Any EX1 regrets?

T

TheMusician

Well-known member
First off, I want to make it clear that I am not trolling or looking to start any wars. I really need your input, so consider it more like a poll. I have to buy a new camera by early October and have narrowed it down to the HPX170 and the EX1. Both are unarguably outstanding cameras. I guess what I want to know is if you as EX1 owners have any regrets in your decision to get an EX1? For instance, are the ergonomics so horrible as to make your regret buying one? Have rolling shutter issues bitten you bad enough at some point to make you regret buying one? Do you wish that you had gotten an HPX170? Have the IR issues made you regret buying it? OR, are you simply glad you did buy it and would do it again? Thanks for any input.
 
No regrets. The best handheld camera I have used.

The issues you mention are well understood and are not issues for me.
 
I don't have a single regret, and haven't had any issues with any of the "problems" people report. I have shot in a variety of situations and have never noticed the rolling shutter, IR problems, etc. It puts out the most beautiful picture I've ever seen, and using peoples suggestions to tweak the picture profiles, it keeps getting more beautiful.

I was worried about the 4:2:0 compression compared to the hvx's 4:2:2, but haven't found it to effect quality at all. I can push the colors very very far in post, more than I'd ever realistically need to. It probably has something to do with the vast amount of color information inherent in a signal from 3 full raster 1080p sensors.


I went back and forth between the ex1 and the hvx for about a month, and took a chance with the ex1. Best decision I've ever made.
 
As for me and my household, I'd buy again in a heartbeat. And I may get a second one soon, but I'm just seeing how all this next generation stuff plays out. I'm intrigued, as a Canon 5D shooter, how the video 'really' is on the new Canon 5D Mark II... I'd love to use my Canon L glass in the field to also shoot video. So far to me it looks pretty cool but we'll see how it holds up to scrutiny when it hits the market. I'm sure I'll be upgrading just for the still photography of it regardless. I'm also intrigued by the proposed "DSLR-Killer" talked about by RED. If anything I want to go smaller and lighter for what I'm doing. But I love my EX1 and I'd love to have two... if I'm doing time lapses in the wilderness during magic hour time, I'd like to have another one for regular shooting too. But this stuff gets heavy to lug around, ha!

I loved my EX1 straight from the box, but the longer I have it, the more I love it.
 
Thanks for your input matthew and Fhodeesha. Maybe there is something that you could clear up for me. I went to B&H and checked out their cameras and they weren't too positive about the EX1 which really surprised me. The Panasonics have a film-like appearance to their colors right out of the box, and out of the box the EX1 look more "video-ish", but so incredibly clean. But B&H also had the EX1 on an entirely different brand of monitor than all of the other cameras so an A/B comparison was simply not possible. So my question is, with all the color controls that are available, can you tweak the camera to have a more full-colored, warmer image like a Panasonic, or is it impossible? Thanks.
 
Buck, I recently saw some video footage from the new Canon 5D and to put it simply, it was stunning. But it was also locked down shots, so hard to tell where they stand on the rolling shutter issue. But I have to say that I am stunned that Canon, CANON with the beautiful XH-A1 XL-H1, didn't make it have a 24p mode.... whats up with that? Oh well, but it is great to hear that you are enjoying your EX1.
 
If you don't necessarily need the higher resolution and you like the footage of the Panasonics, I'd just go with what you like. No need to try and make the EX1 look like the Panasonic when you can just get the Panasonic to begin with... at least that's how I'd reason it.

I was just shooting my EX1 with no picture profiles, just the default out-of-the-box settings and I liked it (definitely not film-like though), but then I watched one of the EX1 training DVDs and I punched in a recommended picture profile and WOW!, it changed the whole look... more vivid, better highlite control, etc. Now I feel like I have a new camera again! The options for tweaking picture profiles in the EX1 is nearly endless, so I'd think that shooting 24p with detail off and the 'right' picture profile to give a more organic look would certainly be possible. But again, if the Panasonic gives that look you like right out of the box...
 
Yes, with the new Canon 5D it's hard to really judge video from someone else's shoot and test how it does with rolling shutter and all the other factors. Since I doubt it's primarily designed for the cinematic crowd, I'm not surprised it doesn't have 24p. I could be wrong, but I'd bet it's more for the photographers shooting wildlife, landscapes, sports, weddings, etc., who want to be able to document the experience more so than making a fictional production. But then again, the sample footage shown is definitely of the 'cinematic' style, so who knows. If it's really good video with added 24p for less than $3 grand, I'd think they'd be overlapping some of their own profitable video markets.
 
TheMusician said:
Thanks for your input matthew and Fhodeesha. Maybe there is something that you could clear up for me. I went to B&H and checked out their cameras and they weren't too positive about the EX1 which really surprised me. The Panasonics have a film-like appearance to their colors right out of the box, and out of the box the EX1 look more "video-ish", but so incredibly clean. But B&H also had the EX1 on an entirely different brand of monitor than all of the other cameras so an A/B comparison was simply not possible. So my question is, with all the color controls that are available, can you tweak the camera to have a more full-colored, warmer image like a Panasonic, or is it impossible? Thanks.
Click to expand...


check out some of the KERBEROS posts, a user here is shooting a flick with a naked EX1, and it's some of the best looking filmlike footage I've ever seen with a prosumer camera. As for the default picture profile, it does look pretty videoish. Thankfully you can change almost every aspect of the image to get it looking how you want.

