EVA1: Opinions / Thoughts from those who switched to EVA 1 from Canon C100 mk i / ii

J

james.parsons

New member
Hi,

I currently own a C100 mk i and mk ii. Alongside a GH5. I don't enjoy working with the C300 (ergonomics don't suit my workflow and too big), and I 'm not sure the C200 fits my needs either (MP4 too underpowered, can't afford raw workflow which is overkill for my clients).

Wondered if anyone else here has been in a similar position and jumped ship to EVA1?
  • What stands out from your switch?
  • Anything you miss from Canon?
  • How does the image compare to shooting in Wide DR for example on C100 / C300?
  • Do you miss the viewfinder?
  • How does the usability compare?

I'm trying to get my hands on an EVA but just no time at the moment. Any thoughts welcome.

cheers
 
I had a Mk1 with which I shot several documentaries for a university and then sold. Even though the films won awards, I didn't care much for the camera. Without a lot of affordable "future proof" choices at the time I switched to BMD, two Pockets and a Micro, which I tricked out for hand holding. Because I'm independent, and make documentaries exclusively, I always need a camera available at a moment's notice, so I always own and set up my own rigs, consequently Ive never used anything high-end like an Alexa or Varicam.

In my opinion the EVA is superior to the Canon in almost every way - but two. The major exception being the grip. The Canon's is intuitively laid out, and it's possible to dial in the ISO in increments on the fly using the dial - while shooing. The dual ISO on the EVA is nice, and the 2500 is quite good. I just wish I could adjust it in increments without going into the menu. Also the Canon grip doesn't wiggle in your hand, which drives me nuts on the EVA, a silly design flaw. Another caveat is the AGC - the Canon's audio works extremely well, the EVA's doesn't, and that can be important with my style of shooting.

However, the images from the EVA1 are far superior, filmic, and comparable to the BMD, which have always been considered excellent. The codec (and I'm mostly still shooting 1080) is easy to work with and, despite the fact that Canon gets a lot out of it's 8bit, 10bit easily allows you tweak scenes to match in post - and meets most current broadcast specs

I don't do much slo-mo, which seems to currently be a big deal in these forums (and also, unfortunately, in a lot of films and TV spots - it's getting like 3D to me, enough is enough already), but I have shot a few 60fps scenics, and the EVA performs well.

They're both stupidly designed ergonomically. After a lifetime of using Eclairs and Aatons I've never understood this trend toward the high CG vertical shape - it's what I disliked most about the C100 - the EVA's admittedly somewhat better - and lighter. I realize the manufacturers are appealing to the DSLR users, but in my opinion a cinema camera isn't a DSLR. It would be so easy to put the electronics in a horizontal profile.

I use a Gratical, grip extension (SHAPE) mounted on a custom inboard rosette plate, and custom low profile shoulder mount to compensate for the fact that the designers obviously never had to shoot handheld all day.
 
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You can adjust the Eva ISO, incrementally, during a shot. Set the User Toggle to ISO and you can change it using the wheel. You may have to add 1dB increments to the list to get all the control you want.
 
You can do it in dB or in ISO values. You can scroll your way through the native 800 range, scroll your way through the native 2500 range, or toggle between 800 and 2500. In the upcoming 2.0 firmware there is a shortcut through te HOME screen to switch between these modes.
 
Thanks - hopefully Barry will have another book out soon to answer these types of questions...
 
Thanks for the reply Mac. I'm totally with you regarding vertical shaped camera. Canon particularly guilty here. For me the C100 is just about workable because it's so light. The C300 however is far too big and heavy. Stick a large lens on the front and every time you put it down it just falls forward.

I have to say when I had a quick look at the EVA at BVE the grip was one thing that stood out as not being as good as the C100. A compromise you just have to accept I guess.

60fps is usually as far as I go for high frame rates, but nice to have the higher options as and when client requests.

Do you use the cameras LCD in conjunction with the gratical? Have you found a good option for mounting the LCD in an alternative position?
 
James: I do use the LCD, primarily for the menu (the Gratical doesn't have a flip-up diopter like the Z-Finder, and I find it difficult to navigate with my eye pressed to the eyepiece).

During interviews I also use it extended in front of the Gratical in case it's battery dies unexpectedly (which happens occasionally, that thing eats batteries alive) and to check peaking, which is a cool feature on the EVA. I figured out a cheap, simple way to do that. Mount the LCD holder on the handle (on the port side, opposite the mic holder), take a light weight rod-block (I use an excellent one from SmallRig) and a short section of 15mm rod (again, SmallRig, a carbon fiber rod, cut to about an inch). Clamp one end of the rod-block onto the holder, and clamp the LCD onto the rod at the other end. That places the LCD about two inches in front of and above the EVF. I do worry the the LCD holder is flimsy plastic, but so far no problem. I plan to build a stronger version myself, or I'd buy one if it becomes available.

BTW, I realize the firmware upgrade, which I haven't done yet, outputs peaking through SDI, but I prefer using a thin HDMI cable to keep the bulk down and I don't know if it's output through HDMI as well...
 
Regarding the camera shape, I think the trend is a direct result of people wanting to be able to easily mount on gimbals.
 
calebmg said:
Regarding the camera shape, I think the trend is a direct result of people wanting to be able to easily mount on gimbals.
Click to expand...

It's shape was all about maneuverability; getting as close to floors and walls as possible. The design team used cast plastic parts from dSLRs and cameras like the XF305 (and lots of clay and tape) to help figure out the shape. There was a long article about it, all in Japanese. This link doesn't go into as much depth but it's in English.

http://global.canon/en/design/frontline/eos-c300-02.html
 
James. I assume you mean a picture of my camera setup... I'll try to do that at some point when I get a minute, but...

I want to add a minor mechanical problem. I don't use the LCD much to shoot, usually only for the menu. However, last week I was on a tripod in a situation that made using the gratical impractical, so I used the LCD.

The image on the LCD is passable, not great, but the construction is extremely poor. One of the hinged side pieces on the shade fell apart. I didn't realize it until after I got home, but it had fallen off completely and is now lost. That's with a one-time use!

It's probably not a part that's immediately available to replace either. So if you depend on the LCD, carry a roll of black gaffers tape, and be sure to check the hinges every time you use it.
 
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