Sony PMW-EX3 and nanoFLASH Rig

I have had a few requests for images of my Sony PMW-EX3 and nanoFLASH Rig Set-Up. This is very much work in progress as I have yet to add a Matte Box to the rig to help balance everything out better. I also want to side mount the monitor apposed to having it on top of the EX-3 / nano rig. Hopefully it won’t be too long before Convergent Design finalise the design for the cage that mount on the back of the V Lock batteries again taking the nanoFLASH of the top. I like to keep the front cold shoe free for an on-board light.

I’ll get better images up shortly! Hopefully with the improvements, anyhow let’s look at each component in turn.
 

Sony PMW-EX3 and nanoFLASH Rig

Sony PMW-EX3 and nanoFLASH Rig

1. Sony PMW-EX3

The image quality that is coming out of the Sony PMW-EX3 with the Convergent Design nanoFLASH is absolutely stunning to say the least! Don’t get me wrong I like the EX-3 produces good images straight out of the camera. The XDCAM EX codec is awesome and produces full HD 1920 x 1080, 35Mbps 4:2:0 which is great but not broadcast quality of 50Mbps 4:2:2. However, with the nanoFLASH attached the Long GoP MXF files can churn out 50Mbps 4:2:2 or the sweet spot in my option at a higher bit rate of 100Mbps. This holds much better in post and allows me to grade much harder but seeing any degrading.

NOTE: If I am outdoors and there is a risk of a shower then I always put on my PortaBrace RS-EX3 Rain Cover.

2. Fujinon 14x HD Zoom Lens (VCL-614B2X)

The Sony PMW-EX3 comes with this superb interchangeable Fujinon 14x zoom lens. It was specially designed to be used with the PMW-EX3 and offers optimum picture performance. It is best kept between f/2.8 and f/8 for best results, while the sweet spot is f/4. After f/8 the images start becoming a little bit soft and after f/11 diffraction really begins to show. The lens has an automatic chromatic aberration correction, so no fringing.

3. Tiffen 77mm T1 IR Contamination Filter

The Tiffen 77mm T1 IR is a filter that removes most of the ‘far red’ contamination, making blacks look cleaner. This is especially important on the Sony PMW-EX3 which has; an extended colour gamut sensitivity. The ‘far red’ contamination is often confused with infrared contamination, which is a different wavelength on the colour spectrum.

4. Sony SxS Pro Memory Cards

Even though I have used and still use the MxR adaptors coupled with 16GB Transcend SDHC Memory Cards, I prefer the solid performance and high reliability of the Sony SxS Pro Media Memory Cards which offers a high transfer speeds of 800 Mbps. It serves as a good back up to the compact flash cards in the nanoFLASH.

5. Cheek Pad

Unlike many PMW-EX3 owners I like the supplied Cheek Pad as it helps balance out the rig better when it is on the shoulder and goes along way to help with the tendency of it wanting to tilt to the left. In doing so I find it greatly improves the camera stability.

6. VF Gadgets Reinforced Tripod Plate

This is an absolute must have on the PMW-EX3. The standard tripod mount on the camera is just way to flimsy to use. If you use the Protech ST-7 without it I’ll guarantee it’ll rip out of the original tripod mount before too long. I am using the EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate system from VF Gadgets which makes a rock-solid connection. Read my post entitled ‘Sony PMW-EX1 and PMW-EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System’ for more information.

7. Protech ST-7

I love the Protech ST-7 shoulder mount adaptor as it converts my Sony PMW-EX3 into a shoulder-mounted camera with superior balance and stability. The ST-7 features an industry standard V-mount battery plate, allowing the PMW-EX3 to be powered using regular V-Mount batteries such as IDX Endura 10 Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The ST-7 has a DC in & out 4-Pin XLR connectors enabling me to power the nanoFLASH the AC Adapter. There is three side mounted BNC connectors with gives the freedom to conveniently connect or remove cables. I haven’t used these yet as I need to get some really short cables made up.

I absolutely love the integrated ST-1 tripod adapter plate on the ST-7 as it can be securely attached to the Sony VCT-14. This makes going from shoulder mounted to tripod mount a breeze! er versa versa!

8. Protech DC-EX3 Power Supply Cable

Not cheap but essential as this is the power link between the Protech ST-7 and the Sony PMW-EX3. You can run it from the V-Mount but I have enough hanging there as it is!

9. IDX Endura 10 Lithium-Ion Battery

These batteries will power my Sony PMW-EX3, nanoFLASH and SWIT S-1070H 7″ LCD Monitor for around five hours on one charge. Two batteries ensure I never run out of power during a days shoot. In my option these are better than carrying around multiple BP-U30 or BP-U60 batteries.

