So I went on a little journey today to ECPROVIDEO in Manhattan to answer the question I've been asking around here for awhile... can you shoot handheld with the ex3 viewfinder using the left eye? The answer is a resounding "yes you can". I slid the viewfinder all the way out and with the shoulder support either fully extended, or not... it was AWESOME!
I have more observations about the ex3 and ecprovideo i'll share after I get some rest.
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So the ex3 was mounted on a tripod with a full broadcast lens. I couldn't wait to pick it up and see how it compared to the ex1. I told the woman behind the counter that I need to pick it up and try it with my left eye... she asked if I had an appointment and I told her that I spoke with Junior the other day. She walked over to disconnect the camera from the tripod and, after removing the cables, handed it over. The ergonomics felt really good and I panned and tiltled around the shop and focus on a few objects Including my daughter. The viewfinder comes out farther than I expected and felt really solid. The lens that was mounted was not the one that ships stock, so I then asked her if I could try it with the stock lens. She quickly swapped out the lenses. I knew that the stock lenses hand grip would be closer to the camera body and would affect the overall feel of the handheld shooting position. This would be the make or break test for me. To my delight, the camera felt really good handheld with my left eye firmly pressed against the eye cup. The three points of contact made the rig feel very much like a fully shoulder mounted eng camera. The shorter stock lense put my hand closer to my body, but I just rotated the handgrip clockwise one click and It felt as comfortable as the longer lens.
Then Junior walked buy and asked if I was radar. He tested this for me upon request from an earlier thread but suggested I come in and see for myself. While I was playing with the ex3 Junior pulled out the ex1 with a anton bauer ezgrip attached. I always wondered about this solution so I took the camera from him and tried it. If you have an ex1 and are looking to correct the balance issues with a cheap and effective solutiion.... the ezgrip is definitely the way to go. It totally relieves the pressure on you wrist and gives you a grip on the other side that can be used to create nice compound moves.
I am now certain that the ex3 will work much better for me for a number of reasons. The redistribution of buttons on the ex3 is a nice improvement over the ex1.. thing just seem to be easier to get at. However, if I was keeping my ex1... I would buy an ezgrip for sure. Junior and the folks at ecprovideo were nice and extremely helpful. I will certain be bringing business their way.
Sorry for the play by play but I just thought someone in my situation would find this info useful. I also wanted to give a shout out to ecprovideo a dvxuser sponser.
I have more observations about the ex3 and ecprovideo i'll share after I get some rest.
================================================================================================================================
So the ex3 was mounted on a tripod with a full broadcast lens. I couldn't wait to pick it up and see how it compared to the ex1. I told the woman behind the counter that I need to pick it up and try it with my left eye... she asked if I had an appointment and I told her that I spoke with Junior the other day. She walked over to disconnect the camera from the tripod and, after removing the cables, handed it over. The ergonomics felt really good and I panned and tiltled around the shop and focus on a few objects Including my daughter. The viewfinder comes out farther than I expected and felt really solid. The lens that was mounted was not the one that ships stock, so I then asked her if I could try it with the stock lens. She quickly swapped out the lenses. I knew that the stock lenses hand grip would be closer to the camera body and would affect the overall feel of the handheld shooting position. This would be the make or break test for me. To my delight, the camera felt really good handheld with my left eye firmly pressed against the eye cup. The three points of contact made the rig feel very much like a fully shoulder mounted eng camera. The shorter stock lense put my hand closer to my body, but I just rotated the handgrip clockwise one click and It felt as comfortable as the longer lens.
Then Junior walked buy and asked if I was radar. He tested this for me upon request from an earlier thread but suggested I come in and see for myself. While I was playing with the ex3 Junior pulled out the ex1 with a anton bauer ezgrip attached. I always wondered about this solution so I took the camera from him and tried it. If you have an ex1 and are looking to correct the balance issues with a cheap and effective solutiion.... the ezgrip is definitely the way to go. It totally relieves the pressure on you wrist and gives you a grip on the other side that can be used to create nice compound moves.
I am now certain that the ex3 will work much better for me for a number of reasons. The redistribution of buttons on the ex3 is a nice improvement over the ex1.. thing just seem to be easier to get at. However, if I was keeping my ex1... I would buy an ezgrip for sure. Junior and the folks at ecprovideo were nice and extremely helpful. I will certain be bringing business their way.
Sorry for the play by play but I just thought someone in my situation would find this info useful. I also wanted to give a shout out to ecprovideo a dvxuser sponser.
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