Why? The pros outweighs the cons. A few months ago, I was asked to create a video for a client. This video was to be sent to different countries introducing my country to potential investors. Seems like nothing new? Well, the odd thing was that I am/was a wedding photography by profession. Seems like the powers that are decided it was time for me to move on to the next stage of development. Our economic development board had asked my colleague, a professional event/commercial photog, author of Shimworld, Jan Shim, on who they could ask to do a video that would be different to all the other videos they had seen.
Weeks later, I had been appointed to provide that video. So how does a photographer start doing cinematography? Well, fortunately, for me, I was already pretty much involved in working with Final Cut Pro for the video motion slideshows I was creating for my clients as part of my package. Add to that, I had recently acquired a 2nd hand XL2 as a new toy to play with.
To make things interesting, my proposal to the client was to deliver the content in HDV because I hated the look of SD on HD LCDs and I wanted to deliver something that had a longer shelf life. So a few of us got together and within a space of 3 weeks and two Sony FX-7e later, we delivered a makeshift video for an international meeting called the Brunei Forum held in Singapore. 4 weeks later, my team and I (well.. mostly I) are working on a few new projects and shooting more footage.
Here, the workings and decisive factors for the EX1 came up. We were to fly on a helicopter to gather footage for the Heart of Borneo project, part of a conservation effort to protect and promote the equatorial rainforests here. Having the recent experience with HDV, I knew the codec would not be enough to handle moving footage we were going to get so I decided we had to invest in a progressive HD camera. These were our options:
- Canon XL-H1 (i was a Canon still camera user with heavy investment in Canon professional equipment)
- Panasonic HVX200 3) Sony PMW-EX1 All three were priced at about the same with the Canon having the least running costs (archival) whilst the solid state cameras were expensive to buy (P2 cards SxS cards , HDD/BLD archives)..
I spent a lot of time looking at various footages, reviews and trawling various forums. Each camera had its own ups and downs.
- XL-H1: ve - wide to long tele, MiniDV, Step selectable color temperature, shoulder-mount, low light performance -ve - HDV, not using real progressive chips, 1440x1080
- HVX200: ve - film look, Solid state, DVCpro, overcrank/undercrank -ve - 960x576 upscaled, expensive media
- PMW-EX1: ve: Solid state, Fujinon lens, f1.9 throughout, XDCAM EX, 1920x1080 native, overcrank/undercrank -ve: unbalanced (hard to hand hold), expensive media
Finally, I decided to go with the EX1. Why? 1920x1080p would be useful especially with Smoothcam and 720p crops. Then the Fujinon lens with the consistent f-stop throughout its focal range (like my L lenses). All I was wishing for next was only to have a selectable color temp from the Canon.
A few days later, after the shooting from the Heli, my choices were spot on. The considerable consistent vibrations from the Heli were smoothed out at 720p crops, the frames were sharp and crisp and the colors recorded (although 4-2-0) were brilliant (customised profiles).
The camera was a bitch to hold for three hours though. I had ordered the el-cheapo should brace recommended by Phillip Bloom but is still in transit. So, to help save my wrists, I attached a monopod with a folding manfrotto QR head on the camera and balanced the left lopesiding by positioning the monopod leg to the right. It actually worked :)
To date, I've still not done much with the Letus Extreme on this cam yet though I already have the achromat and everything else ready. I'll be going off to film deep in the rainforest next week and this is where I believe the LEX and EX1 partnership will shine. The problem is.. as the name says.. rainforest.. lots of rain and moisture. Luckily, I ordered in a rainjacket (camera) and I have existing waterproof bags from the still photography. Wish me luck. Will put up some new ground footage when I return.
