Sony EX1 Basics

E

Erick Stoll

Member
Hey there everyone, new user here.

I just got my hands on a new EX1 and am going to spend the next 6 weeks or so shooting documentaries on it. The wealth of information written on this camera is nearly unmanageable! It would be great if you could either point me towards, or suggest your own basic info on the Sony EX1, such a known issues, recommended recording formats, the necessity of picture profiles, and other basic things that someone should definitely know before shooting with this camera.

Thanks!

Erick
 
Hello, I assume you have the updated firmware. 1.11 or 1.12.
I'm sure a lot of cool DVX users will chime in as well, but a few important things right off is...
take detail off on the camera in Picture profile settings. It tends to moray and add a great deal of unneeded sizzle. The camera is way sharp in the first place, so the detail off will only enhance the filmic look.

Also reduce the low gain gain setting to -3, mid setting to 0 hi setting to +3. The most natural filmic setting would be 1/48 shutter 24p. Try and not over expose, don't blow out a shot? And do not use steady shot. It will create more Jello and weird shifts in movements.
Cheers
 
First off, get yourself a copy of the Vortex Media DVD on this camera.

http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_EX1.html

Well worth the few bucks, it will show you the camera inside out. In fact, I skipped the instruction manual altogether in favor of this DVD. Doug offers some tips that might not be intuitive if you just read the owner's guide.

A lot of people advocate using substitutes for the SxS cards. They are considerably less expensive but not all of them work with the various record modes. Unless you need a lot of cards, I'd suggest sticking with SxS, tried and tested and works with all modes of the camera. I get by with two cards and offloading.

There are many hundreds of picture profiles floating around here and other sites. What I'm sensing is a shift toward not using them; shooting raw and tweaking things in your editing software. Magic Bullet Looks has some mighty-fine pre-assembled "looks" that you can apply with a few clicks. I'm really frugal when it comes to software but this is one of the best purchases I've made for my shooting. Just have to remember to use it!

Make yourself a cheat sheet on how to set up slow/quick motion and frame record modes. It is massively cool that the camera does this but the steps can lead to confusion if you don't use them often.

Here are my cheat sheets, one for special effects and one pre-shoot list so I don't miss something simple. The special effect sheet is a modification of one someone posted on DVInfo.net (don't recall the person's name or I'd give direct credit).

Bob
 

Attachments

You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top