EVA1: New Master Information Thread for the EVA1

Hi Mitch,

Just wanted to follow up on this from a couple weeks back. I'm sure it's been busy, just want to make sure it doesn't get lost in the shuffle, as I am still wondering about these items and haven't yet found a solution on my end.

However, I will also add to the list that on every reboot/re-power up, I have to manually turn back on Zebras, Peaking, WFM, etc. It would be nice if the camera would just remember what I previously had on and setup. Also, there doesn't seem to be a way to turn on the Spot Button without assigning it to a user button (ie I can't just leave the spot meter perma-on). The reason this is a problem is because I like to have the button on the EVA1 grip, and my other user buttons assigned to other items. Unfortunately, when I remove the grip for something - say a gimble or other setup, now this user 9 button is gone... and I can't get the spot meter on any other way...

filmguy123 said:
Mitch, I have a handful of other question/grievances and hoping I am wrong on some of them:

- 1920x1080 is limited to LongGOP 422 50m? This is bogus to me and borders on infurariating. It's a worse internal codec than GH5, and it's the mode where VFR modes are used and the extra bitrate would be very needed. It's a step backwards from a $2000 camera.

- No way to have both VFR and shutter controllable on camera body wheel? There is a user switch for the rolling dial, and it can be set to VFR (great) or shutter (great) but the problem is these are both highly desirable features to have quickly accessible. And I have to choose between one or the other?

- No Zebra % display on the LCD. I can set Zebra1, Zebra2. But no reminder as to what each Zebra is or which one I am on, either immediately upon switch, or permanently on LCD? Also, when I bind the zebra on/off to a user button, it does not appear to be toggling between zeb1/zeb2/off? Only zeb on/off? (I could be mistaken on the later part?).

- Unable to bind a user button to BASE ISO swap between 800/2500. Seriously? So, I can set to run on Base800 and then user the wheel to jump up and down in ISO here. And then I can pop back into the menu to change to Base 2500, and use the wheel. Or I can make the swap locked between Base 800-Base 2500 only. Fine. But what I need most is a quick user button to bind to base 800, or base 2500, and then the wheel to toggle settings in between these. But I can't set any user button to change BASE? Not only that, when I jump to the Varicam HOME screen and tap the Base 800 it takes me to another screen to cycle ISO within the same base, and I can't even change there? I have to call up the menu and drill in?

- Increments to shutter and VFR have to be manually added to presets to scroll through. I don't mind this usually, but there should be an option to "freescroll". Here is the reason. Take shutter. So, I bind my user switch to shutter, and now I can use the wheel and rotate through shutters... 144, 172, 180, 247, etc. Cool. Anything I want to add, is a laborious process in the menu to add custom values (174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179). But, I do like that I can customize this as often you don't need all of that. However there needs to be a free flowing synchro scan option because often with flickering lights and slow motion settings, or various electronics, you need a very quick way to just cycle through to get rid of flicker, and as of now if I am on set I have to go into the menu and start fiddling and adding presets. And once I do that, now my "cleaner" settings of "144, 172, 180, 247" are ruined and I have messy menu. So I like keeping the current system (main presets with option to add) plus a free-flowing syncho scan option so if I am using the wheel on the camera body I can get any shutter setting, immediately. Same would be nice for VFR as an option, though shutter is critical, VFR is a nicety. With shutter it's very difficult to just lock a common setting if you are using various FPS settings under various lighting settings.

- Everytime I changes sensors mode and come back to S35/4k in system settings, it defaults back to 420 100. This is annoying as during quick swaps to different modes (ie HD for VFR, back to 4K) it needs to remember my last setting, not make me reset my codec everytime. Or at a minimum, default to the 422 codec because I don't know many EVA1 users who will ever prefer defaulting to 8bit 420...

Suggestions:

- LongGOP 422 150, or at least 100, should be available in 1080p HD (this is crazy).
- Base ISO 800/2500 toggle should be bindable to a user button
- User button 9 on the grip should have a "press and hold" modifier option that could change the function of the iris dial to either shutter, vfr, or ISO
- Syncho Scan shutter option for flickering lights and monitors, without having to "corrupt" my presets to add a ton, and drill way into menus to adjust
- Zebra information on LCD should show, an option for both a permanent overlay of percentage + zebra setting (1, 2) and/or on button tap as you rotate through "zebra 1 80%, zebra 2 100%, zebra off".
- HOME screen should be able to tap on Base ISO to change there


............

I also have a list of other suggestions growing, but to me these are must-haves that I would consider "fixes", not "feature requests".

