EX-1 user considering 5D/7D

W

wing70301

Member
Hello everyone,

Less than a year ago, I bought an EX-1, Letus, wireless lavs, rail system; the works. I was ready to start my career as an independent videographer. I did four projects in Japan: two live events and two b-roll/interview projects. Since I've been back, I haven't used my rig at all. It's getting harder and harder these days to find decent videography work around me, and money's getting tighter.

I've seen the work that's come out of the 5D and 7D and I'm very impressed. When they first debuted, I had seen some of the video, but I just brushed it off as a gimmick. After seeing what people are getting out of them today, I'm eating my own words. Also, since they're considerably cheaper than what I currently have, I think I could kit it out and still come out cheaper than what I spent on my EX-1 rig. So this has got me thinking about adopting one of these guys into my workflow.

So, if I were to sell my current rig and pick up a 5D/7D, what would I be gaining and/or losing? I don't know much about the workings and the workflow involved with using one of these DSLRs. So where would these cameras excel over my current rig? Where would they be inferior to my current rig? Thanks!
 
Well, you'd be losing stuff like XLR inputs, proper audio monitoring and control, and high-res imagery.

But you'll be gaining great DoF, great low-light capability, being able to shoot in virtually any location and being able to do it stealth, and not to mention a bunch of money :)
 
I have some colleagues with EX1/letus combos that dismissed my 7D as 'maybe a nice little b cam' until they saw the footage which knocked their socks off. I think what you would be gaining is flexibility. That EX1/letus is a lot of gear to haul around when compared to the 7D and a simple manfrotto. As the other poster said what you would be losing is an all in one solution. Simple fix though. Buy a Zoom H4N for $299 and you have a fantastic audio solution that doesn't have to be chained to the camera.

As far as workflow goes I'm editing with a crappy old laptop. I just edit through proxies.

As for as professional street cred goes, I'm getting more paid gig offers now that I have the 7D than I had before.
 
Morgan moore brings up a good point...liquidate your adapter, get a 7D then you have the best of both worlds....
 
Today I am meeting some surfers the kind of people who are proablably going to be a PITA and not up for restaging stuff because they dont want to look like media sluts to thier cool mates, they are too 'cool' to be helpful - I guess - even though they are paid by their sponsors to get coverage

Hunting for surf, doubtless they will be in a hurry and running all over the place, prbably some godforsaken secret spot down a cliff somewhere

My Ex1 gives me up to 400mm (equiv) in a 3KG package, no lens changes

Using the (nikon) 400 2.8 on the 7d is a shake nightmare

and the 400 weights 5kg

Ill be looking to grab some wide stuff too of course

Do I just grab my Ex1 that can cover it all or try and shoot with a bag of primes, no safe sound, and a shakey long lens that is almost too heavy to handle, and miss shots while I fiddle in my lens bag

The heart says 7d but the mind says EX1

Ill report back

S
 
cjwolff said:
I have some colleagues with EX1/letus combos that dismissed my 7D as 'maybe a nice little b cam' until they saw the footage which knocked their socks off. I think what you would be gaining is flexibility. That EX1/letus is a lot of gear to haul around when compared to the 7D and a simple manfrotto. As the other poster said what you would be losing is an all in one solution. Simple fix though. Buy a Zoom H4N for $299 and you have a fantastic audio solution that doesn't have to be chained to the camera.
Click to expand...

I keep hearing that the 7D so much easier to carry around than my EX1. Frankly, I just don't see it.

So here's two real-world scenarios. Explain to me how you get the shot with the 7D

Scenario 1:

Narrative filmmaking. Outdoors, 10am, sunny morning. The shot is to track a walk and talk through a crowd. Shot can be dolly, steadicam, or shoulder-mount stabilizer. Shallow depth of field is required to separate our principles from the crowd. We are shooting at 24p. We have 3 lenses at our disposal. An 18-35mm F2.8, a 50mm F1.4, and a 35-85 F2.0.

Director wants to see framing on his 42" HD monitor at the edge of the set.

How would you set up the camera to best record this.


Scenario 2:

Afternoon soccer game near the beach, recording at 30p, shutter speed 1/125 to keep action in the camera crisp but not stroby. Same lens package available. Halves are 45 minutes, field is 110yds long, and 70yds wide.

