From HVX200 to the EX1?

Thats the thing Mitch, we are - and so we wanna make sure we are happy with the camera first because its only gonna cause a loss in light. This will ultimately cause an already over noisey HVX image to contain yet even more noise.
The levels are so substancial already in good lighting conditions that spending our hard earned cash on an adapter just yet, is out of the question.

As for those saying wait?:huh:

Are you serious?

If I wait another few months there will be a better camera out there? maybe. So why dont I wait another year and there will be something even better than that?

Learning how to manipulate the camera you own will usually get you better results than just buying the next one. Obviously, Im contradicting myself here slightly but theres no real way of manipulating the noise level.

DCSensui, those frame grabs look alot like video actually lol. Didn't really sell it to me there im afraid.

Bertholt4, you can't make a statement like that and not back it up with a link or two :eek:
 
haha. I clicked the link and I went back to here to check I clicked the right thing they did indeed look just like video.

And yeah I asked for a link to back up his comment.
 
The only reason I would wait, is if you wanted to gamble that Canon (or another manufacture) releases a camera with a built-in 35mm adaptor. I predict there's a good chance of that happening. But when? Who knows. :)
 
Bokes said:
quick two cents - sell the HVX and buy the EX1.
you can tweak it in post to look just like the HVX- only better.
Click to expand...

Somebody knows some setting or picture profile to have the EX1 look in the hvx, or some link where someone speak about the topic.
Greetings
 
Benjus said:
Somebody knows some setting or picture profile to have the EX1 look in the hvx, or some link where someone speak about the topic.
Greetings
Click to expand...

That's simple,
Just crank the contrast and sharpening, and add noise. lol ;)
 
Sometimes ago I saw some gothic-festival-footage from the blank EX1 which looked very filmlike in my eyes. But can`t remember where...
The Colors in the Youtoubevid linked above looked too flat to me, maybe some simple cc would help.
 
David_Tanner said:
DCSensui, those frame grabs look alot like video actually lol. Didn't really sell it to me there im afraid.
Click to expand...

Looks like video?

Then rent a RED for a test drive. DOF control and raw data that can be massaged in a myriad of ways. Might be a bit too crisp and detailed for your tastes, but it can always be softened up either in-camera or in post.

No light loss since there's no need for an adapter. You can use 35mm SLR lenses. And an amazingly efficient codec, recording more minutes per gigabyte than the P2 system. It also uses Compact Flash cards that cost a lot less than P2 or SxS cards.

It might be counterproductive to waste time and money trying to hack a system that wasn't intended for a particular purpose. The EX1 and EX3 are basically ENG gear.

I have my cameras set with the sharpening circuit turned off. The posted images are slightly sharpened by the web design software so if that's what's providing the impression of "video" then you should see the original footage.... not practical via the web.

Also, they're set up with the Cine 4 profile. Take note of the detail in highlights and shadows -- they're all there except for the brightest speculars. The HVX doesn't get that kind of dynamic range. I used that camera for more than a year and noticed the difference immediately.

While it's possible to experiment with a variety of rigs and tweaks with an ENG camera, and attempt to emulate the larger focal plane and tonal response of film, it might be more productive to start off with something of a known performance level and go onward from there. The RED system is designed for cinematography which is where you want to be.
 
Last edited:
hey...
i own 2 ex1s and 2 hvx200a camera. first and foremost...youre vision and composition will always be more important than the camera you choose... if you dont believe that, ask ed burns or robert rodriguez... so dont get too hung up on so much of this.
As one of the posters above says... as long as your realistic about your cams limitations and live within its parameters, you'll be happy with each of these cams.
Neither cam is perfect...but both are great.
The EX1 is a cam that we use on sveral shows where the cam is on stix and the set is well lit...it looks absolutely beautiful. When we take this cam into an area where it is physically moving and capturing moving objects, it definitely gets a little less beautiful... a little murky/muddy in the image detail. Also...i dont think this ex1 handles outdoor shooting very well... seems to blow out the highlights without any forgiveness. Also...handHolding the EX1 for any period of time is a brutal exercise... plan on getting a red rock shoulder mount or something similar if you plan on hand holding this rig. Cam has beautiful viewfinder.
The HVX200a... eats so much light its unreal. But if youre in a controlled environment, the cam can be lit to be gorgeous. I also think the native 24P recording of the HVX200a looks cleaner/sharper than the EX1s 24p settings. The HVX200 also has a horrible viewfinder. The ergonimics of the hvx200 are better. Easier to handhold if need be... also the hvx can more easily be interchanged into other shooting schemes... ie multicam shoot where other cams are DVX100s etc. The HVX can rock HD and SD, whiuch crazily enough...is still a huge asset for professional dps and crews.

so...theres my feeling in a nutshell. each cam has shortcomings, but each one will allow you to put your visions on screen in a way that will make you happy. the most important tool is free...your brain. use it properly and both these cams are amazing cash value. good luck...have fun.

go gunners!!!!
The
 
I can't say I agree with the majority of Brentmeisters findings about the EX1. I find the EX1 great under natural exterior light. I can't see how the HVX200a is cleaner or sharper than the EX1. I also find the EX1 fine for using off-sticks.