Sorry if this comes off overly harsh, and I understand the camera is brand new. As an early adopter, I'm happy to be part of the process but one concern would be: are these things you agree with and that are feasible to implement on an updated firmware? They seem simple and reasonable enough to me, and as a target user who values the nimble lightweight/small size (ie high speed) nature of the camera some of these are very difficult to swallow if they are considered unimportant, low priority, or unfeasible.

Thank you much for the input and your presence here!
Click to expand...
 
Just got my EVA1 in yesterday. I concur with filmguy on these current drawbacks to the interface. Particularly on the inability to switch between Base800 and 2500 without drilling down into the menu. Otherwise, loving the camera and looking forward to shooting with it.

filmguy123 said:
Mitch, I have a handful of other question/grievances and hoping I am wrong on some of them:

- 1920x1080 is limited to LongGOP 422 50m? This is bogus to me and borders on infurariating. It's a worse internal codec than GH5, and it's the mode where VFR modes are used and the extra bitrate would be very needed. It's a step backwards from a $2000 camera.

- No way to have both VFR and shutter controllable on camera body wheel? There is a user switch for the rolling dial, and it can be set to VFR (great) or shutter (great) but the problem is these are both highly desirable features to have quickly accessible. And I have to choose between one or the other?

- No Zebra % display on the LCD. I can set Zebra1, Zebra2. But no reminder as to what each Zebra is or which one I am on, either immediately upon switch, or permanently on LCD? Also, when I bind the zebra on/off to a user button, it does not appear to be toggling between zeb1/zeb2/off? Only zeb on/off? (I could be mistaken on the later part?).

- Unable to bind a user button to BASE ISO swap between 800/2500. Seriously? So, I can set to run on Base800 and then user the wheel to jump up and down in ISO here. And then I can pop back into the menu to change to Base 2500, and use the wheel. Or I can make the swap locked between Base 800-Base 2500 only. Fine. But what I need most is a quick user button to bind to base 800, or base 2500, and then the wheel to toggle settings in between these. But I can't set any user button to change BASE? Not only that, when I jump to the Varicam HOME screen and tap the Base 800 it takes me to another screen to cycle ISO within the same base, and I can't even change there? I have to call up the menu and drill in?

- Increments to shutter and VFR have to be manually added to presets to scroll through. I don't mind this usually, but there should be an option to "freescroll". Here is the reason. Take shutter. So, I bind my user switch to shutter, and now I can use the wheel and rotate through shutters... 144, 172, 180, 247, etc. Cool. Anything I want to add, is a laborious process in the menu to add custom values (174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179). But, I do like that I can customize this as often you don't need all of that. However there needs to be a free flowing synchro scan option because often with flickering lights and slow motion settings, or various electronics, you need a very quick way to just cycle through to get rid of flicker, and as of now if I am on set I have to go into the menu and start fiddling and adding presets. And once I do that, now my "cleaner" settings of "144, 172, 180, 247" are ruined and I have messy menu. So I like keeping the current system (main presets with option to add) plus a free-flowing syncho scan option so if I am using the wheel on the camera body I can get any shutter setting, immediately. Same would be nice for VFR as an option, though shutter is critical, VFR is a nicety. With shutter it's very difficult to just lock a common setting if you are using various FPS settings under various lighting settings.

- Everytime I changes sensors mode and come back to S35/4k in system settings, it defaults back to 420 100. This is annoying as during quick swaps to different modes (ie HD for VFR, back to 4K) it needs to remember my last setting, not make me reset my codec everytime. Or at a minimum, default to the 422 codec because I don't know many EVA1 users who will ever prefer defaulting to 8bit 420...

Suggestions:

- LongGOP 422 150, or at least 100, should be available in 1080p HD (this is crazy).
- Base ISO 800/2500 toggle should be bindable to a user button
- User button 9 on the grip should have a "press and hold" modifier option that could change the function of the iris dial to either shutter, vfr, or ISO
- Syncho Scan shutter option for flickering lights and monitors, without having to "corrupt" my presets to add a ton, and drill way into menus to adjust
- Zebra information on LCD should show, an option for both a permanent overlay of percentage + zebra setting (1, 2) and/or on button tap as you rotate through "zebra 1 80%, zebra 2 100%, zebra off".
- HOME screen should be able to tap on Base ISO to change there


............

I also have a list of other suggestions growing, but to me these are must-haves that I would consider "fixes", not "feature requests".

Sorry if this comes off overly harsh, and I understand the camera is brand new. As an early adopter, I'm happy to be part of the process but one concern would be: are these things you agree with and that are feasible to implement on an updated firmware? They seem simple and reasonable enough to me, and as a target user who values the nimble lightweight/small size (ie high speed) nature of the camera some of these are very difficult to swallow if they are considered unimportant, low priority, or unfeasible.

