EX3 or EX1?

Chris Santucci

Chris Santucci

Veteran
I'm about to upgrade from an HVX200A and am thinking hard about these cameras. I wonder what feedback users of either might have, more in regard to any major advantages of one over the other.

I'm aware of the features the EX3 has over the EX1, but other than that - any major advantages/preferences in regard to hands-on use?
 
Neither is really comfortable to hold. The EX3 has a little shoulder thing to press against your shoulder, but it's still heavy to hold without any weight behind your shoulder. I have 2 EX1s and really like them. IF, I say IF you can afford an 18,000.00 wide angle lens, the EX3 would be the better choice over the EX1. Apparently the 4,000.00 WA lens is soft and has chromatic abrasions and barrel according to user "Basspig". So to me the benefit of having a removable lens is lost if finding a new lens is prohibitively expensive. The lens' that come on both are really nice. I got a shoulder mount for the EX1, and that is pretty cool, though the weight is still in front of you. These are just my negative comments, which I would be looking for if I were deciding. For fast action maybe CMOS sensors aren't for you, but I can't complain much. Sometime fast pans on very detailed scenes soften up while you are moving. But some shutter speed adjustments can help.

But overall I LOVE these cameras. So much detal with the full raster 1920 sensors. Such nice color too. And the audio is not just good - it's STELLAR. It's uncompressed, unlike any camera that shoots HDV. HDV audio is the same as 320kbps mp3. Anyway, the audio is very clean on the EX cameras. Look up "The Skinny on EX1 Audio" by Basspig. Also the low light ability on these cameras is great. I think the EX1 is the best camera in its price range. The EX3 is the same camera but with removable lens, and a great viewfinder. But you can have the same viefinder on the EX1, even better by using a Hoodlupe over the LCD.

I'm really nit picky, and I am really pleased with these cameras. I wish I had the "R" so I could get to overcranking with one button, but still I am pleased. Stationary interviews with these things look wonderful. Add a Nanoflash, and your footage can end up on BBC or PBS or Natl. Geographic. I can't say enough good things about this camera.

Happy shopping!
 
Thanks, Chad, for your input and the mention of the nanoflash. I have yet to read anything but overwhelming positive feedback about the 1 and 3, so I have decided to get the EX1R, and am looking into the nanoflash now... :laugh:
 
The biggest thing about the ergonomics is that the right grip, to be adjustable, sticks out an extra inch or so. It creates a lot of torque.

I noticed that when I put a baseplate on with a wing to the right and back, and then mounted my Nanoflash on the wing it helped tremendously be redistributing the weight to the right and back. This picture shows where its mounted, though there are too many accessories here for hand held.

Ex1NanoLetusR34S.jpg
 
You lucky dog Chris! You'll love it. The Nano is cool but it's 3 grand and more $$ to power it and connect it. I don't have one but would love it for long shoots as well as higher quality 4:2:2 images. You can make any camera with HDMI/SDI outs better with a nano. There are also other cheaper external recording solutions coming/here. Can't remember the names just now. Maybe Aja and Fostex? NanoFlash seemed the most elegant to me.
 
The EX3 allows you the ability to change lenses. Although it is a slight challenge, the EX3 can be used as a "shoulder mount" camera, the EX1(R) cannot. The EX3 had a superior viewfinder to the EX1. I'm not sure if it has been improved with the EX1R.

Those are the three main reasons I elected to go with the EX3.
 
And with a little cash the EX-3 can be a good shoulder mount camera. These guys have pretty much solved the hand held problem. http://www.exmount.com/ The viewfinder is also the best around, and contrary to basspig's problem with "his particular" wide lens. I have the wide lens and it is just fine and have not had any of his quoted problems. (So quit quoting him and saying the wide is crap BTW) Having the removable lens makes this camera is very versatile , I can put on 35mm adapters, DSLR lens, 2/3 Digiprimes, 1/2 lens, 2/3 HD lens, etc. This camera has a good life span.
 
I have a both the Ex3 and the Ex1r and without getting all technical I keep finding myself going back to ex1r when I just want to pick it up and go shoot something.

The ex3 is way better for handholding but I shoot most stuff on a tripod or a slider. Also for weddings I shoot a lot on a monopod or a glidecam 4000 where the ex1r is much more manageable.

Really depends on what you are going to use it for. Just some thoughts to add to the mix.
 
Unless you already have a really good 1/2" lens don't bother with EX3. You'll have to deal with back focus every time you transport it, impossible to work with on a stabilizer (unless you use external monitor). Both are hard on your arm and wrist. With the stock lens the footage will be identical. If you spend another 8K on a really good lens, then might as well buy a new 500 model and have a real shoulder mount camera.
 
For what I shoot, wilderness stuff, if the EX1 and the EX3 were the same price I'd still go with the EX1. I need the smaller form factor to hike, slap on my kayak, etc. My EX1 is in the shop and I have a new EX1r waiting for me when I get home.
 
Thanks for the awesome feedback, guys. I'm looking forward to using the camera and eventually getting the nanoflash (when it makes sense).
 
A little clarification on the Fujinon 8XS wide angle lens.. it is a little soft and has copious chromatic aberrations, but aside from those issues, it is quite rectilinear for a lens in this price range.
Compared to the stock lens, it's a disappointment because it's nowhere near as sharp. However, I looked at all the available conversion lens and they all have ten times worse chromatic aberration and all but one have gross barrel distortion.
If you're going to use a steadicam type stabilizer, the EX1 works better. But if you're hand held, the EX3 provides more stable motion control. The LCD on the EX1 is impossible to use in a close hand held shooting style. The EX3 VF solves this. All things being equal, I'd still favor the EX3.
Audio on both is great. I use mine to shoot classical recitals fairly regularly. The clients are ecstatic about the results.
 
The EX1 works fine as a shoulder mount with two accessories. A hoodman loupe turns the LCD into a forward mounted EVF with adjustments for your individual eye (diopter?)

The other thing is a shoulder mount. If you have rails or are planning to get them its pretty easy to mount the rails going back and put a pad on the end. You can buy a fancy rig or you can put one together cheaply if you look for the parts.

If you're on a budget the EX1 is cheaper to start with, and there a good number of used EX1's for sale. There are very few moving parts so you can easily test them.

You really need to decide if you want/need/can afford the interchangable lens of the EX3.
 
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