EVA1: 2 days EVA-1 rental for test upcoming. What's your recommendation for a do/don't?

Clermond

Clermond

Veteran
hey guys, new to this forum.. I have been using the FS7 for 3 years for commercial & corporate. Since the GH5 B-Cam has really convinced me I ordered a EVA-1 for a two days test. Any advice for the first step is more than welcome as I don't want to loose time in these two days.

- is there a "ready to edit / handover" profile like Cinelike-D GH5?
- what's the exposure for white and middle grey in V-Log?

Can you recommend a first step video tutorial?
Many thanks!
 
I'm interested also as I'm going from personally owning an FS7 to choosing the EVA1 for my new studio job. I have one in box but won't get a chance to play with it for a two weeks as we are moving locations.
 
In addition to V-Log, there are five Scene Files available in the EVA1. They can be customized but the presets are a Cine-Like 1 (protect highlights), Cine-Like 2 (protect shadows), Broadcast 1 (highlights), Broadcast 2 (shadows), and an HLG output for HDR work. I would suggest starting with Scene File 1.

Not sure what to tell you with the IRE settings if you are using the Scene Files, as then what you see is what you get. I assume you'd want caucasian skin around 70 and middle grey around 50, no? You expose the way you expose. If you work with the V-Log, then middle grey is 42.

Hope this helps.
 
Test your SD media, especially if recording in 400-I codec. There has been discussion about media failing with dual slot record.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1974151462822049/?ref=br_rs

Also keep in mind that the camera will not give an expected foolproof warning if you run out of media or even if your media slots are empty, but rather display the record dot as normal (camera assumes you're recording externally). This is an especially easy thing to overlook because it seems like an obvious warning to anyone who has owned any other camera model.
 
The first thing I would recommend, is to dig into the operating instructions to get a good feel for the menu system. Coming from Sony, you will find that it is organized differently, and some similar features/options/settings are called entirely different things. Familiarizing yourself with the menus will save you much time and frustration.

Specifically, I would take note how audio works on the EVA1 vs. FS7. Line/Mic/Phantom power switches are in the menus, not on the camera. Set your audio gain for each channel manually (Auto setting on the EVA1 sucks big time vs. Sony). Definitely use the limiter if you don't have an audio tech.

Also, while EVA1 doesn't allow for importing of Monitor LUTS, it does have the option to select "V709" to output to the LCD which will allow you to monitor V-Log recording in rec709. Menu: "System Settings"/"Color Settings"/"LCD Out"

And more generally, have a look at the EVA1 handbook, especially chapter 4: "Understanding Advanced Features." It will help you make sense out of some of EVA1's unique features.

You can find Operating Instructions and Handbook here: https://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/eva1/

Have fun with it!
 
Seanik said:
The first thing I would recommend, is to dig into the operating instructions to get a good feel for the menu system. Coming from Sony, you will find that it is organized differently, and some similar features/options/settings are called entirely different things. Familiarizing yourself with the menus will save you much time and frustration.

Specifically, I would take note how audio works on the EVA1 vs. FS7. Line/Mic/Phantom power switches are in the menus, not on the camera. Set your audio gain for each channel manually (Auto setting on the EVA1 sucks big time vs. Sony). Definitely use the limiter if you don't have an audio tech.

Also, while EVA1 doesn't allow for importing of Monitor LUTS, it does have the option to select "V709" to output to the LCD which will allow you to monitor V-Log recording in rec709. Menu: "System Settings"/"Color Settings"/"LCD Out"

And more generally, have a look at the EVA1 handbook, especially chapter 4: "Understanding Advanced Features." It will help you make sense out of some of EVA1's unique features.

You can find Operating Instructions and Handbook here: https://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/eva1/

Have fun with it!
Click to expand...

Many thanks for this detailed feedback and for the note about audio settings. I already had the manual downloaded but without your information I probably would have searched for a while for the audio settings.

Does AF work?

I will give a feedback next week
 
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If you're expecting Canon or Sony style AutoFocus it's the wrong camera for you. The 'one-push' can work in a pinch - if you don't mind it searching on its way to the focus point. But if you're trying to use it to maintain focus on a moving subject it's not designed to do that. (Though it would be great as a feature in a future firmware update -- Mitch???)

I'd highly recommend testing the camera with an external EVF - particularly if you're running around outside. Otherwise you'll probably be frustrated by the reflective surface of the LCD screen. Siince I can't imagine using it outside without an EVF, I think you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you don't see how it works with one.

In reading up ahead of time, take a good look at the home screen (touch screen) options...
Also look at the ways you can configure your user buttons. After a few weeks I reconfigured mine to add the D.Zoom option (which does a sensor crop down to a 4K area) - which is like a quick way to put a 1.4x extender on the camera. It can't be activated while recording, but if I have a prime or short zoom on the camera it gives me an extremely fast re-frame option between takes.
Definitely play with the 'Focus Squares' feature. I've found that in cases where there's a lot of movement it can be a lot more useful than focus peaking (which can take a moment to settle in). Though they can be a bit annoying, the focus squares have proved really useful for me a few times - such as following a piano player's right hand in a shallow DOF ECU.

Look carefully at the dual-ISO options. For most of my shoots I've been using the lower ISO (800 Base) - and reserving the higher ISO for when I really need it... New FW makes it much easier to switch over.

