Gates Ex1 And Ex1R Experiences

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone shooting with the Gates EX1, and, or Ex1R could share there experiences with this system ? Its been out for several years now. I have searched the forum and I didn't see a real review.In particular interest is how people have been achieving sharp focus. E.g using the focus assist , flipping the switch to auto focus for a second and then back to manual, or looking through the view finder at peeking or expanded focus, then framing with external monitor. Has using the SWP44c wide port made focusing harder or easier?

Mike L, Joe Holley, Mark SM it seems you guys have been using this system for a while. If there is any info, tips, or techniques you would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

If asking any of you by name is inappropriate, then I apologize, let me know, and I wont do it again.

Thank you.

GG

Hi Moon Jelly,

Ive been shooting with the EX1 in a Gates since they were first released. First off, I have to say, I absolutely love it for being so easy to use, and for being extremely ergonomic, especially for a manual controlled housing.

Lets start with optics. The first few months the EX1 housing was out, the SWP44c was not quite ready...once it did finally arrive, WOW was all I could say, and all I heard from other users. The image quality, and the sharpness is night and day with the SWP over the SP in my eyes. There is the significant size and cost difference, however its WELL worth it and I believe the SWP really makes the Ex1 stand out over every other underwater set up.

As a shooter, I specifically shoot big animals or reenactments the majority of the time...that being said they are always on the move, and often times in turbid water, which is where the Ex1 has a tendency to hunt! Shooting AF, MF, or MF with focus assist, really comes down to the situation itself. Ive heard many complain about the focus hunting while following a subject... I personally have had amazing results with AF in such conditions. I spent 10 days shooting whale sharks last year in Holbox where the water is full of plankton. I shot the majority with AF, and some with MF....and had only 2 or 3 shots during AF where the camera lost focus of the 20-30 foot subject to follow plankton... Manual focusing while chasing big animals is sometimes daunting and really puts you in a situation to completely miss a shot...so I usually do that in AF.

Have you learned how to set your hyperfocal distance on the camera? That will help a lot when shooting manual focus as well.

With regards to framing, I do 90% of that in my EM43 monitor...which works wonders. If Im doing critical focus, want to check my peaking or zebras, or really need fine detail, then I look at the viewfinder on the housing (Gates did a fantastic job with the 2nd version of the VF on the housing, which has been standard since its induction).

Really, it just takes practice!! Do you already have your system? What port did you get if so? Spend time in a pool, getting use to controls, and most importantly playing with the focus, and finding your hyperfocal. I can not say it enough, if image quality is your goal (and obviously it is if you are using this camera) then the Fathom SWP44C is a must!

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance or if you have any other questions.

Hi,

 

I was wondering if anyone shooting with the Gates EX1, and, or Ex1R could share there experiences with this system ? Its been out for several years now. I have searched the forum and I didn't see a real review.In particular interest is how people have been achieving sharp focus. E.g using the focus assist , flipping the switch to auto focus for a second and then back to manual, or looking through the view finder at peeking or expanded focus, then framing with external monitor. Has using the SWP44c wide port made focusing harder or easier?

 

Mike L, Joe Holley, Mark SM it seems you guys have been using this system for a while. If there is any info, tips, or techniques you would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

If asking any of you by name is inappropriate, then I apologize, let me know, and I wont do it again.

 

Thank you.

 

GG

We use these housing's commercially for broadcast TV work. We have a number of them by choice and rely on them for professional results and reliability, we are not connected to Gates other than being a client. In our view it is by far the best mid size camera and housing option available today, image quality easily surpasses larger HD camera systems when used with the Nanoflash recorder and SWP44C port. We only use two ports the SWP44C and the macro port with diopters, though its rare if the macro port gets used. The SWP44C is essential, its a fantastic lens.

I'd say either or any of the methods you suggest for focus and Id use either depending on the situation, but it really depends on shooting style. Its not really an issue seeing sharp focus when using the HD monitor. Using menus and assists is only possible on the HD monitor when recording to the internal SxS camera cards, as menus cannot be displayed on the HD monitor when using the optional nanoFlash recorder as it uses the HDSDI feed from the camera which shares the menu on off option with the HD component out, and would result in recording menus to the Nanoflash recorder. This is about the only issue we have with the system. Its easy to rig and support in the field and also manageable due to its size which is important when entering or leaving the water when most accidental damage occurs. We tend not to hang lights of it but run these separately via buddy diver though we have a few guys using the system who mount all sorts of external lighting off the housing, its has many attachment points and interfaces with third party and custom accessories easily.

Let me know if you need more info.

Dave

Hi

Thankyou for the great information and quick response. I have been shooting underwater for ten years. I have used an ikelite and a PD150, and for the last 5 years, a Light and Motion with the PD150 and a Fathom lens. I've been spoiled with the electronic controls on the L&M. I also know that after using a Fathom lens with my system, that the SWP44c is a must have, no other port would do.

I don't have a Gates system yet, I've been pining over the Gates EX1 system since the day it was announced. Now that the EX1R is out with its improvements and the ability to put the Nano Flash into the housing, its a fantastic combo. I have used mechanical controls on the Ikelite housing and after using the L&M the thought of going back to mechanical controls was a little daunting. It sounds like with a little practice, using the mechanical controls again wont be hard. My main concern was the ability to focus and you have put my mind at ease that its achievable with not much trouble.

