B&H says EX-1 was recalled? No new units till March?

In the second pic labeled PIC 2, is the EX-1 Zoomed into Z99 or is it zoomed out to about 50 or so? It's not the same zoom distance ,though.
 
Yes, but that's at full zoom. All camera's at full zoom exhibit some center to edge uniformity. How is yours between 8-25mm. Make sure the aperture in wide open and intentionally way under expose the shot. This will allow you to see it easier.

BTW, I'm not saying your camera does not have a problem. I'm just wondering if it's the current vingnetting issue that's been reported between 8-25mm focal length range?
 
I did another test and it does not seem to matter which focal length it is at, it always gives the left and right side of the frame some dark shadow with focus decreasing towards the edge.
 
So, would you label it worse than mine?
Call Sony and they will send you a prepaid shipping label.
 
I already called Sony. And yes, they told me they'll send me a pre-parid label. They don't send me a box, do they? I need a box too...well, forgot to mentioned that to them...I guess I'll have to buy one and wrapped it properly then.

By the way, I'll try to post the stills of the test I did tonight to show that it does not matter which focal length it is. It seems to show the side to side shadow regardless.
 
gbarrenger said:
I was in B&H today, I had seen on the website that the EX-1 was backordered, but I was hoping there would be one there on display. When I asked someone, he told me that there were not going to be any new units until March because: Lens problems, Files not being able to be edited in Final Cut Pro, and other issues?

I've tried to find info about this online, is this true? I'm assuming not.

Can anyone recommend an alternate shop in NY that sells video cameras ( EX, HVX )?
Click to expand...
Hello,

I work for Sony Electronics. I can assure you that the person who said that "there were not going to be any new units until March because: Lens problems, Files not being able to be edited in Final Cut Pro, and other issues" was not saying the truth. Perhaps the person spreading this rumor has an ulterior motive?

In any case, only Sony can speak for any of its products. Here is the truth:


1- The reason for the product shortage is that the initial demand exceeded the the Ex production line output capacity.

2- The Ex1 is working at capacity, and never was stopped. We continue to ship Ex camcorders to authorized dealers in the same order that they placed their purchasing orders (fifo). Therefore, some dealers may have shorter delivery times.

3- The lens issue affected a very small percentage of cameras.

4- Sony implemented a rapid response system where the few camcorders with lenses affected are being serviced overnight. By the way, the lens in your existing cameras or camcorders may have more issues that are going unnoticed.

5- Final Cut 6.02 edits all Ex1.

Lastly, I would like to put the Ex lens into perspective.

1- The Ex lens is the only hand held camera lens that has full manual control with hard absolute markings for iris zoom and focus. The ergonomics, control locations, feel and adjustment range for iris zoom and focus matches high end ENG/ Production lenses.

2- The Ex lens is also capable of full, partial and automatic operation. Through the auto transitions it is possible to program all kinds of lens moves. Check this function out.

3- Optically, the Ex lens performance is above other lenses in its price range and exhibits characteristics found in high end lenses. It exhibits no ramping (no f stop loss at full tele), no breathing (image does not change size when the focus is readjusted, very high MTF (sharpness over the entire focal length (zoom) range and more....

I hope this information helps.

Juan Martinez
Senior Manager, Sony Electronics.
 
Juan, thank you for dropping by this forum. Your presence on this site is greatly appreciated!
Sony was extremely quick in responding to this unique vignetting issue.
 
Questions for Mr. Martinez

Questions for Mr. Martinez

Juan,

Thanks for the response on this forum.

Three technical questions about the camera (which I own and like very much):

1. How does the backfocus adjust? When you activate the function in the Maintenance Menu, is the autofocus building a LUT to program the movement of the elements, or is there actually something else motivating the adjustment? I assume that even in full manual, the lens focus is servo coupled rather than a direct mechanical link?

2. How would you respond to the concerns raised in this forum about the "resolution loss" in images while panning. Some have found that, even from SDI out, there seems to be a softening of the image in some sort of pre-codec image processing stage. This would be beyond normal motion blur and has been described as an agressive detail coring or agressive noise reduction or a purposeful reduction in resolution designed to help keep the codec from breaking. Is there anything to this?