And of course shoot footage (both 709 with various profiles as well as LOG) side-by-side with any other camera you might want to match with. My feeling as that you don't have quite as many gamma options with the EVA1 as with the FS7, but that you do have better control over the color. I've achieved very close matching with an Amira, though feel like I've never gotten a perfect gamma match to the FS7 or F3. (Close enough that my clients are fine with it, but not perfect)

Also, if it's a rental, make sure it has the latest firmware installed!!!
 
1st impression after 3hrs:

- the display is even worse than I imagined.

- Sandisk 300mbs SD card which works fine on the GH5 in all-I 400mbs gets an error message. But it works though

- Like with the GH5 you have to transcode the media in FCPX as the native files do not playback smoothly.

- the image is very clean.

I found an old Hoodman Loupe from my years ago sold 5DM2 in a drawer. It's far to small but it could work with one in the right size, maybe the loupe from kinotehnik could do the trick.


FS7 CinEI and V-Log are very very easy to match. Both look fantastic.
The picture setting2 is something I tried to get with the FS7 in custom settings but never managed.

--
it's getting dark.. ISO 2500 is quite noisy
 
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Program power LCD to one of the function buttons for a brighter image on LCD. Change the user switch to FPS.
Turn up NR to +2 for 2500 iso. Shooting 800 base at 400 super clean. 2500 base at 1600 nice and clean.

Clermond said:
1st impression after 3hrs:

- the display is even worse than I imagined.

- Sandisk 300mbs SD card which works fine on the GH5 in all-I 400mbs gets an error message. But it works though

- Like with the GH5 you have to transcode the media in FCPX as the native files do not playback smoothly.

- the image is very clean.

I found an old Hoodman Loupe from my years ago sold 5DM2 in a drawer. It's far to small but it could work with one in the right size, maybe the loupe from kinotehnik could do the trick.


FS7 CinEI and V-Log are very very easy to match. Both look fantastic.
The picture setting2 is something I tried to get with the FS7 in custom settings but never managed.

--
it's getting dark.. ISO 2500 is quite noisy
Click to expand...
 
I'm assuming the error message you're talking about is actually the Warning you get for the card is because it's not a "V60" or "V90" rated card?

Also - that's why I had recommended testing with an EVF!
 
OnSet said:
I'm assuming the error message you're talking about is actually the Warning you get for the card is because it's not a "V60" or "V90" rated card?

Also - that's why I had recommended testing with an EVF!
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I have my 502 with the sidefinder. Far from being a good VF but for the test it will do it.
The card is the SanDisk 300mb/s u3. Works great with the GH5 which has the same file format.

My concern is actually the playback issue. I have to check my footage sometimes on site and I don’t have time to wait until it’s transcoded. I have to check other players like Kyno tomorrow.
 
It's my understanding that the message is a reminder that the card itself isn't sending a V60 or higher rating info to the camera. It seems to have no effect on the recording. I recorded several hours of tests with fast unrated cards with no problems, though ended up buying some Angelbird cards. My clients prefer less data/faster transfer times so I normally shoot at 150 LongGOP (which doesn't give warning messages.) At that speed I also dual-record to second SD card slot unless I'm doing long takes and need to relay record.

Of course you can always play back in camera... but you might also look at Scratch Play (free) from Assimilate. Of course a fast computer would be recommended.
 
progress report after day 1

- I am missing a SloMo button
- the display is still bad. Maybe it could work with a loupe
- I suspected only six steps ND filter could be an issue - but it isn't as you can dial down to 400 or even 200 ISO.
- focussing is a challenge mainly with open aperture. The focus marks are.. well.. unusual. I tested the Sigma 24-80/f2.8
- the EVA-1 codecs even in All-I and FCPX aren't best friends. Native footage stutters. I have to transcode to Proxy on a 2015 maxed out 27" iMac

Image quality is fantastic. Scene2 is sth I never could achieve with a scene file from my FS7. Unfortunately.
V-LOG and CineEI is quite even but I couldn't find a V-LOG LUT at the level of Bert's Arri like LUTs

I still have half a day tomorrow.
 
dcarstens said:
Also keep in mind that the camera will not give an expected foolproof warning if you run out of media or even if your media slots are empty, but rather display the record dot as normal (camera assumes you're recording externally). This is an especially easy thing to overlook because it seems like an obvious warning to anyone who has owned any other camera model.
Click to expand...

WOW... What in the world. Thanks for this. I did not know that.

Thankfully I have not had a shoot day yet filling my cards but this for sure could have bitten me... this really needs to be addressed...

All for it still showing the RED Record icon, but it should flash "INTERNAL MEDIA FULL" or something unless specifically disabled in a menu. This could have been a disaster for me. Thank you for sharing!
 
I have to say I'm having stutters too with All-I 400MBS, on a system that is more than happy with multiple layers of 5k Red raw footage.

It's just about okay for me on my system, but for clients I''m handing off to it will bring their systems to a halt in a way that their FS7 stuff never will. Makes me think I'm better off with an external recorder to give them pro res instead.
 
I don't understand why with v90 SD cards we can't just record all flavors of ProRes, including ProRes RAW, internally. The cards are fast enough now.
 
Thanks for all the reports back. I'm fortunate that 90% of what I shoot in my new job is in studio and the plan is to go straight into the Sumo 19 for prores and prores raw when it gets supported by Premiere. I'm disappointed to hear about the 400mbs codec as that was a redeeming thing for me when they gave this camera a solid internal codec (or so I thought)

Remember our FS7s still need a big hunk on the back in order to get prores or timecode.

We are moving studios next week then I should get some solid hands on with the EVA1 I have on the way.
 
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