Now that's what I call a match made in heaven.

Check yer email Phil!

talking about prices, it's amazing that the UK price is actually around the same if not cheaper than the US price. The EX1 was WAY cheaper in the states than in the UK

I just looked out my hotel window, it seems like its "Sold Out" Looks like Kew Gardens is now playing @ Caesars Palace! Check out the pic again

talking about prices, it's amazing that the UK price is actually around the same if not cheaper than the US price. The EX1 was WAY cheaper in the states than in the UK

And the EX1 is even way cheaper in the UK then in The Netherlands/Belgium!
It's just 6500 euros here! Glad we'll buy it in the UK for 4800 euros (calculated from pounds).

talking about prices, it's amazing that the UK price is actually around the same if not cheaper than the US price. The EX1 was WAY cheaper in the states than in the UK
That is finally good news for us Europeans.

I received my EX-1 last week and I paid 5,825 € in Spain.

Incidentally, the version of the firmware is 1.05_0405 and has no problem backfocus
Or vignetted.

Greetings.

Guys I think that U.S price of $13,000.00 is wrong.

I actually think it is going to be around $9,000.00. This is based on the ratio of what the Ex1 costs in the US and the UK. I used this difference ratio to calculate the price of the EX3. I don't know if this is right or not but I think they may have made the usual mistake of just using the conversion rate which never works for cameras. It makes sense that the same pricing ratio would apply across the board for all the SONY gear. Clearly this camera is to compete with the Canon XL-H1

Guys I think that U.S price of $13,000.00 is wrong... I actually think it is going to be around $9,000.00... Clearly this camera is to compete with the Canon XL-H1

I was just about to type this... I've worked in the US and the real world :) and the cameras and extras are almost always cheaper in the US. I'm always getting request from friends back in OZ to price or send various accessories and so forth...

Keep in mind Sony will announce a list price that will likely be much higher than the eventual street price. I wonder how a USA event has pegged price for Europe but not USA. It makes no sense that Sony would do that. Is someone getting these numbers wrong, just conjecturing, entirely missed USA pricing?

The one bit that I can guess at is that the street price of the EX1 dropped to about 20% below Sony's list in the USA. Something like $6449 vs $7899 list.

How and where is Sony claiming a Europe price but not a USA price? Is there a Sony press release on that or an eye witness that Sony gave a EU only price at a Las Vegas USA event?

I've seen some posts that say an "unofficial" just under $13,000 USA. That would mean about $10,500 USA street.

The Sony press release I got said...

"The new XDCAM EX products are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2008. Pricing is as follows.

* PMW-EX3 – suggested list price less than $13,000
* PMW-EX30 – suggested list price less than $6,000
* PHU-60K – pricing to be announced"

That's where that $13,000 figure is coming from.

Now when the Ex-1 was announced, Sony said it would be "Less than" $8,000. As Craig pointed out, it's $6449 now. So take from that what you will.

I just saw a press release and it indeed says the Sony PMW-EX3 will list for less than $13,000 which probably means about $10,500 street should be close.

Theodore must have spotted the release the same time I did.

Theodore must have spotted the release the same time I did.

Great minds think alike. :)

Spotted Philip Bloom on the strip last night. Click to enlarge.

That's strange Steve, cause when saw that sign it looked like this...
http://thomann.net/hv20/Philip_Vegas

that's fake! She is a brunette!!!

Actually it's the first glimpse of the new EX5. The cat's out of the bag.

no the ex5 is a blonde

One thing that really caught my eye on the EX3 was the flip-up viewfinder. Seems like that could work for the EX1 as well. Has anyone heard of any plans to make that available as an accessory for the EX1?

I stopped off at hoodman and suggested they would make a killing if they just made a slip on variant for the Sony EX3 eyepiece to use with the Ex-1. They're going to check it out. Expect it in Summer is my prediction - I'll autograph the first 50.

