EX1 Must have equipment

[balster]

After a lot of phone calls and many hours behind the net I have assembled this equipment to work with the EX1. This is a set that I am very happy to work with, it has never let me down so far an the results are very good. Just thought I'd share this for everybody that's looking to buy an EX1 kit or expand their set. This is not commercial space so there are no links...

Here is a list of my EX1 equipment:

Vocas MB250 matte box

A Schneider Optics filter 4x4 kit consisting of:
Linear Polarizer
ND .6 Solid
ND .6 Soft Edge Graduated
Black Frost 1/2
Skintone Enhancer

Redrock Follow Focus

Set of Micro whips

Redrock Carl Zeiss lens kit consisting of:
Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/ 85mm telephoto lens
Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/ 50mm standard lens
Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35mm moderate wide angle lens

A set of three Nikkor zoom lenses with constant aperture consisting of:
Nikon ED AF-S 17-35mm f2.8

Nikon ED AF-S 28-70mm f2.8

Nikon ED AF-S 80-200mm f2.8

For the long lenses Redrock Micro lens support:

 

[balster]

Continued...

Continued...

Zacuto Cinekit consisting of:
Universal Baseplate Version 3
3.5 inch rods
Letus Extreme
Letus Extreme Rods Support
A Z-riser

I added some extra Zacuto stuff to the above, namely:
A shouldermount

A lunchbox

And a Minimount for a Noga arm.

Porta Brace CBA-EX1 body armour.

Porta Brace CS-DV4U Camera bag

A Sachtler Video 18P head with carbon legs as a tripod

AKG SE 300 B with CK 93 for camera audio

Rode SM5 microphone mount because the CK 93 is very sensitive

 

[balster]

And again...

And again...

A Hoodman H400

And a Lacie Rugged disk for on the spot copying

OK, well I hope this thread saves you guys some time.

I'm still thinking of buying a HD LCD monitor and I would like your advice, I know that there have been some threads already but I am definitely going for a Nebtek, I just can't decide between the component and SDi option. Any suggestions? Also please feel free to suggest any other must have equipment in this thread!

 

[philip bloom]

Go with SDI

 

[balster]

Go with SDI

Because of the one cable or because of the video quality?

It does have inputs galore...

NEB70HDS:
"Video Input Connection: SDI BNC (HD & Standard), Composite BNC, & Component BNC Inputs."

but $2449.00 is a lot of money.

 

[philip bloom]

quality and one simple cable. what is the rez of that monitor?

 

[balster]

quality and one simple cable. what is the rez of that monitor?

From the nebtek site:

"Designed by the Film & Video Professionals at NEBTEK with the needs of the industry in mind... Professional SDI, Component and composite looping BNC inputs. (HD or SD auto-detect), every major battery mounting option available, 5 Display Modes, Underscan, Bluescreen, and Video Peaking (which allows for those critical focus situations). All of our standard features are present as well... Excellent Picture Quality, Wide Viewing Angles, High Brightness, Daylight Coating for outdoor visibility, and 10V to 30V power compatability. The Top, Bottom & Side mounts allow for a wider range of mounting options. The multi-position professional connector box allows cables to come straight off the back (for Steadicam use), or to be hidden behind the monitor (for Film Camera Use). It also offers a Vertical & Horizontal Image flip function, making it an excellent choice for use with a 35mm Lens Adapter that inverts the image.
4:3, 16:9, 16:9 w/ 4:3 Matte, Zoom and Anamorphic Display Modes.
Focus Detail, Blue Screen and Underscan Functions.
Horizontal & Vertical Image Flip.
Brightness, Color, Contrast & Tint.
Resolution: 800H � 480V (RGB)
Contrast Ratio: 400 to 1.

Brightness: < 550 NIT/Candelas
Input Signal: NTSC/PAL auto recognition
Video Input Connection: SDI BNC (HD & Standard), Composite BNC, & Component BNC Inputs.

Power Supply: 12V~30V DC regulated.
Power Connection: 4-Pin XLR (Power-regulated), 2.1mm DC (Power-12V only), 6-Pin Hirose (Power-regulated, Audio & Video)
Current Consumption: 700mA


Dimensions: 7.5"W � 5"H � 3"D

Weight: 2.5 lbs."

 

[tjpowers]

Wow thats some serious gear. I want all of it.

But then again, it seems a little crazy for a $6500 camera. I would think with that kind of money one would want to step it up to something a bit on the higher end.

I still want all of it!

 

[Lor]

It would be interesting what the total cost of all of those parts.

 

[balster]

Wow thats some serious gear. I want all of it.

But then again, it seems a little crazy for a $6500 camera. I would think with that kind of money one would want to step it up to something a bit on the higher end.

I still want all of it!

Remember that you can use the adapter and lenses on A LOT of cams, so it is a sound investment. And with all these lenses why not buy a (discounted) Nikon D200?

It would be interesting what the total cost of all of those parts.

Total cost? around 12k but the look you get for the price is worth it!

 

[philip bloom]

Wow thats some serious gear. I want all of it.

But then again, it seems a little crazy for a $6500 camera. I would think with that kind of money one would want to step it up to something a bit on the higher end.

I still want all of it!

I have almost all of the above gear, minus the mid range nikon zoom and I have the Miller DS20 Carbon Fibre Solo tripod which is wonderful.

I use it all the time, sure it adds up but what is a step up to a higher end? An F350? You won't get 35mm look on its own, a RED? A RED with lenses is still way more expensive than this lot with everything. That shoulder mount is the only one to work well with the Extreme and EX1.

That monitor is not HD, dont bother. Get one that is if you buy an external monitor. Have a look at the Carrion on this site. Do a search for it.

If you are serious about 35mm film look then most of this is essential purchasing.

