Just got my EX1. What to do first? at DVinfo.net

Juan Solorzano · June 24th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Hello all!

I am a photojournalist in Caracas, Venezuela, with some videography experience (most using dv and dvcam). I used to own a V1 HDV camera, but I made the jump to an EX1 now.

I spent hours in the forum before making the decision, but now that I got it last week (from B&H, s/n on the 1047XX´s, and firmware V1.05_0405) I need some advice.

What kind of initial tests should I shoot to be sure it is working properly? I´ve read about vignetting, back focus, which are issues that are supposed to have been fix with the most recent firmware, but anyways...

In terms of workflow what should I do first: install the software from te CD or just download newer versions like CLIP BROWSER 1.1 and FCP/XDCAM transfer 2.7 (from the UK site), what about the LOG and Transfer plugin?

I am running FCP 6.03.

Well, that´s it by now. I hope to do my part to contribute to this great forum on a regular basis sharing experiences and results.

Thanks,
JUAN

Dominik Seibold · June 25th, 2008, 12:59 AM

First: turn the detail-feature off. ;)

Sebastien Thomas · June 25th, 2008, 02:07 AM

like you said, see other threads about EX1 problems and check for them.

Get all new software release online at sony. Install the clip browser, the SxS driver if you have a card reader and the final cut pro plugin.

then build your picture profile by experimenting, depending on what you're shooting.

Benjamin Eckstein · June 25th, 2008, 06:35 AM

I would say first turn it on.

John Hyland · June 25th, 2008, 07:30 AM

Keep in mind the battery drain issue and take it off the camera when you're not shooting. You'll get the latest Sony software online. Seek out Picture Profiles posted by others and then tweak them to find your own.

Kevin Walsh · June 25th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Get the Vortex media training DVD. Well worth the money. Enjoy your new camera!

Paul Chiu · June 25th, 2008, 08:56 AM

feel free to ask me or anyone here with any question you may have.
i too am on my 3rd week with the EX1 and the learning part is challenging but worth it.

the vortex video as many have said, is a must!

paul

Michael Belanger · June 26th, 2008, 01:35 AM

One thing I missed at first is that the shutter switch is defaulted to off, which puts the camera in 360 degree shutter mode. This makes for a lot more 24fps judder when panning, etc. I have mine switched on and defaulted to 180 degrees which matches "normal" film and video cameras.

Alexander Kubalsky · June 26th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Set Iris to manual.
Try to get used to using full manual focus. Pulling focus, tracking people in crowds at crowded stations is good practice.
Program in Bill Ravens Picture Profile on one of you PP settings.
Set gain to -3 for Low, 0 for Mid and +3 for High.
Spend as much time as you can shooting.

Paul Chiu · June 26th, 2008, 07:58 AM

what exactly does setting to "degrees" do versus the dafault position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Belanger

One thing I missed at first is that the shutter switch is defaulted to off, which puts the camera in 360 degree shutter mode. This makes for a lot more 24fps judder when panning, etc. I have mine switched on and defaulted to 180 degrees which matches "normal" film and video cameras.

Rich Dykmans · June 26th, 2008, 08:29 AM

I think degrees is just the film nomenclature for for your traditional 1/XXth shutter speeds, no different as far as actual shutter speeds go.

I just joined the EX1 club, picked up a mint used one yesterday. I have to admit after handling it for the first hour I was second guessing myself a bit but it started feeling more comfortable after that.

June 24th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#1
Juan Solorzano New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 6	Just got my EX1. What to do first? Hello all! I am a photojournalist in Caracas, Venezuela, with some videography experience (most using dv and dvcam). I used to own a V1 HDV camera, but I made the jump to an EX1 now. I spent hours in the forum before making the decision, but now that I got it last week (from B&H, s/n on the 1047XX´s, and firmware V1.05_0405) I need some advice. What kind of initial tests should I shoot to be sure it is working properly? I´ve read about vignetting, back focus, which are issues that are supposed to have been fix with the most recent firmware, but anyways... In terms of workflow what should I do first: install the software from te CD or just download newer versions like CLIP BROWSER 1.1 and FCP/XDCAM transfer 2.7 (from the UK site), what about the LOG and Transfer plugin? I am running FCP 6.03. Well, that´s it by now. I hope to do my part to contribute to this great forum on a regular basis sharing experiences and results. Thanks, JUAN

June 25th, 2008, 02:07 AM	#3
Sebastien Thomas Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Paris, France Posts: 210	like you said, see other threads about EX1 problems and check for them. Get all new software release online at sony. Install the clip browser, the SxS driver if you have a card reader and the final cut pro plugin. then build your picture profile by experimenting, depending on what you're shooting. __________________ DoP, Video/Camera assistant http://www.lecentre.net/blog

June 25th, 2008, 12:59 AM	#2
Dominik Seibold Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nuremberg, Germany Posts: 285	First: turn the detail-feature off. ;)

June 25th, 2008, 06:35 AM	#4
Benjamin Eckstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 380 Images: 1	I would say first turn it on.

June 25th, 2008, 07:30 AM	#5
John Hyland New Boot Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manhasset, New York Posts: 10	Keep in mind the battery drain issue and take it off the camera when you're not shooting. You'll get the latest Sony software online. Seek out Picture Profiles posted by others and then tweak them to find your own.

June 25th, 2008, 07:43 AM	#6
Kevin Walsh Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 225	Get the Vortex media training DVD. Well worth the money. Enjoy your new camera!

June 25th, 2008, 08:56 AM	#7
Paul Chiu Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: new york Posts: 231	feel free to ask me or anyone here with any question you may have. i too am on my 3rd week with the EX1 and the learning part is challenging but worth it. the vortex video as many have said, is a must! paul

June 26th, 2008, 01:35 AM	#8
Michael Belanger New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 11	One thing I missed at first is that the shutter switch is defaulted to off, which puts the camera in 360 degree shutter mode. This makes for a lot more 24fps judder when panning, etc. I have mine switched on and defaulted to 180 degrees which matches "normal" film and video cameras.

June 26th, 2008, 07:56 AM	#9
Alexander Kubalsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 172	Set Iris to manual. Try to get used to using full manual focus. Pulling focus, tracking people in crowds at crowded stations is good practice. Program in Bill Ravens Picture Profile on one of you PP settings. Set gain to -3 for Low, 0 for Mid and +3 for High. Spend as much time as you can shooting.

June 26th, 2008, 08:29 AM	#11
Rich Dykmans Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Discovery Bay, CA Posts: 138	I think degrees is just the film nomenclature for for your traditional 1/XXth shutter speeds, no different as far as actual shutter speeds go. I just joined the EX1 club, picked up a mint used one yesterday. I have to admit after handling it for the first hour I was second guessing myself a bit but it started feeling more comfortable after that.