Lenny Levy

One thing that really caught my eye on the EX3 was the flip-up viewfinder. Seems like that could work for the EX1 as well. Has anyone heard of any plans to make that available as an accessory for the EX1?

i just don't think the ex1 lcd is sturdy enough, and I know the ex3 one has a special coating to make it work better with the viewfinder

I think it could work if it incorporated a support between the lcd and someplace on the handle, or maybe the vertical piece that connects the handle to the body. A second connecting point would make the lcd rigid.

An autographed one sounds good to me Leonard-

The Sony press release I got said...

"The new XDCAM EX products are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2008. Pricing is as follows.

* PMW-EX3 – suggested list price less than $13,000
* PMW-EX30 – suggested list price less than $6,000
* PHU-60K – pricing to be announced"

That's where that $13,000 figure is coming from.

Now when the Ex-1 was announced, Sony said it would be "Less than" $8,000. As Craig pointed out, it's $6449 now. So take from that what you will.


I Talked to a Sony Rep At NAB said the price for the PHU-60K hard disc would be around $1000

I Talked to a Sony Rep At NAB said the price for the PHU-60K hard disc would be around $1000

That can't be right.

$900 for a 16gb card but only $1000 for a 60gb hard drive?????

I'm guessing the PHU-60k will retail for a similar, but slightly higher price to the HVRHD60 which is $2k+. So perhaps $2500???

Phil,
I went by the Zacuto booth earlier today and was greatly disappointed I missed both you and Hien. I had to catch a plane home. If you're ever in San Francisco let me buy you drink.

At Hoodman they showed me a little magnifier they make for an SLR LCD. It was very light though smaller than what you would need for an EX-1. I'm hoping itb would work. Doesn't seem like it would need to be very heavy. Of course you wouldn't have the nice viewfinder controls on the other side of the LCD like you do on the EX-3.

- Lenny Levy

sorry Lenny

Not been to the show since Monday. Been sightseeing and filming. If i had known you were there i would have popped by

Phil

That can't be right.

$900 for a 16gb card but only $1000 for a 60gb hard drive?????

I'm guessing the PHU-60k will retail for a similar, but slightly higher price to the HVRHD60 which is $2k+. So perhaps $2500???

Prices of flash memory are much higher then prices of hard disk pace...

At Hoodman they showed me a little magnifier they make for an SLR LCD. It was very light though smaller than what you would need for an EX-1.

- Lenny Levy

Hi Lenny,

I've been using a handheld games magnifier along with a Hoodman 400 attached to my Z1's flip-out LCD for a couple of years - it works great!
Something similar to this... http://www.darkplanets.co.uk/psp/psp-power-magnifier-screen-brightener.asp?
It provides a much better viewing angle and is easier on the eye when holding it close to a 'shoulder-mount' position (ie, with the LCD only a few inches from your eyes). I'm sure it would work just as well on an EX1.

Although the EX3 LCD/VF attachment is obviously a more refined, engineered take on this solution, it does not allow you to fold-away the LCD for storage (as is possible with my Z1/magnifier). This just leaves me wondering if some revised ergonomics and a removable lens is actually enough of an incentive for me to fork out all that extra $$$.

I 've still got a few months to sleep on it though.

Cheers,
Dave.

Interesting, Dave. Would you care to affix a photo on this device with your camera setup?

Hi Piotr,

No problem, I've taken some quick snaps and attached below...

The first shows the H400 and magnifier alone to demonstrate the good size match. The second shows them attached to my Z1 LCD, with the last pic showing the view through the magnifier. There is a small amount of edge distortion noticeable in this shot (and some CA, it was only £5 remember!) but it really is easier on the naked eye than my DSLR skills can demonstrate. You can clearly make out the visible resolution of the LCD and with a finer resolution LCD (ala EX1) I expect this configuration would provide even better results.

