I've been shooting with the EX1 and EX1R for a few years now and tried out an EX3 last week. For the first time I felt how nice it is to have a shoulder mounted camera with a proper viewfinder. I've always stayed away from shoulder mount because I started out with a PD-150 and liked the small, unassuming form factor of these types of camera's. Since then I've upgraded to the Z1, the EX1 and EX1R.

I'm considering selling my EX1R and getting an EX3.

I make documentaries and produce corporate films, event registration, the whole gamut of video production work. (I also have a GH2 with a bunch of lenses for the filmic stuff, I have a DP4 monitor but noticed I am not a fan of rigs, to understate it...)

I realize the EX3 is relatively old technology and have looked into the FS100/FS700 but they're not shouldermount and not really suitable for documentary style work, it seems.

So my question is: is there a good, 'contemporary' alternative to the EX3?

So my question is: is there a good, 'contemporary' alternative to the EX3?
PMW320? Basically same technology in a true shouldermount form factor. It's about 20-25% more expensive than an Ex3, and bigger - but in a different league to the EX1 and cameras with similar form.

It may be a bit heavier than an EX3, but because it sits above the shoulder that's where all the weight is taken, it's not trying to twist the wrist as all the smaller cameras do. The EX3 is definitely a big step forward, but not as good a the PMW320.

Thanks, David, but that's too big, also moneywise. (I guess I need to slowly work my way up to a bigger camera...) The 320 and EX3 produce the same output, right? Same bitrate, colorspace?

Also the 320 would need eith V-lok or 3 stud batteries and charger so there's additional expense.

I needed two cameras for a job recently, so I bought an EX3 to work along side an EX1. Certainly the viewfinder is much better, particularly when the tripod is high. The intention was to sell the EX1 when the job was completed. We have now decided to keep both as two cameras are very useful in interview situations. We also looked at the 320 but glad I went for the EX3 as we have done a number of jobs recently were space has been very tight and a full size camera would have made things very difficult. For me, the only down side is that the 320 has a 16-1 zoom as against a 14-1 on the EX3.

So I understand there really is no 'updated' camera like the EX3 in the same price category? (and therefore: the EX3 is still the best choice considering image quality, price and the inbetween small and shouldermount form factor)

i dont miss shoulder mounted at all. shot with the dsr300 for 11 years before i bought my ex1r. love this cam great image quality and i have the hoodman loupe which gives me a very sharp viewfinder since the standard one on the ex is useless.
i looked very hard at the ex3, but other than it having a good viewfinder, for my purposes,it wasnt worth the extra money and as far as it being any easier on the shoulder, the sort of shoulder brace it has doesnt offset the front heaviness of it. if you buy olofs shoulder mount for it, it would be an option, but the ex1r is so light and versatile. just finished my first short film with it and it performed flawlessly.
and i dont miss tape at all. sxs cards are great.

Might want to wait until after the 26th. Sony | Micro Site XDCAM (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcam/)

It´s funny you bring up the Hoodman, Jim, because I was just browsing eBay to see how much my EX1R is worth and I stumbled upon this Hoodman Loupe, which seems to be very much like the loupe on the EX3! The Hoodman would take away one big problem I have with the EX1.
It´s interesting to hear you don´t miss shouldermount. If you shoot interviews handheld, the EX1 is very hard to handle. The EX3 felt like I could keep it steady much longer, also in part by the proper viewfinder btw...

Anyway, the Hoodman could be an option, if I can´t get a decent deal on the trade-in. You definitely think it's worth the $160,- ?

Might want to wait until after the 26th. Sony | Micro Site XDCAM (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcam/)

Awww no, not a new camera!!

its totally worth the 160.00. as you know focussing hd is so critical. the hoodman is very well made with very good glass. has a sharp diopter and when fitted over the lcd, its razor sharp. if they didnt have this i probably wouldnt have bought the ex1r. if i would have had to just look at the lcd which is very sharp, i would have had to wear reading glasses all the time. forget it.
long interviews im using my tripod or depending where i am i can put it on a monopod and stay steady for hours.
i just think spending 2K more for the 3? i could get alot of other necessities with that extra money.

I love the EX3 for shoulder work and I have made an improved shoulder mount for it with space for Vmount or GoldMount batteries and a "wing" for wireless mics or Nanoflash. If you get the stacking IDX batteries you can balance the EX3 perfectly. And the shoulder brace comes off quickly for transporting in a small run bag.

This setup also makes the bottom of the camera very rugged as it is attached with 4mm screws to the camera back as well as the 1/4" base. The weak bottom always bothered me.

The kit and lots of other kits for EX1's etc is available at my WebStore here.
EX 3 Tripod plate and Shoulder Brace Options (http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=product&id=29)

Or you can contact me directly.

I am also very intrigued by the "new" Sony announcement. I have a FS700 arriving here next week. I would love to see an update to the EX line as well.

These are exiting times.

its totally worth the 160.00. as you know focussing hd is so critical. the hoodman is very well made with very good glass. has a sharp diopter and when fitted over the lcd, its razor sharp. if they didnt have this i probably wouldnt have bought the ex1r. if i would have had to just look at the lcd which is very sharp, i would have had to wear reading glasses all the time. forget it.
long interviews im using my tripod or depending where i am i can put it on a monopod and stay steady for hours.
i just think spending 2K more for the 3? i could get alot of other necessities with that extra money.

