I'm buying this EX1R + audio

[JamesRiby]

Hi gang,

I'm fairly new on the scene of XDCAM's so bear with me..

I've researched the EX1R and it's equivalents for over 2 weeks now and I'm certain that I want to buy the EX1R from a 'Sony Specialist Dealer' with - extra battery, SDHC adapter and 32GB SD card, Rode NTG 2 mic + boom. I'll be using various work lamps and bulbs that I already have, for lighting.

My first production will be a short with a few externals and one repeated internal in a cellar/basement. This is my preliminary set-up, any suggestions/ideas?

I was wondering whether or not I would need an audio mixer?

And I was also interested in purchasing the Letus35 extreme adapter, although I don't know how well this performs with the basic EX1R lens or whether I should buy some Nikon lenses? (worth buying the Letus35 elite over the extreme?)

Thanks a bunch guys; I apologise in advance if any of this is a bit muddled up.

James

 

[Bram1982]

Hi gangmember!

You got a good quality tripod too? Nothing more annoying than being unable to make that smooth and subtle pan or tilt! (trust me, unfortunately I own such a tripod)

Also, i'd invest in a proper lightkit first before investing in a 35mm adapter. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't use a 35mm, but I did the 'worklights from the local hardwareshop' route myself and although they indeed just 'work', proper filmlights with barndoors , dimmers and adjustable focus on a adjustable tripod are so much better. When you got great lighting with just the EX1r, it will give you great images. However, by using various lamps and bulbs there's a chance your lighting won't be as good. The 35mm adaptor won't change that!

Apart from the EX1r being a great camcorder, for controlled situations (like your first production) the Canon Video DSLR's are very usable. They don't have the quality of the EX1r regarding autofocus, audio and overal usability when in video mode but they will give you simply excellent image quality with a 35mm DOF for not even half the price of one EX1R!

I did a 30 minute short with the Canon 5D Mk2 myself, and it came out great. Just convert the footage to the Apple Prores 422 codec first before editing. I also recommend a seperate audio recorder in this case, because the audio recording unit on the Mk2 is rather limited. (there's is a firmware addon for this cam which adds quite some functionality on the audio and video options: google for magic lantern canon mk2)
If you want to shoot ENG or documentaries too, the Canon SLR isn't so attractive anymore. Getting critical focus is far more difficult on 35mm making it very easy to miss that 'one moment shot' Also the Canon SLR has a continued recording limit of 4gb (about ten minutes), and dragging a seperate guy behind you with a boom and seperate recorder isn't really practical for run-and-gun work. Syncing audio and video in post takes time too!

But if you're primarily doing work in controlled situations all of the above doesn't really matter. The Canon will do the job just as fine as the EX1r with the 35mm adapter.

Considering your other questions:
-In my opinion the EX1r will record audio fine. Just adjust the audio levels correctly.
-You can put up a light with blue filters and point it from outside the window inside the basement. Adding the sense of moonlight (assuming it's night) coming from a small window can really add for the mood. Add a cut out board with some strokes so you get really the idea the light is coming from a window. Or you let your garden hose spray at the window. Inside the basement you can tell from the light it's raining.

 

[Duke M.]

I would advise against any 35mm DOF adapter for you at this time. They add a lot of extra issues and fiddling that you won't want in addition to all the other stuff you'll need to remember to do for each shot.

Also, one nice aspect of the EX1R is that with the 1/2" sensor you have good DOF control at around half of your zoom. The adapter won't add much except more issues, and a DOF adapter kills the light sensitivity advantage that the EX1R has over most small cameras.

If you want to manually focus a better monitor than the LCD with at least a megapixel of resolution will make it a LOT easier.

It doesn't have to be expensive. If you go with the Craig 720p HDTV from CVS with a L-ion battery pack you'll be in good shape for about $200 and its surprisingly light. (there are threads with specifics.)

A good tripod, mic(s), foam board, etc and you'll be in good shape.

 

[adamr316]

James,

The first thing I would ask myself is, "Why am I buying this camera?"

Back when I was in college (not too long ago) I wanted a DVX100 for its 24p feature. Two years later HD hit the prosumer scene and ut looking back I'm glad I didn't buy one.

Then the HVX200 came out around my last year in college. Slow motion, HD, tapeless! Gimme gimme! But when I finally shot with one I was disappointed with its noise and soft picture (compared to stuff I've seen on Discovery Channel, etc.) And I couldn't shoot in low light. I'm glad I rented the camera.