Thank you much for the input and your presence here!
Click to expand...
 
Hi Mitch / et. all,

For EVA1 Raw support, I am looking at Atomos Shogun Inferno Media List:

https://www.atomos.com/drives

Do I need one of the (much more) expensive Angelbird Atomos 4KRAW drives, or Sony G Series SSDs (or Sandisk Extreme Pro)?

I notice the Sony G Series are cheaper - any reason to recommend Angelbird over the Sony?
 
So apparently someone found my question unhelpful, but I am not really sure why?

I was under the impression the Samsung 850 Pro series were cream of the crop and could handle whatever. I was going to snag a couple of those, but it seems they aren't fast enough for RAW? Just trying to decide what is worth it before spending almost 2x as much if I needed a specific brand or faster SSD?
 
It's not just about the speeds. Sometimes hardware doesn't play well together (hence the existence of proprietary media even though that's about making more money too). At one point in time, premium Sandisk CFast cards were failing in BM URSAs and they were removed from BM's approved list and discontinued by Sandisk a few months later.

I'm assuming per usual Panasonic and/or Atomos will release their own lists of SSDs they have tested for the EVA-1's RAW when it's time, and you'll also have some forum users test other SSDs that aren't on the list that might work as well.
 
Thank you NorBro, this is helpful. In the meantime I will just use a spare SSD I have here to run some tests, and purchase my real SSD setup when RAW is released.
 
I can note from my previous employment that while Samsung 850 SSDs (and apparently now 950s as well) were SSDs that Convergent Design found that would work with the Odyssey7Q+ at all record speeds and formats, they were listed as not performing properly with Atomos. It has to do with the way the SATA bus is addressed by the master device. This is why I'm constantly telling people that they can't just assume any SDXC card with the right read/write numbers will work in all modes on an EVA1. If it's not a V60 it may not and even then there have been reports on some models from users. Of course the Panasonic V90 cards work great.
 
Is it known whether the future RAW update is going to be a paid upgrade/license or a "free" firmware update? Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere but I have not been able to find the answer.
 
Mitch, was RAW scheduled for Q1 2018? Will it be coming same time as 400mbps ALL I? Sorry if this was already answered but it’s hard to keep all the times straight!
 
filmguy123 said:
Mitch, was RAW scheduled for Q1 2018? Will it be coming same time as 400mbps ALL I? Sorry if this was already answered but it’s hard to keep all the times straight!
Click to expand...

At this time the official word is “early 2018” for both All-I codecs and RAW Output. If they will be together and other specifics have not yet been released. As soon as the word is official I will share it.
 
Good to read those lines, Mitch.
Thanks!

After the first tests and before my first actual shooting for one week abroad, I have to say it's a very nice camera.

The handgrip isn't the sturdiest I've ever seen and I'd love to have a custom button just underneath the wheel button.

The IR filter seems to be a weak one, I've already recognized quite some IR pollution on black cloth.

And the display: It's so nice to have this home Varicam Style Home Menu with touchscreen control. Bravo!
But the display itself is not up to the task of the camera.
Contrast and brightness are rather low plus its totally glossy!
You can use it as a mirror in the sun easily...
A small Sony-style loupe/hood combination would have been very welcome.
The Zacuto add-on is a rather heavy and huge construction and not really suitable if you want a stripped down cinema camera.

I'm still evaluating other solutions.
I'd add a 5" display with loupe immediately but if you want RAW there's only the 7" Atomos and Odyssey monitor/recorders.

Please team up with a 3rd party manufacturer to produce a nice and light clip on loupe for the dispay!
 
Agree with you Erik! 100%.

Anyway, you could also try the SmallHD focus or 502 with loupe product, and then just swap that out with atomos when needing RAW. Or mount both if ok with weight. All the batteries bog it down so you could look at Gripper GR-75 mini batteries to power the camera and displays and mount that directly on the camera.

All that to say, I agree, the one big misstep on EVA1 is display. It’s silly to design a camera with these ergos and overlook the practical obligations that kitting out with a decent screen requires. If they could have found a way to do internal 4K 60p 10 bit 422 and made the display SmallHD Focus quality with a shade + lightweight loupe accessory the camera would truly only requiring kitting out for RAW or big productions. But as is, for any 4K delivery with any level of slow motion you basically NEED a recorder, and in all cases, NEED a screen.... one which won’t transfer the nice VariCam menu controls... all fine for a camera not prioritizing size and weight as the EVA1 so prominently touts.

Outside of this, and some niggles with the menus and switches, it’s a very very nice camera.
 
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