Filter for IR contamination

Leonard Levy · June 25th, 2009, 10:13 AM

Vincent, Can't say you weren't warned though (unfortunately not be Sony).

Vincent Oliver · June 25th, 2009, 12:52 PM

I was warned fair and square, although not at the time of purchase with the EX3.

I will find a way around this problem. I just can't believe Sony would let such an obvious flaw as this through their hands, after all they are supposed to be the leading light in the video industry.

Brian Cassar · June 25th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Oliver, unless, at the time of writing, you do not buy the 486 then there is no way you can find a way to this problem. In my case I just couldn't stop recording a wedding and ask the groom to change his rented black suit because the present one is turning brown in my viewfinder. The 486 resolves this problem quite well with some limitations. Hopefully the Tiffen one would be even better. I have no hope in Sony ever correcting this issue for the EX1 and EX3. They might address this issue in the next EX series camera.

Leonard Levy · June 25th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Vincent -
Just keep telling yourself "but... its a feature - not a problem!"

Brian is right. Right now the 486 is the only solution but soon there will be something better from Tiffen and others chasing their tail.

Brian Barkley · June 25th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Yesterday, I climbed on top of my house and shouted from my rooftop that I hoped no more posts would appear on this subect . . . it apparently did not work.

Vincent Oliver · June 25th, 2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Barkley

Yesterday, I climbed on top of my house and shouted from my rooftop that I hoped no more posts would appear on this subect . . . it apparently did not work.

I didn't hear you Brian.

Yesterday I spent three hours recording a production of Grease, and yes most of the cast were all in black T-shirts or sweaters. My Canon footage looks fine but the Sony footage is unusable. I will now spend another three hours on Friday doing the same job.

Here are two stills from the show. (sorry, I have blanked out the faces)

Alex Raskin · June 25th, 2009, 06:22 PM

I simply keep 486 filter on my EX1 at all times, out of necessity. You never know when will the black contamination issue occur, so... as always - better be safe than sorry.

Here's the source where to get it, or here's another source as well.

Michael B. McGee · June 25th, 2009, 07:47 PM

these screw on filters are great unless your going to attach something to the front of the lens, ie: wide angle, telephoto, and even a 35mm adapter. looks like i'll be buying a 3-stage mattebox instead of a 2-stage to go along with my Letus. thanks Sony.

Anthony McErlean · June 26th, 2009, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent Oliver

...most of the cast were all in black T-shirts or sweaters...the Sony footage is unusable....

I just did a school concert of Grease and the first night I recorded it without the filter and yes, most of the blacks colours were useless but the 2nd and 3rd night I recorded it I used the 486 filter and it worked out great, a big improvement.

Just had a look at the sony still Vincent and yes, thats what mine looked like too, before the filter was fitted.

Vincent Oliver · June 26th, 2009, 04:27 AM

I can see that the 486 filter is an essential item for this camera, just as the DM baseplate, and other software to make HD to SD acceptable. I wonder what else I can spend my money on?

Docea Marius · June 27th, 2009, 04:54 AM

Vincent may change your opinion after you see a black coat groom :-).I just bought 486, should not be used permanently, but it's good to be in the bag when needed

Vincent Oliver · June 27th, 2009, 06:25 AM

I have changed my mind after my disastrous job, a 486 filter would seem to be the answer. I will be asking Sony to rectify the situation, by either supplying a filter or adjusting the camera. I re-shot the job last night on my Canon XH A1 and the footage is perfect. Having spent £6000 + on the EX3 I would expect a better result. I personally don’t see the logic in having to spend an extra £120 to solve a problem that shouldn’t be present.

Docea Marius · June 27th, 2009, 07:28 AM

You absolutely right, the problem is the sony to remedy.Se seems not to think about us and to our needs .. just to our money :-)

Daniel Epstein · June 27th, 2009, 07:37 AM

Vincent,
While I think it is worth complaining to Sony (don't forget to talk to your dealer as well) you won't want to wait for their answer if you have other jobs which might be helped by buying the filter yourself asap. The reputation you are saving is yours not theirs. Good luck

Vincent Oliver · June 27th, 2009, 09:33 AM

You are right Daniel, but I think there is also a point of principal involved here. Should we just shrug our shoulders and let Sony of the hook. I am sure that many other manufacturers would have been hauled over the hot stove for supplying goods which have a built in flaw.

