down to suit the needs of the shot.

0620090816a on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tom Robertson · February 13th, 2010, 07:37 PM

Charles, what v-lock adapter are you using? I looked on B&H's website and couldn't find it.

Charles Newcomb · February 13th, 2010, 08:33 PM

Here you go...

Bebob Engineering | COCO-EX3-V V-Mount Battery | BE-COCO-EX3-V

Tom Robertson · February 13th, 2010, 09:03 PM

Great! Couldn't seem to find it but that works! Thanks.

Jad Meouchy · February 13th, 2010, 09:54 PM

I have shot a ton of events, short films, and reality shows on the EX1 ENG-style and it works great. The ergonomics are great though it does give your right arm a workout ;)

Using a Vinten Vision 10 tripod, though it's a little overkill.

Ned Soltz · February 13th, 2010, 10:02 PM

I've set up my EX-3 for ENG-style work with DM Baseplate and Shoulder Mount, Bebob V-mount adapter, and ENG-Rig from DVTec. The added benefit of the ENG rig is that its baseplate has a Sony wedge for VCT-U14 plate. The ENG rig really completes the package allowing stable handling of the EX-3.

Craig Kovatch · February 13th, 2010, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the tips guys.

Dave, is that a hard drive recorder attached to your camera? Which Fujinon controller do you use? I have an 8 pin Fujinon my DSR130 that I wouldn't mind using.

Dave Nystul · February 14th, 2010, 12:40 PM

Craig,

the recorder is called a Nanoflash. It's mounted to the base plate of my camera on an Israeli arm. the Fujinon controller was given to me by one of our Engineers. I'm sorry I don't know the number but it works with all Fujinon broadcast lenses. (might be an SRD-92B)

Dave

David Issko · February 14th, 2010, 02:25 PM

I am waiting on an order for a Fujinon ERD-20A-A02 Zoom Demand and MCA-7 Mounting Clamp for my XS lens. Will definitely be a big help.

Steve Kalle · February 14th, 2010, 03:48 PM

I have the Varizoom VZ-Pro-EX VariZoom | VZ-Pro-EX Comfort-Grip Zoom Controller | VZ-PRO-EX

and a Sachtler FSB 6 & EX1. I can't say enough good things about the Varizoom. I shoot mostly events and need to pan, zoom and focus quite often. The only things I would change would be the tripod head (to FSB 8 or DV-10SB) and add a 7-9" LCD. The FSB 6 is great but not strong enough for what I want to do (add mattebox, nanoflash & 2 wireless receivers).

Ian Planchon · February 15th, 2010, 12:03 PM

I shoot ENG with my ex3 as well. The only thing I still have a hard time getting used to zooming and panning. On a full size camera I use my left hand to handle focus and the zoom controls, and right hand handles the tripod handle. With the ex3 standard lens, the zoom rocker is a little further back, so I can simply reach over with my fingers and control it. I typically have to use my right hand to handle zoom, and left hand focus.

Craig Kovatch · February 15th, 2010, 10:26 PM

Hi Ian.

I shoot the same way with my bigger camera. Except I've gotten so used to having my eye pressed into a viewfinder, I'm worried about the difference in shooting style. Not to mention there's no way I could go without having a zoom controller on the pan handle. What stix are you using?

February 13th, 2010, 03:18 PM	#1
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	Shooting ENG style with EX1 & EX3 Has anyone done any ENG style shooting with either the EX1 or EX3? I'm talking about shooting with one hand on the tripod pan handle and one on the lens. I'm using a full size rig right now, with most of my shooting done like this. I'm thinking shooting would be very awkward with these cameras, without having a proper viewfinder to look into. Also, how stable do you guys find these little camera to be on a tripod when you're zoomed all the way in? As much as the PDW350 would fit the bill, it's beyond reach for me right now. Even the EX3 would be tight. The EX1 price wise is perfect. But I'd hate to sacrifice the "feel" of a full size camera. Thank for you input.

