Good review! I think I stick with my EX1.
It just fits in my backpack which is important because it was either the EX1 or a drivers license :)

I bought an EX1 so I am stuck with a train.

it's still a great great camera!

I'm going to have to remove '1' from the name of the channel now to accommodate the EX1's big bro.

Wow! Thanks Phil for the wonderful review and for the time and effort you put into making this a polished looking video! Quick question: does the viewfinder flip all the way up, for getting very low shots?

yes it does stephen, it is a very flexible viewfinder, it moves as much as you see me move the actual screen

can you tell us what shoulder mount you bought to use with your ex1? Maybe a link?

Phil, you have a future as an auctioneer :-)

Awesome review, camera looks amazing! Did you shoot the beauty shots with your EX1/Letus rig?

For a guy who's "Not a Sony Rep" you have the spcheel down! How long do we have to wait?

Thanks Phil! Great review. Quick and to the point. This is how a review should be done. It was good to finally meet you in person.

I want to 'like' this video as it was well made and Philip did a great job, but I actually hate it as we've just bought an EX1... Rats.

Dear P, can you please tell me how much is going to cost de EX3, I just bought my self Ex1 and I feel a little depress. Were can I find information about how to use the EX1? I have manual, I want good advises about video format, shutter, gain, and settings...
Thanks

So Philip. I suppose this means you won't be needing your EX1 anymore... hmmm... I don't have an EX1... I'd quite like an EX1... did I mention how nice that rim light looked on you =D

Phil are you going to sign it and which camera is it 1 or 2 !! is this an auction?

Mark

camera 2, yes will sign the front of the lens..on the glass

great review Phil! How much is the EX3?

wow, nice review, thanks

don't you just love Phil's sense of humour! permanent ink I hope would hate for it to come off...it would be a great watermark!!!

Thanks a lot for the review. I just really want to know if the camera accepts interchangeable lenses then what is the use of 35mm converters?

Hi Phil, great review...

I take it from this that the LCD is "permanently open"?

Also, the 60Gb drive is welcome, annoyingly small. I'm hoping this'll get bumped up before release.

How long do you reckon before Letus gets a relay going for this camera? That'd be sweet...

i doubt it. i expect they kept it small to protect sales of the cards

they say it will be ready when the ex3 is released

Brilliant review. Compared to me, you live in some rarefied air and I'm jealous. [grin]

Wow! What a great review. Thanks. I just hope that Sony doesn't put you on the road selling these things. I enjoy your work too much and would hate to see less of it. :)

Thanks for the great overview Philip. Any word yet on whether the EX3 will do 50Mbps 422 recording to SxS?
That would be another reason to favour it over the EX1.

the convergent design recorder will record xdcam codec 4:2:2 50mbps to compact flash connected via HDSDI, about £2000 due late Summer.

Sony have done properly what Canon (with the XL-H1) failed to do properly - give you a decent sized and very sharp top screen when the v'finder's flipped open.

they have the benefit of coming almost 2 years later! used the H1 for first time yesterday on mini 35c. My god how are you supposed to focus with that viewfinder?

That is a common problem with all of the Canon view finders and lcds. Low res, low contrast, and impossible to focus. I use an XH-A1 and find it frustrating trying to focus. There is the focus assist using magnification and peaking, but this is only useful when tape is not rolling. blah. It is time for an upgrade. EX3 is looking very sweet right now.

Great Job, nicely done.
But comparing Sony EX3 with PAN HPX 500. and both are almost the same price (hPX getting cheapr) which is the best to buy?
I appreciate your advice. :)

the ex3 with lens is cheaper than the HPX without lens. The HPX is 2/3" but the chips are much lower resoultion...I know what I would go for but the HPX is still a very nice and good value camcorder.

so you mean that EX3 has more resolution than HPX500?
if so I'll take your word and order one.

Just bought 3 EX1s!.....what was I thinking this close to NAB, when all the new stuff is announced. Love the camera and it integrates well with my XDcamHD 350.

I wish the EX3(and the ex1 for that matter) had the pre record like the 350. It's great to catch a lightning strike, or dolphin breeching. I'm hoping to get a letus extreme soon to use my nikon lenses.

EX3? HPX500?

This is where it's at, my friends...

red.com/nab/scarlet

Hello Philip,

By the way great review! Just wanted to confirm that the image on the LCD can be flipped? This would mean that those who own adapters like the M2 or Brevis would not require a FLIP ADAPTER.right?

Phil! this made my day... not just because its fun to see you do a better job at presenting tech stuff then many "pro's". But it really saved my sanity (whats left of it).

Last week I checked the EX at the Vocas shop and was slightly shocked by the ergonomics. They also had the Z7 lying around and thats was very nice balanced little cam with some really practical touched.

So it looks like they incorporated a lot of the good stuff (interchangeable lenses! audio controls behind a screen!) and gave it a proper viewfinder.

