Will be testing the XDCam EX next week (UK)

[lawriejaffa]

Righto well looking forward to getting a chance to test this new hdv sony cam from a colleague of mine!

I already have an HVX and will post some side to side footage next week! We're looking at investing in an HPX 500 but I am curious about the EX!

I have to confess that I am a little bewildered by the hype (thanks to some stevet & bloom gumpf *ahem*) so as always it will be great to get my hands on the thing to test for myself!

I've always found the image produced by sony cams to be a little clinical for my liking (as abstract as that sounds!) in comparison to pannies organic look, however, the EX has got some great goodies to try out!

Obvious concerns are the codec and the rolling shutter - which I intend to stretch and push - not with the expertise of some on these threads - but as an indy layman! I want fast movement for my films action scenes, I also do a lot of chroma and special effects - stretching any codec way beyond the natural realms...

Im hearing a lot of 'true' 1080 in these threads which makes me wary - as its the quality of the final 'image' HOWEVER either camera does it internally that is of more interest, not the math which rarely co-orelates with the expectant result. I'd prefer less pixels that look great for example than more that well, don't!

So layman-ish though that may sound thats what i'll examine and report on!

I will test them each with the Brevis as well (after all why not!) with a simple dramatic scene (featuring some effects) that eventually will be hosted online - at full resolution for aaaalllll to see hehe

[Stevet]

Wow.. this should be a fair review.... LOL

Actually, I would not bother comparing the HVX200.

Here's what you'll find.
The EX1 is more sensitive
The EX1 offers a better lens with higher rez.
The EX1 offers SDI, so 4:2:2 is possible
The EX1 offers full 1920x1080 raster

A better test would be with the HPX500.
The HPX500 would probably be the better choice, which it should -with glass it can cost as much as 3 TIMES the price.
Having said that, I would of bought the RED at that point.

[lawriejaffa]

Yah well tell me if you EVER read one! Theres a lot of *ahem* hype on this EX subforum... hehe which for the layman indy filmmaker produces a lot of noise - so i hope by shooting an identical scene, with some grading and a blue screen set up that it will prove useful for me and helpful to others. Theres no way i expect the cams to perform poorly, but i want to be more aware of their differences.

Make no mistake i am biased but so are u! So's GOD! Oh no hehe ;)

But if it rocks as much as u and bloom say then im buying 2 of em! ;)

I should add the scene will feature a hot looking lady so thats all that really counts in the end!

[Barry_Green]

Wow.. this should be a fair review.... LOL
Steve, this is the second time that you've cast aspersions on someone who intends to review the product. Keep it up and it'll move into the realm of trolling. The guy said he was going to review it, for you to imply that it won't be "fair" is tantamount to calling lawrie a liar. I sincerely hope that's not what you meant.

[Stevet]

Barry, with all due respect, there was an intentional stab at Phil Bloom and myself with the word "hype" and a list of negatives regarding the EX1, and then we're expected a fair review?

[lawriejaffa]

Yeah damn right you can expect a fair review (as much as i can manage!) Like i say ive read a lot of hype and i want to give it a try! I ain't on the pay-roll, and i love ANY cam that is a pleasure to work with, i do have an ol XL1s and a PD 170 in my resume of use (with fond memories) and like i said i expect neither cam to be 'bad'.

I want to examine the differences and actually film a test of shots that would be of interest to dramatic indies, with costumes, lenses and effects. NOTE like a very cheap version of peter jacksons test with the red!

So a nice lighting set up, some lenses - a little flair of costume, and some blue screen! Lets see what rocks and doesnt from each of the cams- the footage will be up for comparison.

I'll be honest, i do think you pump it up stevet (and bloom) but i ain't out to shoot any cam down - what i want to see is, whether an EX would be a good addition to the cams we have.

You see, in my company my colleagues might think the EX rocks even if i don't (or vice versa!) so its all good, just means our hvx get's a new room-mate.

The list of negatives are those CITED as reasons of concern and further examination - it just so happens that the hvx has been out LONG ENOUGH that we know what its drawbacks are. we DON'T really know as yet what these are for the EX.

I'll lie about the quality of my girls' cooking so i dont have to sleep on the couch but i'll be keeping my review and comparison honest as can be for these cams!

Its just a review by a little guy for other little guys!

