EVA1: Couple questions for owners

K

KrocanX

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I am looking for new cam and EVA is quite high on the list. Curently, I have FS700+Inferno and a7S for gimbal work. Idealy I would love to get rid of both and invest into one system which can do "everything". I have been in local shop to check EVA and I was quite impressed. I am aware of quirks and drawbacks, every camera has some (basically I knew more about EVA than dude in the shop). EVA so far is looking pretty good for my type of work with huge benefit with size. Anyway I have couple questions. Any comments appreciated!

1) How is HD? You know not every project needs 4K.
2) Gimbal? What about Crane 2 with EVA?
3) How is 120 fps? Many reviewers says it sucks, which would be deal breaker for me.
4) UWA lens for EF? You know, coming from e-mount where I could adapt whatever I am now disapointed with EF offerings for S35. I am using Tamron 15-30 2.8 VC with speedbooster like 70% of my time in the field, the rest is Canon 24-105 4 IS.
5) Anyone tried CoreSWX batteries?

Thanks!
 
1) HD is as good as it gets. You can also choose between S35 5,7K or S35 2,8K or 4/3 crop mode in HD.
The 2,8K mode is good enough for HD and gives even faster readout (rolling shutter = 1/120s) and up to 120fps.
Still in 4:2:2 10bit available.
The 4/3 mode crops a little and should be slightly softer. Here you have even faster readouts (rolling shutter = 1/240s) and up to 240fps.
Only in 4:2:0 8bit available.
I think the HD modes are great.

2) --

3) I can't say it sucks and I haven't read that anywhere.
But the quality of the higher frame rates is a little lower than standard fps modes.
If I remember correctly the camera only uses 4:2:0 8 bit for the higher frame rates (>60fps)

4) all EF lenses are possible. This means a lot.
Recommendstions: Canon EF-S 10-22, Tamron 10-24 Di, Tokina 11-20 or Sigma 10-20

5) I did not buy the Core SWX but the ID-X SL-VBD96 batteries.
These are reasonable cheap and powerful with X-Tap and USB-outlet.
 
KrocanX said:
1) How is HD? You know not every project needs 4K.
Click to expand...

I worked on a project last year (I was doing sound) that we did all of it with an EVA1 shooting HD (I think because the producers lacked the harddrive space for 4K.... it was a zero budget student short film! But a week long).

Did one of my vlogs for my YT channel while there:

 
KrocanX said:
1) How is HD? You know not every project needs 4K.
2) Gimbal? What about Crane 2 with EVA?
3) How is 120 fps? Many reviewers says it sucks, which would be deal breaker for me.
4) UWA lens for EF? You know, coming from e-mount where I could adapt whatever I am now disapointed with EF offerings for S35. I am using Tamron 15-30 2.8 VC with speedbooster like 70% of my time in the field, the rest is Canon 24-105 4 IS.
5) Anyone tried CoreSWX batteries?
Click to expand...

1. 4K is downsampled from 5.7k. HD is downscampled from 5.7k. So as another said, this is the best HD you will see at this price point, at least detail/resolution wise. Oh, and internal codec wise as well. The internal codec is very good.

2. Haven't tried and I doubt many people will have. But according to the specs, it should work fine. Keep in mind there are more to things than just specs and weight limit. I'd want the Crane 2 with a dual handle grip. And, the Ronin M for a similar price would be an interesting comparison point to see how the performance compares. But you're talking to a super specific niche (Crane 2 + EVA1) at this point and your best bet would be to find a way to try it (and please do report back if you do! I am curious as well).

3. Many reviewers say it sucks? I didn't know that. The HD 120fps is 10-bit 4:2:2 distributed over the internal HD codec. The EVA1 internal HD codec is one of the most robust on the market and this is the only camera I know of that will shoot 120fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 at this price point. I could be wrong here, but my understanding is that this might be the best 120fps HD in a camera of this price point bar none, no questions asked - at least for recording INTERNALLY. Keep in mind slow motion has multiple factors to it that can cause online tests to go wrong: (A) not enough light (B) EVA1 dual ISO levels change on slow motion to 800 / 1250 I believe, and IRCC some people were cranking the camera to 2500+ for their overly low light 120fps HD tests which OF COURSE look terrible because now you are stretching the internal codec thin, with lowlight, above base ISO... yikes.

Also keep in mind, EVA1 has a RAW update coming in H1 2018. Very few details have been announced. There is ZERO commitment to RAW supporting these slow motion outputs. However, this is me (not Mitch, not Panasonic) stating my opinion: I will be shocked (and honestly slightly pissed) if EVA1 doesn't output 120/240 fps RAW. The Sony cameras do. I see no reason why they wouldn't. And when that comes along, the main limiting factor on any slow motion is going to be the codec, so this should put it best in class. Though per my current understanding, EVA1 120fps HD recorded internally is already best in class as it pertains to internal codec/recording comparisons. (Please correct me if I am wrong). Just make sure you have proper light and don't crank the ISO past base ISO... doing that when stretching an internal codec is thin is trouble. And if/when the RAW support comes, which personally I think is likely, it should get even better.

240fps internal, on the other hand, I have seen mixed feelings on. But how much can one expect from recording this internally in 2018 for under <$10k?

4. Ahh, EF vs E-Mount. This is a tough one. But, despite what some may say, it's really a toss up. I will say, two big draws for Sony are E-Mount and Electronic Variable ND. That is killer. E-mount with it's short flange distance will accept a ton of lenses, and on an S35 sensor you can speedboost them for more options and speed. Awesome. On the flip side, most of what people end up adapting to E-Mount is EF glass... or maybe Nikon, Leica R, etc. Well, those adapt to EF, too. And a speedbooster is nice for options, but it is also an extra optical element and a piece of complexity, and there is something to be said for keeping the image pipeline clean and pure. Finally, S35 is the industry standard... if you have good glass, do you really need (or WANT) to add a $600 speedbooster in front of a multi-thousand dollar Zeiss or Leica lens to get an extra stop for an already plenty fast lens, or get a wider FOV when you can just swap to a wider lens? YMMV. This is a personal question but really, E-Mount is excellent but it's not necessarily better or desirable. For me, a set of EF Zeiss Milvus Primes made sense. Most of them are f/1.4 which is plenty fast. I have plenty of wide to telephoto options and simply don't need any of them speedboosted, nor want another layer in between my mount and camera or another piece of glass in between the sensor and my Zeiss glass.

Short answer: What about the Sigma Art 12-24 for your UWA? Zeiss Milvus 15mm? There are others. If you really need and rely on wider, then FF or E-Mount with Speedbooster is a definite perk.

5. I haven't, but IRCC, CoreSWX is well respected. I wouldn't rely on my answer here though ;)
 
I have the Canon EF 24-105 and EFS 17-55 from my old C100. I use the 24-105 (which you mentioned you have) almost exclusively. The f4 maximum aperture isn't great, but I don't do much low light, so I like it because it's very light weight (I make documentaries, mostly handhold).

The EFS 17-55 is a great lens on this camera too, and the extra stop is nice to have (and it holds f2.8 through the zoom), but in general I prefer a little longer lens. With the in-camera 1.4 push, the 24-105 gives me almost the equivalent of an Angenieux 12-120, which I used daily for nearly 40 years, and because of the camera's sensitivity I don't miss the extra stop.
 
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