Considering Sony EX?

[Accountclosed]

I’d say, based on all that I have read about this model, that it is poised to create a virtual avalanche in the camera market for lightweight HD cams. Sony must be trying to head off the Silicon Imaging and Red One offerings, which are super cameras at absurdly-low prices.

So far, the still images that have been posted from this model seem degraded and not compelling. I am waiting for some raw footage to play with and evaluate. But based on the specs, it looks like it solves every problem that faces event videographers and indie filmmakers.

This camera is poised to be the new darling of the indie film industry. I just hope Sony doesn’t screw around with pricing. We’re definately going to purchase a number of these. I wish I had them right now for a symphony concert we’re covering this month.

Take care,

Mark & Mary Ann Weiss

https://www.basspig.com The Bass Pig’s Lair – 15,000 Watts of Driving Stereo!
https://www.mwcomms.com
https://www.adventuresinanimemusic.com

[Rafael Amador]

Make it 422 and will be the revolution. As 420 there is not point to compare it with RED ONE.
However I think I will buy one as soon as get released.
Cheers,
rafael

[Craig Seeman]

Apparently those “select” few who’ve been able to test preproduction models say the image is comperable to the 350 (355).

Regarding the 4:2:0, I’m wondering what XDCAM HD shooters/editors (335, 355) are doing as far as editing codec used for compositing, keying, color correction. On Final Cut Pro would it make sense to convert to ProRes (IMX50 or another codec?).

[Don Greening]

[Craig Seeman] “Apparently those “select” few who’ve been able to test preproduction models say the image is comperable to the 350 (355).”

Except that the 350 is a 1440×1080 picture, whereas the EX is 1920×1080. Does this mean that the EX will have a slightly more detailed picture because of the higher pixel count? Recent tests I have read also suggest that the EX is also a full F stop faster than the 350 in low light. This last point also tells me that, although the pixels on the EX chip are physically smaller than the ones on the 350, they’re more efficient at passing light. Maybe this is the difference between CCD technology and CMOS.

I wish it was November already.

– Don

[Accountclosedduetopolicyviolations]

Sony are releasing in October 2 new XDCAM HD cameras f335 and f355 with the same identical block like on f350 and f330.
Why aren’t they using “better” CMOS-like on EX??

You see,there is more to picture then lines,pixels,sensitivity.

[Don Greening]

[jiri vrozina] “Why aren’t they using “better” CMOS-like on EX??
“

Perhap because CCD technology is a proven format, whereas CMOS for video is an emerging techology that has many miles to go before it becomes accepted by the masses. One of the first CMOS cameras was the Sony V1U which was found to have quite a noisy picture in low light. A lot of my fellow videographers found this unacceptable and decided not to buy the V1U because of this. I’m hoping that the different CMOS sensors in the EX don’t suffer from the same problem. This is what I’m trying to find out by reading every test I can get my hands on. Noisy sensors would certainly stop me from buying the EX.

What we’re all looking for, at least in my part of the world, is a quality high def replacement for the PD170.

– Don

[Craig Seeman]

Oct 10 & 11 is HD World in NYC Javits Center. I suspect Sony will be exhibiting the EX1 there so I’ll see what I can find out first hand.

I was under the impression from those who tested preproduction models that they said it looked “clean” in low light (I’m sure that’s subjective though but I think these were people who had used the 350).

[Accountclosedduetopolicyviolations]

[Don Greening] ” One of the first CMOS cameras was the Sony V1U which was found to have quite a noisy picture in low light.”

Yes-it is 1/4′ only.

[Don Greening] “Noisy sensors would certainly stop me from buying the EX.”

Agree 100%.

One final point here especially for users who are delivering SD end product either on DVD or tape.
Make sure your final HD to SD Downconversion does not look worse then current picture from Z1 or HVX-200.

[Craig Seeman]

I’m looking at the possibility of using Flip4Mac’s new Pipeline to do downcoverts to SD in real time.

I’d take SD out of the SDI and convert to either DVCPro50 or IMX50. If Pipeline matches the Time Code on the HD source from the card then one can back up the cards to XDCAM and use the DVCPro50 or IMX50 edit to “autoconfirm” the SD edit to HD if/when such edit is needed.

Of course if one KNOWS one is going to deliver in HD one might simply edit in HD and then downconvert in software but, for me, I’m going on the assumption that most of my clients are going to (still are) using SD only delivery.

[Don Greening]

Craig,

Looking forward to any info on the EX you can gather from the upcoming trade show.

– Don