I established a production business in 2007 and it was pretty successful. Sometime when I had saved up some money the EX1 was released. Here I was shooting or getting ready to shoot a ton of projects and renting the HVX200 was getting expensive. So I knew I wanted to buy a camera. The EX1 with its resolution, lowlight capability, great audio, etc. sold me...easily. I knew it'd be a workhorse that wouldn't need upgrading for at least 5 years, unlike the HVX200 which was a work in progress (no offense). But I bought the camera knowing I would be saving money and making money with it. Which I have, albeit not so much due to the economy tanking.

The people who have rented with me have been major clients. Broadcast/corporate players who demand quality. That says a lot about the camera IMHO.

Another reason I went with the EX1 was that I wanted any family/friend events to be documented in professional quality HD. And because the EX has such high quality audio I can use it for recording the podcast I do on-occasion.

So...why do you want to buy a camera instead of rent one? Why do you want a 35mm adaptor? Have you thought all of this through like I did? Because $7K+ is a substantial investment that needs a lot of consideration.

 

[JamesRiby]

Thanks for all the responses fellas,

You got a good quality tripod too? Nothing more annoying than being unable to make that smooth and subtle pan or tilt!

I'm grabbing the 7063-C2 Tripod, forgot to mention that.

Also, i'd invest in a proper lightkit first before investing in a 35mm adapter. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't use a 35mm, but I did the 'worklights from the local hardwareshop' route myself and although they indeed just 'work', proper filmlights with barndoors , dimmers and adjustable focus on a adjustable tripod are so much better.

Thanks, I'm going to go for an HDV intro lighting kit, but only after I've tried out my worklights first!

You can put up a light with blue filters and point it from outside the window inside the basement. Adding the sense of moonlight (assuming it's night) coming from a small window can really add for the mood. Add a cut out board with some strokes so you get really the idea the light is coming from a window. Or you let your garden hose spray at the window. Inside the basement you can tell from the light it's raining.

Sadly the basement in question doesn't have windows, but I like the idea of the garden hose.

I would advise against any 35mm DOF adapter for you at this time. They add a lot of extra issues and fiddling that you won't want in addition to all the other stuff you'll need to remember to do for each shot.

True, I think I'll leave that one unless I actually need one.. plus I think my mate has one, the elite.

James,

The first thing I would ask myself is, "Why am I buying this camera?"

I've just come out of University/College myself; I minored in Publishing and majored in partying! HOOOAHHHH! (you american lot should like that?)

Making films has always been my dream; I've made 3 shorts through 'high school', an advert for my county council, been a runner on various film shoots - I've got a bit of a disposable income at the moment and I want to splash out on a high quality set-up so I can create again.

I established a production business in 2007 and it was pretty successful. Sometime when I had saved up some money the EX1 was released. Here I was shooting or getting ready to shoot a ton of projects and renting the HVX200 was getting expensive. So I knew I wanted to buy a camera. The EX1 with its resolution, lowlight capability, great audio, etc. sold me...easily. I knew it'd be a workhorse that wouldn't need upgrading for at least 5 years, unlike the HVX200 which was a work in progress (no offense). But I bought the camera knowing I would be saving money and making money with it. Which I have, albeit not so much due to the economy tanking.

That's awesome mate - I'm planning to set-up my own cheeky production company, already got the suite open! I've got a corporate video lined up for 'Needspace', a pretty successful company in London owned by Wates, the mammoth building corporation.. so I'm excited about that!

My cousin works for Discovery US and directed a progeria documentary which I subsequently edited, and now she's hired me for her film company, Dusklight Films. So, all I want to do is garner enough extra experience from production, as I'm pretty savvy with post already, and start making my own shorts/music videos/corporate/ads, again.

So...why do you want to buy a camera instead of rent one? Why do you want a 35mm adaptor? Have you thought all of this through like I did? Because $7K+ is a substantial investment that needs a lot of consideration.

EX1R is a great camera, and I can afford it. I've used the EX1 before, briefly, for Dusklight Films - loved it (although I don't know much about the XDCAM range).

I think I might discard the Letus35 idea!

Been thinking about this through University - my only major concern now is audio. I'm going for the Rode NTG 2; anyone used this before?

Thanks again gang!

James

 

[nsoltz]

Not certain what you mean by 7063 Tripod? Manfrotto?

If that's the case, just don't. A good sticks with a good head are essential for anything beyond merely static shot. My first choice is Sachtler FSB-6 head but if you rig the EX-1R with a 35mm adapter then you might even need the FSB-8. Miller 20 is next in my own rankings but there are those who prefer Miller to Sachtler.

I wouldn't buy a 35mm adapter unless you really know what you are doing and have the need for that kind of shot. And even then, I would rent a P+S Technik with a Zeiss prime rather than buy an adapter and probably some Nikon lenses from eBay.

The camera is really only a small part of the investment in a proper kit. Good sticks might be almost as important as the camera.

Ned Soltz