legrevedotcom
Veteran
Im happy with the fs7 II... no remorse 
FS7: Would You Buy A Panasonic AU-EVA1?
- Thread starter Liam Hall
- Start date
As someone who owns several Sony cameras and also bought an EVA1 a few months ago, I've actually been surprised by the extent to which my clients have accepted the EVA1 (and dealing with a different set of codecs) on their shoots. I bought it originally because I needed a light 4k camera with more than one output plus timecode in/out and clearscan that I could use to build a handheld teleprompter rig for all-day shooting. (Entire rig, including prompter, monitor, lens, camera, wireless receivers, batteries, quick release and shoulder support with dual handles currently comes in at 13.5 pounds.) First 10 shoot days with it probably paid off half the cost, and the light weight made it a lot easier on me. Perhaps if the FS5 had offered multiple outputs while recording 4k, timecode and clearscan I would have gone that way. I already knew that the FS7/XDCA rig I had been using would be far too heavy for all the handheld prompter 25+ page days that were scheduled this spring.
But its light weight and adjustability (I tweaked a profile to match a couple of my Sony's - My clients don't want or accept LOG) have made it really convenient to bring along as a B or C camera as well. I also set up what I consider a slightly nicer profile that can be used for single camera shoots.
From an owner perspective, when I look back at getting clients to accept new/different cameras, I'd say EVA1 acceptance hasn't been any more difficult than getting them on board with XDcam formats, or with XAVC (and much easier than XAVC-L).
From an operator perspective the EVA1 isn't perfect. You've read it elsewhere, but the LCD viewing screen isn't very usable outside, the new handle mount isn't the best and doesn't have much outside support yet, and I miss having the option to quickly change between interchangeable PL, Nikon and Canon mount options. But it is extremely small and light, is very customizable, and I've matched it to be used with both Sony and Amira (/Alexa mini) cameras.
In terms of overall popularity, I don't know if it will ever be as successful as the FS7. One difference I've noticed in marketing is that while it seems to me that Sony starts with very few cameras available, slowly ramps up production and finally hits its production stride about 6 months into its cycle, on the EVA1 panasonic also started slow, but released very large shipments both 1 month and 2 months after initial release, and I haven't followed it much since then. So although we're only about 6 months into release, there are a surprising number of cameras out there. I do keep running into other operators who mention having just bought one... I traded in an old PMW200 when I bought the EVA1 - but I'm not rushing to sell my other Sony cameras. They all seem to co-exist pretty well right now.
But its light weight and adjustability (I tweaked a profile to match a couple of my Sony's - My clients don't want or accept LOG) have made it really convenient to bring along as a B or C camera as well. I also set up what I consider a slightly nicer profile that can be used for single camera shoots.
From an owner perspective, when I look back at getting clients to accept new/different cameras, I'd say EVA1 acceptance hasn't been any more difficult than getting them on board with XDcam formats, or with XAVC (and much easier than XAVC-L).
From an operator perspective the EVA1 isn't perfect. You've read it elsewhere, but the LCD viewing screen isn't very usable outside, the new handle mount isn't the best and doesn't have much outside support yet, and I miss having the option to quickly change between interchangeable PL, Nikon and Canon mount options. But it is extremely small and light, is very customizable, and I've matched it to be used with both Sony and Amira (/Alexa mini) cameras.
In terms of overall popularity, I don't know if it will ever be as successful as the FS7. One difference I've noticed in marketing is that while it seems to me that Sony starts with very few cameras available, slowly ramps up production and finally hits its production stride about 6 months into its cycle, on the EVA1 panasonic also started slow, but released very large shipments both 1 month and 2 months after initial release, and I haven't followed it much since then. So although we're only about 6 months into release, there are a surprising number of cameras out there. I do keep running into other operators who mention having just bought one... I traded in an old PMW200 when I bought the EVA1 - but I'm not rushing to sell my other Sony cameras. They all seem to co-exist pretty well right now.
Yes, no camera is perfect, and tend to pick them up when they meet a specific need.
Actually, one nice thing about the EVA1 (which I didn't even think about using when I bought it) is its digital punch-in feature. It's not a digital zoom, but it allows you (while not rolling) to change the sensor crop from its full 5.6k to just a 4k area. What you give up is the oversampling and the larger sensor area for shallower DOF, but what you pick up is an ability to change the frame size range of your lens by 1.4x while still using 4k. I have a couple of 28-70 lenses which I love, but sometimes the range I really need 40-100mm. I've utilized the feature a few times in the last two weeks, and was surprisingly happy with it.
Gizmosgadget
Active member
Performing a sensor crop doesn't affect the DOF. Only changing your focal length or aperture will affect the DOF.
Sorry, I should have specified DOF for the effective shot size...
In other words, if I have a 50mm lans on the camera and sensor crop in, I still have the DOF of the 50mm lens for the new frams size.
But if I were to stay with the full sensor and switch to a 70mm lens, thereby getting the same shot size, I would have the reduced DOF of the 70mm lens.
Bigger sensor areas are better for shallower DOF.
In other words, if I have a 50mm lans on the camera and sensor crop in, I still have the DOF of the 50mm lens for the new frams size.
But if I were to stay with the full sensor and switch to a 70mm lens, thereby getting the same shot size, I would have the reduced DOF of the 70mm lens.
Bigger sensor areas are better for shallower DOF.
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Earlier in this thread I said no...I've really liked what I've seen out of this camera so far though...the mount made it a no for me...now Netflix has added it to their list of Netflix production acceptable cameras...as most of my favorite glass is in Nikon mount, including my favorite set of zooms, I'm looking at some Leitax mount converters...from Nikon to EF...so between image and Netflix I can see myself landing up with the camera...compact as it is though, I'll build mine out, as it would mostly live on sticks and a VCT 14 plate...and I like the focus/exposure tools of a Atomos recorder/ monitor and will shoot to SSD if I get it.