SGpro r3 with flip module and new EX1 fix - grabs and footage!

Wayne Kinney

Wayne Kinney

DVXUser Sponsor
Hi Guys,

Here we have the results from a lot of users requests for improved performance with the Sony PMW-EX1. As most of you know, the EX1 is a problematic cam when hooked up to an adapter, mainly in terms of edge to edge sharpness. We have worked hard on the fix and this results in edge to edge sharpness even with the EX1's iris wide open at F1.9! The new achromat kit for the flip module will be £49 and available in about 3 weeks. We also have an upgrade kit coming to use the EX1 non flipped, again with great edge to edge sharpness!

Below is a image of the EX1 setup on the SGpro using our latest rods support system:

SGpro_flip_ex1.jpg


The EX1 is an amazing camcorder, easily the sharpest cam we have used so far, it really was a pleasure to use! The Fujinon lens is F1.9 throughout the zoom range, so no light is lost once zoomed into the 35mm frame - great! The LCD is also very good, with this and the peeking function, focusing was fairly easy.

We went and took some shots at Brighton Marina village using the new achromat, our own flip module and a variety of Canon FD lenses. Unfortunately the weather was very gloomy, in fact we had to finish early because it started snowing - typical UK weather..hehe. Also, I was a bit of an idiot and have the gain set to +9 from the previous night which added a little noise - DOH!.

Here is the link to a 2 minute clip. It is a 164MB WMV file (please right click and save as):

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/SGproflip_EX1_fix.wmv

VLC player seems to crash so please use media player if on a PC.

Below are some grabs:

ex1_frame01.jpg

ex1_frame02.jpg

ex1_frame03.jpg

ex1_frame04.jpg

ex1_frame05.jpg


All comments welcome!
 
Wayne,

Happy to hear you've nailed this and the shots look great but I'll learn the most from a simple test chart with the iris wide open on the EX-1. The 35mm lens could be anywhere, but i want to see the video camera wide open to really judge corner to corner sharpness.

lenny levy
 
Thanks Lenny.

I don't have the EX1 anymore as it was a short hire. But if you take a look at the shot at 1:07 to 1:15 this was shot with the EX1's iris wide open F1.9.
 
Wayne,

Is the DVX optimized achromat coming out soon? I might be shooting a few big projects this summer, and I would love to use it for them, but I really need better edge to edge sharpness.

Thanks,
 
Some very nice and sharp footage you got there Wayne:)

Though you should start colorcorrecting more, even if it's just tests:) It's look so much better with the right adjustments!

You probably have your reasons though.
 
Thanks. It is always best to post adapter test footage without CC.

Try CC'ing the downloaded clip and posting some grabs :D
 
Honestly,

I still see some edge-to-edge issues here, but this time, it's more like a thin line on the edge of the image.
 
Yes, this slightly dark vertical edge on each side is actually coming from the prism - if it were a little bigger this wouldn't happen. The exact same problem is evident on the Letus Extreme as well - even after the EX1 fix.
This does only effect the EX1 however, smaller chip cams like the FX1, HVX200 and XH-A1 don't have this problem. This is not apparent with the EX1 in non flipped config.
The footage was SLR frame, the darker edges are not apparent if zoomed into acadamy frame.
 
With all respect Wayne, but isn't it a bit silly Shoot35 and Letus are calling it a EX1 fix, while it is not fixing the issue completely for the EX1? I mean, the sgpro has the reputation to be one of the best adapters out there in terms of edge to edge, so this is a bit dissapointing.
 
This would mean producing a different prism assembly and housing which unfortunately costs MEGABUCKS and is not financially viable for one camcorder.
 
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Wayne Kinney said:
Yes, this slightly dark vertical edge on each side is actually coming from the prism - if it were a little bigger this wouldn't happen. The exact same problem is evident on the Letus Extreme as well - even after the EX1 fix.
This does only effect the EX1 however, smaller chip cams like the FX1, HVX200 and XH-A1 don't have this problem. This is not apparent with the EX1 in non flipped config.
The footage was SLR frame, the darker edges are not apparent if zoomed into acadamy frame.
Click to expand...

When you or somebody gets the chance, I'd love to see a focus chart at Academy Framing instead of SLR framing. Also, is there any difference in sharpness between Academy and SLR? What is the light penalty compared to the non-flipped? Is it sharper?
 
In terms of sharpness, it should affect the sharpness a little bit because you are closer to the ground glass with academy framing, but I don't think it is strong enough for us to notice it at all.
 
Hi Tim,

We are sending out the EX1 fix to one of our testers. He is using OCT19 cine lenses @ academy frame size. I'll ask him to shoot some charts.

You are able to zoom in fully to z99 and maintain e2e sharpness. Overall sharpness seems unchanged. The only lightloss we can see when adding the flip, is the light lost from the camcorder because of zooming in a little more.
 
Who me? I'm definitely not the only OCT 19 user around. However, I'd love to see the HVX optimized optics on the SG. Anything in the works Wayne?
 
Ian,

Well, the flip module we just sent out to you to replace your cracked letus flip is actually our flip module complete with our flip achromat (you probably noticed the difference).

All you are really missing is an optimized condenser lens which we are getting in next month, we can sort this out with you then :)
 
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