EX1 versus EX3, why or why not?

[basspig]

I, too, have been reading threads here and there about problems with the EX3, so it is also a concern I am about to deal with in earnest.

I sold my last HDV camera, a V1U, today and I am weighing the pros and cons of EX3 vs. EX1 for my third EX camera. For some months, I was thinking that if I do get a third EX cam, it ought to be the EX3 because there are situations where I need a longer lens that's free of the red and blue fringing that the EX1 lens has in spades.

When I shoot from the balcony, at a concert, my object is to get closeups of the soloists' fingers at work on their instrument. I came close to this with the V1U's 20X lens, but the EX1 doesn't even get medium close. I've priced 1.5X tele extenders and, well, they're about the price difference between the two cameras. We all know that the more conversion glass you hang on the camera, the worse the image gets.

So my thinking is to get the EX3 and a good prime lens for those balcony shots where I could get up close and personal with the performer's instrument.

Some considerations: extra lenses could easily outprice the camera.
Will I ever shoot in a video pool for a news agency, live, where I'd need genlock? Not likely.
Remote control, for jib operation, could be a plus.

With the $2200 I don't spend by choosing the EX1, I do have some budget for some 32GB SxS cards, extra battery and/or maybe a matte box and follow focus if I shoot any high profile stuff where getting the job depends on showing impressive looking gear, though that concept makes me ill to think of it.. however, I have an ambition to shoot a movie in the near future, and those tools could become useful in a controlled movie shooting environment.

So I'm here with two EX1s and thinking about the third EX camera, whether to go 1 or 3.
If there are problems with stability/reliability of the EX3, then I would be likely to stick with what works. Plus $6099 is a lot easier to sell to my wife than $8320.

I'm down to two cameras now, and runnin' a little scared without a #3 angle, should a concert come up, but B&H is just a mouse click and four days away, so I won't sweat it too much.

 

[cheezweezl]

By "cinema style" lenses, I believe they were talking about the Digiprime lenses for 2/3" cameras. At NAB they had an EX3 or two outfitted with some.

i just got done shooting a docu with an ex1 and an ex3. we had a set of 2/3" digiprimes and an adapter for the ex3. of course they are much sharper than the stock lens. really made a difference. the 40mm was especially sweet. to me, being able to use the super high end glass would be the only advantage to the ex3. personally i hate the quasi-shoulder form factor. i never need to sync timecode and paintbox? really? i don't think very many people will ever use this feature.

 

[Bassman2003]

My concern with the EX-3 for long lens use is the skew.

This is why I think they went with a 14x lens on the camera to keep it out of the danger zone because I think it would have made sense to put an 18x or 20x lens stock on the EX-3 to give EX-1 owners a real reason to have both.

The HPX-300 crowd have stated that the skew is much more pronoumced at the tele end of the lens.

Seems like the only easy way to build a kit in the new HD world is to open up the wallet...

 

[Kenny_G]

???

What kind of failure?

The camera was working normal to day, but after two hours working, I switched it to playback and here after, same problem. Picture is vibrating and lens is vibrating. Luckily I had my Nikon adapter and lens with me to finish the shoot. I will take some shots with the vibrating lens and post it here.
To thought, I bought a "solid state" camera and now the lens is vibrating?!

Sony is not answering my mails. So I have to send in the camera.
I am so frustrated. Think I bought a professional camera, but it is so unreliable.
I am considering selling it or even giving it away. I have not shot more than 100 hours with this camera and now this. What will happen next? If Sony was next-door, I would have taken de camera and thrown it through their window and make a u tube movie of it(emotions).
It is that I always bought Sony’s. I started with a digital-8(still have it), then a VX2000 and a PC100. Hereafter I bought a PD150 and a 4 Years ago the PD170.
All of them, except for the PC100 did well. The PC100, had an assembly fault, but of course Sony did not see it my way. When the door was opening, there was this flat cable connection that had been bent sharply. So every time the door opens, the cable had some stress. Is like bending a wire a lot of times. It will break after not so many times bending.
I had to service the camera myself. Bought the whole cable harness and replaced the faulty one. Did not bend the flat cable this time, but assembled it the way it should have been. The camera is still working without any problem whatsoever. The VX2000 went back for repair after serving me for 6 years. They replaced the tape-unit and the camera is now like new. It did cost me about 600 bucks to repair it. The PD170 had recording problems related to the tape transport. I paid 450 euro in Holland to fix it, but it was a waste of money. Still have to use the cleaning tape more than normal. The only camera still working without any problem is the PD150.
The only reasons I bought the EX3, was the 1/2" sensor, low light performance and the value that you get for your money. Still I think Pana is making better cameras, but the price is higher than the Sony if you look at the P2 cards that you have to buy.
Take the new 300 for instance. Better camera than the EX3, except for the extra cost for the P2's, the Power supply and its 1/3" sensor. You don't even get a battery and P2 cards like when you buy the EX3. But, if it was a 1/2" sensor camera, I would have bought one immediately.

Anyway, I am now married to the EX3, but I expect that this marriage will cost me a lot.
We will see what the repair will cost me. I will keep you guys posted.