Flying the new sony PMW-EX1 at DVinfo.net

Rob Hughes · November 2nd, 2007, 06:32 AM

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....

Nick Tsamandanis · November 2nd, 2007, 06:55 AM

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.

Brian Leahy · November 2nd, 2007, 08:24 AM

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

Erwin Keizer · November 2nd, 2007, 12:58 PM

And how would it operate with the Steadicam Flyer?

Erwin

Erik Rene Brul · November 3rd, 2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erwin Keizer

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

Stephen Eastwood · November 3rd, 2007, 01:08 PM

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.

Rob Hughes · November 8th, 2007, 04:06 AM

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.

Erik Rene Brul · November 9th, 2007, 09:57 AM

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

Erik

Terry Thompson · November 10th, 2007, 12:30 AM

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

Erwin van Dijck · November 11th, 2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Rene Brul

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

Erik

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

Sean Seah · November 12th, 2007, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Thompson

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

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

Terry Thompson · November 12th, 2007, 07:29 PM

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.

Stu Holmes · November 12th, 2007, 11:01 PM

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.

Kenny Shem · November 12th, 2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Tsamandanis

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.

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.

Terry Thompson · November 13th, 2007, 12:49 AM

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

November 2nd, 2007, 06:32 AM	#1
Rob Hughes New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: uk Posts: 19	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....

November 2nd, 2007, 06:55 AM	#2
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	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. __________________ Nick

November 3rd, 2007, 01:08 PM	#6
Stephen Eastwood Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Great Neck, NY Posts: 291	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. __________________ Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com

November 10th, 2007, 12:30 AM	#9
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	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 __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

November 12th, 2007, 07:29 PM	#12
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	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. __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

November 2nd, 2007, 08:24 AM	#3
Brian Leahy Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 25	i'm thinking about buying the Sachtler Artemis DV Pro FX for the ex

November 2nd, 2007, 12:58 PM	#4
Erwin Keizer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 29	And how would it operate with the Steadicam Flyer? Erwin

November 8th, 2007, 04:06 AM	#7
Rob Hughes New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: uk Posts: 19	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.

November 9th, 2007, 09:57 AM	#8
Erik Rene Brul New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Almere, 20 km near Amsterdam.. The Netherlands Posts: 17	Within approx 2 weeks we have here the EX available. I will try to arrange a testflight with the Cam on my Flyer. Erik

November 12th, 2007, 11:01 PM	#13
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	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.

November 13th, 2007, 12:49 AM	#15
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	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 __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com