Got a Copy of Vortex's EX1 Field Guide

adamr316

adamr316

Well-known member
And I must say I'm pretty impressed. It's almost as good as Barry Green's HVX Book series. I lost my EX1 manual and sometimes rent out my gear and do not want to waste time answering EX1 questions from renters. This book should prove to alleviate many of those headaches.

Number 1, I love that the pages are treated so that if you spill something on them the book isn't ruined. A true *field* guide can hold up well out in...you know, the field.

Number 2, Color. Everyone likes a full-color book since it's easier to look at! Pretty pretty colors vs. the dreary EX1 manual.

Number 3, Useful info. Pros and Cons of different modes, f/2.8 is the ideal f-stop, Doug's picture profile, "gotchas" that may confuse new EX users are just some of the things that make the guide worth every penny.

Number 4, great layout designs. Type is easy to read with lots of white space. The info isn't crammed like the camera manual.


So, why did I write earlier that the guide is almost as good as Barry's HVX series? Because some info is kept up in the air. Again, no guide wants to expound on Picture Profile settings. "Beyond the scope of this book"...well, true. But I would at least like to know each setting does. There's a large section of the HVX book that discusses scene files for that camera. Although the book does point to other online resources on the topic EARLIER in the book.

Also, the book doesn't come with a CD like Barry's book does. Then again, this book is less expensive so I can't cry there. And really I'm nitpicking because Doug Jensen did a damn good job making this guide. On the other hand the Vortex DVD and guidebook can be bundled but I would say if I had to pick one to buy it'd be the field guide. There's more information in the field guide and you can have it with you on shoots. The DVDs are great for speed training though and some people learn better watching video instruction so I would get both if you aren't on a tight budget.

In summary, I agree 100% with the book's blurb. "This is the book that should have been included with your camera." Are you listening, Sony?
 
I agree with you Adam. I got both DVD & Book, and I field confident about using my EX1 3 hours after receiving and the material. I like the PP too!
 
adamr316 said:
... no guide wants to expound on Picture Profile settings. "Beyond the scope of this book"...well, true.
Click to expand...

That's because Doug has presumed those using the EX cameras have basic photographic/cinemagraphic/videographic knowledge and/or previous experience with such settings.

Any attempt to write such a text would require volumes! By the time it was finsihed, the information would, more than likey, be outdated.
 
Hi, could we discuss why 2.8 is the ideal f-stop? Ideal... for what? According to a NAB conference 4 is the "sweet spot" of the lens. 2.8 would be to shallow the DOF? Then why not all the way down to 1.9?
 
More often than not it's a matter of optics--they will differ from one lens to another.

Another consideration is that the "sweet spot" will differ from one cameraman to another, depending on their style (and what they're shooting).
 
I think that the technician at the NAB referred to the sweet spot as the sharpest spot. This, I think.

But I'm 100% sure that he said it was at 4, and he was talking about the EX1 and EX3.

I don't know how is called, but there is a phenomenom that causes sharpness to fade as you close the iris (down at almost C this is very clearly noticable). I guess the same diffusion occurs (not as noticable) when going from 4 to 1.9.

But I still want to hear what Vortex says! Sweet spot, I'm 100% certain I heard a Sony technician say it's at 4. Why Vortex suggests 2.8?
 
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