 

[balster]

I have almost all of the above gear, minus the mid range nikon zoom and I have the Miller DS20 Carbon Fibre Solo tripod which is wonderful.

I use it all the time, sure it adds up but what is a step up to a higher end? An F350? You won't get 35mm look on its own, a RED? A RED with lenses is still way more expensive than this lot with everything. That shoulder mount is the only one to work well with the Extreme and EX1.

That monitor is not HD, dont bother. Get one that is if you buy an external monitor. Have a look at the Carrion on this site. Do a search for it.

If you are serious about 35mm film look then most of this is essential purchasing.

Thanks Philip, about the monitor. I remember you writing somewhere that you liked the EX1 lcd so much you didn't bother for an external monitor. In terms of focus with peaking I agree but checking for dust or other nasty spots in the adapter has proven to be quite difficult on the EX1 lcd. I will check out the Carrion.

 

[philip bloom]

yes for general use you don't need it, but when shooting with a director or for as you say checking dust and for following focus you need one. The carrion is an indie make, a little untested, but people are saying nice things about it.

 

[Lor]

So Philip, what's your recommendation?

 

[balster]

So Philip, what's your recommendation?

For the price I would definitely go for the Carrion (in fact I'm going to buy one) The difference between a Marshall/ Nebtek and the EX1 lcd is too small. If you need an external monitor you should buy one that's at least 720p and the Clarion is.

Carrion b monitor:

•8.4" LCD screen
•1024 x 768 pixels
•500:1 (typ) Contrast
•85° Right, 85° Left, 85° Up ,85° Dn Viewing
•16.7 million colors
•350+ cd/m² Luminance
•(1)HD-SDI, RGB Compnt. , DVI, S-Video, Composite, VGA
•480p, 576p, 720p, 1035i, 1080i, 1080p
•Blue Only for Color calibration

Price with Sony battery plate: 1945 USD

The Nebtek SDI with battery plate is 2500 USD

 

[tjpowers]

I have almost all of the above gear, minus the mid range nikon zoom and I have the Miller DS20 Carbon Fibre Solo tripod which is wonderful.

I use it all the time, sure it adds up but what is a step up to a higher end? An F350? You won't get 35mm look on its own, a RED? A RED with lenses is still way more expensive than this lot with everything. That shoulder mount is the only one to work well with the Extreme and EX1.

That monitor is not HD, dont bother. Get one that is if you buy an external monitor. Have a look at the Carrion on this site. Do a search for it.

If you are serious about 35mm film look then most of this is essential purchasing.

I hear you there... and I know you are fortunate enough to own both so obviously that says alot for the EX1 (and I LOVE mine).

However, once you get into the 20k price range, I would say why not spend 10 more and go for something like a PDW-700 that is going to yield a much higher rate and a more easily delivered format for the immediate future.

By the way I realize the can of worms that this post is going to open up... maybe for another forum all together (no 24p, 50mb non-backwards compatible media, still no letus or lenses, etc)

Maybe if the topic said "EX1 Must have equipment for 35mm look" then I could let it rest. I guess my main point is at what point is it no longer advantageous to purchase an "inexpensive" camera and just step up to the "real" thing? And I use those terms loosely. Its a slippery slope when a $7000 camera turns into the 20,000 camera. Seems to make more sense to drop 12k into accessories on a 30k camera than a 7k camera.

All that being said, and all the respect in the world to you both... I still want all of it.

 

[balster]

I hear you there... and I know you are fortunate enough to own both so obviously that says alot for the EX1 (and I LOVE mine).

However, once you get into the 20k price range, I would say why not spend 10 more and go for something like a PDW-700 that is going to yield a much higher rate and a more easily delivered format for the immediate future.

By the way I realize the can of worms that this post is going to open up... maybe for another forum all together (no 24p, 50mb non-backwards compatible media, still no letus or lenses, etc)

Maybe if the topic said "EX1 Must have equipment for 35mm look" then I could let it rest. I guess my main point is at what point is it no longer advantageous to purchase an "inexpensive" camera and just step up to the "real" thing? And I use those terms loosely. Its a slippery slope when a $7000 camera turns into the 20,000 camera. Seems to make more sense to drop 12k into accessories on a 30k camera than a 7k camera.

All that being said, and all the respect in the world to you both... I still want all of it.

Let's break it down:

EX1 $6500
Adapter $1200
-------------------
Total: $7200

This is your base package. So let's compare this to a couple of camera's. Remember you buy these as a body only so you still have to buy lenses. Let me remind you that video lenses or even film prime lenses are way more expensive then the still photo primes we use.

Items like; a tripod, cam support, mic, monitor etc. are must haves either way.

So my conclusion; it's cheaper to buy this kit as long as your not aiming for 2k material or film.

 

[kubalsky]

Let's break it down:


So my conclusion; it's cheaper to buy this kit as long as your not aiming for 2k material or film.

...then again, David Lynch shot his last film"Inland Empire" with a Sony PD150. Standard Def and no adaptor. That gives us all hope for the big screen.

 

[balster]

...then again, David Lynch shot his last film"Inland Empire" with a Sony PD150. Standard Def and no adaptor. That gives us all hope for the big screen.

In the end the story is all that matters, I sometimes daydream about getting the budget of just one of those terrible hollywood movies (you know the what they are). But then would you be able to fill 90 minutes of film? Would you be able to make it interesting?

Back to subject:

Did we miss any equipment in this post? Is there anything we should know that could make our shooting easier?

 

[tjpowers]

I definately could have used the hoodman today... I was out in bright sunlight trying to shoot into the sun. Luckily I was able to shut off the backlight and get a little bit of use out of that lcd.

shots came out awesome though