What about the strain on the LCD screen? What I really liked about the EX3 was that I could really feel the improved stability enabling me to get much more stable shots by pressing my eye against the viewfinder. I'm afraind the weight of the Hoodman plus my eye pressing against it will strain the LCD-hinges...

Hi there,
I've used the Hoodman Loupe on my EX1 for years now... I couldn't get by without it.
In answer to your question: yes, it does seem to have loosened my flip-out lcd display, which is now a bit floppy... but the display continues to work just fine, so I have no real complaints.
I'd love to find a way to tighten the display; the other day I took a really tiny screwdriver to the little screws around the display, but they weren't loose, and my attempts to tighten them didn't make a difference.
Anyway, unless the EX3 has other big advantages, I'd stick with the EX1R with the Hoodman Loupe.
Regards,
Malcolm

Thanks, Malcolm. The Hoodman seems nice but I'm not sold on the loose LCD-screen. That's a lot less trade-in value... Obviously another big advantage of the EX3 is weight distribution. It's a semi-shoulder design. Even though the Hoodman helps steady the EX1, it is never going to turn it into a (semi-)shoulderdesign. Do you use some sort of shouldersupport?

Hi Jeroen,
No I don't use a shoulder support, only because everything I've seen has to be taken off when putting the camera in a carrying case (or backpack) and then re-attached when you take the camera out. The way I shoot, I just don't have the time for that. I meant to write to Olof, to ask him if he could make a 'flip-out' shoulder support, in other words, the shoulder-support part folds under the baseplate part so the camera can be easily stowed... and when you take the camera out of the case, you just flip the shoulder-support plate out (piano-hinge at the back of the camera area) and away you go. Olof... if you're reading this—do you think this would be possible?
I know people complain about the ergonomics of the EX1... they're no doubt camera operators who've used other cameras, better designed for long hand-held situations. But the EX1 is my first camera, and despite the fact that it's a bit hard to hold for long periods of time, I just love the camera. I think I've developed a few extra muscles in my forearms to compensate.
Regards,
Malcolm

I went the other way. I sold my EX3 and bought 2 EX1Rs instead. I do all sorts of productions ranging from filming concerts and stage shows to news and docs for national TV.

The only thing I miss about my EX3 is the fantastic viewfinder. To solve the handheld problem I´ve bought an Easy Rig for my EX1Rs. And I never leave home without it if I know I will be doing handheld work.

I find the EX1Rs a lot faster to work with. They give the same picture quality ( stock lens that is ) and are smaller and easier to carry.

If I were to buy a shoulder mounted camera today I would look into the JVC GY-HM 750. Not with the stock lens but one with better optical quality.

Not sure if this helps your decision. The EX3 is a fantastic camera, but with lights, better mic and wireless it was just to heavy to lug around all day. On a tripod however, it was a joy to work with.

I rent both the EX1r and EX3 frequently and like them each for different things. For multicamera live switched, I take the EX3 every time. For handheld run-and-gun, I choose the EX1r about 75% of the time.

Your mileage may vary...

The EX3 is a fantastic camera, but with lights, better mic and wireless it was just to heavy to lug around all day. On a tripod however, it was a joy to work with.

Hi Svein Rune. Sounds like you are getting around better than the last time we talked.

Hi Jeroen,
I meant to write to Olof, to ask him if he could make a 'flip-out' shoulder support, in other words, the shoulder-support part folds under the baseplate part so the camera can be easily stowed... and when you take the camera out of the case, you just flip the shoulder-support plate out (piano-hinge at the back of the camera area) and away you go. Olof... if you're reading this—do you think this would be possible?
I know people complain about the ergonomics of the EX1... they're no doubt camera operators who've used other cameras, better designed for long hand-held situations.

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

I do have and use myself what I call the lean EX1 setup. It consists of plate, the wing and short shoulder brace, HoodLoop and optional NanoFlash Bracket.

This setup even with NanoFlash and wireless mic is very compact and fits in a small run bag. If you don't use the NF then it is even smaller, also the actual shoulder brace comes off instantly with one thumb screw.
This setup with the Hoodloop is very nice and light for shouldering.

This is how I use my EX1R myself.

Hi Olof,
I'd better pursue this subject off-line, because it's wandering off topic, but for me the ideal shoulder-support would simply 'fold out' into a locked position. So my camera would sit in its Portabrace bag (just like yours)... when it's in the bag, the section of plate that I'm talking about would be folded under the camera — it's attached via piano-hinge back under the battery area, or something like that; when folded under like this, it sits flat against the camera plate above it and the camera sits flat on the bottom of the bag.
(n.b. this plate might have a cut-out so you can attach the camera to a tripod without folding out this shoulder-support).
When you take the camera out of the bag, you simply fold this shoulder-plate out... when it gets to 180-degrees it snaps (locks) into place (I have no idea how)... this allows it to sit on your shoulder to provide nice support for the EX1. When you're finished shooting, you simply fold this shoulder-plate back under the camera, pop the camera in the bag and off you go.
I know you have a system that works with a thumb-screw... but (and this reflects badly on me, I know) I don't like having to deal with screws when I'm shooting on the fly. For some reason, screws that fit perfectly well when I've got lots of time NEVER seem to fit when I'm rushing.
Regards,
Malcolm