Flying the new sony PMW-EX1
 

Hi Guys,

I'm sure if you're video people and read forums you've seen the hype that the new Sony PMW-EX1 is getting. Tapeless workflow does look pretty amazing to me and we're considering these cameras for our production company.

I've checked the official sony specs and they say that weight wise its 2.8kg (6lb 2oz) and i'd round that up to 3kg's with a large battery and both memory cards.

I'm currently a Merlin user, with the Z1 and thats pretty hefty on my right arm (improving my muscular definition, but thats another story!!)

So, what do people think about flying this camera? Is it a complete no with the Merlin, even with the metal gimble upgrade?
So are we onto Merlin + Vest or Pilot territory?

Opinions welcome....

The Merlin with a metal Gimbal can take up to 7.5 lb. The Pilot can take up to 10 lb. Either will do, but for extended shots a vest is the go with the Merlin.

i'm thinking about buying the Sachtler Artemis DV Pro FX for the ex

And how would it operate with the Steadicam Flyer?

Erwin

I think that it is better when useing the Artemis or Flyer to place some extra weight on the system.
When i fly the DVX100 for example, i always place some extra weight above the camera. I use the lowmode clamp+dovetail for this + the wireless mic's receivers and video transmitter.
Also the mattebox is a extra weight so all this in total will bring the weight to a nice working level.

The Flyer works at his best (in my opion) from 10 lbs or more.
I think the Artemis will need at least 10 lbs so that the cannister arm will work smoother..

Best, Erik

I would look into the indicam with dual arms you can go up to 25lbs, I have used a xlh1, firestore, two wireless recievers, led light with large battery, mattebox, 7inch lcd and have also gone as low as an hv20 alone, both worked well, lots of change to the setup, mainly i found the xha1 with above equipment to be a great setup, it weighs close to the sony.

so has anyone flown the EX yet? I know its very new into the world....

would be interested to hear how it balanced, performed etc.

Within approx 2 weeks we have here the EX available. I will
try to arrange a testflight with the Cam on my Flyer.

Erik

Stephen,

I, for one, would like to see a picture with the set-up you described. I have one of the pictures you did with the flames behind you and it was very well done.

I'm also interested in the new Sony to replace my Z1U. I wonder how well it does under low light.

Tery
Indicam

The EX will arrive here as well very soon. I would be very very interested to know how the EX behaves on a Flyer.


Regards,
Erwin

1/2" CMOS Terry, its gonna be better than the Z1U (IMHO)...

Sean,

You would think so but sometimes what should be...isn't. When someone gets a PMW-EX1 please let us know how it fares under less than ideal lighting conditions.

The nice thing about the Sony 2100 and the Z1u is that not only do have a picture under low light but it's fairly clean and usable. I've done too many wedding receptions where, if I didn't have the 2100 I would have been out of luck.

Here's to sharper and better...

Tery
Indicam

Hey Stephen - How about one of those pictures.

All accounts i've seen indicate the EX1 is much better under lowlight than the fairly good Z1. Thats from people who use Z1s regularly and have had an EX1 in their hands. So i think lowlight is for sure one of its (many) strengths.

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.

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.

I read the long article about the EX1 and the author didn't sound like it was great under low light due to the small size of the pixels.

Tery
Indicam

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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..

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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Christopher what type of matte box is that you are using?

that would be a formatt fm500 box.

nice and light, cheap, looks good, has 2 filter slots and one rotates.

Thanks Chris

Merlin ? EX1? Is this really possible?
 

Christopher,

thanks for the pic of the EX1 and Merlin.

I have been told by Tiffen here in the UK that the upcoming HVR-Z7U will be too heavy for the Merlin, even with Vest/Arm, however I see you using the EX1 which itself is 300g heavier than the Z7 and 500g heavier than Z1!

Does the EX1 really fly well with the merlin??? Tiffen suggest that it can't?!

Does the adapter accessory plate help in this respect or even make it possible?

I have just received my Merlin and Vest/Arm for use with the Z1 but as I'm upgrading to the Z7 soon I don't really want to have to go the whole hog and upgrade to Pilot system (particularly as Tiffen UK say an 'upgrade' is unlikely and the cost of a new Pilot outright is too much for me)

So, any feedback on the Merlin with EX1 etc and weight issues woudkl be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

well.... I think it flys better then the Z1 did..... don't know why.

I don't know if the plate helps or not..... once I put the plate on, it has stayed on. as you can see by the pic it's pretty loaded. I don't know if I'm over doing it or not? but the footage seems smooth and the gimbal seems to be holding up. I have not tried putting a light on the cam ( don't care for on cam lights ) but I do put a AT897 in the mic holder and G2 receiver on the plate and it does fine.