Flying the new sony PMW-EX1

Nick Tsamandanis · November 13th, 2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Shem

The metal gimbal can support up to 7.5. But is the weights plates heavy enough to support and balance that?
Given that there's only 6 mid weights to play around, I find it hard to balance my A1, with a wide angle lens and phantom powered mic. I think the total weight is nowhere near 7 lbs.
It is always top heavy even after opening the arc to the widest and adjusting the guide ring to be most bottom heavy. I'm using 1 start and mid weight at the middle, and also 1 start, 1 finish, 5 mid at the bottom.

When I upgraded I received an extra 2 midweights. Also since you have added more weight to the camera maybe you dont need the mid weight at the middle.

Stu Holmes · November 13th, 2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Thompson

Stu,

What HD camera is there that is as good or better than the Z1 in the low light department? I know my 2100 is better but it isn't an HD camera.

Well the XHA1 is probably about the same as the Z1 or maybe a tad better.

But going back to the EX1, i have read that it is really quite significantly better in lowlight than the FX1/Z1. This should be no great surprise i think due to the new Exmor 1/2in sensors for one thing (ingoring other DSP aspects etc). Time will tell i guess as people get hold of production models but my guess is that the Ex1 will finally provide a HD cam that gives lowlight ability that is somewhere in the ballpark of the legendary (SD of course) VX2100/PD170. Not saying it will necessarily be quite as good, but i think maybe in the same ballpark.

Terry Thompson · November 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM

Stu,

Hurry up and buy one so you can tell us how well it works (I'm pretty free with money).

I'll keep my Z1 for the time being until the word comes out.

Tery
Indicam

Rob Hughes · January 10th, 2008, 04:12 AM

Now that the EX is out in the market has anyone flown theirs?

Our studio is getting them in the next few weeks so i'll be interested in hearing anyone else's experiences with them.....from a stabiliser point of view that is. There are many other threads out there with in-depth discussion into the pro's and con's of the camera and ccd's etc

Christopher Witz · January 10th, 2008, 07:29 AM

I fly my ex1 on a merlin with vest/arm and it works nicely. I think it actually flys better than the z1.... and of coarse the image is better.

Sean Seah · January 10th, 2008, 07:38 PM

any photos for the rig? Interesting to see the EX1 on a merlin setup. I tried the merlin with a XH-A1 and felt that the Z1 would be a little too heavy for it..

Christopher Witz · January 11th, 2008, 07:15 AM

I've been meaning to snap some pics but just been busy. give me a few days and I'll get some up.

Rob Hughes · January 11th, 2008, 07:04 PM

Christopher - have you tried flying the EX on just the merlin without the arm/vest?

Sean, I currently use the merlin and z1 setup reguarly. Its fine. Its a good workout on your right arm, but its manageable as long as you don't want to use it for longer than 10-15 mins constantly! A couple of mins rest and you can go again. I do find that slow moves are difficult, but thats probably more me as an operator than anything!

Christopher Witz · January 14th, 2008, 07:16 PM

yes... just for brief moments. Not far off from a Z1... less front heavy than a z1.

Brandon Potthoff · February 1st, 2008, 08:47 AM

Chris,
We have been trying for several to get teh EX 1 balanced now for several hours, if you would be so kind to share with us the settings you are using on the merlin and where you have the weights at that would be very much appercitated.
Thanks so much
Brandon

Nick Tsamandanis · February 1st, 2008, 04:31 PM

A tip (for the bigger cams), what I do is extend the arc all the way and leave it like that all the time. That takes that bit of fiddling around out of the equation.

Doug Park · February 2nd, 2008, 01:12 PM

Like Brandon, I am also having a bit of a struggle getting the settings right for the EX1 on the Merlin. If anyone has had good success I would really appeciate any guidance. I can't seem to get the settings quite right.

