Anyone using Sony EX3? at DVinfo.net

Andrew Davies · September 23rd, 2008, 03:24 AM

I would be interested in hearing of user experiences of using the EX3 for wildlife. Pros and cons.

Thanks

Andy

Bo Skelmose · September 24th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Hi
I do not have that much experience with that camera yet but I think it make great pictures that mach my panasonic HVX 2100 camera well - special the overcrank funktion makes it possible to make great movies of flying birds.
Right now I use a standard 2/3" lens on an adapter and it does not make quite sharp HD pictures when the extender is used. I just orderd the ex3 to nikon converter - hope this will work great. How I should make a suport for my bigger Nikon and sigma tele lenses I do not know - hope this will come to work.

Mat Thompson · September 25th, 2008, 03:38 AM

Hi Bo....any chance of some sample footage ? I'm interested in the cams performance too!?

Andy Wilkinson · September 25th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Here is a link to some quick slo mo and fast motion I did with this camera almost 2 months ago (just with the stock lense so far). Very pleased with it's performance - the Vimeo Flash encoding does not really do it justice but it might be of interest for you.

Ely in August HD (Sony EX3 Timelapse) - The Digital Video Information Network

Andrew Davies · September 25th, 2008, 01:03 PM

There was a discussion on the Sony Cinealta forum concerning the "jello" look on fast pans because of the rolling shutter. Has anyone experienced this?

Ryan Farnes · September 30th, 2008, 02:56 AM

I recently shot some video with a prime lens attached. Tried it out as well with just the standard lens attached.

Overall, besides the lens, it seems very similar to EX1 in terms of the quality of video. It obviously can interchange lenses and has a lot more inputs/outputs.

Nice camera, but I really did feel like it was simply a nice upgrade to the EX1.

Andrew Davies · October 4th, 2008, 07:27 AM

What was your assessment of the quality of pans? Did you see the "jello" look caused by the rolling shutter?

Bo Skelmose · October 8th, 2008, 03:28 AM

I have not noticed yet - guess I just use the camera in ways that do not make it visible :
http://ms1.tvmidtvest.dk/natur/video/Rovterne.wmv
This was the only chance I got to make the dive of this bird - it is not optimal but it give an idear of what you can use the camera for.

Dale Guthormsen · October 8th, 2008, 06:18 PM

Bo,

This is the exact footage I was wanting to see, very fine.

I am very curious what your frames per second and exposures were to get this.

could you give us the technical information on the shot please.

Curiously what would a canon/nikon adapter for the lenses cost??

Bo Skelmose · October 9th, 2008, 01:31 AM

I used 720 25p overcranked to 60 fps - some say its only 50 fps when in 25p, but the framerate can be dialed from 25 p to 60 p.
I have learned one thing since I made this shot - the camera can very easy blow out in the white so you have to set the gamma knee manually - a level at 85 - 90 and a slope of maybe 50. You can find more discussion about that on ex1-3 side of this forum. It is a great camera to film birds flying - shots you could not use before is suddenly steady and long enough to be used because of the superslow it can produce.
Just paid £358.38 GBP for a EX3-nikon converter inclusive delivery from mike tapa - it should arrive today or tommorow - i'll let you know how it works. On the bigger cameras I use a Canon 11x33 SD lens and it is okay in HD when the extender is not used - it will be very interesting for me to se if a Nikon/Sigma tele lens can do the job better at a much lower price. The use of the Nikon macro lenses is also a grest thing. The adapter will make a 5x magnification so I can hardly wait to get it.