I actually purchased an EX1 whilst still owning a HVX200. So I had a period of time with which to evaluate the two side by side (I could have kept the HVX200 if I'd wished). Within about two weeks I realized I had no need for the HVX. With a lens adapter using ND's and shooting fully wide open. The HVX was sold as soon as possible.

I still maintain that those who can't create a decent filmic look using the EX1 + lens adapter aren't using them to the best of their ability. Just open the lenses up wide to soften the image. Instead of stopping down use ND's.

On a good display, well shot (which means well lit) HVX footage alongside well shot EX1 footage there's just no comparison. The EX1 just looks great. That said this is with lens adapters in mind. Though for landscapes and timelapse, I love the EX1 stock lens. I have some footage shot at 1fps of the sun setting and it looks fantastic in full HD. In comparison, if I shot a timelapse of the sun setting with my HVX (which I attempted once) it just looked muddy and unusable.

What I do agree with is that the LCD on the EX1 is simply amazing. I can nail focus in seconds when with the HVX even during takes I'd be more than a little worried if it was coming out okay.

The HVX is a good camera but just not as good as the EX1 in my opinion. That's also why it's a lot more expensive.
 
booth said:
The HVX is a good camera but just not as good as the EX1 in my opinion. That's also why it's a lot more expensive.
Click to expand...

It's only a lot more expensive if you already own p2 cards. Once you have to buy an hour's worth of media, the HVX and the EX1 are a wash. If you need 2 continuous hours, the HVX costs well more than the EX1.
 
I dont even know why people say that p2 is more expensive than sxs as it costs £540 for 16gb p2 card and 16gb sxs card £769.

how is it cheaper ? or do you mean in terms of how much time you get in comparrison ?
 
ChristianScott said:
I dont even know why people say that p2 is more expensive than sxs as it costs £540 for 16gb p2 card and 16gb sxs card £769.

how is it cheaper ? or do you mean in terms of how much time you get in comparrison ?
Click to expand...


Notice I said to shoot an hour. Or two.

On the EX1 a 16GB card is an hour of 1080p. On the P2 it's 16 minutes. You need 4 to get an hour. And yes, I KNOW you get more space if you shoot 720p. They are both 1080p cameras and I want to shoot at the best resolution my camera can give. Heck I could shoot in SQ mode and save space on the EX1.

So lets do the B&H math.

HVX200A = $5195
4 16GB P2 cards = 4 * $789 = $3156
Grand total to shoot an hour $8351

Sony EX1 = $6099 (includes one 8GB card)
1 8GB card = $429
Grand total to shoot 1 hour = $6528

For good measure, let's say we add another 16GB card to the Sony.

That's $899. Grand total to shoot 90 minutes $7427.

This is with Sony media. If we do the SDHC cards it gets silly as the price per hour (including the adapter and card) is about $70.

So the gap if we include the extra 16GB card is $924. Nearly enough to go buy a 35mm adapter. Or enough to buy a couple spare batteries, a bag, and a filter or two.

That is why I say it's cheaper.

Oh by the way, I believe your quote for SxS is for the 32GB card, not the 16GB.
 
No my quote was from bentonvillemall.co.uk , i recently brought a 16gb p2 from there. decent price's.

But you can get an hour on the 8gb ?

Also what do you mean SDHC card ? can you use these with the ex1 ?
 
ChristianScott said:
No my quote was from bentonvillemall.co.uk , i recently brought a 16gb p2 from there. decent price's.

But you can get an hour on the 8gb ?

Also what do you mean SDHC card ? can you use these with the ex1 ?
Click to expand...

No we get an hour on a 16GB. But the camera holds two cards. So one 8GB comes free with the camera, so you just need another to get an hour's worth.

And yes we use SDHC cards in the EX series cams and have since nearly last summer. You must have been under a rock. It's all over every board that EX1/EX3 users frequent.

That place you got the SxS quote is charging INSANE prices for the cards. B&H is about the most expensive around in the states and it's $899 there. I've seen the 16GB card for $749. I barely pay attention now because I just load up on SDHC cards. I can shoot 8 hours for $350.
 
Brentmeiseter, that was a perfect description of both cams. the ex1 seems to blow out the highlights in a way that is very unpleasant to the eye, but the 200a does eat its fair share of light.
 
The EX1, as with any other camera, will blow highlights in an unpleasant way. So don't blow the highlights.

If you pay close attention to exposure -- as you should -- the highlights will hold AND you'll retain shadow detail as well.

That's the point I try to drive home when directing people to check out the frame grabs. I've been in situations where the subject is back lit, with sun glinting off the water behind them and I can still pull faces out of the shadows.

With a more than a quarter century shooting everything including 4x5 film, I find that capability impressive.

As for shooting in HD, my own personal opinion is that if you decide to shoot in HD, then go full HD. 1080 p 30. You're taking the time and effort to shoot a scene. Why shortchange yourself and go halfway?
 
Perrone,

The hvx comes with a 16 gig card, you'd need to purchase 3 not 4. If your savvy you can pick them up on eBay for $500 each.
 
Using Perrone's math you could buy the hvx (that comes with 1 16 gig p2 card) add another 16 gig card for a total recording time of 34 minutes for $5984 which will allow you to shoot forever if you have a laptop to download. 16 gig card takes 8 min to download, shoot with one while downloading the other. It's not an ideal situation for everyone but it works if you can swing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top