CMOS myths need debunking - Need help buying!

[Peteyb]

Hi guys I'm new here, have been using this forum for a while but never signed up, so thought now was the time ;)

Anyways - Here I am with a few questions I was wondering you could help me answering...

I have a budget around £2000 to allow for all the camera gear I require to start filming – This is the rough list so far.

Fluid head Tripod £400





Lighting - £150





Computer + software - £1200







Shotgun mic - £200





I will then require a camcorder and this is where the real questions come in...


I have two cameras which have come to mind – The PMW EX1 and the HMC 150


The reason why I have looked at these two is because as far as my little product knowledge goes the HMC 150 is the closest thing to the EX1 with a CCD despite being 720p, lack of separate focus/ iris ring...and being it is somewhat cheaper buying a letus adapter could give me a great shallow focus and perhaps a more film like image compared to the EX1. However I have seen, tried and heard a lot about the EX1 and as far as I can see its an amazing piece of kit.


Here's a little bit about me – I am a film student who's looking to get a little more professional and start creating footage for film festivals and perhaps even freelance a little. I would say my style is quite surreal so I do like to play around with colours quite a lot. I also love my physical special effects (none of that digital rubbish) =P A friend of mine is a qualified pyrotechnition and he will be helping me with any effects I use, which I suppose my first real question comes from.


If I were to film a fireball, or controlled explosion would the rolling shutter of the EX1 cause some type of distortion? For instance would a CCD help better for this?


My second question is is there anything similar to the EX1 with a CCD which I may have overlooked? Around the £4000 mark, full 1080p native


Thanks for reading this and any help will be appreciated! Sorry if I sound a little precocious jumping in with somewhat hi end equipment as a film student but I am serious about launching into the TV and Film industry.


Cheers, Pete

[Bassman2003]

The fire should not cause a rolling shutter effect.

I have used both cameras and they are not that far apart in 720p. The Ex-1 has more detail, but for half the price, the HMC-150 does a fine job.

If you need 1080p, then don't hesitate and get the EX-1.

If you want a larger form camera, then maybe the new HPX-300 would work for you, but that will be the cost of both the EX-1 & HMC-150.

The EX-1 has a bit less noise than the HMC-150.

To be honest, the iris on the EX-1 tries to emulate a larger body lens, but to me it still feels like a "little" camera. Nothing replaces a larger form lens to me.

I don't focus on the film look, so others may have some different views.

Good luck

[Bokes]

I found the HMC150 to be no match for the EX1.
Much more noise with the HMC.
IMO- the HMC felt like a toy camera- only slightly better than a DVX100.
The EX1 is a solid piece of gear.
When I had the HMC and I got called on a single camera shoot- I always reached for the EX1.

[GuyB]

...

To be honest, the iris on the EX-1 tries to emulate a larger body lens, but to me it still feels like a "little" camera. Nothing replaces a larger form lens to me....
Good luck

I agree with focus, but not with iris. Being a fully manual iris control I find it no different to my previous lens on my JVC DV500, thinking about this, zoom feels the same as well.

Focus however is a totally different storey. Even in full manual focus (fulling that slider back), it still feels like an electronic focus system and having those focus distances recessed in that little window almost makes them useless...

Just my personal feelings though.

[cheezweezl]

i love the full manual focus mode of the ex1. having hard stops is awesome. when lost, i can always go to my minimum or infinity and roll back from there. after a bit you get to know your lens and where it's marks are just by feel. with a eternally spinning ring this is not possible. plus repeatable focus with a f.f. is killer.