Steve Phillipps · October 9th, 2008, 05:35 AM

I agree with Dale that's it's the sort of footage you want to see as it's a white/contrasty bird, lots of movement/panning, wings flapping (nicely done too).BUT I would caution anyone against making any decisions based on web viewing!
Steve

Bo Skelmose · October 10th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Just got the EX3-Nikon adapter and i must say that this is a new world opening to me. I have used ENG broadcast lenses for years and they are absolutely the best when you have to zoom-focus and turn iris at the same time. But if you can live with a full manual lens where focussing is the other way on the lensbody then I must say that my Nikon and Sigma lenses produce very crispy and colourfull pictures in HD. My nikon 200mm macro lens is almost a microscope and the 120-300mm 2,8 Sigma lens does the job better than the 10 times more expensive 11x33 Canon broadcast lens.
Now I just have to buy a lens support because the stativ mount on the camera can hardly hold the camera itself.
Yes you cannot choose the Sony EX3 because of a film on the web - the movies it can produce is far way better than can be shown in a streaming video.
----Bo

Steve Phillipps · October 10th, 2008, 08:25 AM

Bo, with regard to lens supports, don't assume that you have to buy off-the-shelf. It's perfectly possible (and often better) to get a machine shop to make a plate for you, they're quite simple.
Steve

Steve Harryman · October 13th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Bo,

I'll be receiving Mike Tapa's adapter in the next day or so. I'm planning on using some long Nikon teles--300 f/4 and 500 f/4. I'm still researching a proper tripod mount system for all this. Wondering if I need to start with the Sony plate or look for something else.

Steve Harryman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo Skelmose

Just got the EX3-Nikon adapter and i must say that this is a new world opening to me. I have used ENG broadcast lenses for years and they are absolutely the best when you have to zoom-focus and turn iris at the same time. But if you can live with a full manual lens where focussing is the other way on the lensbody then I must say that my Nikon and Sigma lenses produce very crispy and colourfull pictures in HD. My nikon 200mm macro lens is almost a microscope and the 120-300mm 2,8 Sigma lens does the job better than the 10 times more expensive 11x33 Canon broadcast lens.
Now I just have to buy a lens support because the stativ mount on the camera can hardly hold the camera itself.
Yes you cannot choose the Sony EX3 because of a film on the web - the movies it can produce is far way better than can be shown in a streaming video.
----Bo

Steve Phillipps · October 14th, 2008, 02:10 AM

Steve, personally I'd stay as far from the Sony plate as possible, they've always been awful for long lens work.
Just get a plate made up by an engineer, something like 2" wide, 1/4" thick and 15" long aluminium. Needs a countersunk hole underneath for attaching to camera base (ideally with a lip somewhere to stop it twisting), then a groove up front with a captive bolt in it to hold the lens foot. Then you can get spacers made for the lens feet of different lenses. Much more secure than anything off the shelf. See pics.
Steve

September 23rd, 2008, 03:24 AM	#1
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	Anyone using Sony EX3? I would be interested in hearing of user experiences of using the EX3 for wildlife. Pros and cons. Thanks Andy

September 25th, 2008, 06:16 AM	#4
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	EX3 Sample footage Here is a link to some quick slo mo and fast motion I did with this camera almost 2 months ago (just with the stock lense so far). Very pleased with it's performance - the Vimeo Flash encoding does not really do it justice but it might be of interest for you. Ely in August HD (Sony EX3 Timelapse) - The Digital Video Information Network __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

October 8th, 2008, 03:28 AM	#8
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	I have not noticed yet - guess I just use the camera in ways that do not make it visible : http://ms1.tvmidtvest.dk/natur/video/Rovterne.wmv This was the only chance I got to make the dive of this bird - it is not optimal but it give an idear of what you can use the camera for. Last edited by Bo Skelmose; October 8th, 2008 at 07:14 AM.

