First XDCAM EX3 Review

Alexander Kubalsky · April 13th, 2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

Could somebody ( other than Philip who's sworn to secrecy) who saw the accidental sneak preview description of the EX-3 tell us what was in it. The article is gone for now.

I read the article. Thought I was dreaming. Out of respect for Phil though I'll wait till he breaks the news. I suck at Nigels article was not an actual hands on review. Just a copy and paste of the facts that will be made public in hours anyway.

Phil should have an actual hands on review up Sunday Night....which will be Monday afternoon my (Tokyo) time. Damn, why ain't the world flat.

Ivan Snoeckx · April 13th, 2008, 04:09 AM

I have the whole article including all the pictures, but am not going to post it because I do not want any trouble with Sony.

But this is what I still can find on another website.

The PHU-60K is an SxS Professional 60GB HardDisc Recorder.

It can be used either by recording directly from an SxS lead to the card slot or transfer from an SxS card when inserted in the other card slot.

Announcement of 32 GB SxS cards (2 hours @35Mb/s). Available in september.

For the rest you'll have to wait.

Gerald Loidl · April 13th, 2008, 04:32 AM

Excellent review Philip! I love your demonstration video where you are showing all the new features. (I was amazed that it is already online - I hope thats not by accident...)
I should have returned my EX1 when I still had the chance to do so, with all the backfocus issues. Sony will have lots of unhappy EX1 owners now...
The new EX3 looks like a killer camera! It has everything I miss on the EX1.

Thanks Philip for sharing this review.

regards,
Gerald

John Hewat · April 13th, 2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald Loidl

I should have returned my EX1 when I still had the chance to do it with all the backfocus issues. Sony will have lots of unhappy EX1 owners now...
The new EX3 looks like a killer camera! It has everything I miss on the EX1.

Lots of people are saying that but is it likely to be a replacement or a higher-end model? I know for me, the EX1 was as much as I could afford (and then some) so if the EX3 is going to cost much more than the EX1 it would probably have been out of my league anyway. I know the EX1 has had some manufacturing troubles, but the footage is incredible - I for one have no disappointment with it.

If it turns out the EX3 is better and only $500 more expensive then I'll be a bit frustrated though!

Alexander Kubalsky · April 13th, 2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hewat

Lots of people are saying that but is it likely to be a replacement or a higher-end model? I know for me, the EX1 was as much as I could afford (and then some) so if the EX3 is going to cost much more than the EX1 it would probably have been out of my league anyway. I know the EX1 has had some manufacturing troubles, but the footage is incredible - I for one have no disappointment with it.

If it turns out the EX3 is better and only $500 more expensive then I'll be a bit frustrated though!

The EX3 will be something like $11,500, so yeah, It would have been out of my league too.
I have no regrets on buying the EX1 either. The EX3 looks like something to graduate into later on.

John Hewat · April 13th, 2008, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Kubalsky

The EX3 will be $11,500, so yeah, It would have been out of my league too.

Which would be about $12,500 - $13,000 in Australia. Waaaay to much for me!

Ivan Snoeckx · April 13th, 2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hewat

If it turns out the EX3 is better and only $500 more expensive then I'll be a bit frustrated though!

Only $500 more expensiver? Trust me, it will be more then that.

Phil Bloom · April 13th, 2008, 05:18 AM

it will be more than that

Mark David Williams · April 13th, 2008, 05:50 AM

The EX-1 was to my mind the first really viable pro camera within reach and was ready to take (for me anyway) A huge step and purchase a camera that cost almost the price of a small car. And through Phil Blooms posts discovered the amazing Letus adapter. Making it affordable now to create films. So borrowed over three years £7000

NOW. We have the EX-3 which is even more suited to this purpose than the EX-1. It should have been released the other way round giving people a choice. Many will now sell their EX-1s and buy the EX-3. Very good marketing for Sony whether accidental or not.

I think it would be really nice if Sony was to give some kind of trade in deal perhaps on a time limit for those who bought the EX-1 but would rather have purchased the EX-3. It wouldnt be many and would do wonders for customer relations in my opinion.

John Hewat · April 13th, 2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark David Williams

I think it would be really nice if Sony was to give some kind of trade in deal perhaps on a time limit for those who bought the EX-1 but would rather have purchased the EX-3. It wouldnt be many and would do wonders for customer relations in my opinion.

I suppose. I keep thinking to myself "What more could you want from a camera?" and Phil's site is perhaps the best evidence of that - his footage amazes me every time. But I guess I can see that many customers would wish they had the choice...

George Kroonder · April 13th, 2008, 06:44 AM

For those who missed it the first time around: New Sony Solid-State HD Products at NAB 2008 @ dvuser.co.uk.

I suppose the Sony embargo has been lifted ;)

So what I like about it so far (and not having seen/handled the real thing) in order of my preference:
- Done away with the viewfinder
- Better ergonomics (most controls on the left)
- Interchangable lens
- Frame rate control dial
- Flip switch on the LCD
- LCD controls are manual dials
- Timecode in/out
- All bnc's on the back, easy to manage
- Mic mount seems sturdier
- Cover over te audio levels

Also with what I presume to be the same sensor block and standard lens, it will be an exact match to the EX1. Just with some more options.

