The Cost of Carelessness

(PART OF) MY EX1-R BEFORE REASSEMBLY

I just picked up my repaired Sony EX1-R that dropped to the ground a few months ago. Total costs: €630,70 (the equivalent of US $885,-) Parts were €330,-, labor €200,- Fortunately I am insured but unfortunately the first €250,- is at my own risk.
Nico, owner and only employee of Camcorder Service, has done a nice job of putting my camera back together and documented the repair with a series of photographs. If you like to take a look at the inside of an EX1-R, here's your chance:

XLR UNIT: A VERY TIGHT FIT ACCORDING TO NICO...

MICROPHONE UNIT

Odd Sony camera repair...

THE TIEWRAP SOLUTION

Today I received my EX1-R from the Sony repair service. I had busted my camera after it dropped 5 feet from my bicycle unto the pavement. The bill was €600,- and the Sony repairman came up with this remarkable solution: three tiewraps to hold it together! Do you think I should file a complaint? Or write them a letter to tell them their service guy deserves a Nobel prize?

I'm kidding. I applied the tiewraps myself, as a temporary solution. First I unscrewed the little screws on the handle, looked if there was anything crooked inside and then gently pressed the handlebar together while tying the tiewraps. It works! The 'record' button functions again, the zoom lever recovered and dust and moisture are kept outside. Great work, if I say so myself. This solution will keep me in business until after my upcoming 2 camera-shoot this week...

In my book, the invention of tiewraps is way up there, along with the Wheel and the iPhone lens-adapter ;-)

BEFORE

AFTER

A boxer who doesn't like to fight

A new trailer for a doc I've been working on for 2 years with co-director Mark Limburg, a classical from rags to riches story about a man who's taken many beatings but refuses to go down.

As a boy growing up in a small village in Nigeria, Innocent Anyanwu realized that the cycle of poverty and illiteracy had to be broken. He took the fate of his village on his shoulders and started on an a journey that forced him to overcome many challenges. Three continents later he is faced by the greatest challenge of them all: to become a world boxing champion and earn enough money to realize his dream.

Shot on two EX1's (one was upgraded to an EX1R). Now in postproduction. (looking for funding & partners)

I am Innocent - 4 minute trailer from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

The biggest yardsale in the world (timelapse)

April 30 is Koninginnedag (Queensday) in the Netherlands, birthdate of the belated queen Juliana. It has evolved into a massive national party.
People sing, dance, perform, buy and sell. Half of Holland buys the crap that the other half wants to get rid of. Literally millions of people empty out their attics, basements, storages and closets to sit out on the street and make a few bucks.
The Vondelpark in Amsterdam is the place for kids to buy and sell toys, play instruments and do their thing, whatever it is. Like streetperformers they place a hat in which you can throw a few coins.

Shot on a Canon 550D/T2i and a Sony EX1-R

Queens Day: the biggest yardsale in the world from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

I know why I bought this!

A few days ago my C-shaped bracket arrived from mister Ming in Hong Kong and I had no idea why I had ordered it. There was nothing wrong with the product, as a matter of fact, it was a neat, solid little contraption, but I was positive this item was heading straight for the bottom drawer, not to reappear for many years to come.
But then  I started to play with it, disassemble it, and there suddenly was the solution for mounting both a lamp AND wireless receiver to my Sony EX1R. Why didn't I see that right away? Who cares! I'm one happy shooter and I still have half of the bracket left! Seems like this story is to be continued...