Nutshell Product Reviews

Sony EX3

OK, my reviews wont go into the technical jargon, there’s loads of sites on the web that will give you all of the specs you need. My reviews are from actual use, on actual jobs or projects. I like the EX3, it’s an all around good camera and yes, I own one. I think for the price, you do get value for money and it delivers exactly what is promised. When shooting in HQ mode, the results are sharp and true, the colours are accurate and it is an easy piece of kit to get familiar with. Sony have put a lot of time and effort into getting everything where it should be and it feels like a camera should. When switching from Camera to Player, it does become slow to load up the media, but once it has loaded, it is easy to navigate and the functions are idiot proof.

Things not to like. I learnt to shoot with a proper shoulder mounted camera, so this will always feel a little alien to me, it’s a personal thing, but it annoys me a little. The media cards are ridiculously expensive, especially if you are an independent filmmaker or jobbing cameraman. I opted for the Sony hard-drive, as it’s the price of one 32GB card, but gives you nearly 4 hours of HQ footage. The in-built monitor was a nice touch, but still opt for monitoring off of camera, as although the resolution is good, it’s not 100% accurate and does not represent what you get back in post-production.

My set-up is with SGPro 35 Depth of Field adapter and Nikon Lenses, which does make the unit quite heavy if used on the shoulder, but feel that by adding the DoF adapter, it enhances the camera’s build quite considerably. I work with the Sony Hard-drive, and an external monitor.

I don’t regret spending the money on it, which is the bottom line for many of us, but feel that there are a few improvements that could have been made at the design stage without adding too much to the price tag for the end-user. Compared to what else is out there in the same price bracket, it’s an easy choice to make and one that you wont regret too often, unless you get your hands on something more expensive with a higher spec.

If I had to rate it, which is a good bench mark for many of us when deciding what to spend our hard earned money on, then I would give it 77%.

SG PRO DoF Adapter.

I have been giving this product much thought since I bought it towards the end of last year.  I have tried most of them, probably all of the major ones, but this one is simply brilliant.  If you are working with HD video and you want your finished story to look like film, then I would wholeheartedly recommend you splash some cash and get one asap.  Spend a few more pounds on some good lenses and then there's no stopping you.

With every review, I like to give both the good and bad points, but the bad points on this is one that is simply unavoidable. With the flip and follow focus unit, plus the addition of a lens, bars etc, it goes get a bit heavy and for working guerilla style, or handheld, will soon get a little tiring, but apart from that, there's no down-side.

That said, the results far outweigh the aching limbs and you'll immediately become a fan.  On a more personal level, I have also found it much easier to tell the story I want to tell, as it allows me to guide my audience through the film and draw them into what I want them to see, rather than what a camera wants, which is simply everything.

For full technical info, visit their site.           http://www.sgpro.co.uk

Good Luck and enjoy! 

 Canon 5D Mk II

When I  first heard about DSLR and shooting video, I must admit to being one of the sceptics amongst us.  I mean, it's just not going to be professional is it.  OK, I will now admit to being a little set in my ways and completely wrong.  It's lovely to use, the images are crisp, sharp and true and the control you have over the DoF is as you would expect, truly amazing.

I have recently got my hands on one for a day and simply did not want to give it back.  For short-form filmmaking, or shooting on the go, or in tight spaces, it's all you could wish for, and then some.  I loved the fact that even with a lens, french flag, and a external monitor, it was much more portable than my EX3 with a similar set-up and the results were amazing.   I enjoyed it so much, that I have just bought one and have been bust spending cash on some great lenses and accessories to give me a great lightweight, mobile DSLR kit.

I can't wait to get out onto a job and will shoot my next doc with this only, as space and time are at a premium and this is exactly where the 5D MkII will shine.  I'll post up some rushes when I get going with the Doc and let you judge, but it will be hard to persuade me that my new found love for the 5D MkII is unjust.

Thanks again for stopping by. 

 Future reviews

Red One.