i see so many people that love this camera. what cameras were you shooting with before? since its so ergonomically not easy to handhold for a long time, i take it most users are going tripod/monopod most of the time.
coming from shooting with a dsr300, ive tried the ex and i have to have a vf to look through especially on a tripod. the vf on the ex is unusable so looking at the lcd all the time im not keen on.
so im leaning to the ex3, hoping that the exmount.com brace will work for it. i would love to have a cam that i can run and gun with but also shoot shoulder mount.
now that sony has their 1/2 inch ex shoulder mount out, i may just go that route, since the other 2 are not the easiest to handhold for long periods.
input welcom

The use of a HoodLoop on the EX1 cam turns the LCD into a very good viewfinder. Almost as nice as the EX3.

My cam before the EX3 was the DSR500. And after making a shoulder brace with IDX battery plate for it. I find the EX3 to be just as balanced as the 500, but a lot lighter.

And the HD image quality of the EXcams is terrific.

The EX1 can also benefit from my shoulder brace system. Though if you are going to primarily shoot on the shoulder I would get the EX3.

95% of my shooting is on sticks StediCam various dolly's or tracks. But I do shoot off the shoulder from time to time. If it is just a 15 minute session on the shoulder and them back to the sticks. I like my EX1R with a hoodloop and my short shoulder brace. If it is a longer period of shouldering I will grab my EX3 with the IDX batteries on my brace to balance the cam.

I often use the NanoFlash with the EXcams and it adds 422 recording that really helps for heavy grading projects and it keeps the BBC etc. happy.

Below are a couple photos of the shoulder setups.

If you have any more questions contact me.
olof@westsideav.com
Westside A V Studios WEB Store (http://www.westsideavstore.com)
603.383.9283

I've used my EX1 almost exclusively on the tripod or the RR shoulder mount, until I got Olof's solution he describes above - and now I'm a happy hand-held shooter, as well!

I used the EX1r for several hours run and gun. The rotating handgrip is wonderful. It enables handheld shots that that you can't use a traditional handgrip to do. I found it no more wearing to hold in traditional fashion either as the new design does indeed shift the palm more under the camera and the strap stays tight. In fact, the rotating hand grip makes it easier to use handheld for long periods because when I took a rest, I could cradle the camera easily and in a more comfortable position in both arms to hold the weight while relaxing my hand all without taking it off. The handgrip also lets you use your fingers on shots you would otherwise have to use the handle for and only have a thumb for operation.

As mentioned, the Hoodman Loupe may give you the eyepiece on the side that you want. However, the EX1R also has a new VF that is hi-res like the LCD. Again, the rotating handgrip makes it much easier to use the VF than a traditional handgrip/handle because you can hold it better and with less strain at a more comfortable eye level. YMMV

I find the EX1r to be a little easier to handhold than the original EX1, but still a problem for me.
My most frequent solution to the problem is a monopod. I get very stable shots & not too clumsy to run around with. With the pod collapsed, but still attached, I can still easily do moving/flying shots.
Also, I can remove it with the quick release, toss it over my shoulder, and shoot traditional hand held when needed.

I've been using a Manfrotto 561BHDV monopod for the more fluid situations, and I just picked up a new 536 tripod with a 504HD head for the more stationary stuff. I've just received the latter, so I don't have much of an opinion yet, but the 561BHDV monopod has worked well for me. It's made specially for video use. The fluid head is unique to a monopod, so it's not someone that will work on a tripod. There's no rotational damping in the head. Instead, the monpod has three small feet at the bottom, in the middle of which is a damper that smooths out rotational movement. For video shot from my shoulder, I just pop the camera out of the quick release and it's ready to go. There may be better solutions, but I like the control and portability that I have with the monopod, and I have a nagging back injury, so even a balanced shoulder mount isn't an option for extended shooting. The weight limit is 4kg, or nearly 9 pounds, so an EX3 is at the upper limit of the capacity or slightly beyond, but it works for me.

Manfrotto 561BHDV - FLUID VIDEO MONOPOD W/HEAD (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/18191)

I shoot the vast majority of my work handheld.

My EX1 has a shoulder mount that I cobbled together myself, and I'm using a Hood Loupe viewfinder. That shifts more of the weight to the rear.

Any shoulder mount will help stabilize the camera. The trick is finding one that works for you.

We've been using the Steddipod (Barbertech Video Products (http://www.barbertvp.com/)) for a number of years now and have really liked its versatility. I almost exclusively use it for hand-held work. The EX1R is a little heavy for it and you have to be carefull when you let it stand alone as a tripod. But otherwise it is really nice to have a monopod, boom and tripod all in one unit. For long toasts, I put it in tripod mode and boy it is a lot easier on me when the bestman or father decides to give a 15 minute speech and I don't have my regular tripod handy. I can let go completely and relax which you can't do with the Manfrotto.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

JoeO.

