a camera: sony ex1/b camera: sony hvr-a1u

Rob Katz · March 24th, 2008, 07:08 PM

using the ex1 in hq mode as primary camera is upcoming doc. suddenly have access for $1k to buy friend's gently used sony hvr-a1u hdv camera.

i know tha the ex1 hq is 35/bps and the a1 is hdv long gop at 25 bps but both have cmos chip and i wonder if the a1u can't be used as a small indiscreet "b" roll camera.

think the different footages would cut or just too different?

what workflow can i expect mixing hq and hdv?

i'm cutting on a macbook pro using fcs2.

any and all thoughts would be appreciated

be well

rob

Vaughan Wood · March 24th, 2008, 07:41 PM

I'm finding that I can't match a Sony FX 7 to the Ex at all, so I don't think you'll have any more luck with the A1.

I've been told that the Z7 will match much better for a 2nd camera, but I haven't yet tried it.

Does anyone have any experence cutting with Z7 and EX?

Vaughan

John Hedgecoe · March 24th, 2008, 08:55 PM

I have the Sony FX1 and HC1 and am finding they are not a good match to the EX1.

So my FX1 will be getting replaced with another EX1 at the first opportunity. The HC1 I will probably keep as a personal travel/vacation camera.

Graeme Fullick · March 25th, 2008, 05:40 AM

Rob,

I have both of these cameras and have tried the match. The EX1 is a lot sharper - but using standard PP on the EX they are not too different in good light. I had no trouble at all editing the 2 together with Avid Liquid - just put them both on the same 1920 x 1080 timeline and Liquid did all the rest. On a standard definition DVD the difference was still there but nowhere near as great as on the HD timeline. Don't expect miracles. The A1 will not be too good in low light - that is its weak point.

They are close enough that I am going to use the 2 together on a trip to the Arctic in 3 months. It is just not possible to get a super compact that will match the EX, but there are places that I can't use the EX where I can use the A1.

I also have a Sony Z1 and a Canon HV20 - none match really well in that you can tell the EX1 footage (even my wife easily sees the difference), but unless you are going to a really expensive camera you are not going to get a really close match - Maybe another EX1 or a Sony F900!

March 24th, 2008, 07:08 PM	#1
Rob Katz Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: new york city, new york Posts: 594	a camera: sony ex1/b camera: sony hvr-a1u - thoughts? using the ex1 in hq mode as primary camera is upcoming doc. suddenly have access for $1k to buy friend's gently used sony hvr-a1u hdv camera. i know tha the ex1 hq is 35/bps and the a1 is hdv long gop at 25 bps but both have cmos chip and i wonder if the a1u can't be used as a small indiscreet "b" roll camera. think the different footages would cut or just too different? what workflow can i expect mixing hq and hdv? i'm cutting on a macbook pro using fcs2. any and all thoughts would be appreciated be well rob

March 25th, 2008, 05:40 AM	#4
Graeme Fullick Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 337	Rob, I have both of these cameras and have tried the match. The EX1 is a lot sharper - but using standard PP on the EX they are not too different in good light. I had no trouble at all editing the 2 together with Avid Liquid - just put them both on the same 1920 x 1080 timeline and Liquid did all the rest. On a standard definition DVD the difference was still there but nowhere near as great as on the HD timeline. Don't expect miracles. The A1 will not be too good in low light - that is its weak point. They are close enough that I am going to use the 2 together on a trip to the Arctic in 3 months. It is just not possible to get a super compact that will match the EX, but there are places that I can't use the EX where I can use the A1. I also have a Sony Z1 and a Canon HV20 - none match really well in that you can tell the EX1 footage (even my wife easily sees the difference), but unless you are going to a really expensive camera you are not going to get a really close match - Maybe another EX1 or a Sony F900! __________________ Graeme

March 24th, 2008, 07:41 PM	#2
Vaughan Wood Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 278	I'm finding that I can't match a Sony FX 7 to the Ex at all, so I don't think you'll have any more luck with the A1. I've been told that the Z7 will match much better for a 2nd camera, but I haven't yet tried it. Does anyone have any experence cutting with Z7 and EX? Vaughan

March 24th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#3
John Hedgecoe Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 146	I have the Sony FX1 and HC1 and am finding they are not a good match to the EX1. So my FX1 will be getting replaced with another EX1 at the first opportunity. The HC1 I will probably keep as a personal travel/vacation camera.