February 13th, 2010, 03:35 PM	#3
Dave Nystul Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT. Posts: 58	Craig, I shoot ENG style with our EX-3 on a regular basis. The camera isn't perfect but it does so many things well I have learned to work with a few quirks. I have a Fujinon zoom controller that is on my tripod frequently, but when I'm on/off the tripod a lot it tends to stay off. Shot steadiness is really a function of your tripod. A Sachtler FSB 6 works just fine for me when I travel. Dave Attached Thumbnails

February 13th, 2010, 09:54 PM	#8
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	I have shot a ton of events, short films, and reality shows on the EX1 ENG-style and it works great. The ergonomics are great though it does give your right arm a workout ;) Using a Vinten Vision 10 tripod, though it's a little overkill. __________________ software engineer

February 14th, 2010, 02:25 PM	#12
David Issko Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 393	I am waiting on an order for a Fujinon ERD-20A-A02 Zoom Demand and MCA-7 Mounting Clamp for my XS lens. Will definitely be a big help. __________________ David Issko Edit 1 Video Productions

February 13th, 2010, 03:24 PM	#2
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	I know that at least two local D.C. T.V. stations shoot with EX1's all the time. When I talk to the guys running them they seems to love them because of the low weight factor.

February 13th, 2010, 04:57 PM	#4
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	I also use the EX3 frequently for ENG. With the Sachtler FSB8 and carbon fiber quick release sticks, it's pretty solid. I've done live shots with the BNC monitor out and they look as good as any other Standard Definition. I've never done an SDI out HD live shot, however. I bought a V-lock adapter. The bigger battery helps balance handheld shots, and it gives me a D-tap for the toplight. I use the Varizoom controller because I can dial the zoom speed up or down to suit the needs of the shot. 0620090816a on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

February 13th, 2010, 07:37 PM	#5
Tom Robertson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Weirton, WV Posts: 412	Charles, what v-lock adapter are you using? I looked on B&H's website and couldn't find it.

February 13th, 2010, 08:33 PM	#6
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	Here you go... Bebob Engineering \| COCO-EX3-V V-Mount Battery \| BE-COCO-EX3-V

February 13th, 2010, 09:03 PM	#7
Tom Robertson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Weirton, WV Posts: 412	Great! Couldn't seem to find it but that works! Thanks.

February 13th, 2010, 10:02 PM	#9
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	I've set up my EX-3 for ENG-style work with DM Baseplate and Shoulder Mount, Bebob V-mount adapter, and ENG-Rig from DVTec. The added benefit of the ENG rig is that its baseplate has a Sony wedge for VCT-U14 plate. The ENG rig really completes the package allowing stable handling of the EX-3.

February 13th, 2010, 10:07 PM	#10
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	Thanks for the tips guys. Dave, is that a hard drive recorder attached to your camera? Which Fujinon controller do you use? I have an 8 pin Fujinon my DSR130 that I wouldn't mind using.

February 14th, 2010, 12:40 PM	#11
Dave Nystul Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT. Posts: 58	Craig, the recorder is called a Nanoflash. It's mounted to the base plate of my camera on an Israeli arm. the Fujinon controller was given to me by one of our Engineers. I'm sorry I don't know the number but it works with all Fujinon broadcast lenses. (might be an SRD-92B) Dave

February 14th, 2010, 03:48 PM	#13
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	I have the Varizoom VZ-Pro-EX VariZoom \| VZ-Pro-EX Comfort-Grip Zoom Controller \| VZ-PRO-EX and a Sachtler FSB 6 & EX1. I can't say enough good things about the Varizoom. I shoot mostly events and need to pan, zoom and focus quite often. The only things I would change would be the tripod head (to FSB 8 or DV-10SB) and add a 7-9" LCD. The FSB 6 is great but not strong enough for what I want to do (add mattebox, nanoflash & 2 wireless receivers).

February 15th, 2010, 12:03 PM	#14
Ian Planchon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: an Alaskan living in Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 513	I shoot ENG with my ex3 as well. The only thing I still have a hard time getting used to zooming and panning. On a full size camera I use my left hand to handle focus and the zoom controls, and right hand handles the tripod handle. With the ex3 standard lens, the zoom rocker is a little further back, so I can simply reach over with my fingers and control it. I typically have to use my right hand to handle zoom, and left hand focus.

February 15th, 2010, 10:26 PM	#15
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	Hi Ian. I shoot the same way with my bigger camera. Except I've gotten so used to having my eye pressed into a viewfinder, I'm worried about the difference in shooting style. Not to mention there's no way I could go without having a zoom controller on the pan handle. What stix are you using?