can dvx100a shooter learn the ex1 in...3 days?

[robfilms]

i've shot w/the dvx100a abit. but now i have a shoot coming up which the client is perhaps interested in shooting hd. consequentially, i'm thinking of renting a ex1 with an eye towards a purchase.

my question to those who presently have the camera, think i can do a talking head interview if i had the camera for a few days-say two days to "test" and one to shoot?

my 2nd concern: i'm not even sure of the back end workflow. perhaps i'm missing the threads but there seems to be very little info on this site about the ex1 & fcp. are there other sites where that info is fully discussed? if so, please pass on the link.

i've got a mac book pro w/fcp 5.1.4 but i'm willing to go up to fcp2 if necessary.

so, bottom line: can i get the ex1 to make pretty pix with only a day or two of "testing"? and what about the edit work flow?

sorry for the newbie type questions. if u don't ask, you'll never know.

thanks in advance for sharing.

be well

rob

[booth]

Works fine with FCP2.

However your first question is more difficult to answer, it's all up to the individual. For example I reckon I could learn myself enough in a day to shoot a talking head interview but I tend to be able to do that. On the other hand if you handed me a microphone and asked me to learn how to use it, I'd be less confident. A few people I've known in the past would have to do a course to learn how a specific camera works.

Only you know your strengths and limitations.

[robfilms]

booth-

thanks for the quick response

fcp2 sounds good. could u please detail your workflow?

anyone using the fcp 5.1.4 w/the ex1?

as for "learning" a camera, if the menus are initiative, the camera out-of-the-box can access the proper set-up for the creamy, lovely colors i've seen posted on the web (thanx phillip, bassman & others) and the lens/focus system work as described (can u really focus w/just the lcd w/o setting up an external hd monitor?), then-fingers crossed-i should be alright.

but i'd love to hear from other ex1 users.

any tips i GOTTA know about the moment i get my hands on a ex1?

thanks in advance

be well

rob

[dandobi.com]

just rent it, test it, and you'll be fine. don't walk in being afraid ... it's just a camera, it's not gonna bite!

you gotta be on at least 6.0.2 to import the footage (as well as use the proper codec for xdcam)

importing is easy, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZLKc37NAWE

you'll be fine after an hour after playing around with it.

[SPZ]

Image tweaking parameters are different, but fellow dvxusers have posted great scene files settings (or wathever they are called for the EX :) ) so you should be ready to go in no time for looks.

The biggest problem you should encounter is Focusing. For someone coming from SD, even though the EX LCD is far better than the competition, it still needs some getting used too. Make sure to learn how to use the focus in color feature. Its essential. FOr someone transitioning from the HVX, however, it should be easier, since the sensibility gained from using focus assist and looking at its lower Rez LCD will give an edge to know a out of focus to focused image in a better rez LCD.

You should be ready to roll confidently in 1 to 2 days- just make sure and read some of the hands on experiences from fellow users in the forum- Things like Shutter Off (which equals to a 24 shutter compared to the HVX/DVX 48 shutter) and other details can be different to the DVX/HVX "language".

[robfilms]

dadd/spz-

thanks for the encouraging feedback. if u were in nyc i would buy the 1st round (good coffee/tea or anything stronger!) just so i can get some shop talk in about the ex1.

so spz, your advice about hd focusing makes sense.

anyone else?

what is the KEY for someone to wrap their heads around the many excellent functions of the ex1 in a very short time?

thanks in advance to u ex1 owners for any and all experiences u care to share.

be well

rob

[philip bloom]

be fine! i recommend the vortex dvd. learn everything you need to know in 3 hours!

[robfilms]

philip-

thanks for the suggestion. i met w/the producers this morning and they are very keen to the idea of using the ex1 for this upcoming shoot. i will meet w/the client tomw at 330pm nyc time and hopefully they will also be supportative. if all say yes, then i'm going to buy an ex1 w/in the week.

now i'm wondering about the hvx200 footage of one interview that had been previously shot 720/24p. think it will match easily?

and whether i need to buy a 16 card to support the one 8 card that is in the box (or rent till the rebate card arrives)

and what seems to be the opinion of the sony batteries? is there a longer lasting battery than the one included w/the camera?

so much to do!

but boy, are my hopes high that all goes well tomw.

be well

rob

[philip bloom]

with grading yes it will match. one 8gb card is just 25 minutes. You must get a second one, a 16gb when you get the camera.

The high capacity batts are great.

[rrrobb]

definently get the larger capacity battery, the one included will only run for about 2 hours.

[robfilms]

thanks to all for sharing your thoughts

it seems that the client is willing to move to hd even though they will only be screening the final footage via a sd dvd kiosk. yippee.

i feel like the 1/2" chip will offer me the low light coverage i'm most concerned about. no tool does everything and the same can be said for cameras.

so if i needed to put together a basic list of "must have" items:

-sony pmx=ex1 $6450
-16gig sxs card $895
-sony large capacity battery $234
-vortex sony ex1 dvd $110

still need a quality uv filter, a circ polarizer, perhaps a 2nd charger

anyone care to suggest other "must have" items?

anyone care to suggest better prices?

(the above prices are quoted from the b&h website. i have bought most of my gear from b&h over the past 10 years. i have always found them to be solid. that said, i might shop the price of the entire purchase bundle. i wonder if cine able competes on price?)

i'm moving closer to a new camera!

be well

rob

[SPZ]

I would suggest a Porta Brace Rain Cover for the EX- This is something we always forget about, but, in the end, at least for documentary and event coverage, is essential.

And a Boom Mic for on camera and boom operation. Audio is 50 percent of the equation!

[DCSensui]

You can probably skip the polarizer for now as well as the second charger. Get two large capacity batteries instead. I was out covering fishing for 9 hours and still had half of a large battery remaining as well as the smaller battery that comes with the camera.

The stock charger recharges the battery fairly quickly, too. I hadn't timed it exactly but it looks like you can get a usable full charge in a couple of hours. Maybe someone else here knows for sure?

If you expect to be out in the weather you might want to look at the Kata CRC 15 rain cover. It's truly waterproof in the worst downpours. But when the sun comes out that clear plastic acts like a greenhouse so you might want to cover it with a towel or, as someone had recommended, some reflective bubble wrap.

Also, the camera itself generates a fair amount of heat so ventilation is an important consideration.