Mark Villa
Forum Replies Created
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this is 2015 and I had the chance to shoot with the hm70 and I was impressed. older codec, older everything, difficult low light (needs attentions but can deliver). the footage is good to very good. No SD, just HD@60p so it’s not for broadcast but for everything else gives the amazing shoulder stability, light, not too much front-heavy, almost like a real shoulder. But it’s cheap.
I’ll keep it (just bought one actually): makes private events easier with less fatigue compared to any handheld with a rig.
The audio is kinda poor: it needs a beachtek (badly).
but it works, after years with EX1-like handheld cameras with a rig this HM70 gave me the joy of stable shoots naturally. As it should be. Because it’s cheap, of course… LOL . nice HD camera -
the XDcam is so efficient that if I want to render in vegas 1080 30p there is no option, I have to force it or select something else. I still use the EX1 and I don’t consider the NX3 as the new version , at all! the ex1r is, the EX3 and PMW200 , but not the NX3 ( a quick look to the footage will explain why it isn’t).
I wouldn’t worry (nowadays) about the AVCHD vs. whatever debate, get the camera that gives you the best footage. My EX1 had a tough competition from the AGAC90 (that I still have for fun), but now I use the ea50 for almost everything. it’s a little “rough” but when it comes to the footage is next to spectacular . it’s limited by sony with a slow processing (the EX1 goes on 35mbps while the ea50 only 28, and there is a difference!) . Still the future goes around picture definition (in my opinion), and while the EX1 (3 half-inch sensors vs. the much bigger single sensor of the ea50 or VG30) comes close, the ea50 is simply put better (all considered, no ND, rough zoom, rolling shutter etc.) but what counts is … the pictures. So the XD,NX,whateverX will soon come down to the revolution started by the D90 : decent sensors and less marketing limitations and cheap sensors because (we know that already) regular people can’t produce like the big money broadcast or motion pictures enterprises: too bad that a couple of guys at Nikon’s unveiled the secret (by mistake) and came out with that stunning D90 (remember the embarrassment?) -
Actually I have the version 1.20 , 1.25 , 1.26 , 1.30 in case somebody needs it.
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the ea50 , no questions for me. The time for the small sensor camcorders is about to end. The quality difference is substantial and the only reason why they still sell those is because they have stocks to empty. All the cameras should be with a decent sensor, so we can compete against the kids posting parts of the same event on youtube that look WAY better than the ones we get with the obsolete small sensor prosumer camcorders that cost an arm and a leg and (again) can’t compete against a $300 DSLR (or even cell phones for that matter). Also consider that the clients watch youtube, so they know or at least they can see. The ea50 gives stunning quality , a primitive zoom (but it depends on the lens, so it may get better soon) , no SDI , 1 slot only, no ND!, a pretty bad rolling shutter (so we have to undust our skills and go around that). All the rest is superlative. minus the choice of giving it a slow(ish) bitrate (but that’s marketing, Sony can’t give professional features , if not how will they possibly sell the more expensive cameras?
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I don’t know which one is the best but I can tell what Ive been using and few tips : the manfrotto 521 EX (for the EX1 but there is a version for lanc as well) gives a good balance between price and features : you can select the (constant) speed from the controller and the rocker is very well made, smooth zooms with that one. The libec Z3DV is also well made but I see some “playing”” when it starts zooming (only variable speed with the Z3DV) , now the best is the Vivitar (20bucks or something) : gives a great zoom , focus etc. plus a little knob that can select 16 different constant speeds and even variable. The problem with the Vivitar is the “clicks” of the rocker. They are loud and your microphone can pick up the sound when you zoom . To fix that you open the controller (there are few screws, very easy) and put a piece of paper on the switches of the rocker, then a gaffer tape to make it silent. After that it is the best controller that I have, hands down. ( The Vivitar comes with a 2.5mm to Sony AV/R patch cable, while for the other two you need the same path cable -that will cost as much as the vivitar…by the way)
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it’s a 60p thing. I normally shoot sony EX1 and used to its weight and excellent 30p. BUT after I saw the 60p footage out of the ac90 that a friend gave to me then I had to get one and I did. Small, light , front heavy(ish) on a tripod (but I’ll tell later my cheap fix), a PLEASURE to hold and the SD cards are fantastic for quick jobs. about the front heavy problem on a tripod I attach a cheap focusing rail (20bucks @ B&H and 12 bucks on-line) and works like a charm. Only for smaller and lighter cameras of course but moving the camera will compensate better the counter balance of the fluid head. Mark the best position and we are in business. The only thing that I don’t like about the ac90 is the complicated white balance , not because is difficult but because is bizarre . The only way to get a proper reading is to put a grey card (12%) (not white): THEN it gets it right.
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never mind . found it. thanks
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I agree, there is no doubt that the SxS are safer but we have to face the reality and finding a laptop with the reader is not so easy nowadays. My thinkpad x200 lost the screen , I have a pci card for expresscard in my desktop but I have to plug the card from the back of the PC and reboot every time . Now finding a new laptop with a reader was a challenge: therefore I have to embrace the SD alternative, buy more cards and do some kind of rotation but they are a pleasure to use. No problem (EX1) so far so good. I use 2 Sony SD class 10 32GB
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Hi Julian,
great job! Can I have the dropbox invitation for the EX1 firmware too? my email is villagevoice at yahoo.com
Thank You so much!