DV Info Net - EX1 to FS5

DV Info Net (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/)

- Sony XDCAM PXW-FS7 / FS5 (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdcam-pxw-fs7-fs5/)

- - EX1 to FS5 (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdcam-pxw-fs7-fs5/530926-ex1-fs5.html)

I recently got the FS5 after 6 years with a pair of EX1s. I got the kit lens, and a nice Sigma 24-105mm f/4. With Metabones Speedbooster Ultra EF to E mount the crop factor is .7, and using the Sigma 25-105mm f/4 lens I get an effective range of 17-73mm, and with Clear Image Zoom I get 17-146mm. And the lens gains a stop making it a constant f/2.8 because of the speed booster.

That's not quite the range if the EX1's lens, but it's not too bad. My kit lens does feather smoothly, which my EX1 did not at first. As for the balance, that Sigma is 2 lbs, and the FS5 is still well balanced with the BP60 battery. Very heavy though. Best used on sticks. I think it's good to get the kit 18-105 even if you won't use it a lot. It's something to help sell the camera later when we upgrade.

Are u finding it easy to get a good solid focus with the 18 105?
The ex1r I get a very good quick manual focus
It holds well
I've heard mixed results with the 18 105

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Jensen (Post 1908343)

ODA is too slow and clunky. Not to mention expensive.

I use Shotput pro to back up to naked internal drives that just go into a dock as needed. Like slices of bread in a toaster.

This dock uses Thunderbolt and can hold two drives.
Highpoint Technologies RocketStor 5212 Dual-Bay Storage Dock

I use a variety of drives like these:
Serial ATA Hard Drives up to 8.0TB SATA 3.0 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s, 1.5Gb/s for Desktop and Tower, Accessories and Controller Card options

Cheap and reliable since they have no fans, power supply, etc.

Then the drives are numbered on stored in color-coded Zipo cases that cost about $3 each.
Mukii ZIO-P010-GY 3.5" HDD Protector, Grey Color - Newegg.com

Thanks Doug.
What a coincidence. You are actually backing up your clips the same way I do. I also have a similar docking station, HDDs and plastic cases alongside my Raid system. My local dealer has advised against it, because HDDs are prone to fail at some point. Hence me looking at the Sony. It is expensive, that is for sure. I have always thought highly of your advice and recommendations so this has made me rethink my purchase at this point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Joseph (Post 1908337)

Have 2x EX1R & F5 at work - looking to replace EX1Rs - for conference and event/streaming work easy choice as the logical replacement is the PXW-X200, but am trying to gauge if FS5 will work with some compromises because they compact for travel and would be be great for b-roll and back-up for the F5 with adaptor + primes like we use on F5.

biggest issue I foresee is the reach:

X200 fixed fujinon = 29 - 500mm
vs
18-105G 35mm equivalent = 27 to 158mm or 316mm with clear zoom in HD

no private buyers putting the Sony 28-135G FS7 glass on it because is uneconomic or increased the size & weight substantially I guess. Occurs to me we could shoot 4k for post punch-in if we need it occasionally...looking to make sure the FS5 can still work as corporate/event cam when a fair way back in function room of 250 people etc.

Hi Mark.

There is another option which I find to work quite well. The Selp 18200 power zoom lens by Sony. I used to shoot live events with a Sony FS700 and Selp18200 power zoom lens. I thought it was a good combination. Still is, but the lens ramps down as you zoom in, so if the location you are shooting in is very dim you could be in trouble. I have been there and done that. Nothing we could not work round since it was a multiple camera shoot. However if the location is lit well and you don`t care too much about deep DOF you should be OK. But be aware of those limitations. I am using my current Sony A7s with the power zoom lens Selp18200 and I find it a fantastic combination for run and gun work, but the batteries are a let down. I still regret selling my EX1R for those kind of shoots you mention. I think the X200 is a great choice or perhaps better the DVX 200 by Panasonic.

This is a test I shot for the leading broadcasting magazine in Scandinavia showcasing the Sony A7s and Selp 18200 lens if you are interested. SRS Media : Test av Sony A7s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svein Rune Skilnand (Post 1908471)

Yes, HDD's will fail at some point and that is why I have two copies of everything on two different HDDs. I backup in pairs. Not only have I never had one of the naked drives fail (and I have over 70 of them), I can't imagine ever losing both copies at the same time.

If you are on a Mac an essential piece of software to have is called Disk Catalog Maker. I number all my drives and I know exactly what is on each one of them even when they are on the shelf. It's easy to do searches for specific footage, etc. Cataloging a drive is just as simple as dragging the icon onto the program and everything from there is automatic.

DiskCatalogMaker

On a Mac, DiscTracker, is also a good tool for cataloging files on external drives.

DiskTracker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stamos (Post 1908454)

Are u finding it easy to get a good solid focus with the 18 105?
The ex1r I get a very good quick manual focus
It holds well
I've heard mixed results with the 18 105

I'm not having trouble focusing with the 18-105. I'm using peaking, and even in low light it's not too bad.

Forum Note: For some reason I'm not getting email notifications on this forum, even though I have "Instant email notification" selected when I write responses. The notifications also aren't going into my Junk folder. Is there a trick I'm missing to enable notifications? Anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stamos (Post 1908454)

Are u finding it easy to get a good solid focus with the 18 105?
The ex1r I get a very good quick manual focus
It holds well
I've heard mixed results with the 18 105

I had an FS5 with the 18G105 kit lens on loan over weekend and found the the kit lens ok -using autofocus button on the camera it wasn't fast, I preferred to use manual focus for speed with peaking turned on.The focus does a turn a lot and if you're no where near your focus point you it take a while - but if you're close to focus point not bad at all to follow focus.
If I zoomed through optical it held focus, but strangely if I enabled clear image (digital) zoom I found it wouldn't hold focus and needed to be adjusted.