Although these photos probably don't do much to show the true optical benefit of the attachment. Put simply, it has the effect of enlarging the LCD screen while also pushing back the perceived distance (it changes the focal plane for your eyes) - turning the 2.5" LCD into more like a 4~5" one. You obviously just need to keep it clean from dust and scratches (enemies to us all!).

My original posting about this (a few years old!) is here...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=298269#post298269



Thanks,
Dave.

(bump) Pics now attached in previous message.

(bump) Pics now attached in previous message.

Thanks for posting picks of your mod. From your pictures, the LCD looks great for framing. What are your opinions on judging focus? Is it easier with the magnifier? Do you find less of a need to use the Expanded Focus function?

I wish Sony would replace that menu wheel with a flat joystick-type controller as found on a Nikon DSLR. Also, I would really like to see an expanded focus function that would allow you to move a box, which defines the area of interest, around the screen. Checkout the Nikon D3 for an excellent focusing function.

Amazing, looks like a perfect fit in the hoodman. I imagined it being further from the screen. Does it cause any distortion in the view?

(bump) Pics now attached in previous message.

Thanks a lot Dave - I'm getting my Hoodman these days; the magnifier seems certainly worth trying!

Hi Gints & Mark,

I should point out this is on a Z1, on which (for me) the expanded focus feature is of little use (not usable while recording).

I can hold the edge of the Hoodman (almost as an eye-cup) against my face with very little distortion in the frame, the slight CA kinda helps to make the image appear more 'natural' (slightly blending the LCD pixel edges). And I think the extra detail in the EX1's LCD would still be visible through the magnifier and maintain enough clarity by which to judge critical focus.

Just like the EX3's revised LCD enclosure, the main function is to make the little screen easier to stare at when the camera is just inches from your nose (although cross-eyed DOPs do make some interesting shot selections!).

I just can't help thinking that the EX3 implementation is not quite as elegant as it might have been (non fold-away), but what matters in the end though, is how it feels to shoot with.

Those Sony engineers are good at picking the weaknesses in previous models to bring about improvements that we all want. Whats more interesting is that I had this one figured out three years ago! (although it was admittedly inspired by the XL2's v/f design).


Cheers,
Dave.

no the ex5 is a blonde

Actually I heard that the EX5 is a redhead.... I mean RED Head :-)

Story has been submitted to Digg...let's show Philip some digg love :)

http://digg.com/gadgets/NAB_2008_Spanking_New_SONY_XDCAM_EX3_Camcorder_Review

I listened well to Philipp's video but I have to ask it again: Is it right that you can't flip the screen to see yourself standing in front of the camera? That would exlude the EX3 for VJ-Jobs.....

Markus

hello. Who said it doesn't flip 180 degrees? I have to say I can't remember but it must do, can't believe they would limit it

I should be getting back soon to do more tests with different lenses, I will check. Also if there are any other things you need me to check let me know,

Thanks Phil, at the moment I don't have more doubts. It seems that this cam could be a good evolution for my JVC-HD101.

Phil can you do a comparison between the stock 14x Fuji lens and say a Canon lens that was meant for 1/2' 4:3 SD cameras please? I'm eager to know whether a good expensive SD lens outperforms a cheap HD lens. Thanks

Sony will also have an adpator to let you mount their 35mm digital SLR lenses onto the ex3, a bit pointless due to the large magnification factor that will happen with them. I did say to them why bother!!?

Hummm... I'm thinking of my Sony/Minolta 75-300mm zoom that I use with my Alpha 100, that will be a VERY HUGE telephoto! Knowing that the stock lens top end is at 81 mm, that will be a 3.7x magnification. Combining both sets of lenses, you'll have a range from 5.8 to 300 mm, that is a 51x total range. Not bad...

It is clear that it will have a limited use, but for wildlife or things like that, it will be a great and cheap solution. Have just made a test with a shot of the moon made with the EX1 at full telephoto, by scaling it to 370% the moon almost fills the whole screen.

