[Dean Longfield]

Hi,

I have an EX1R and have been slowly testing it in the field. On events with loud music I have found the same problem that Jim had. I tried using both the built in mic as well as two shotguns. All I did to adjust the audio was to put the Audi-In setting on Manual and adjust the levels. That does not cut it on the EX1R. Others here on the Cow have suggested that I lower the Trim Level, which is what I’ll try next. (Ext Mic Input, Manual Audio, and bring the trim down). I’m thinking of bringing it down to the -32 or so range and adjust from there. I’m also going to try switching the high/low setting on the AGC, but am hoping that the low is not too muffled. I’m not sure about the gain setting but I initially am planning on leaving it on ‘0’ and taking it from there. This time I’m bringing an attenuator as well,
just in case all in camera methods are not providing suitable results.

Re: Mics: I made the mistake of using a Sennheiser ME-66 indoors with very amplified (LOUD) sound. Not a good combo. Then I used the mic from the old DSR cameras (300/500 series) and that wasn’t really much better.

So I’m going to purchase the Sony recommended mic: the Sony ECM-673/9x Shotgun mic.
It’s an Electret Condensor and has a Super cardiod pick up pattern, (just like the DSR mics).
AND am going to experiment with setting the levels as described above.

There has to be a workable combo of mic choice and audio settings. It’s just a matter of finding it.
With the EX1R, I’ve been recording sets that are not critical to the edit, so if they don’t come out well I
don’t use them, (I use other cameras, that I’m used to, for the critical footage).

When I find the right combo, (that works for me), I’ll report back.

Good luck.

[Dean Longfield]

Re: Battery: Currently, my thinking is to use the external battery mounted to the back of the shoulder brace as a light battery only, but that can be used for double duty in a pinch, (power the cam & light).

Re: Camera Position on the DM Accessories Mount: I first mounted the cam all the way back but could not access the on board battery in terms of taking it on and off, so I moved it one position towards the front so that i could access the battery.

i haven’t tested it much in the field due to end of the year work slowdown, (holidays), and other commitments I had in the beginning of the new year, but will be using it often as the year progresses.

I’m wondering if there is a way to mount a wireless audio receiver to the rear of the mount near the external battery which may slightly help the weight balance. Will look into it.

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks Michael & Ilya for the feedback. I’ll try out your suggestions next time i take the EX1R out in the field.

[Dean Longfield]

Hi Dave,

i sent my second post as a follow up to my first post NOT as a response to your answer/suggestion..
Apparently I was writing my follow-up and you were writing your suggestion at about the same time,
….anyway, I did subsequently read your post and appreciate the suggestion.

Any confusion there of is more to do with the nature internet communication and timing than anything else, (not comprehension or a lack there of).

Have a nice day.

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks Dave. I’ll run some tests using that method.

[Dean Longfield]

I just tried, from an SD – FCP timeline : Share > Apple Pro Res – which made a Apple ProRes 422.mov, which I brought into DDVD SP 4 and the burn came out looking like QT Movie burn (too many artifacts/pixelization).

Traditionaly I had always burned DVD’s using an MPEG-2 source file and it seems that that is still the way to go, and from FCP 7 it appears that using Share > DVD are the settings that will accomplish the MPEG-2 source file.

If there is a way to obtain BETTER quality than what I’ve described above, please let me know.

Thanks !

[Dean Longfield]

I did pick up the DM Accessories EX1R Shoulder Kit with an AB Gold Mount Plate for the EX1R. It’s very sturdy and works very well thus far. I also picked up a DM Accessories VCT Wedge for the shouder kit which enables you to use the unit on a tripod with a Sony VCT-U14 quick release plate. The attachment to the Sony Plate is only from the front and there is no back attachment like on large cameras, but the cam and shoulder brace is surprisingly secure while sitting on the tripod plate using this method. The only thing is I could not “push” the unit onto the VCT-U14 plate where it locked in, but instead have to open the VCT-U14 manually – and while holding it open – place the shoulder brace’s attached Wedge Mount onto the quick release plate, then close the quick release in order to lock it in. Which is fine, just different.

All in all it’s quite a good unit. The cam is much more balanced with a AB Dionic 90 on the back, though s still slightly front heavy. It’s very easy to attach and detach a monopod to the many pe-drilled holes on the unit and using the monopod really takes the weight off my shoulder.

Also you can use the rear battery, in my case an AB Dionic 90, to power the cam if you wish. I’m just using it for the on cam light right now, but it’s good to have that option.

It’s a nice set up that I’ll tweak as I go along.

[Dean Longfield]

Re: Option to use A/B adapter plates: I read it somewhere but can’t recall where. I did call both Sony and A/B and they both said that it’s possible to use the adapter plate with the Nipros ST-7. However, after downloading the PDF on the Nipros ST-7 which states that one should not use both a wireless mic receiver and an external recording device at the same time because it would be too much weight – and after speaking with a distributor rep who confirmed that the ST-7 is actually an ST-1 with an attachment on the back that’s held on by one screw and a post, I’ve decided NOT to get the Nipros ST-7. I’m currently leaning towards the DM Accessories EX1R Shoulder Kit ($399.) with the Pivoting Back Plate, ($89.) where you can attach an A/B Plate for the EX1R, ($150). The above combo costs less than the Nipros ST-7 and appears to be sturdier.

Re: Old A/B Batts: They can be recelled for around $300 for a Hytron 100, 120 or 140 which are all recelled with 140watt hour cells these days. However, when using with the EX1R, Im thinking of using the lighter batts like the Dionic 90’s or Hytron 50’s mainly because they’re light. Less wear and tear on the A/B mount that’s connected to the shoulder brace, not to mention less wear and tear on my shoulder and back…etc

[Dean Longfield]

To answer my own question, jiggling the lens shade back and forth got it to come loose. Then I was able to twist it to the Free position and slide it off.

[Dean Longfield]

Yes, Armato’s is a great camera shop. I highly recommend them. So a “rear shoe kit” aye?
Thanks for that info. I too wondered why there was only one shoe mount on the cam.