October 8th, 2008, 06:18 PM	#9
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Bo, This is the exact footage I was wanting to see, very fine. I am very curious what your frames per second and exposures were to get this. could you give us the technical information on the shot please. Curiously what would a canon/nikon adapter for the lenses cost?? __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

October 14th, 2008, 02:10 AM	#15
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	Steve, personally I'd stay as far from the Sony plate as possible, they've always been awful for long lens work. Just get a plate made up by an engineer, something like 2" wide, 1/4" thick and 15" long aluminium. Needs a countersunk hole underneath for attaching to camera base (ideally with a lip somewhere to stop it twisting), then a groove up front with a captive bolt in it to hold the lens foot. Then you can get spacers made for the lens feet of different lenses. Much more secure than anything off the shelf. See pics. Steve Attached Thumbnails

September 24th, 2008, 04:11 PM	#2
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	Hi I do not have that much experience with that camera yet but I think it make great pictures that mach my panasonic HVX 2100 camera well - special the overcrank funktion makes it possible to make great movies of flying birds. Right now I use a standard 2/3" lens on an adapter and it does not make quite sharp HD pictures when the extender is used. I just orderd the ex3 to nikon converter - hope this will work great. How I should make a suport for my bigger Nikon and sigma tele lenses I do not know - hope this will come to work.

September 25th, 2008, 03:38 AM	#3
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hi Bo....any chance of some sample footage ? I'm interested in the cams performance too!?

September 25th, 2008, 01:03 PM	#5
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	There was a discussion on the Sony Cinealta forum concerning the "jello" look on fast pans because of the rolling shutter. Has anyone experienced this?

September 30th, 2008, 02:56 AM	#6
Ryan Farnes Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 220	I recently shot some video with a prime lens attached. Tried it out as well with just the standard lens attached. Overall, besides the lens, it seems very similar to EX1 in terms of the quality of video. It obviously can interchange lenses and has a lot more inputs/outputs. Nice camera, but I really did feel like it was simply a nice upgrade to the EX1.

October 4th, 2008, 07:27 AM	#7
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	What was your assessment of the quality of pans? Did you see the "jello" look caused by the rolling shutter?

October 9th, 2008, 01:31 AM	#10
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	I used 720 25p overcranked to 60 fps - some say its only 50 fps when in 25p, but the framerate can be dialed from 25 p to 60 p. I have learned one thing since I made this shot - the camera can very easy blow out in the white so you have to set the gamma knee manually - a level at 85 - 90 and a slope of maybe 50. You can find more discussion about that on ex1-3 side of this forum. It is a great camera to film birds flying - shots you could not use before is suddenly steady and long enough to be used because of the superslow it can produce. Just paid £358.38 GBP for a EX3-nikon converter inclusive delivery from mike tapa - it should arrive today or tommorow - i'll let you know how it works. On the bigger cameras I use a Canon 11x33 SD lens and it is okay in HD when the extender is not used - it will be very interesting for me to se if a Nikon/Sigma tele lens can do the job better at a much lower price. The use of the Nikon macro lenses is also a grest thing. The adapter will make a 5x magnification so I can hardly wait to get it.

October 9th, 2008, 05:35 AM	#11
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	I agree with Dale that's it's the sort of footage you want to see as it's a white/contrasty bird, lots of movement/panning, wings flapping (nicely done too).BUT I would caution anyone against making any decisions based on web viewing! Steve

October 10th, 2008, 07:35 AM	#12
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	Just got the EX3-Nikon adapter and i must say that this is a new world opening to me. I have used ENG broadcast lenses for years and they are absolutely the best when you have to zoom-focus and turn iris at the same time. But if you can live with a full manual lens where focussing is the other way on the lensbody then I must say that my Nikon and Sigma lenses produce very crispy and colourfull pictures in HD. My nikon 200mm macro lens is almost a microscope and the 120-300mm 2,8 Sigma lens does the job better than the 10 times more expensive 11x33 Canon broadcast lens. Now I just have to buy a lens support because the stativ mount on the camera can hardly hold the camera itself. Yes you cannot choose the Sony EX3 because of a film on the web - the movies it can produce is far way better than can be shown in a streaming video. ----Bo

October 10th, 2008, 08:25 AM	#13
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	Bo, with regard to lens supports, don't assume that you have to buy off-the-shelf. It's perfectly possible (and often better) to get a machine shop to make a plate for you, they're quite simple. Steve