3. Is there a way, using the currently available settings, or with a future upgrade, to reduce or eliminate "partial exposure" of fast camera flashes on the CMOS sensor? Is this something Sony have considered addressing?

Thank you again.
 
Juan Martinez said:
Hello,

...

4- Sony implemented a rapid response system where the few camcorders with lenses affected are being serviced overnight. By the way, the lens in your existing cameras or camcorders may have more issues that are going unnoticed.
...

I hope this information helps.

Juan Martinez
Senior Manager, Sony Electronics.
Click to expand...


O.K. What are those issues and what is Sony's plan to fix them?
 
Again, I OWN the EX1 and I'm not buying there's an image softening while panning. If it did, you all know how vocal I was about all other issues (LOL), this would of been one of them, that's for sure. When Barry first mentioned this, I respected his thoughts, and even inquired on it. That night I confirmed it was fine when trying it under studio lights at high shutter speeds.

If it really was a problem, please explain why the image looks sharp during the same movement at higher shutter speeds. Everyone knows why, motion blur based on exposure time.

Again, look at the HVX vs EX1 1080 full mov. of the skateboarder. If anything, the EX1 at the same speed was holding more motion detail.
 
Stevet said:
Again, I OWN the EX1 and I'm not buying there's an image softening while panning. If it did, you all know how vocal I was about all other issues (LOL), this would of been one of them, that's for sure. When Barry first mentioned this, I respected his thoughts, and even inquired on it. That night I confirmed it was fine when trying it under studio lights at high shutter speeds.

If it really was a problem, please explain why the image looks sharp during the same movement at higher shutter speeds. Everyone knows why, motion blur based on exposure time.

Again, look at the HVX vs EX1 1080 full mov. of the skateboarder. If anything, the EX1 at the same speed was holding more motion detail.
Click to expand...

Hey Stevet...

Can you post some footage of various pans under various conditions?

I really want a camera the caliber of the EX1 but just want to know it's limitations.
 
ESTEBEVERDE,

The camera may not have certain limitations. There is no rule that says that every good feature of a camera has to mtached with a bad one. Not everything is a tradeoff, thought that is often said here.

If we must have tradeoffs in this camera, look to the price, the "rolling shutter" artifacts and perhaps the ergonomics.

I also own the camera, and like SteveT, feel there is nothing to this "resolution loss." Even Barry Green, who first noticed it, is not sure if it's happening. Let's wait for his tests. I asked Mr. Martinez about it because I wanted to see if there was anything that could be causing it based on his very deep knowledge of how the camera works. I hope he answers.

In any case, if it is happening, it's invisible in any footage I have shot. The camera looks amazing and let's accept the fact that we might have a really good camera here, without "dealbreaking" warts.
 
Hey Matthew...

Those are very good points.

I will actually need to shoot with one to see.


One of the applications that I would like to use it for is filming the US Judo Olympic trials and the regional competitions leading up to them.

I will have to shoot in available light and my footage will have to withstand flashes on the players.

Also, I am wondering how the footage will stand up to very fast motion?

I doubt I will pan fast so that is of minor concern but it would be nice to know if I want to say pan as players run past during warm ups etc...


But, even our practice footage is played back on a 20' screen (Just for fun a lot of the times to see who got thrown exceptionally hard and made "big boom".)

During competitions we will most likely have a highlight reel playback at the end.
 
You might (probably will) have an issues with flashes.

I doubt there will be much issue with pans unless they are real fast and those type of pans are really not watchable for me, and are usually avoided. Well, unless you're doing it for effect and chances are, based on the fast pan, motion blur will overcome most of the artifacts. The fast pans on my soccer footage I could see some skew, but it was not much and I had to shoot in 60P and slo-mo to really see it.
 
I believe we've already seen a handfull here already. It's well known that you can see partial exposures.

Fortunately the lights I use for shows strobe function works without partial exposure. It's probably due to the mechanical shutter on the MSD lights.
 
Stevet said:
I believe we've already seen a handfull here already. It's well known that you can see partial exposures.

Fortunately the lights I use for shows strobe function works without partial exposure. It's probably due to the mechanical shutter on the MSD lights.
Click to expand...


The wedding footage was slowed down but when played back at normal or real time speed it wasn't a big deal.

The cop car footage did indeed have prominent partial exposure.

But, what other camera can show such detail in so little light for $6700?
 
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