10. IDX A-E2DT-2 is a V-Mount to V-Mount plate with 2 pin D-Tap connector

This is an absolute must have as this gives me a D-Tap connection, so I can run the monitor or the nanoFLASH. It sits between the Protech ST-7 and the IDX Endura 10 Lithium-Ion Battery. I am hoping to source a dual D-Tap connector so I can free up the XLR on the Protech ST-7 to use with an on-board light, while both the nanoFLASH and Monitor run from the D-Tap.

11. J-Rod Super Strong Twin Mount

The J-Rod Super Strong Twin Mount has replaced the original microphone clamp on the PMW-EX3. It has two cold shoes allowing me to mount a microphone in a shock mount and a radio receiver. It is made of solid aluminium and is incredibly strong. It weighs less than 1 ounce.

For more information check it out on Jeff Rhodes website ‘J-Rod’.

12. Sennheiser EK 100 G2 diversity receiver

The Sennheiser EK 100 G2 diversity receiver is mounted to the J-Rod Super Strong Twin Mount via the Sennheiser CA 2 camera adaptor. I am hooking it up to channel 2 with the Sennheiser CL 100 XLR cable.

Depending whether I have any set-up time I use either of the following configurations with the presenter or interviewee;

• Sennheiser SK 100 G2 body pack transmitter coupled with the Sennheiser ME 2 clip-on microphone (omni-directional pick-up pattern)
• Sennheiser MD 42 Interview Microphone with the Sennheiser SKP 100 G2 plug-on transmitter.

13. Sennheiser MKH-416-P48U Microphone

I love this short gun interference tube microphone. It has excellent directivity in a compact design along with a high consonant articulation and feedback rejection making the MKH 416 a superb all-rounder. This is often mounted on my camera but occasionally I’ll mount it to a boom pole.

14. Rode WS7 Large Deluxe Windshield

The Rode WS7 Large Deluxe Windshield never comes of my Sennheiser MKH-416-P48U Microphone and does a grand job of reducing wind noise when recording in adverse environmental conditions.

15. Cine Rubber Band Shock Mount

Cine Rubber Band Shock Mount features a single piece metal housing with flexible bands to hold the shotgun secure. It has a low profile and is a perfect match to mount a microphone on the J-Rod Super Strong Twin Mount.

For more information check it out on Jeff Rhodes website ‘J-Rod’.

16. Convergent Design NanoFlash

You all know by now just what I think of this awesome little box. It allows me to record from the HD-SDI output up to 160Mbps Long GoP. The sweet spot in my opinion is 100Mbps. My current setting is; 100Mbps, 1080/25p, 4:2:2, MXF, Long GoP. By shooting with these settings I can grade and colour correct my footage much harder before seeing any drop in image quality. Furthermore, footage is acceptable for HD broadcast by the BBC and the majority of other HD broadcasters. I record to both the Compact Flash Cards in the nanoFLASH and to SxS Pro Memory Cards in the PMW-E3 at the same time. This gives me the added security of knowing that even a card was to fail, I’d have a backup.

At present I am powering the nanoFLASH by the XLR of the Protech ST-7. I have the nanoFLASH mounted on the back cold shoe with a mini ball head while I wait for the V-Mount cage from Convergent Design. I am mounting the audio out of the nanoFLASH with a pair Sennheiser HD25-1 II Headphones (these headphones might not be cheap, but they are superb).

Check out my other posts about the nanoFLASH;

Convergent Design nanoFLASH
First impressions of the Convergent Design nanoFLASH
Settling down with the nanoFLASH
Setting up the Convergent Design nanoFLASH with the Sony PMW-EX3

17. SWIT S-1070H 7″ LCD Monitor

I have the Swit S-1070H portable 7″ High Resolution LCD monitor mounted on my PMW-EX3 to monitor the feed out of the nanoFLASH. It has multiple inputs and outputs, but most importantly it has HD-SDI. The monitor is also full HD 1080p which allows me to see the feed properly out of the nanoFLASH. At present it is mounted via a small ball head on the front cold shoe but I am looking for a way to mount it on the viewfinder side of the EX-3.

18. Chamois leather viewfinder cover

I don’t know why I took me so long to put on the Chamois Leather Eyepiece cover onto my PMW-EX3 but once I did it’s never come off (unless I’m replacing it of course). It feels warmer to the touch than a standard rubber eyepiece alone and provides more comfort. As a disposable product they greatly lower the risk of transmitting eye infections.

Well that’s it for now but I am hoping to achieve the following alterations to my rig in the near future;

1. Turn the single D-Tap into a least a twin
2. Side mount the monitor
3. Place the nanoFLASH into the Convergent Design V-Lock Mount Cage
4. Source a good Matte Box

Happy shooting,

Paul