OT: Sony PMW-EX1 review points

Serena wrote on 12/14/2007, 11:00 PM

People who may be interested in buying the camera might be interested in comments from those who are currently trying to become familiar with it.

Overall. Excellent. No vignetting (for those concerned). Great viewfinder and LCD. Very nice controls.

I'll confirm Bob's comments on switches: there are a lot and most easily operated with a finger nail (expect to start seeing owners with at least one longer nail); fortunately this is my standard. The on/off switch has to be checked visually. Fortunately many frequently used buttons work with ball of finger pressure.

I'll also confirm that you won't be using it one handed. There's no way to take the weight and steady it while using the other for camera control (focus etc). Holding it by the grip I can't operate the "go" button because my thumb is needed for holding. Of course you can hold by handle (for those low shots) and using two hands (right hand in grip and left underneath with finger working the lens etc it's fine. Must use a support, which I normally do anyway.

Lens controls are excellent. Very nice iris control. Zebras and peaking excellent. White balance easy and quick, with nice enhancements over Z1/FX.

OK, back to the book.

Comments

farss wrote on 12/15/2007, 1:34 AM

I have a feeling this camera isn't OFF when it's Off!

I put a fully charged battery on the camera 36 hours ago, haven't turned it on since and the battery says it's half flat. Someone else mentioned this but now I've seen the same thing. Not a big issue if you know about it but what's the camera doing with all that energy?

Bob.

Serena wrote on 12/15/2007, 1:51 AM

I was interested that the instructions tell us to discharge the battery if it is to be stored for a long period. 24 hours, I read. Only partly discharged. I was wondering how to do that, and maybe you've found that out.

Serena wrote on 12/15/2007, 10:28 PM

I'd assumed (dangerous things, those!) that my Chrosziel rails would not be correct for the EX1. In fact the difference in lens centre line to base (FX to EX) is 1.50mm. My Chrosziel has plenty of adjustment to cope with that.

Taking up the matter of "vignetting" I checked carefully and I do have a little on the RHS (top & bottom corners). Doesn't appear to be of practical significance in my test shooting, but will report to Sony and check with Pro Hi-Tech to find what they have to say. I understand that re-centering the lens is the fix.

edit: no problems parking the LCD with the matte box installed, but easier to operate the filter trays with the LCD unparked.

MH_Stevens wrote on 12/16/2007, 3:03 AM

I'm wonering if the RedrockMicro mattebox I pre-ordered will work with the EX1. You there Brian?

Serena wrote on 12/16/2007, 3:41 AM

I think if it will work with the FX it will be fine. The inbuilt mic sticks a little further forward.