Christopher Witz · February 2nd, 2008, 02:24 PM

sure... the liftgate on my sequoia is frozen shut and I can't get to my gear right now..... but I'll take a snap of it and post as soon as I can. but basically one mid weight, and 6 bottom weights on the accessory plate, and spar all the way extended..... I think.

Rob Hughes · February 3rd, 2008, 04:05 PM

I still haven't had a chance to fly the EX1 yet either, but would be interested to know if anyone has got it working on the standard Merlin - without the metal gimble upgrade?

Christopher Witz · February 4th, 2008, 02:43 PM

ok... sorry for the delay.....

here's a pic as I fly it ( sans the vest/arm )

if I attach a senn G2 receiver, I remove a few weights until it's back to level.

November 13th, 2007, 04:47 PM	#18
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Stu, Hurry up and buy one so you can tell us how well it works (I'm pretty free with money). I'll keep my Z1 for the time being until the word comes out. Tery Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

February 1st, 2008, 08:47 AM	#25
Brandon Potthoff Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springfield, Il Posts: 63	Settings Chris, We have been trying for several to get teh EX 1 balanced now for several hours, if you would be so kind to share with us the settings you are using on the merlin and where you have the weights at that would be very much appercitated. Thanks so much Brandon

February 1st, 2008, 04:31 PM	#26
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	A tip (for the bigger cams), what I do is extend the arc all the way and leave it like that all the time. That takes that bit of fiddling around out of the equation. __________________ Nick

February 4th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#30
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	ok... sorry for the delay..... here's a pic as I fly it ( sans the vest/arm ) if I attach a senn G2 receiver, I remove a few weights until it's back to level. Attached Thumbnails

January 10th, 2008, 04:12 AM	#19
Rob Hughes New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: uk Posts: 19	Now that the EX is out in the market has anyone flown theirs? Our studio is getting them in the next few weeks so i'll be interested in hearing anyone else's experiences with them.....from a stabiliser point of view that is. There are many other threads out there with in-depth discussion into the pro's and con's of the camera and ccd's etc

January 10th, 2008, 07:29 AM	#20
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	I fly my ex1 on a merlin with vest/arm and it works nicely. I think it actually flys better than the z1.... and of coarse the image is better.

January 10th, 2008, 07:38 PM	#21
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	any photos for the rig? Interesting to see the EX1 on a merlin setup. I tried the merlin with a XH-A1 and felt that the Z1 would be a little too heavy for it..

January 11th, 2008, 07:15 AM	#22
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	I've been meaning to snap some pics but just been busy. give me a few days and I'll get some up.

January 11th, 2008, 07:04 PM	#23
Rob Hughes New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: uk Posts: 19	Christopher - have you tried flying the EX on just the merlin without the arm/vest? Sean, I currently use the merlin and z1 setup reguarly. Its fine. Its a good workout on your right arm, but its manageable as long as you don't want to use it for longer than 10-15 mins constantly! A couple of mins rest and you can go again. I do find that slow moves are difficult, but thats probably more me as an operator than anything!

January 14th, 2008, 07:16 PM	#24
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	yes... just for brief moments. Not far off from a Z1... less front heavy than a z1.

February 2nd, 2008, 01:12 PM	#27
Doug Park New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 23	Like Brandon, I am also having a bit of a struggle getting the settings right for the EX1 on the Merlin. If anyone has had good success I would really appeciate any guidance. I can't seem to get the settings quite right.

February 2nd, 2008, 02:24 PM	#28
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	sure... the liftgate on my sequoia is frozen shut and I can't get to my gear right now..... but I'll take a snap of it and post as soon as I can. but basically one mid weight, and 6 bottom weights on the accessory plate, and spar all the way extended..... I think.

February 3rd, 2008, 04:05 PM	#29
Rob Hughes New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: uk Posts: 19	I still haven't had a chance to fly the EX1 yet either, but would be interested to know if anyone has got it working on the standard Merlin - without the metal gimble upgrade?