Well, if we are talking about FUTURE cameras... i have to absolutely agree, i think canon is positioning themselves to introduce a 35mm sized video camera, most likely the replacements for the current xh and xl.

The ONLY thing stopping sony or pany from doing this is the fact that they have 100-200k cameras that have to be protected from lower end offerings!

Canon makes far more money from lenses than they do from camera body's so it makes sense that they would want more devices using their 35mm lenses... AKA video cameras!

But 35mm sized sensors are not well suited to a lot of traditional video applications. Take TV news for example, even with small sized sensors and big depths of field news crews struggle to get shots in focus. For many live action, sports and news applications the shallow DOF of 35mm sized sensors will not be well suited.

Now I may have this wrong but wouldn't a 20x zoom (the ENG standard these days) be huge to work with a 35mm sensor?

I struggle to get excited about RED. I'm not saying that it isn't a good camera it's just that it doesn't fit with what I do and the way I make money, however the Scarlet concept, that's a different matter all together. I hope they pull it off.

But if you don't want a 35mm sensor, aren't we already living in an embarrassment of riches? Buy an EX-1/EX-3/HPX-any flavor and be happy. Those are all great cameras. I have a RED ONE, and I still shoot Canon XH A1s for our bread and butter corporate jobs. Laziness, faster post-processing, "good enough" for the price the client is willing to pay...these are all good reasons.

The right tool for the right job.

To return to the topic, I think the EX-3 is most likely a great wildlife tool - I've only shot an EX-1 and loved it. But it will be eclipsed within a year. So the question is, do you want a "good enough" camera now, a camera that's great but will not be best in breed in a very short window, or....?

I've still yet to have a really good look at the EX3, but from the brief trial I had with an EX1 it was a terrible camera for wildlife because of motion issue (wildlife doesn't half move a lot!) But, maybe I had a bad camera or a bad day (actually I had 2 cameras and a couple of days) and when I shoot some flying birds on the EX3 and take to a post house it'll look as good as my 700. Hope to do so in Jan, and crossing my fingers 'cos my back's hurting!
Steve

The implication here is that Scarlet will change the field. Problem is Scarlett is vaporware. It'd be a huge mistake for anyone to bank on something or plan for something that doesn't exist. The other thing is Convergent Design has offered what's effectively an upgrade path for the EX series and should keep the line at the forefront for some time yet.

I'm coming in late to this thread, but I thought I'd share my $0.02.

I have to admit, we just purchased an EX3 (and Letus Ultimate 35mm adaptor) and it makes me very nervous doing it. I wholeheartedly agree that all signs point to Canon releasing a full featured video camera with a 35mm sensor that takes 35mm lenses. This could be a game changing piece of gear. The only issue I could see was that it might be difficult for them to fit a proper video camera style zoom control.

In our case, we just couldn't wait any longer for the "perfect camera" to come out. We started looking about 3 years ago. Our aging Canon XL-1S failed on us this summer and that' what motivated us to finally bite the bullet and purchase a new camera.

SCARLET will change the field unless somebody else changes it first (and my money is on Canon, for the reasons that I've already listed...). I don't think that's a big stretch. As Mitchell says, it makes it a tough challenge to pick a camera now at these price points, knowing that the others will be forced to do something to keep up. I'm betting that there are many people sharing that concern over the possibility of buyer's remorse...

So Ralph, did you get your question answered yet??

Hi guys,
I have already expressed my opinion in here a few weeks ago. Since then I have been shooting every day for a few hours and got some more experience with the EX3 so I would like to say it again:
The Sony PMW EX3 is IMHO probably the ultimate camera for wildlife and I believe it will take a while before this will change.
I mostly use Nikon lenses and the quality of the footage is simply mind blowing.
It is easy to nail the focus even when using very long lenses such as the Nikon 600 MF F5.6 ED (which I use most of the time) thanks to the coloured peaking function and the great LCD + viewfinder combo.
It is easy to nail the exposure using the zebra and histogram which are displayed on the LCD.
Slow motion is awesome at 720 25p 60fps. (PAL)
I even got some excellent flight shots of big bats (Flying Foxes) is slow motion and was amazed by the servo AF ability of this camera. (this was done with the stock lens).

A major advantage of this camera over the RED/SCARLET for wildlife work is the x5.5 crop factor due to the smaller sensor which for me is absolutely a must shooting mostly birds and small animals.
BTW – I am using the EX3 with the Flash XDR at 100Mbs 4:2:2 so I don’t see how any TV channel will have a problem with the quality of the footage. (I feel the quality this camera delivers even without the Flash XDR is great but just to be on the safe side…)

Will upload some footage in a few weeks after I get a Mac Pro and FCP and learn how to use it...(-:

Just my 2 cents.


Cheers,

Ofer Levy Nature Photographer

There can't be buyer's remorse, because Scarlet does not exist neither does a Canon or Nikon product that represents any kind of dam breaking. There's nothing to be remorseful about. These Japanese conglomerates are semi nationalized institutions and source a lot of parts and materials from the same manufacturers, don't expect them to cannibalize their own markets any time soon. They release products and technology at a rate they control, it's like skin peeling off an onion. We're the hungry little chicks chirping for a worm. Before I mix another metaphor I just offer that I'm not putting words in your mouth Meryem, I noticed you parsed it carefully, "Concern over the possibility".