Sony has expanded on their XDCAM EX line with the PMW-EX3, an incredible full-res HD (1920 x 1080p) camera that features an interchangeable lens, Genlock in, Timecode in/out, three 1/2" CMOS sensors and much more.  Like it's sister camera, the PMW-EX1, it records to SxS PRO flash memory cards.

A Little EX-Tra from Sony's PMW-EX3

Image Quality
     With full HD CMOS sensors (1920 x 1080), the image quality is beautiful.  Like the EX1, there are many ways to control the image via the Picture Profile menu, which will be discussed in more detail shortly. 
     Because there is less compression than, say, HDV, the image is much cleaner without as much noise commonly found in HDV footage.  (Note: there is an HDV mode, known as "SP", which produces 1440 x 1080 video to the SxS cards.)

Picture Profiles
     Picture Profiles is where you can adjust the overall image, giving you full control of what you shoot, including color, gamma, detail, white balance, and more.  We suggest you spend extra time getting familiar with these settings, so you can create your own looks.

Lens Options
     The EX3 comes with a stock Fujinon 14x zoom lens, which is 1/2-inch type lens for 1/2" sensors.  Because it's built on an interchangeable lens system, the camera's stock lens can be swapped out for a different and compatible 1/2" lens.  Ensure that the new lens can support HD images, or there will be problems. 
     High definition (HD) cameras with smaller sensors need to have much higher resolution lenses than those HD cameras with 2/3" or larger sensors.  When shooting with a standard definition (SD) lens on the EX3, the glass from the lens becomes visible.  The resulting image looks like a bad filter was screwed onto the front, making the footage unusable.
     A 2/3" lens adaptor can be used to mount lenses found on cameras featuring 2/3" sensors.  These lenses are very popular and used not only on high-end HD productions, but any project that can benefit from lenses that allow more depth of field options. 
    Moving Picture has you covered with 2/3" lens options, which feature better zoom controls, 2x extenders (for events like live concerts and more), along with wide-angle and telephoto options, and much more.

Sound Features
     There are two XLR ports to plug in a solid boom mic or wireless mic to record pristine sound in two-channel, 16-bit, linear PCM uncompressed audio at 48 kHz.  There is also a built-in stereo mic, but we recommend using a boom, handheld or wireless microphone.  Moving Picture has everything you'll need to get great audio.
     The audio controls are found on the left side of the camera, to the right of the SxS card slot.  They include two audio level controls that raise and lower the volume on channels 1 and 2, plus switches to put the audio controls into auto or manual, and INT (built-in microphone) or EXT (an external audio source via the XLR inputs, like a boom mic, lavalier, wireless, etc.).  The audio records as Linear PCM.

Partial Feature List
     The EX3 has many of the same great features as the PMW-EX1, which many have come to love, including:

• An interchangeable lens system with a 1/2" lens mount (which works with the 1/2" CMOS sensors), which gives you the power to use different lenses.  It comes with an incredible Fujinon wide angle 14x lens, with a wide angle view of 5.8mm, according to Sony.  There is a special adaptor to use 2/3" lenses, which are popular on high-end cameras with 2/3" sensors.

• Three 1/2" Exmor CMOS sensors that can capture full-res HD images (1920 x 1080p).  CMOS chips use less power than CCD sensors.

• Footage is recorded to 8 or 16 GB SxS PRO memory cards with up to two cards total in the camera, and is ExpressCard/34-compatible.  You can record up to 70 minutes in SP mode on a 16 GB card.

• Several shooting modes: HQ, which includes 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p and native 24p); 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p and native 24p).  Along with SP, including 1440 x 1080 (similar to HDV; 60i and 24p, though it has a pulldown which places the 24p signal in a 60i stream--see our article, "Demystifying HD" for details).  The camera can also shoot in PAL mode, both 50i and 25p.

• Even more control of the image than ever before in Picture Profiles, giving shooters the power to customize the look. 

• Slow and Quick Motion Function in HD resolution; the EX3 can shoot slow motion in 720p (up to 60 fps), also called over-cranking, and fast motion in both 1080p and 720p (up to 60 fps).  It's all done in camera, so there's no need for extra work in post-production.  Use this for a dramatic or humorous moment in a movie or TV show, or when shooting sports.

• Genlock Input and Timecode Input/Output (BNC connections), perfect for mutli-camera shoots to keep the timecode synced, whether it's a live or live-to-tape video shoot, or a project that needs to be cut later.  These interface options aren't available on the EX1. 

• Sony NIPROS 1 Studio System: a fiber optic studio system for the EX3.  Designed for studio set-ups, multi-camera shoots, and more. 

     With an interchangeable lens, powerful image and audio controls, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p), and many more features, the Sony PMW-EX3 is a great addition to the growing line of XDCAM EX cameras.  For information on editing with the EX3 in Final Cut Pro or Avid, read our review of the PMW-EX1 here.  The EX3 is available to rent today from Moving Picture!

Kinoflo 4x4 high output, flicker-free soft light that runs on 1/10th the power of conventional tungsten softlights. Can be used with Tungsten or daylight bulbs to achieve proper color balance and with the included bulb-selectable ballast, offers fast, lightweight alternative to traditional lighting systems.

Litepanels 1x1 LED is an incredibly versatile production light. Combining Litepanels' hallmark LED technology in a sophisticated, slimline housing, this revolutionary modular lighting system provides 1'x1' of pure, luminous, soft, directional, dimmable output. A key advantage of this cool burning unit, is its compatibility with 24V battery sources, making it the perfect run-and-gun light when a small on-camera light just isn't enough.

