EX1R first impressions
 

I just received my EX1R from B&H which will replace my EX1.

Some initial observations:

-the new power switch is much better than the old one
-the "Maintenance" mode cannot be entered with the Menu-Cancel-Sel/Set buttons
-Camera files recorded by the EX1 cannot be read from an SxS card by the EX1R
-a 1/100 shutter setting has been added to 30p recordings
-a "soft stop" setting has been added to the top handle zoom button
-a "Version Up" setting has been added to the menu settings

I use a Zoe lens controller that worked great with the EX1. I'm seeing some "halting" operation with the EX1R. The zooming doesn't stop. It just seems to momentarily slow down. Seems to be more prevalent on zoom-ins than zoom outs. Seems to be worse with partial depression of the Zoe rocker switch.

Carroll Lam

Carroll,

What firmware version is your EX1R?

I picked up mine from Access AV yesterday.

I really like the new lens handle.

I noticed Sony removed any zoom setting lower than 8, there are two symbols that come up if you try to set them (* and _) and it does not go slower when those are showing. My EX3 can be set to 1, and it works reaalyy slow smoooth zoom. This may be a way for Sony to cover up jittery zoom motors.

The tripod plate with dual tapped holes is a huge improvement.

My stronger EX1 plate still works just fine with a minor mod.

The Orange background on the switches is really nice and the ND dial works better.

All in all it really is an amazing package with a very light small form factor.

I will post more as I get to use it more.

V1.0

Carroll Lam

It would be a little disappointing to me to lose the slow zoom speeds, but the bigger concern I would have is about not being able to get into the service menu to perform the flange back calibration. Would not matter if it just shipped correctly calibrated I suppose, but my EX1 needed this calibration which was easy to do, and check.

Thanks Carroll,

Version 1.0 probably means that the firmware is not compatible with the old EX1, which is a shame. I hope to be corrected on this by someone like Alister who may know more, but it doesn't sound promising.

Different hardware, different firmware. EX3 also has different firmware. That doesn't preclude firmware updates to match those features than might be possible within the limits of hardware.

EX1 would not be able to have SD recording. It might be able to have cache recording though.

No one has mentioned the viewfinder. ???

The viewfinder is a huge improvement. You really can see to focus especially when you "expand the focus".

I really like it more than using the Hoodman.

I have an EX3 as well, I must say that with this viewfinder the EX3 lost one of its big advantages.

How about the ergonomics of the new handgrip position?

Had heard that the lateral CoG has changed so it's no longer quite such a wrist-ache. Have one forearm a different shape to the other in the meantime, but would be fascinated to know where the new grip measures 'on a scale of 1-10'.

I asked about cache on the EX1 and apparently the EX1R has 15 seconds of RAM for the cache, so I doubt any kind of cache will ever be available on the EX1 and EX3.

When I used the EX1R I thought the new viewfinder was a big improvement over the old one, but still not in the same class as the EX3 finder or EX1 LCD.

if someone can put some video, compared EX1 and EX1R.images that contain elements that can clearly see the lack of contamination IR :-)
Thanks

Based on what I know I raised the question although I don't know Sony's current position on this. I'll just say that I believe it is possible event though it probably wouldn't be 15 seconds if it transpires.

I'd be happy with just five seconds.

Ever since the MRI, I lost my ability to see into the future, so a pre-record cache would really help! :-)

The other upgrade that would be nice: Replace the old IR filter with the one used in the EX1r. I'd be willing to pay a fair price to get both done.

SD mode
 

So - has anyone done any tests shooting in SD? How does it look compared to Clip Browser downressed 720P50? How does it compare to the large HDCAM cameras?!

Curious...