Don't get me wrong, I love the EX3 and would buy it again tomorrow if I needed to. I just find their excuse for the Red issue a bit weak - it's a feature of this camera. This is like saying a car with no side windows delivers better ventilation.

I guess I will fork out for the 486 filter, although from what I am reading here, that is not the perfect answer either.

Have a good weekend

June 25th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#242
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	I was warned fair and square, although not at the time of purchase with the EX3. I will find a way around this problem. I just can't believe Sony would let such an obvious flaw as this through their hands, after all they are supposed to be the leading light in the video industry. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 26th, 2009, 04:27 AM	#250
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	I can see that the 486 filter is an essential item for this camera, just as the DM baseplate, and other software to make HD to SD acceptable. I wonder what else I can spend my money on? __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 27th, 2009, 04:54 AM	#251
Docea Marius Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Romania Posts: 175	Vincent may change your opinion after you see a black coat groom :-).I just bought 486, should not be used permanently, but it's good to be in the bag when needed Attached Thumbnails

June 27th, 2009, 06:25 AM	#252
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	I have changed my mind after my disastrous job, a 486 filter would seem to be the answer. I will be asking Sony to rectify the situation, by either supplying a filter or adjusting the camera. I re-shot the job last night on my Canon XH A1 and the footage is perfect. Having spent £6000 + on the EX3 I would expect a better result. I personally don’t see the logic in having to spend an extra £120 to solve a problem that shouldn’t be present. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 27th, 2009, 09:33 AM	#255
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	You are right Daniel, but I think there is also a point of principal involved here. Should we just shrug our shoulders and let Sony of the hook. I am sure that many other manufacturers would have been hauled over the hot stove for supplying goods which have a built in flaw. Don't get me wrong, I love the EX3 and would buy it again tomorrow if I needed to. I just find their excuse for the Red issue a bit weak - it's a feature of this camera. This is like saying a car with no side windows delivers better ventilation. I guess I will fork out for the 486 filter, although from what I am reading here, that is not the perfect answer either. Have a good weekend __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 25th, 2009, 10:13 AM	#241
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Vincent, Can't say you weren't warned though (unfortunately not be Sony).

June 25th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#243
Brian Cassar Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 306	Oliver, unless, at the time of writing, you do not buy the 486 then there is no way you can find a way to this problem. In my case I just couldn't stop recording a wedding and ask the groom to change his rented black suit because the present one is turning brown in my viewfinder. The 486 resolves this problem quite well with some limitations. Hopefully the Tiffen one would be even better. I have no hope in Sony ever correcting this issue for the EX1 and EX3. They might address this issue in the next EX series camera.

June 25th, 2009, 03:45 PM	#244
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Vincent - Just keep telling yourself "but... its a feature - not a problem!" Brian is right. Right now the 486 is the only solution but soon there will be something better from Tiffen and others chasing their tail.

June 25th, 2009, 03:55 PM	#245
Brian Barkley Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 233	Yesterday, I climbed on top of my house and shouted from my rooftop that I hoped no more posts would appear on this subect . . . it apparently did not work.

June 25th, 2009, 06:22 PM	#247
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	I simply keep 486 filter on my EX1 at all times, out of necessity. You never know when will the black contamination issue occur, so... as always - better be safe than sorry. Here's the source where to get it, or here's another source as well.

June 25th, 2009, 07:47 PM	#248
Michael B. McGee Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 318	these screw on filters are great unless your going to attach something to the front of the lens, ie: wide angle, telephoto, and even a 35mm adapter. looks like i'll be buying a 3-stage mattebox instead of a 2-stage to go along with my Letus. thanks Sony.

June 27th, 2009, 07:28 AM	#253
Docea Marius Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Romania Posts: 175	You absolutely right, the problem is the sony to remedy.Se seems not to think about us and to our needs .. just to our money :-)

June 27th, 2009, 07:37 AM	#254
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Vincent, While I think it is worth complaining to Sony (don't forget to talk to your dealer as well) you won't want to wait for their answer if you have other jobs which might be helped by buying the filter yourself asap. The reputation you are saving is yours not theirs. Good luck