Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

I notice you seem to be keeping any connecting HDMI cables from the camera to the on board recorder short. That would seem to make sense because it reduces the likelihood of it being accidentally knocked or tugged out.

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

By all means, Matt - do post some pictures!

Not quite under the lens - but as you can see at the picture below, the right hand grip is as close to the rig's CoG horizontal position as it gets (considering the RedRock parts' design). This helps a lot, because - as you said - the left hand can hardly ever support the rig, as it is used for all controls (mainly focusing). Hence the importance of an EVF, as the only place for the Marshall monitor I have is on the left handle, with its weight making the entire thing roll left whenever I use the FF knob...

Absolutely - as you can see, I'm using Olof's solution for reinforcing the base and mounting my nanoFlash. I'm looking forward to some great rig for the FS100 from Olof!

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

Actually Brian, I'm using my EX1's HD-SDI - and yes, the SDI cable to the nanoFlash is very short.

When on the tripod, I'm using a longer HDMI cable from the nanoFlash to the Marshall monitor - but any excessively long cables are less of a problem with the tripod than with hand-held or shoulder-mount rigs.

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

I think I should apologize for sort of stealing the OP's (Paul's) thread - but still I hope we're quite on the topic :)

Piotr

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

Like others have said, the answer depends on what you are shooting and how you need to get it.

FS100 with a fast prime lens greatly outperform the EX1r in low light conditions. The photosites on that big sensor are huge compared to the EX1r's little half inchers. However, on the flip side, the EX1r is not hampered by a bayer pattern the way the FS100 is. (and the FS100's sensor has more than 1920x1080 pixels so there is "some" mathematical interpolation going on)

The EX1r has got 3 full raster sensors that are tough to beat in the resolution category. (that's a nice advantage) If you don't need much gain, than you will get a very razor sharp image out of the EX1r.

Additionally, as a "run and gun" performer, the FS100 would be a pain in the butt to shoot with. If you were shooting an episode of "Cops", running into houses doing drug raids or fast action reality type shooting, the EX1 is about as good as it gets for that.

So,...I dunno. I guess there is no clear answer. It depends on many different factors. They both have some advantages over each other in different areas. (And that is exactly the way Sony wants it to be!)

CT

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

Hopefully still on-topic... this is my stripped down rig, bare basics. It's just the middle bit of a Zacuto Striker, and the removal of the wobbly handgrip. Ideally, the chimney gets removed and I get a Zacuto EVF on a Noga arm, as I found out to my cost, interviewing people 6 foot and above is just too hairy with the chimney. I was on tippie-toe quite a few times doing voxpops, and of course the interviewer was a petite young girl - usually I'd resort to rakish Dutch angles to fool the dominating eyelines (or something to stand her on), but client's brief: No tilty shots.So at least an EVF on a Noga will sort of match the EX1's pull-out-and-twist viewfinder panel when I need to have the camera above my eyeline. See, it IS on topic!

PS: The somewhat quizzical expression (apart from giving photo direction to wife) was 'I wonder where the lens shades are?'

PPS: note also the very useful on-off button under the mount for the wobbly hand grip (removed).

PPS: also note the tripod hole now left by the wobbly hand grip. I actually had my first 90 degree 'portrait' shoot as my first ever FS100 shoot. That was very cool. The video was to be projected onto a theatrical set.

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

Thanks Matt for the promised pictures :)

So basically, you are using separate rigs for each of your cameras, right? I'm asking because - myself being a one-man crew - I'd like my shoulder-support rig (as depicted in the previously posted photos) to be interchangeable between my EX1 and the FS100 that I'm about to buy...I realize the RR mattebox is unnecessarily big and heavy (even for the EX1; for the lenses I'm going to use with the FS100 it's just an overkill), but will have to live with it for a while... Hence the importance of a solid counterbalance over my shoulder (of course, the heavy battery I'm using for that purpose doubles as the source of power for my nanoFlash and LED light). But still, the rig is rather heavy - adding the monitor to it is out of question, so I'll need to buy some good EVF... All this means even more money to spend, which makes it very important to optimize my other essential expenditures that the FS100 requires: ND filters...

Anyway, I'm shutting up now and apologize again for thread hijacking :)

Piotr

Re: Is the FS100 an upgrade from the EX1?
 

For me the best rig for both cameras is a Redrock shoulder mount, with a monopod attached as a brace. That combo is incredibly stable and very very comfortable. On the Ex1 it sits stable on my shoulder without even holding it. So as an extra bonus it does not require you to reorganize your holding position, and you have full access to the lens controls at all times. Deserves a try.