Good call Joe. That looks like a nice piece of equipment and I'll have to give it a try.

The exmount looks very interesting. I have the ex3 shoulder mount from DM Accessories and it works fine but ... the exmount would better fit my needs. I don't see it available via their site? Anyone have this?

Occasionally I wish I had a shoulder mount camera instead of my EXr. But I don't want to go back to lugging around a big camera and the big gear that goes with supporting a larger camera.

I haven't used an EX, but I can get very steady, reliable, handheld shots, with my R. I've moved the baseplate back quite a ways, and can anchor it against my shoulder\chest if need be. Extended periods of handheld work will make my grip thumb throb but muscle memory is starting to catch up.

I only use the vf when lighting conditions don't allow for use of the LCD. That's when peaking and DOF meter are useful tools. It feels weird, but very steady and easy handheld shots are easy when you use the vf as an anchor. Hard to do with eyeglass, though.

I use a tripod for extended interviews, pans, statics, and have invested in a cinesaddle which is a really useful tool.

The exmount looks very interesting. I have the ex3 shoulder mount from DM Accessories and it works fine but ... the exmount would better fit my needs. I don't see it available via their site? Anyone have this?

EXMount.com (http://www.exmount.com/) has updated their site with more product information, pricing and according to the site, on November 7 there was stock available - EXMount.com - EXMount Product Range (http://www.exmount.com/products)

I guess if you have questions that aren't answered on the website, you could email mark@exmount.com (thats the contact as listed on the site).

Paul, you posted in this EX1/R thread but I don't see any products for the EX1. Am I missing something?

Hi Jim: I've had the EX1R for two months now. It's been a big adjustment from previous cameras. My DV camera is a shoulder-mount JVC GY-DV5000, and previously have used Sony DSR-300A as well as other shoulder-mount cameras going back to dockable Betacams and even S-VHS.
I'm getting better at shooting handheld with the EX1R, but it's nothing like shooting with a heavy shoulder-mount camera. Then again, I totally appreciate how light the EX1R is, and all the other things it offers. I am not missing lugging around my heavy camera bag. I shoot on tripod easily 90% of the time. In time will add a monopod and will try out a shoulder support system like was suggested above by Olof.

The Hoodman LCD attachment loupe is an excellent addition, as was also suggested. It's not perfect but it sure makes shooting handheld a lot better.

Good luck!

Paul, you posted in this EX1/R thread but I don't see any products for the EX1. Am I missing something?

They don't seem to make the EXMount for the EX1/R. That's a shame. It looks like it would be a really good solution.

At the moment the EXMount is focused on the EX-3 - but we are looking at making some adaptations for other cameras.

We recently sold a mount to an EX-1 user - and as far as I know, he's happy with the way its working with his EX-1.

We've had a lot of enquiries about using the mount with a range of cameras - so it is something we'll be looking at closer in the next few weeks.

Any feedback, questions etc are welcomed.

Mark

Hey Jim I find that the Ex-1 R using the large sony battery and the Hoodman adapter on the fold out viewfinder works super. I stuck some foam padding on the end of the battery and it rests on my clavicle area comfortably. However, I know you shoot with your left eye and that may be a problem. I am also left eyed but I found out if I forced my self to use my right eye that after a while my dominance changed. I had the same problem with my operating microscope in my practice. I am naturally left handed and left eyed but when a child was changed to right handed. Now I can't write with either hand.. :) It took a while but my dominance switched to my right eye. If I stay off the scope or the camera for a few days it takes a few minutes to switch. I have heard of helicopter pilots having sighting problems with the view finder on their guns when they were left eyed. However, most of them were able to switch dominance. Wearing a patch for a day or so over your left eye may help. I write all of this assuming that your problem is dominance. If you have a vision problem with your right eye then all my advice is bogus.

Of all the XDCAM cameras I have owned I like the ex-R the best. I think it gives the most bang for the buck.

Take care

Ronie

Almost everything I shoot is handheld and I use this piece of equipment with the little cameras. I started using this with the DVX100, and now use it even on my EX3 for support.
Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact for Camcorders with 1/4"-20 Tripod Connection (I took off the handle part that sticks out.)
It goes to my waist and disconnects easily when I don't need it. It also just hangs from my belt when I am not using it, so it is better than a monopod that I have to set it down and then find it again when I want it.
Of course, like everything, it's a personal thing, and I have used it so much I am used to it, but other people I have shown this to have liked it.
I can really shoot all day without too much fatigue, and I can get pretty decent steady long lens shots. It is also great for quickie interviews, I can hold the camera at their eyelevel and keep pretty good eye contact with only an occasional glance at the screen.
It's cheap too! But I love it so much I am on my second one, having worn out the first one!