How do you capture that footage?
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. It's good for me to read a variety of thoughts and I think I've come to the conclusion that I will keep my EX-1. To be honest, I didn't know what the limitations of the 5D/7D were until reading bits and pieces that everyone had mentioned here and other forums. I really had to sit and consider what type of video I wanted to shoot and I realized that it doesn't matter what I want to shoot, I just want to be prepared for any kind of scenario. With that in mind, the EX1 really does give me the flexibility to shoot anything that a client may want.

Some of you had mentioned that it'd be a good idea to sell the 35mm in favor for a 5D/7D, and that doesn't really sound out of the question for me. I mean, I love the look I can get out of the Letus, but it's a pain lugging everything around. A lot of shoots I do are naturally lit; rarely do I ever set up lights for any of my shoots. So the light loss is a killer for me with the Letus + lenses. All in all, my 35mm kit (Letus, lenses, rails, supports) have cost me between $2k - $3k. I think I'd be lucky to get even half of that back if I sell it. Let's say I wanted to sell my 35mm gear to get a 5D/7D. How much do you think it would cost me to kit one out, supposing I'd use it mainly for B-roll and occasionally as a B-cam for my EX1 (No audio)?

Thanks again to everyone that gave me their opinions and insight on this matter. I love my EX1, but wasn't sure if the 5D/7D would have been a better decision. I'd love to get one of these DSLRs, but with the EX1, I think I'm happy.
 
"Some of you had mentioned that it'd be a good idea to sell the 35mm in favor for a 5D/7D, and that doesn't really sound out of the question for me. I mean, I love the look I can get out of the Letus, but it's a pain lugging everything around."

Definitely a great idea. It's how I've managed to shoot all summer. HVX/EX and my 5d for the limited, magical DOF shots....rings, bride getting ready, Bible, Candles, etc. HVX/EX for most other group stuff....works wonders. Also, saves a ton of weight and fumbling around on the EX setup with adaptor.

Also, it's always a good idea to have TWO cameras;)

J
 
PerroneFord said:
Scenario 1:

Narrative filmmaking. Outdoors, 10am, sunny morning. The shot is to track a walk and talk through a crowd. Shot can be dolly, steadicam, or shoulder-mount stabilizer. Shallow depth of field is required to separate our principles from the crowd. We are shooting at 24p. We have 3 lenses at our disposal. An 18-35mm F2.8, a 50mm F1.4, and a 35-85 F2.0.

Director wants to see framing on his 42" HD monitor at the edge of the set.

How would you set up the camera to best record this.
Click to expand...

-18-35F2.8 @2.8
-Steadicam
-HDMI out to HD monitor or USB to EOS live view software on PC connected to HD monitor
-1/50 shutter
-Vari ND to tune your exposure.
-What are you doing for audio?

Have a production assistant walk through it once to identify where you need to track the talent to maintain focus. Dolly may be a good option here as well. I did this with a live band last night before their set came on.

PerroneFord said:
Scenario 2:

Afternoon soccer game near the beach, recording at 30p, shutter speed 1/125 to keep action in the camera crisp but not stroby. Same lens package available. Halves are 45 minutes, field is 110yds long, and 70yds wide.

How do you capture that footage?
Click to expand...

At first glance you may need a longer lens. Are you the only cam at the game? Remember you don't have a servo zoom so there's going to be slop pulling focus and zoom. I may go with a shoulder mount with follow focus here if you are solo. Make sure you bring extra CF and batteries. This is more challenging however if you are familiar with the rig I don't see why it couldn't be done.
 
Based on your responses, I have a couple questions.

In scenario 1, when you plug in the HDMI monitor, does the 7D monitor go blind like the 5D does, or does it still allow you to monitor video on-cam?

I am not familiar with vari-ND. I've heard of it though. Do you have a link, or can you explain how it works?

In scenrio 1 we'd be booming most likely, or potentially have the talent on wireless mics. Maybe even ADR that in later.

For scenario 2, I am trying to replicate what an average joe would have to do to shoot their kids soccer game with one of these cameras. Much like you'd see any parent with a $500 handycam. The premise put forth here is that this camera is flexible, and easy to carry and operate for video. So I am presenting a basic scenario that most parents can identify with. Could be a soccer game, basketball game, baseball game, etc.
 
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