[Paul Zwicker]

My EX3 is serial number 110. Got it here in Wisconsin late in July.
First real test was last week. I had the stabilizer on for the shoot at 720/60, 125th shutter, -3db.
I shot in full sun and needed the first ND setting to open the lens up at times. 2nd ND setting was too much at times with the -3db setting when I wanted to shoot into the shadows.

Some of my settings for a High Saturation look (client wanted to see lots of color-pre-post).

Matrix: High Sat.
Level: +66
phase: 0
r-g: 0
r-b: 0
g-r: 0
g-b: -90
g-g: -44

Knee setting: on
auto knee: off
point: 100
slope: +60
knee sat: 0

Gamma: level:+25
Select: S+DI

low Key Sat: -4

I also stretched the blacks to +2.
I am tempted to stretch the blacks further from the look of my field monitor.
I found my field monitor (Marshall V-R84DP-HD) looks dark even hooded with the brightness cranked and set up with color bars. Not sure if I’ve set it up wrong or if it’s simply super black in the blacks.

Anyway, the camera looks really nice overall and I love the SDI output. One cable out instead of component-nice.

At times I wished I had the additional wide lens, but for the most part I liked the image the lens has that the camera comes with.
I can’t wait for a job to come along that pays for a Letus.

My client enjoyed the time lapse bit I did of a crew setting up a structure. 3 frames/second.

I am really enjoying this camera.

Paul Zwicker
ZwickFlicks, LLC

[Paul Zwicker]

Michael,
My apologies, I misread your post.

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

“The EX3 system adapted in some way must be the answer where we can view the magnified screen through a properly shielded eye piece.”

I am confused as to what you want. The EX3 has just that-a focusable (is that a word?) covered viewfinder with an eyecup that flips up and out of the way to view the open LCD.

I have added the old wrist-sweat band for the eyepiece since it is a little firmer than a standard full-sized one.

I like the design and am quite happy with the diopter in the viewfinder.
The LCD is very bright and you can play with the peaking (I use it cranked full to find focus quickly) and play with contrast to use in full sun quite well.

Now if they would only add about 20lbs (kidding!)….

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

I have to agree that the EX1 is a bit of a pain to handhold. I too, am old-school, TK-76 with no shoulder pad did do a number on me over the years.
I missed the shoulder mount-style camera when I demo’d the EX1.
That demo determined my choice of the EX3 over the EX1.
Shoulder pad on the EX3 is not so great-but the new viewfinder on the side where you can now tuck it in to your shoulder, is a HUGE PLUS. I can only hope the plastic shoulder extender lasts. That said, the camera seems SO much better to handhold.
I have not put a larger lens on this thing yet so I am not sure how it will work handheld with more weight up front. As I hold it now, I am supporting some of the weight with my left hand when I am not focusing or riding iris. Still I am very happy I waited-my camera arrived last week and I can’t wait to make some cash with it.

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

I kinda figured I’d be plucking foam for this camera. I need to travel it next week so I grabbed a Pelican case a local vendor had in stock.
The EX 3 appears to need to rest on its bottom for travel with its heavy viewfinder. That requires a deep case.
I went with a model 1640. My old boss helped me and we made sure the viewfinder had support.
Large and nearly square, it does the job. I have in it the camera, 8.4″ LCD, Hoodman, AB T2 charger,2 TrimPak 14’s,
Dual wireless system, Sony charger, 2 Sony BPU 60’s, 1 BPU 30, 320 G hard drive, shotgun, Sony card reader, Sony headset, cables, and room for an extra lens.

Gotta say the thing weighs a ton but it’s ready to go. Now to see if it really is overweight for airlines.
If only I could get my sticks in there.

[Paul Zwicker]

Armin,
Thanks for the input.

Looks like my home monitor is really set up warm-thought I had it dialed-in beter.
Footage looks OK at the post house.

I am still wondering if anyone has any suggestions for getting that knee to work better in clouds when the f-stop is set for a wooden swing-set.

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

For the EX1, I thought you had to have a monitor that takes SDI?
Am I wrong?

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your input.

I’ll give the EX1 a test drive in several modes this week.

It’s just been a long 2 months researching these cameras that are in my price range.

I could give up on this less expensive camera that I was going to pair up with the Letus Extreme and some Nikons. Then I would have a little cash for a 2/3″ chip camera. But I’d rather has a small “travel” camera and rent the big guys.

Love this forum-you guys are great.

When I get my gear you’ll see me posting more often.

Paul

[Paul Zwicker]

You guys have no idea how hard it is to read this thread and choose a camera (under $10,000) to purchace.

I am testing the EX1 this week. I want to be sure I can capture clean moving video. I have a client who is nervous that this may not be the correct camera to shoot children on playsets swinging away.
Last time we shot on a F900 and slo-mo was great when captured @30fps.
Now a post house the client may use has expressed concern.

So. Perhaps I should go back to my original camera choice (JVC 200) and shoot in 720 on HDV and harddrive backup. Or it may be that shooting the EX1 in 720p @60fps will look just dandy.

Argggggh.

BTW. Thank you all for you insights here. It is remarkable how information is shared.

Paul