And how about that 2nd cold shoe at the back with the cable clasp on the handle that seems to be purpose build to take the PHU-60K SxS Professional 60GB HardDisc Recorder ;)

George/

P.S. Looking forward to Phil Blooms hands on review!

Paul Curtis · April 13th, 2008, 07:30 AM

Does the Letus Ultimate bypass the lens on the EX3 then? I would get interested in that setup if it was true.

Also putting some fast lenses on there would help DOF, the half inch sensor isn't *that* much smaller than a 2/3rds.

f1.2 or T1.3 lenses could make a practical visual difference (T1.4 on 2/3rds same as T1.2 on half)

Very interesting though...

cheers
paul

Sean Seah · April 13th, 2008, 07:31 AM

Phil's review is Great!

Ray Bell · April 13th, 2008, 07:44 AM

Can you point us to Phils review of the EX3?
or is it not up yet?

Ray Bell · April 13th, 2008, 07:47 AM

Phil Bloom,

Not sure how long you will be in Vegas, but it would be a shame if you can't take a day to check out the Grand Canyon while here.....

I promise you will thank yourself if you take one of the heliicoptor rides out
to the canyon... might not be cheap, but it will be a memory you will never
forget :-)

April 13th, 2008, 05:18 AM	#68
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	it will be more than that __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

April 13th, 2008, 06:44 AM	#71
George Kroonder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utrecht, NL \| Europe 3rd Rock from the Sun Posts: 612	Nigels article online again For those who missed it the first time around: New Sony Solid-State HD Products at NAB 2008 @ dvuser.co.uk. I suppose the Sony embargo has been lifted ;) So what I like about it so far (and not having seen/handled the real thing) in order of my preference: - Done away with the viewfinder - Better ergonomics (most controls on the left) - Interchangable lens - Frame rate control dial - Flip switch on the LCD - LCD controls are manual dials - Timecode in/out - All bnc's on the back, easy to manage - Mic mount seems sturdier - Cover over te audio levels Also with what I presume to be the same sensor block and standard lens, it will be an exact match to the EX1. Just with some more options. And how about that 2nd cold shoe at the back with the cable clasp on the handle that seems to be purpose build to take the PHU-60K SxS Professional 60GB HardDisc Recorder ;) George/ P.S. Looking forward to Phil Blooms hands on review! Last edited by George Kroonder; April 13th, 2008 at 12:29 PM.

April 13th, 2008, 04:09 AM	#62
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	I have the whole article including all the pictures, but am not going to post it because I do not want any trouble with Sony. But this is what I still can find on another website. The PHU-60K is an SxS Professional 60GB HardDisc Recorder. It can be used either by recording directly from an SxS lead to the card slot or transfer from an SxS card when inserted in the other card slot. Announcement of 32 GB SxS cards (2 hours @35Mb/s). Available in september. For the rest you'll have to wait.

April 13th, 2008, 04:32 AM	#63
Gerald Loidl Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austria Posts: 122	Excellent review Philip! I love your demonstration video where you are showing all the new features. (I was amazed that it is already online - I hope thats not by accident...) I should have returned my EX1 when I still had the chance to do so, with all the backfocus issues. Sony will have lots of unhappy EX1 owners now... The new EX3 looks like a killer camera! It has everything I miss on the EX1. Thanks Philip for sharing this review. regards, Gerald

April 13th, 2008, 05:50 AM	#69
Mark David Williams Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hertfordshire UK Posts: 414	The EX-1 was to my mind the first really viable pro camera within reach and was ready to take (for me anyway) A huge step and purchase a camera that cost almost the price of a small car. And through Phil Blooms posts discovered the amazing Letus adapter. Making it affordable now to create films. So borrowed over three years £7000 NOW. We have the EX-3 which is even more suited to this purpose than the EX-1. It should have been released the other way round giving people a choice. Many will now sell their EX-1s and buy the EX-3. Very good marketing for Sony whether accidental or not. I think it would be really nice if Sony was to give some kind of trade in deal perhaps on a time limit for those who bought the EX-1 but would rather have purchased the EX-3. It wouldnt be many and would do wonders for customer relations in my opinion.

April 13th, 2008, 07:30 AM	#72
Paul Curtis Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canterbury Posts: 411	Does the Letus Ultimate bypass the lens on the EX3 then? I would get interested in that setup if it was true. Also putting some fast lenses on there would help DOF, the half inch sensor isn't that much smaller than a 2/3rds. f1.2 or T1.3 lenses could make a practical visual difference (T1.4 on 2/3rds same as T1.2 on half) Very interesting though... cheers paul

April 13th, 2008, 07:31 AM	#73
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Phil's review is Great!

April 13th, 2008, 07:44 AM	#74
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Can you point us to Phils review of the EX3? or is it not up yet?

April 13th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#75
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Phil Bloom, Not sure how long you will be in Vegas, but it would be a shame if you can't take a day to check out the Grand Canyon while here..... I promise you will thank yourself if you take one of the heliicoptor rides out to the canyon... might not be cheap, but it will be a memory you will never forget :-)