SONY EX1: Best of the Best - Footage

Here, I am including some of the best of the best of what is achievable with the Sony EX1.



These are the clips that set the bar, to date, of this camera's potential.

Narrative Work:

To me, this is the most telling test of all. Nature footage and imagery without a story and narrative action can be more forgiving for the rolling shutter. Nobody will complain if some waves rolling in on shore suffer from "jellocam" - they are waves - how would we even know if the true shape of Wave X got distorted?

Here is the best narrative work achieved on the EX1 that I could find.



WINTER LILACS - search for this one. I don't think he's officially made the final cut public yet.
CONFESSION by DOP Philip Bloom (video no longer posted) - Philip Bloom is generally considered to be the EX1 master. This is an instance where he proves his worth of that reputation.

In both of these pieces, the DOPs have filmed with an awareness of the EX1's limitations and kept pans slow and so on. What will happen when intense action is involved? Well, as of yet, I don't have a 5-star clip from the action genre. But I am looking forward to that day. As more and more people use this camera, I think the day will probably approach sooner rather than later...

Also, while I don't like it quite as much as the above two pieces, the following clip (also by Mr. Bloom) does nonethless stand out as among the best narrative work done with this camera and is well worth a viewing.


The Battle of the Somme from Craig Spenceley on Vimeo.

And here we have The Entity, a short horror piece apparently starring Heath Ledger's Danish brother. It appears that the camera was able to handle the situations it was placed in for this shoot.


The Entity from Martin Bech Pedersen on Vimeo.

Music Videos


Coming Home - Sean Cox Music Video from Michael Stern on Vimeo.

Nature / Imagery Work

Welcome to Philip Bloom territory. As I mentioned, I think this genre is generally much more forgiving for the limitations of the EX1. These clips show off the amazing ability of the camera for locked down shots or slow and ultra smooth pans and dolly shots. Generally, they show the great photography talents of the DOPs and don't push the camera to its limit. Rolling shutter won't be an issue with the time-lapse shots that are relatively common in these types of clips. But they are great nonetheless.

PHILIP BLOOM - KEW GARDENS IN WINTER
PHILIP BLOOM - SOUTH BANK HD


Kubalsky's Shibuya: EX1 and Letus Ultimate HD from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

And seriously, just go to Philiip Bloom's site or search out his stuff on vimeo. It's generally all up to this caliber.


Letus Extreme Nature Short - Misty Brook - HDTV from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.


Magnuson Park February from Mark O'Connell on Vimeo.


Letus, What a beauty ! from greenjelly film on Vimeo.

And of course, take note that in virtually all instances, a depth of field adapter has been employed to allow for these very filmlike depth of field shots. Adapters is something else entirely we'll get into in another line of inquiry. But they do give the filmmaker some real creative freedom.


City of Angels HD from Bogdan Kramliczek on Vimeo.


Martin the Tailor from Ed David on Vimeo.


Pasquini from Underground Planet on Vimeo.