On the other hand, I don't know how good is the resolving power of these Minolta lenses. The stills I take withe the Alpha are great, but pixel size of that DSLR imager is surely larger than that of the EX1/EX3 CMOS.

What would be really great is a 35 mm adapter of the Minolta A lenses with a manual ring to control the iris (and full auto iris, like on the stock lens) and also integrate autofocus control... Just like having an Alpha 100 body with a hole in the back to let the light go to the imagers of the EX3.

Dreaming is cheap, isn't it?

Phil can you do a comparison between the stock 14x Fuji lens and say a Canon lens that was meant for 1/2' 4:3 SD cameras please? I'm eager to know whether a good expensive SD lens outperforms a cheap HD lens. Thanks

I would if I had one but I don't!

i stand corrected!! great news

I was able to flip around the EX3 screen @ the Sony stand after taking off the magnifier, the viewfinder has a switch to then flip the image. It does not auto flip the image, like the EX1.

There will be an adapter from Fujinon that will include the standard lens socket so you will be able to use 2/3 inch cable powered lenses. Don't know when this will be available but there was one on the Sony booth at NAB. Picture of it is attached.

There was also an EX3 with a Canon KH20 1/2" HDgc lens on it on the Canon booth and I have to say the pictures looked really nice with very little CA. On the same display there was an F355 with the same lens and I really struggled to see any difference between the two. The EX3 had a more saturated image and appeared more contrasty but I think this was probably down to camera setup, I suspect the F355 had the stock gamma while the EX3 looked to have a cinegamma and hisat matrix.

Phil can you do a comparison between the stock 14x Fuji lens and say a Canon lens that was meant for 1/2' 4:3 SD cameras please? I'm eager to know whether a good expensive SD lens outperforms a cheap HD lens. Thanks

Did you find out if good 4:3 SD Lens would work? I'm interested I have a Canon YJ20x8.5B KRS collecting dust attached to an old DSR370. The EX3 would be ideal option for me.

am hoping to get an ex3 again soon to test with my hd 20x canon lens.

have many people placed pre-orders for the camera?

am hoping to get an ex3 again soon to test with my hd 20x canon lens.

have many people placed pre-orders for the camera?

Phil, if you can manage to get a hold on one, can you pls test the EX3 with a 4:3 SD lens and compare the results with the Fujinon stock lens? Can you also inform us on:

1)the handling of the EX3 once it has a heavy piece of glass at its front and

2)whether there are any issues with back focus (which shouldn't be the case since I believe that backfocus is now done manually by the operator)

I haven't yet placed a pre-order for the simle reason that I do not want to be a free Sony beta tester. Once I see that there are no QC issues like those of the EX1 then I will surely but it. I'm interested in the EX3 as I can now use (hopefully) my Canon 18x with extender lens - depending on your findings.

Mark, I'd be sceptical about the peformance of the Canon YJ lenses on HD. You mention trying a "good quality" SD lens, but the YJ is not one. Not only is it SD, it's also the budget line of SD, so I wouldn't be too optimistic. You're also going down a size in sensor so the resolution of the 2/3" lens wouldn't be expected to be quite as high as one made for 1/2" cameras anyway due to the size on the photosites (technical discussion had in the past here and elsewhere, a tiny bit beyond my expertise!)
Steve

I tried a Canon YJ on my F350 when I first got it. The pictures were a little soft and there was lots of CA. I would imagine the results would be worse on the EX3 as with the stock lens the camera adds CA correction.

have many people placed pre-orders for the camera?

Not in Canada, based upon this quote from page-4 of Sony's May 14, 2008 new flash:

"The new XDCAM EX products are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2008. Pricing
is as follows:
• PMW-EX3 – suggested list price less than $13,000
• PMW-EX30 – suggested list price less than $6,000
• PHU-60K – suggested list price of approximately $1,200"

http://www.sony.ca/xdcamex/files/PMWEX3.pdf