Dave, that's good information about not being able to display the menus on the monitor when using the Nano Flash. I'm diving in the cold dark waters of B.C., so lights are a must.

Thanks again for the great information, this will help me and hopefully others with the same questions.

This is a dream system and would be a fantastic start for shooting HD.

GG

Using menus and assists is only possible on the HD monitor when recording to the internal SxS camera cards, as menus cannot be displayed on the HD monitor when using the optional nanoFlash recorder as it uses the HDSDI feed from the camera which shares the menu on off option with the HD component out, and would result in recording menus to the Nanoflash recorder. This is about the only issue we have with the system.

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

Can the camera's menu overlay info still be displayed in the view finder when using the Nano flash, or does that need to be turned off too?

GG

Hi Dave,

 

Can the camera's menu overlay info still be displayed in the view finder when using the Nano flash, or does that need to be turned off too?

 

GG

Yes it can.

This is a dream system and would be a fantastic start for shooting HD.

 

GG

Id say it is not only a system to start shooting HD its the preferred system for shooting HD for a housing of its size, you will have to go a very long way and spend many time more on a system to yeild better results than this.

Dave

We use these housing's commercially for broadcast TV work. We have a number of them by choice and rely on them for professional results and reliability, we are not connected to Gates other than being a client. In our view it is by far the best mid size camera and housing option available today, image quality easily surpasses larger HD camera systems when used with the Nanoflash recorder and SWP44C port. We only use two ports the SWP44C and the macro port with diopters, though its rare if the macro port gets used. The SWP44C is essential, its a fantastic lens.

 

 

Dave

Hi Dave

What kind of diopters do you use with the macro port?

I stabel Hoya to get as must macro as possible, and it works quite ok, but maybe you have a better solution?

Bent

Let me add a few thoughts of my own since you asked.

This is a great camera lens combo with the SWP44. I mean top notch. I too shot with the PD150 for years and there are still days I look at that footage and I am amazed at what a camera that was and is.

The Gates housing and my EX1 is in the water with me shooting tv. 13-16 locations a year, 15 days a month, up to 5 dives a day, in and out of the housing, tossed, carried, and abused, much to my chagrin, by lots of customs, immigration, inspectors, boat handlers, divemasters...you name it. It has held up and when I messed something up. Gates was right there sending me whatever piece I managed to knock off or screw up. I have nothing but praise. The most common issue I have is knocking off the little control rubber ends from being in a hurry to insert or remove my camera. Now Gates just ships a bunch of replacemnts with the housings for impatient people like me.

I carry my housing in a backpack on the plane. Amazingly, with the flat port on, the housing will fit under any airline seat. I also, against many peoples advice, I always keep the camera in the housing while traveling without ever an issue. I keep the monitor, handles, lights, battery, charger, and nexto recorder in the small carryon. In other words, I travel with everything I need to shoot into the cabin with me.

Im going to give you some of the harder lessons:

Since you are moving from a PD150 to the EX1 as I did...here were the big adjustments for me.

1. The minimum focal distance of the camera combined with the standard port make this a real bear in the water.To get the kind of close shots you would normally have gotten with ease from your PD150 will require diopters and a very steady hand. You just can't get inches from the subject like you could with the PD150. So as others have said, the SWP44 is a must for bringing the minimum focal distance under control.

2. Even shooting with the achromat diopter and the flat port, you need to get the camera further back then you would be used to and then zoom in to your subject. So junk in the water gets a little frustrating but the results are pin sharp minus the atmospherics. I really like this combo but it'll cost you another 1K. It just isn't anything like the PD150.

3. It is infinitly frustrating not to have zoom focus, histogram, zebra, peaking, etc not displayed through the external monitor. This is Sony's doing and nothing to do with Gates fine design. But now with the nano, you have to have it off anyway. BTW...the nano fits in the EX1 housing no problem.

4. The matrix on the camera is very powerful. Learn about it and get some profiles saved. I keep a card with 5 land profiles and a card with 5 underwater profiles. When you get it dialed in. WOW!

5. I switch between manual focus and auto focus all the time especially with the 44c and I want to be certain I dont hunt. Getting your fingers in there with dry gloves or 6mm can be tough. I put a little cclamp on my control when doing full dry so it is easy to change. It also lets me easily identify the knob.

6. The camera will whitebalance quite deep without the red filter. However, don't do it. Use the filter anything more then 15 feet. Add 3db gain to compensate and, in the end, you will be happier with the results. If you want to shoot at zero db, then you will need to work with the matrix.

7. The camera, out of the box, appears noisy underwater. The full auto mode of the camera increases gain upto 18db. You need to learn this camera and shoot it in manual exposure mode for best results. Leave the AF on but drive the rest. This means calibrating your 43 monitor as best you can and then using zebra and histo in the viewfinder until you get a feel for what the camera is recording and what the 43 monitor is capable of showing you.