And if you really want the hvx look, just cut half the CMOS sensors off then scale the result back up to HD:laugh:
 
I really do like the color of the Panasonic, and I think that it is a good story telling camera, but it just looks a little soft to me and is why I haven't run out the door and picked one up. On the other hand, the EX1 that I got to look at was crystal sharp, but had a more "reality TV" look, or something that would be perfect for hiking and outdoor work. So I am really interested to know if people have been able to tweak the colors to give it more of a storytelling look and retain all of that beautiful clarity?
 
it seems what you really want is 1920x1080 with 4:2:2 color. You can do that buy purchasing the EX30 deck and record there through hd-sdi from the EX1/3. That would be your cheapest solution, either that or wait for that NanoFlash.
 
My only regret is not having a Letus Extreme for it yet!

Buck Forester said:
I was just shooting my EX1 with no picture profiles, just the default out-of-the-box settings and I liked it (definitely not film-like though), but then I watched one of the EX1 training DVDs and I punched in a recommended picture profile and WOW!, it changed the whole look... more vivid, better highlite control, etc. Now I feel like I have a new camera again! The options for tweaking picture profiles in the EX1 is nearly endless, so I'd think that shooting 24p with detail off and the 'right' picture profile to give a more organic look would certainly be possible. But again, if the Panasonic gives that look you like right out of the box...
Click to expand...

Which training DVD did you get Buck?
 
booth, I bought the Vortex Media "Mastering the Sony PMW-EX1". I'm sure the other ones are good too, but I really learned a lot from these DVDs (there's two DVDs in the set). As I was watching the DVD I punched in the profile he used as an example and I have another level of excitement now... the colors are vivid and beautiful and it looks like it has more contrast but with even more highlite control. I also have the same profile setting with saturation set to "20" for even more color... not quite as good on skin tones but it sure makes landscapes suh-weet! I prefer 30p so most folks probably wouldn't consider it "film-like". Watching this stuff on my 55" TV it is so sharp and so clear and so vivid... I should be able to start getting out in the next couple of weeks and do some nature stuff. I want to document the eastern Sierra aspens turning gold. I'll get some footage up when I can and provide a link.
 
so Phil bloom and company... top notch cinematographers... are not "telling a story" with the ex1?... there is enough info on these boards for you to make a decision. I was very close to getting an hvx but went with the ex1 for a number of sound reasons... Now I have an ex3 and I am happy with that decision, and another dvxuser is happy with the ex1 I sold him.

If you have until October before you buy... go see for yourself and decide which is best for you.

Peace
 
Of course Phil Bloom is an excellent story teller! I should have been clearer. My opinion is that the panasonic look is better geared towards narrative work, and that the EX1 towards live events and documentary style stories. Phil Bloom is getting some of the most beautiful footage to date out of the EX1 which I think comes in large part by his using Looks to color his footage, but unforunately he is the only one that I have seen getting that look. When I go to Vimeo and look at the EX1 footage, it looks stunningly beautiful but more of a Discovery Channel look and not a narrative look. Lots of EX1 footage of people shooting concerts and travel footage, not much narrative work. But more importantly is why I am asking this question in this forumn. You all, who are users of the EX1, have you been happy with the flexibility of the image that you get from the EX1 or have you ever found it difficult to get the look that you are trying to achieve?
 
No regrets here. I already purchased a second EX1, and ultimately plan to end up with four, as I kick out the last of the HDV cams from my inventory.

My productivity has soared with the EX1s and the look of my product has become top-notch because of the quality source acquisition.

Color rendition is the most flexible I've seen on a camera, and I have no doubt that with understanding of how the color controls work, it should be possible to create or match just about any color rendition.

As a shooter who's very picky about sound, the EX1 is the first cam I've owned that has audio good enough to use for concert situations. I often shoot rock concerts and make DVDs for the bands at very affordable rates, thanks to minimal equipment setup and the avoidance of a separate sound recording system. The EX1 has made possible a high quality budget shoot that sounds like we used elaborate second audio recording systems.

Everything from its ability to work with little light, to the beautiful images, the tweakability, etc, eclipses any minor issues that are well-documented here and elsewhere. If you have the right editing tools to handle XDCam footage, then you will likely feel regret that you didn't buy this camera sooner. When I think of all the lost productivity I suffered through wtih HDV... hoo boy. XDCam is where it's at. If the memory cards come down in price, it will be sheer heaven.
 
add a half pixel gausian blur to EX footage and it will probably look more like HVX footage, sharp, but softer, hahahaha
 
Thanks for the report basspig. I've seen and listened to some of your stuff and it looks and sounds great. Glad that it has increased your workload.

I will be shooting occassional weddings along with my other work. Have any had problems with photographers or family shooting flashes during the ceremony? Do they have to be close to really cause a problem? Do the clients even notice if there is a half exposed frame or do they totally miss it?
 
Last edited:
One thing I noticed is Sony firmware 1.1 improved the peaking function for focus on the EX1.

It's real sensitive now. Peaking shows up now in real low light. You can nail focus in low light!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top