[Craig Moore]

I’d say you already have the inexpensive optoin. Considering a 1.5 T usb HD is only about $100 and shipping is not too bad if you’re not in a rush, I’d stick to that. You can get physically smaller HD’s if you know your file capacity or use bare HDs and get one of the toasters for each end : https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/NewerTech/Voyager/Hard_Drive_Dock

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[Craig Moore]

If it’s simple preview/review then why not use vimeo.com as a plus user and then they can stream it. You can password protect it and you are off an running. I do this all the time. For the same amount of time you are FTP uploading it can do the same thing. Unless you require a different viewing option.

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[Craig Moore]

well I have used the cheapo a few times and it is cheapo for sure but as a worst case it would work. It makes you back tired and if you only use the supplied wedge it’s a bit sketchy. But for $40 it’s actually not too bad considering. I’m still looking for something that gives a better counter balance solution but it’s the friggin wild west when looking for a solution. Any new products ppl like?

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[Craig Moore]

haven’t received it yet. Will let you all know.

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[Craig Moore]

I thought long and hard about DSLR or EX1 before I bought my EX1R. I knew photogs who had 5D/7D so i was able to get all kinds of in the field notes.

In a nutshell the DSLRs are akin to traditional filmaking cameras. If you have a great lens kit to compliment the DLSR body (and know the strengths of each) then you have a great tool. But you need that flexibility to match what an all-in-one camera like the EX1 (or any good video camera) is and has built in.

Plus, as I am a small crew or single shooter, having XLR and good audio monitoring and all the other builtin stuff with the ex1 tramples anything a DSLR has. Especially if you already have a letus and extrenal sound. Don’t get caught up, the DSLR can create great shots and kill in tight spaces but they are a tool.

If I were you I’d pickup a 7D (which is a dual sensor and very good) or even a T2i (which has the same senor BTW) to add to your shots and toolkit. Add lenses as budget allows or even better if you know some pro photogs, bring them along and hire them to bring their kit as a 2nd unit or 1st unit that you can DOP/direct. Then you can really see the in and outs of it.

DSLR shooting as a single shoot is very challenging, it is best done as a film crew with focus pullers, and all the fun.

Now that I have my EX1R, I so know i made the right decision, and if I want to up the resolution I can get a Nano flash or something else to capture the SDI out.

Hope that helps

thanks
Craig

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[Craig Moore]

Olof, that should plate looks nice. I may be in contact. Price is fair i’d say

I do like the simplicity and extra lift you can get with the D&S steady stick too though.

I did take a chance just for the hell of it and dropped $40 for elcheapo from ebay/China so we shall see (1. if it ever arrives and 2. if it really works).

From the buzz on this post I’d say I’m not the only one with this question :).

I do see so many high end one that probably don’t do much more than the basic except take your money and look cool. In the end I just wanted something a bit smoother for freehand.

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[Craig Moore]

thanks everyone.

I was shooting all day today semi handheld and tripod and could have used one of these options…as soon as I figure out which one 🙂

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[Craig Moore]

Thanks Craig,

I saw the Sony one and wondered about the breathing component too. It looks like good potential. The vortex also looks slightly cumbersome for some reason. Like I’d whack someone with it or take out an eye.

The red rock looks good though esp s i like a free hand to manually work iris and zoom. I’ve also seen this from Cavision:
https://www.cavision.com/rods/RC1580DSPE.htm
that has a remote control as well and a single/dual handle option.

Ive spoken to a few EX1 owners and all have options but no definite winner. I’ve also seen some ppl using a tiffen steady stick to balance things out a bit.

Just try to see who has used what.

I appreciate the input

thanks

Craig

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[Craig Moore]

I got my EX1R only about 8 months ago and it was tight to get it to start. So I only started with the core card, filter and large capacity battery. Since then I added the newer (less guaranteed read-write) 32 gig card, and a 1500 series pelican case (the cardboard box just didn’t cut it :)). Now I have quick access to several rental houses and am not shooting every day so I can get pro tripod/light/mic as needed on demand. But my next purchases are going to be a god tripod (as mentioned above) SxS usb card reader, shotgun mic, wireless mic and a small ENG light kit as budget enables. If you are shooting all the time these would be essential, plus double backup USB harddrives and a laptop for fled transfers…maybe a PA/monkey to do that for you when you can. I’ve only heard great things about the Nonflash and would consider it if I had the budget to.

Good luck. I stepped up from z1U/V1U and love how it operates. Mind you the harddrives I am accumulating is staggering. Maybe a bluray burner/drive for file archive too.

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[Craig Moore]

Ive done both green screen (in 1080i in HDV … should have searched here first I guess) and against a white seamless. White seamless is nice and you still need to light it well but if you want the option to fly-though some graphics and add creative backgrounds/textures then go green. Definitely use a nano flash to capture the 4:2:2 if you can. I’ve heard great things. If you can also use scopebox to monitor or if you have FCP on a laptop, pull up the scopes to get a real sense of the chroma. This worked for me well.

Pulling key in Motion worked very well with the Primatte RT but I also had great results in FCP native. Even with the HDV 4:2:0 transcoded to Prores.

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