8. It's a manual housing! With that bullet proof design comes a little care a feeding of the seals and mechanics. Make sure your seals are snug and you always inspect your housing after travel. Gates recommends dry diving the housing each trip before loading the camera. I don't but should. Sinking that bad boy empty is quite the challenge.

I've told you these things so you can be better prepared. This is a serious rig and yields quite impressive results. Pro results. The 44c is very forgiving. Very! So getting it is a must. I too was an early adopter of the Gates EX1 housing and they have listened and constantly made improvements to the design. Others have already mentioned some of them. The housing is just so nice in the water. Put two 8 ounce weight on the left side of the housing and one 4 on the right and BINGO! neutral balanced housing.

Feel free to ask anything else.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thankyou for the excellent and detailed information. This invaluable insight from you and all the other guys will help to shorten a very steep learning curve.

A question about viewing footage underwater. Using the controls to switch to media mode and then using the jog dial can you review and play the video clips underwater? If so, and if you are using the Nano Flash, will this trigger the Nano Flash to record the played back clips inadvertently?

GG

Unfortunately, and unless someone has discovered a work around, there is no way to play anything other then the last clip recorded. Anyone got one?

You can scroll with the knob through clips but no "play" button is accessible. It would be a benefit but the control would have to be in the track the monitor mounts in. Not very convenient.

This last clip playback is good enough most of the time and I use it all the time with talent shots.

When last clip is played back, the nano just sits there.

Mark,

Nice description!

One question from another happy EX1 user with the GATES housing, wich backpack are u using to travel with it?

Bruno

Mark,

 

Nice description!

 

One question from another happy EX1 user with the GATES housing, wich backpack are u using to travel with it?

 

 

Bruno

Thank Shawn Heinrich for telling me about it a few years ago. It might be discontinued but im sure you can find the specs and match them with their latest model. It is the sturdiest one I have ever had for this sort of thing. Of course you need to remove the extra zipped on pouches before traveling with it to keep it "looking" small.

Eagle Creek EC10051 Voyage 65L

Here is an out of stock listing so you can see what it looks like.

https://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?O...p;Detail=051540

You just unzip the top piece and leave it off. You can also read the specs. The housing WITH the SWP44c will fit in here at an angle and it is a REALLY tight fit. So if you get a replacemnt model, make sure the dimensions are the same or slightly larger.

With the 44c on, you will have to remove it from the backpack to fit it under a seat. I do it all the time but it isnt pretty. Dont get emergency row. They wont forgive the amount it will stick out with the 44c on it. The flat port slides right in under the seat. I've been asking for a blank slug to screw in the housing to keep dust off and make travel easier but it hasn't happened yet.

One more item when backpacking this. Always set the backpack down on its back. The controls are vulnerable so be extra careful when turning around. (2 years with no issues for me). When going thru security, the housing needs to go thru in the backpack, back down. It will not fit in a tray. Dont let them tell you to remove it form the backpack. Be couteous but explain that it is a 30,000 dollar camera and the only way to properly protect it from vibration and the rollers is to leave it in. Let them know it is very heavy, to carry it with the back down, and to set it down that way. Smiles and courtesy have always got me right through. Ive never avoided the swab test leaving the USA. The entire front will zip open and expose the camera for them to swab. In two plus years I have had to open the housing once. All this seems like a lot but watching the inspection rather then checking the camera appeals to me. Plus I know I'm not going to let a client down. I can always rent scuba gear but the camera and components stay with me.

The added benefit of not having a big Pelican case and pro camera rig entering a foreign country should be obvious to those like us.

BTW, this is also how I take the housing on/off the boat. You have to remove the handles and monitor first of course. But it sure beats a long walk with a pelican.

I think if you find a supply of the backpacks, post it here. If you get a diff model and it works. Post it here.

Mark Santa-Maria

PS. Two bottles of liquor fit perfectly in the two side bottle pouches for when you hit the duty free on the way into the islands. Priorities ya know.

Let me add a few thoughts of my own since you asked.

 

 

 

4. The matrix on the camera is very powerful. Learn about it and get some profiles saved. I keep a card with 5 land profiles and a card with 5 underwater profiles. When you get it dialed in. WOW!

 

 

 

Feel free to ask anything else.

 

Mark

Hi Mark

Sound very interisting.

I´me curious about your Picture Profiles - could you tell something about them - please?

Bent

http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/11967...rveContext=true

Careful what you wish for... Imagine how you can push colors in the direction that you want. This is different than the color space shift of white balance. Be careful you dont create broadcast illegal colors. The matrix combined with color adjusting is like the butterfly effect. Don't say I didnt warn you.

Some would argue that doing this in post is better. I believe that simply isnt true. Even with the 10bits of the Nano, you would still rather capture truer colors using the entire bit depth of the camera. Using this feature of the camera allows you to push or change the colors as processing occurs off the CMOS and then the 8 or 10 bits gets pushed out during recording closer to what you finally want. This is preferable to trying to push an 8 bit 420 or even a 422 color space.

My water presets are to deal with different color water and depths.

My land ones are for sunsets, faces, landscape, Indoor/Outdoor, etc

Save your hard earned profiles to a text file on your computer as well.

Mark