Kino Flo Diva-Lite 400 portable softlights boast the company's trademark modular fixture designs with full-range dimming, switching and remote control features. The Universal model can be used anywhere in the world from 90VAC to 265VAC. All Diva-Lites can go from nighttime to daytime interiors by switching True Match® tungsten for daylight quality lamps. It's like having two set-ups in one!

5600K Joker Bug 200w provides a lightweight, "go anywhere" alternative to tradiional HMIs. When power is hard to find, simply use two Anton Bauer batteries and this Joker Bug proves its versatility.

ARRISUN 575 fresnel, spottable daylight fixture for jobs of all sizes.

ARRISUN 1200 larger fresnel daylight lamp, but still manageable on smaller shoots when small HMIs just won't do.

CanaTrans® UHF transmitter for film or video applications - this is it - hands down! Highest power in its class for unprecedented transmission range. Over 1000 ft. line-of-sight. Variable RF power levels, variable video and audio gain, video absent notification and wide range input voltage. The CanaTrans® is now the UHF transmitter of choice with hundreds of users worldwide! Leading rental houses and camera operators are already enjoying the vast benefits of this new device.

MPES 7" LCD wireless "walk-around" client/director monitor offering great mobility when used in partnership with a CanaTrans® transmitter (see above).

Panasonic HDX900 is a full 2/3" DVCPRO HD camcorder that records pristine 100Mbps HD images in any of 11 video formats, encompassing 60Hz and 50Hz production. With 1080i, 720p, 24p and 25p capabilities, the AJ-HDX900 is perfect for long-form HD programming and an invaluable tool for digital cinematography, cable and television production in any format, sports and events, for globetrotting documentarians and feature crews, and for the rental companies that serve them. The HDX900 boasts three CineGamma modes to replicate the look and feel of film. Standard HD SDI output is included for monitoring and line recording. Built-in downconverter produces a SD output, allowing the use of low-cost standard definition accessories.

Sony HVR-Z1U features native 16:9 CCDs, combined with a high quality 12X Optical Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens and Sony's 14 bit A/D and DXP Digital Extended Processor, result in precise image acquisition with superb detail and clarity. The advanced CCD design allows more light to reach the pixel imager, reducing video noise and improving the signal-to-noise ratio. The HVR-Z1U records this exceptional imagery using the recently adopted HDV 1080i format onto a DVCAM mini cassette.

Panasonic AG-HVX200 is a hand-held, high-definition video camera that combines high and standard-definition formats, multiple recording modes and frame rates, along with solid state P2 memory. The HVX200 offers variable frame rate capability, providing the cinematic expression of higher-end cameras like the Panasonic VariCam® AJ-HDC27. In 720p mode, the HVX200's frame rate can be set from 24p/30p to any of 20 steps between 12p and 60p, allowing for undercranking/ overcranking for fast or slow-motion effects in 720P. These effects can be dubbed to a DV tape after recording to offer some unique capabilities in the SD mode.

Sony BVW-D600WS is the wide screen switchable version of the BVW-D600 digital 1000 Betacam SP camcorder. This is the highest-end Beta SP camcorder available.

Hi Def Panasonic BT-LH900A comes equipped with two SDI inputs automatically detecting HD or SD, one component input (Y/Pb/Pr or RGBS), and one composite input. The new Video/CineGamma Conversion Table and built-in waveform monitor function support HD production when using the popular Panasonic VariCam HD Cinema Camera. It easily mounts atop the VariCam and other cameras as well. Also convenient is the separate control panel that can be mounted on the top, side, or bottom of the monitor.

Sony HVL-LBP On-Camera Battery Powered Light features a wider uniform light for 16:9 aspect and 600 lx @ 1m brightness! Powered by InfoLithium "L Series" battery, the battery operation time is approximately 3 hours with the NP-F970 battery! Supplied accessories include Diffuser/Condensing lens system and battery adaptor.

Litepanels Miniplus Flood and Spot are the perfect solution for tight quarters lighting packages, eye-lights and on-camera lighting scenarios. Renting with a full compliment of quickly adaptable gels, the Miniplus LED panels can provide any variety of color temperatures. Also with several options for powering or mounting, the versatility of the Litepanels Miniplus can go where other lights cannot.

Matte Boxes for Betacam, HDcam and DVcam cameras.

Lectrosonics "butt plug" UH400A wireless transmitter, includes 48 volt phantom power.

Lectrosonics SM Super-Miniature Digital Hybrid Wireless UHF Belt Pack Transmitter
Lectrosonics sets a new standard for size, power, reliability and functionality with the ultra miniature SM transmitter. Not much bigger than two AA batteries, the 100 mW SM packs all user controls onto a control panel that includes an LCD, four switches for adjusting operating frequency and modulation level, and modulation and power indicators.

Sound Devices 302 - 3 Channel Mixer the most compact and cost-effective battery-powered professional audio mixer in its class. With important features to accommodate nearly any over-the-shoulder production, the 302 interfaces with any professional microphone, wireless system, and camera / recorder input.

Phonak - Invisible RF wireless ear wigs Invisible Wireless in ear monitoring by Phonak. Provides silent playback up to 200 feet!

Motorola Walkie Talkies and accessories
Including FBI Style ear mic systems for that "undercover look", Noise Canceling headsets, Handmics, and Spare Batteries (FREE!)

email:

David Wells, President davidwells@movingpicture.com