Changing the Sony EX-3 lens

[Wheatstone Bridge]

Hi everyone , we would like to change the original factory lens that came with the Sony EX-3 and put on a better lens . Any suggestions on which new lens we should go with ?

Thanks.

[Douglas]

This is the lens I always used when I had my EX3. Fantastic lens that really changed the whole dynamics of the camera. But if I had to do it over again I'd get the model with a 2x extender.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._XDCAM_HD.html

The EX3 will seem like a totally different camera with this lens.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Doug: when you used that lens, did you have rod support for it? And if so, what did you use?

[Douglas]

No, I never even considered rods. The EX3 mount is more than capable of supporting a broadcast lens. With that lens on the camera it felt just like a really small Betacam.

What a lot of people don't stop to think about is that 90% of your interaction during shooting is with the lens and not the camera: focus, zoom, exposure, hand-grip. The back-end barely makes any difference, so if you put a familiar lens on the front end, it makes shooting a pleasure.

[svp]

If you buy the adapter, you can use nearly any existing 2/3" lenses you currently own. The chief at KDAF has his lens from his older BetaSX on his EX3 and everything looks great.

[Douglas]

You fail to mention that because of the smaller 1/2" sensor of the EX3, you'll lose about 30% of your wide angle ability. That is a BIG deal. So, unless your old 2/3" lens is very wide, you may not like it at all on the EX3. Plus, old SD lenses from Betacams generally don't look very good on HD camcorders. Maybe your chief is lucky and has an exceptionally good lens, but it's probably more likely that his standards are not very high. No offense meant, but if he hasn't tested a real HD lens on the camera, then he doesn't really have anything to compare it to. I once thought SD lenses were good enough on my PDW-F350 until I saw the difference.

[svp]

Douglas,

All I know is he had the adapter and tried the old lens and the on-air results looked no different than the stock lens. However, with the 2/3" lens, he now has a better balanced camera, longer zoom, and a 2x extender. That's all I know. I haven't used it or did any other comparisons.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I will say that I have a Fuji HD 2/3 lens that is very wide (4.5). I got one of the unpowered adapters for my EX-3, and tried it out.

I was prepared to be blown away by the difference, but frankly, both the stock lens and the $25K+ lens looked great--I had a hard time telling the two apart. Even with the magnification loss, the 2/3-in Fuji lens was still wider than the stock EX-3 lens, but just slightly narrower than the stock EX-3 with the Sony .8x wide angle adapter attached.

I did feel that the 2.3 lens might be a bit heavy for everyday use on the EX-3 mount. However; the Mike Tapa adapter jammed onto the HD lens the first time I mounted it, and was a b&tch to get off. Had I been happier with the improvement, I was planning on getting a Fuji ACM-21 powered adapter and mounting the large HD lens pretty much full time.

I'd like to try one of the 1/2 inch Fujis for the EX-3 sometime.

[Douglas]

I agree that a 4.5mm 2/3" lens on the EX3 would work just fine because that is an extremely wide angle on a 2/3" camera. I just want to warn people that a typical 8mm 2/3" lens is going to feel really constrained on an EX3. At least they can't say they haven't been warned.

I also agree that the stock lens looks very good and there's no reason to upgrade for that reason alone, because you won't see a big difference. The main reason to upgrade are better ergonomics and performance in other ways besides optical quality.

Obviously I can't test every SD lens to see how it fares on the EX3, but both of my own 2/3" SD lenses don't look anywhere near as sharp and crisp as the 1/2" HD lens -- or the stock lens.

[zac love]

The only thing to beware is that you're moving the center of gravity farther forward. If you can, get a good shoulder mount & a AB Gold or V Mount battery plate for the back to balance things out.

[Douglas]

But try it first without spending the money on that stuff. I found the camera was quite comfortable with no other counter-weights or a special shoulder brace.

You might find you want those accessories (a lot of people do) but try the camera first and maybe save some $ and hassle. The camera is quite nimble and light all on it's own with a real broadcast lens attached, and you can't really judge it with the stock lens because even though that is lighter, the ergonomics aren't as good.

[pixlmgr]

I had the stock lens on my EX-3 for the last 2 years and hated it, optically it was fine but no doubler, and stuttering zoom controller really frustrated me.
I just got a Fuji 1/2" 17X7 (or 7.5?) and like they said, it's a whole new camera. Handheld is better, and more competitive with the other stations. See if you can try out the zoom range before you buy it, the new lens is not as wide as the stock one.
When we got the cameras, we tried our 2/3" SX Lenses, with the standard adaptor and it didn't fit, maybe we were doing it wrong.

[Wheatstone Bridge]

. . ..very much guys.

[Necktie Boy]

Late to the game....

But the local station started using EX-3's with 2x Fuji lens...Very nice...Two years later, they are using the stock lens. Haven't ask the shooter about the change, but in ENG use, could the lens be too heavy for the mount? And the rough use by the staff?