Bobonli
01-05-2009, 07:58 PM
If you opened this thread, chances are you're considering purchasing an EX-1. I've been "considering" the camera for about 6 months now and I'd like to share some thoughts and hopefully save you some time reading hundreds of threads.
You probably have many questions about the camera. I know I did and still do. Forums are usefull tools for answering questions but they cannot replace hands-on experience. Only you know your needs and workflow. Therefore, my first piece of advice is to rent or borrow the camera and answer the questions for yourself. It's a lot cheaper than buying the camera and the results will be more meaningful to you.
I'll add an unsolicited plug for one of the sponsors, AbelCinetech, which rented a camera to me today from their NY site. They were/are outstanding and they've won a loyal customer. I spent 6 continuous hours shooting with the camera and I now know it's strengths and weakness based on personal experience.
Choose your rental agent carefully, Not all retail dealers rent. Not all rental agents sell the camera. Ideally, you want a place that you'll be comfortable purchasing from and one that will bargain with you when it comes time to purchase.
Secondly, get one of the instructional videos and learn how the device operates before renting or purchasing. I spent about 5 hours viewing videos and was able to create a two page mini operator's guide which helped me dial in settings for my test drive. Had I not done this, I would have spent my rental time reading the Sony manual rather than shooting. I also practiced with the workflow prior to renting so I didn't spend hours trying to get the images off the SxS card and into my NLE.
Third, plan your test time carefully. I shot a real project and made certain the shots included a range of camera movements and action sequences, both locked down and handheld. Try to put it through its paces.
Based on this, I'm pretty certain this is my next camera. A lot of people in this forum have been generous in answering my questions. In the end, however, they're not in my shoes (or yours) and you have to answer the questions for yourself.
Some short answers to the usual questions:
1) Yes, it makes stunning images.
2) Tapeless workflow rocks! To be able to preview and delete on the spot is priceless. What would have been 4.5 hours of tape was shaved down to one 16 gig card plus 6 minutes on another. I've never been in a rush to log and capture my tapes, but I'm already looking at the files from today's shoot.
3) Did not see any of the nasty things people worry about, skew, jello etc and a couple of times I was carelss with whipping the camera around.
4) Yes, it's a handful and a half, particularly if you are accustomed to holding your camera with one hand. I found one hand in the grip and the second under the lens to be quite workable.
5) Seems like it is worth the money. The image, workflow and a lens that you can control are standout reasons to buy.
I hope I've answered some of the questions posed by those considering this camera. I'm no expert on the camera but perhaps my notes can help those just starting their evaluation of this camera.
Cheers.
You probably have many questions about the camera. I know I did and still do. Forums are usefull tools for answering questions but they cannot replace hands-on experience. Only you know your needs and workflow. Therefore, my first piece of advice is to rent or borrow the camera and answer the questions for yourself. It's a lot cheaper than buying the camera and the results will be more meaningful to you.
I'll add an unsolicited plug for one of the sponsors, AbelCinetech, which rented a camera to me today from their NY site. They were/are outstanding and they've won a loyal customer. I spent 6 continuous hours shooting with the camera and I now know it's strengths and weakness based on personal experience.
Choose your rental agent carefully, Not all retail dealers rent. Not all rental agents sell the camera. Ideally, you want a place that you'll be comfortable purchasing from and one that will bargain with you when it comes time to purchase.
Secondly, get one of the instructional videos and learn how the device operates before renting or purchasing. I spent about 5 hours viewing videos and was able to create a two page mini operator's guide which helped me dial in settings for my test drive. Had I not done this, I would have spent my rental time reading the Sony manual rather than shooting. I also practiced with the workflow prior to renting so I didn't spend hours trying to get the images off the SxS card and into my NLE.
Third, plan your test time carefully. I shot a real project and made certain the shots included a range of camera movements and action sequences, both locked down and handheld. Try to put it through its paces.
Based on this, I'm pretty certain this is my next camera. A lot of people in this forum have been generous in answering my questions. In the end, however, they're not in my shoes (or yours) and you have to answer the questions for yourself.
Some short answers to the usual questions:
1) Yes, it makes stunning images.
2) Tapeless workflow rocks! To be able to preview and delete on the spot is priceless. What would have been 4.5 hours of tape was shaved down to one 16 gig card plus 6 minutes on another. I've never been in a rush to log and capture my tapes, but I'm already looking at the files from today's shoot.
3) Did not see any of the nasty things people worry about, skew, jello etc and a couple of times I was carelss with whipping the camera around.
4) Yes, it's a handful and a half, particularly if you are accustomed to holding your camera with one hand. I found one hand in the grip and the second under the lens to be quite workable.
5) Seems like it is worth the money. The image, workflow and a lens that you can control are standout reasons to buy.
I hope I've answered some of the questions posed by those considering this camera. I'm no expert on the camera but perhaps my notes can help those just starting their evaluation of this camera.
Cheers.