[Stevet]

Ok, sounds good.
I'm just not sure why there are some who just fail to believe things do get better with this technology over the years.
Every camera has their good and bad points. If you believe Phil and myself hype this up, I do find this actually funny, since besides dxmetal, recently we are only the few that post on the EX1. Having said that, we were some of the few the got our hands on the first batch.

Please remember, we also have been around HVX200. In fact, along with many , I was on the original preorder list two years ago. We all know the HVX200 is capable of producing nice stuff. It only takes a few glances at all the great stuff that has been done on the HVX200.

[Barry_Green]

Wow.. this should be a fair review.... LOL

Actually, I would not bother comparing the HVX200.

Here's what you'll find.
The EX1 is more sensitive
The EX1 offers a better lens with higher rez.
The EX1 offers SDI, so 4:2:2 is possible
The EX1 offers full 1920x1080 raster
Okay, was this "fair"? I could have written it like this:

"Actually, I wouldn't bother comparing to the HVX200. Here's what you'll find:
The EX1 has no SD mode at all.
The EX1 makes you have to use Long-GOP encoding, no intraframe mode at all
The EX1 records 4:2:0 color instead of 4:2:2
There's vignetting in the lens
The EX1 has rolling shutter issues
The EX1 costs 30% more.

Would that have been more "fair"? I'd say it's 100% accurate, so what makes it fair or not? It's at least as fair as what you wrote.

So why not let Lawrie have his opinion on how he finds the products? Fair's fair -- if it represents what he thinks, then it's a fair representation of what he thinks. What I object to is the characterization that just because someone may disagree with you, that they're setting out to be "unfair".

[Barry_Green]

I'm just not sure why there are some who just fail to believe things do get better with this technology over the years.
Anybody who denies that is just being stupid. Of course things improve over the years. But anyone who thinks that any new product is automatically better than an existing product is also acting a tad foolishly too.

Best to examine the products and find out exactly how they actually perform. Lots of that going on in the Red forum right now, and more of that'll happen in the EX forum as people get used to it and learn how it works and what it can and can't do.

[Barry_Green]

Barry, with all due respect, there was an intentional stab at Phil Bloom and myself with the word "hype" and a list of negatives regarding the EX1, and then we're expected a fair review?
Man, I skipped a few beats or something, I didn't register that he'd specifically called you and Phil out. That's not cool, Lawrie. That borders on what we might consider a personal attack.

Steve, I take it back. If he called you a hyper first, then I guess you're allowed to question his motivation.

[lawriejaffa]

Yah its just the rhetoric though, I mean, for example,

"What I object to is the characterization that just because someone may disagree with you, that they're setting out to be unfair".

Well i think its obvious to most ordinary readers of posts in the EX sub forum that hype, rhetoric and pouncing over 'facts' or 'criticism' about this new cam has lead to a very cloudy perception for those really interested in how it performs! I mean heck, bloom somewhere mentions the hvx has even 'had its day!' While technical points made by Barry have often been met with dismissal and rhetoric etc, so clarification becomes difficult!

Sure i tested the hvx before i purchased one, i mean i know its 'nice' hehe, and sure i am er aware of the inevitable progress of technology that you cite Steve, but your reference therefore that it makes the new toys sony or panny produces 'better' is the worst kind of rhetoric!!

I don't think im being too personal in citing you chaps as *ahem* 'big' fans of the ex, but most users here are dvx and hvx users, and they would appreciate the perspective of a sold hvx user that has not been tied to the tit for tat debates about why the ex in fact has no shortcomings compared to the hvx hehe.

I hope to find aesthetic differences relative to micro budget filmmakers basically and i've admitted I have a bias and that i can only be as fair as i can!

In varied posts you chaps say in effect, the rolling shutter ain't a prob, the codec can be pushed to untold boundaries etc. Bearing in mind its all relative to our own perceptions im just curious to see if it will meet my expectations.

Oh Barry, btw i'm not out to personally attack anyone as im sure steve isn't neither for questioning the fairness of my review. I mean neither me nor him are on the payroll haha (but er if any sony or pannie execs want to send a cheque hehe...)

Anyway next post will be my musings and impressions :)

[Christopher Barry]

The comparison, please post full resolution uncompressed frames of your test and detailed camera settings. Thank you.