Never liked working with the HVX, it was always just too much IT not enough shooting for my taste.

Even thought about getting a 530 before but really don't want to buy another broadcast cam. My previous 50K plumbicon tube cam ended up on ebay for $200. The guy probably bought it for the lovely Fujinon lens which is useless on CCD cams.

And for some of the doc stuff the handycam form-factor is fantastic.

So thanks for putting my mind at ease and making me laugh.

Philip your review of the EX3 was simply amazing in the sense that it was very helpful in pointing out the key differences between the EX1 and the EX3. Besides, I found your video very honest and to the point. Sony could not have picked a better person to do the job. And you heard it here first: i will not be surprised if they give you an EX3 for free for your efforts. Hey, you easily sold me on the EX3. Yes, it was you!
I for one, own an EX1 and you made it very easy for me to make a decision on what my next move should be. I'm going to go for the EX3. I even have the money ready.The viewfinder and the the shoulder mount are my reasons. I'll probably stick with the supplied lens.
Phil, I don't see the price staying at $13,000 for too long. Here's why. I spoke to someone at B&H Photo in New York and he did some quick numbers crunching and told me that they will have the camera in September for either $9000 or $10,000.
B&H Photo is known for having very competitive prices.
Plus, if the EX3 is priced at $13,000 most current owners will stick with their EX1 cameras. Those who don't own either camera will go for the EX1 because basically both are the same camera and most people are not going to pay double for the extra bells and whistles. I know, I know. The viewfinder. The shoulder pad. The interchangeable lens system.
If, on the other hand, the EX3 is priced too low the EX1 will not sell. The EX3 will not be priced at $8000 because the Canon XLH1 is $8000 and the EX3 is a much better camera. Thus, in conclusion, taking the B&H guy very seriously, I believe that the EX3 will sell for either $9995 or $10,995. If I am wrong then it will be $11,995.
I just have one question since you actually are one of the few people in the world, and perhaps the first one ever appointed (anointed) by Sony to test drive it. Is the EX3 much bigger in size than the EX1?
And can the LCD somehow be folded away.
Thanks Philip.
Nick Dallas
lordofunionsquare@yahoo.com

Phil, thanks again for another great presentation.
Since you have tested all the Sony XDCam family, do you think the the EX3 renders the 350 obosolete?

well i suppose whenever i feel the urge to upgrade my ex1 to this i can strap on my steadicam and ponder how much more hurt on my back the ex3 would be... speaking of which... how much does that baby weigh?

Again Phil you have introduced those of us who couldn't make NAB this year to some wonderful info. The EX1 is still new for me and will continue with it until I start to have a need to swap out glass. ( not sure I like the this about the LCD not folding away, my old DSR 250 had both which was great).

Thanks again!

When you talk about 35mm lenses adapter, are you saying i have the possibility to use this camera with a 35mm lens (from, for example, the Canon EF series)?
Sorry if this question may be absurdly naif for most of you :(
thanks, and by the way, fantastic review Phil. Thank you

Philip, are you a big fan of the Red One Camera?

I too spoke to someone at B&H Photo in New York City and he did some number crunching (basing his assumption on the EX1 announced figures last year) and told me that they will have the camera available in September, 2008 for a price of between $9000 and $10,000. Remember that USA retail pricing does not include vat as will the pricing in the UK. JimW

Great review! Really well done.
The viewfinder idea is neat, but it seems like it must restrict LCD visibility when looking at an angle.

what about THE RED CAM... i mean...
the way the industry goes...
the X3 is gonna be obsolete... in what... 2 months....

what U think Phil?

Phil, yeah, I'm in the stage of moving to digital cinema, Im gonna go for tapeless equipt.

I'm into making shortfilms, docs, and independent cinema.

SO I'M GETTING MY NEW EQUIPMENT VERY SOON.

BY THE WAY, YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT. JEJE.
You give me the impulse to go for it. Thanks.

SO I HAVE TO DECIDE VERY SOON!!.
IN MY LAST SHORTFILM I RENTED A FILM ADAPTER, AND I JUST LOVE IT.

SO MY IDEA IS TO GET THE X3, LETUS ADAPTER, NIKON OPTICS AND WORKKKK!!!!!

I BEEN READYING MANY FORUMS.... SPECIALLY WITH NEW PRODUCTS EVERY WEEK!!!...

PEOPLE SAY: "THE X3 AND X1 ARE THE SAME IMAGEN".
AND I ALSO HEAR "THE X3 IN FOR STUDIO NEEDS"
I WAS ALSO READING ABOUT THE NEW 3K SKARLET red CAM, COMMING EARLY 2009, AND MEN LESS THAN 3000 BUCKS..., BETTER IMAGEN, I MEAN, 3K BRO.

BUT.... STILL.

I HAVE TO DECIDE.


IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET SOME ADVICE FROM U IS THIS PARTICULAR, I WILL REALLY APRECIATED.

THANKS ALOT!!!!!

KM- VIC.


ps: can we flip the imagen of the viewfinder on the X3, that will be a big advantage, for 35mm adapters geeks. IF thats the case, have you try it... can you REALLY FOCUS... OR YOU WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER LCD HD EXTERNAL MONITOR...

SORRY.... FOR ALL MY QUESTIONS... JEJEJE.

AND THANKS.

check out my new forum at philipbloom.co.uk for loads of info. Yes the ex3 viewfinder can display flipped image and is fine for most focusing

what did you use to get such great lighting on that backdrop?

Well done Philip!

Did the EX1 Letus setup work on the EX3? No changes?

U.S. street price for the EX3 is $8250 per my Sony rep.

okay, thanx to you i'll be 8K dollars short in July ^^.
a Great review, can't wait to put my hands on it ...
Just one question, If you have to chose, does the 2K dollars of difference between the 2 models are worth it

Any further news on the release of the EX3 in the USA, price? Plus any news when the ver 2 of the file browser be available ?? Thanks folks. JimW

Dude,
Absolutely the best 10 minutes ever in my investigation of Sony Cameras. Your work is clean and informative, and I congratulate you, and it is merely a question iof EX1 or EX3 to me.
But is big red there somewhere with those beautiful slow mow camera slides .
Of course next film you make will be without that striped jacket dude, you gotta say yes.

great work - thank you for making that video. If I can get less light loss using it with the Letus Extreme and or Ultimate I will definately look into it.

Hi Philip Bloom. Your video was most helpful in deciding to step to the EX3. Can you tell me what is the latest firmware version for EX1. I have version V1.03.0351. Is this version the most current version? If not what is that version number and what does that new version correct or improve upon. I presently have my EX1 for sale at eBay and this question was asked. ALSO any news on the actual release of the EX3 in your area and in the USA. Thanks, JimW

Thanks for the review, i have a question about the EX3.
Will the shot transition option work on any lens i install !!!
Thanks,
Amr

New York is now receiving PMW-EX3s and are fulfilling their pre-orders, at $8320. Version 2 of the clip browser is available on SONY's site now. It is a terrific improvement over v1... there are also two plug-ins available to further enhance its utility.

Philip, What would be a good upgrade ENG style Zoom lens for the EX-3?
KH20x6.4 KRS?
or Fujinon HSs18X5.5BRM?
Or some better 2/3 inch HD Lens with an adapter?
I will mainly be shooting 2 cameras for sports (Martial Arts in the Studio) . So I need a decent longer zoom type lens for catching close ups. Currently using a Canon 19x on a DSR 570 . What would be your recommendation for the EX 3?

Thanks for the intro, Phil. That was good info.

We are going to be using an EX3 for a Kawasaki jet ski shoot in a week or so. How do the files play back on a high-end PC? My system can play 1080p just fine usually, unless it's compressed with like JPEG2000 or something.

Can I just download the Sony viewer software and view the 1080p clips in the VLC player or Media Player or whatever on my PC tower?

Philip, great review! I'm very interested in the tripod adapter plate you're using under the EX3. Our tripods here have Sony adapters on them already, so it'd be great to be able to snap the EX3 right to our existing tripods. It says "Protech" on the side. I've done searches but have found nothing. Where can I find one? And will it fit the EX1 just the same?

I own the EX1 and just rented the EX3 to try it out. I agree that the viewfinder is amazing compared to the EX1 but it is a bit of a "dog" to hand hold. The shoulder mount doesn't come back nearly enough to be comfortable and I feel like my elbow is jammed into my chest. I will have to try it with a larger shoulder adaptor or some modification before I'm convinced. Still, it's great on a tripod. Heck of an image in that view finder. Thanks for the demo Phil.

Azz... la pmw EX 3
bellissima!
me la accatto subito!!!!

i resent that comment Brett :)

Great review Philp
what is the PAL version model of the Sony XDCAM EX3 ?

Philip, what 1/2" or 2/3" lenses have you used with the EX3?
Do they maintain all of their functionality?
Thank by the way, I saw the demos and picked up 2 EX1's and a Letus Extreme! Took my productions to a whole new level!

god work phill, thanks a lot .... one question what do you know about telecine the ex3 to 35mm copies, any tips or coments about the menus.
pablo

Thank you. The best review of the PMW EX3.

I will go out and get one now :-)

nice vid, wot is the music played?

nice review Phil!
I'm now excited to hear your review of the HVR-Z7U?

Hello Philip Bloom

Greetings from Spain, Seville, Andalucia.

I purchased a Sony camera EX3, and I have a doubt.

This camera can be mounted directly optical photography, why a letus be used?
Is not achieved the same effect with the lens directly to camera, with which letus?
Differences?
Best regards