Hi guys,

Just noticed that Vortex Media now also has a book of their famous EX1 and EX3 DVD's.

Vortex Media's XDCAM Field Guides (http://www.vortexmedia.com/FIELD_GUIDES.html)

Check them out!

Looks like a great book to have tucked up in your bag when you are out and about. I think I will order up one of those EX3 guides when they come out.

Just got my copy today.

Congrats to Doug on a superb camera-bag companion to the EX-3.

This spiral-bound glossy volume is 132 pages of color photos, charts, a back-focus chart, and just generally information that should have been in the EX-3 documentation.

It only lacks picture profile recipes, but those can be found on Vortex' DVD training collection.

Highly recommended reference!

Ned Soltz

Same goes for the EX1 Field Guide, I got mine a few days ago. A great resource to have handy.

Have to agree with Ned and buck. I just received the EX3 field guide and it covers just abut everything you could possibly need in one tidy little book.

Full colour as well. I could have used this book with me last week when I was on a job and my mind went blank when I was trying to do something.

Also great to have a back focus chart included so that you can check it on a regular basis.

I think the quality of training products from Vortex Media is second to none. Easy to listen to Dougs voice on the training DVDs, and he also has the knack of writing excellent books as well.

Highly recommended to those that want a nice compact reference guide for the EX3 or EX1 which is easy to use and will have your problem sorted in no time.

Steve, Ned, Buck

Thanks for your kind words. It is great to hear all positive feedback that is coming in from EX1 and EX3 owners who have ordered a Field Guide. I tried to create something that I would want to have in my camera bag, and I guess other people have the same need.

I'm on a cross-country road trip and even I referred to something in the EX3 book yesterday.

Thanks for the feedback.

HI Doug, the book is a keeper. I thought I knew my way around the camera almost with my eyes closed but sometimes you want to change a setting quickly and the mind goes blank. This book solves that problem as i just dive into it to find what I am looking for.

You make an interesting point about the cheek guard. Its still here wraped in the plastic bag but I might give it a try.

Do other EX3 users use their cheek guards?

Just ordered my book and dvd yesterday, can't wait!
My cheek guard is still in the plastic as well. What is the point made about it?
Maybe I should try it too! I can't believe I haven't yet, I guess I wrote it off as a "gimmick" or something.

I got the book about a week ago. It is great, the back-focus chart is a nice touch.

I use the cheek guard. It really does help cam steady on the shoulder.

The other "must have" in my opinion is:

EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System | VFGadgets.com (http://www.vfgadgets.com/grip-camera/ex3-heavy-duty-base-plate-system)

Or something similar, the single 1/4" mount on the bottom of the camera is a joke in real production use.

This makes it possible to use the betacam VCT-U14 quick connect plate. A huge improvement. I wish Sony would make a strong VCT-U14 base for the next version.

I have those baseplates on 3 sets of sticks, a stedicam and jib. I am sure a lot of shooters do.

I have also added a side plate for chordless mike and a IDX battery holder in the back, this makes the cam much more shoulder friendly.

Olof, if you get a chance to post a pic of your setup that would be great!
Sometimes when I see something it is clearer to me and then I know how to do it.

No back focus chart with the EX1 guide? I got my guide but no back focus chart would be nice to have does it only come with the EX3 guide? Doug was I suppose to get one?

You don't need a back focus chart for the EX1 because you can't take the lens off.

It still seems worthwhile running Auto FB once in a while, and having a chart to check that backfocus has not drifted.

Auto FB is not available on the EX1. But I agree that it is a nice thing to have, just for checking the backfocus.

It is, in the maintenance menu accessed by pressing Menu, Sel/Set and Cancel at the same time.

Doug: Both the EX-1 DVD and book are great. I thank there is a market for laminated cards to give quick instructions for specific tasks for both the EX-1 and to take work shot on the EX-1 to both Blu-Ray and DVD using Vegas Pro-8, New Vegas Pro-9 and since Vegas cannot burn SD DVD's, DVD Architect 5.0.