Is the HVX-200 For Me - Please Advise

[True|Funk|Soldier]

I am completely new to filmmaking...for all intents and purposes, I know nothing. :D

But, I am a fast learner and bring a lot of enthusiasm to most things I put my head to, so I have high hopes.

I am looking to use the camera for a couple of things...

Underwater Documentary-style filmmaking. My friends and I regularly scuba dive off the New England coast and I would like to be able to begin filming some of the crazy things we see. In general, whether because of the wider availability of housings, or because of the low-light sensitivity, there is fairly widespread use of the FX1/Z1.
In fact, I had pretty much settled on the Z1 until I saw some of the results of the HVX-200. To my eye, the colors just appear richer and more lifelike. Throw in the ability to get that real "film" look, and I am now in a bit of doubt.

FYI, for the kinds of quality we are getting now in a HC3 with limited light sources (one 18W lighthead, I believe), check out the following clip from a friend of mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TFpz605Cnw&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b


Topside Narrative Filmmaking . As much as I love the notion of filming the next great documentary for NG, I also would like the ability to try my hand at writing and filming traditional shorts.

My question...

Given these kinds of interests, and knowing what you folks know about the available options out there (and assuming that the budget for the camera is roughly maxed at 5k), is the HVX the best option? Or would you stick with the Z1 for whatever reason? In terms of "future proofing", which would you characterize as the camera with the longer lifespan? Which is going to grow with me and allow me to do more as I become a better, more knowledgeable operator?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate that this is a long post for a first post to these forums. This place seems friendly and informative, which is great for someone like me who could use the help.

Thanks,
Matt

[bosindy]

My question...

and assuming that the budget for the camera is roughly maxed at 5k), is the HVX the best option? Matt


If the budget is just for just camera (and you have other additional things budgeted), this is a site that loves this camera, and for good reason, so noone is going to tell you not to get the HVX. Just make sure you have a workflow figured out. I love it for narrative filmmaking and you can see why by watching the stuff posted many many people here in the screen grabs section.

What I would do if you have doubts, is go to some of the local rental houses in new england and ask to see the camera's. (rule broadcast, talamas) maybe take them out for a spin. I don't know anyone with an HVX that has regreted getting one.

[wgzn]

you can hardly get the camera itself for $5000 add p2 cards and youre looking at another grand easy.

the upside is that dvcproHD doesnt take a lot to edit with. a decent computer 3 years old or newer and either a fw800, SATA or eSATA drive and youre off to the races!

search the forum here weve covered both costs and workflow.

[brokenjack]

I am completely new to filmmaking...for all intents and purposes, I know nothing. :D

The HVX has a bit of a learning curve. I've been shooting film/video for 16 years, and HD for about 3, and it's gonna take me a while to play with and decide on what settings I'll shoot with. The camera has a lot of options, which is a good thing if you have vision and know what you want.

Personally I think this camera kicks major ass, and I've only had it a couple of days. I set this camera up next to the the $100,000 Sony Cinealta we have at my real job, and saw very little difference in image quality in regards to resolution. The HVX had a little bit of noise, but the lights were low. Actually in CINEGAMMA D setting, the HVX overall looked better. Handled the highlights very well, and the color is outstanding.

I don't think you will regret buying this camera. I think it will grow with you, as you learn. I would suggest in addition to the recording media, is to buy a matte box. The stock sunshade makes it a bit hard to adjust a circular polarizer, and I think once you learn about the film/video image, you'll want to start really manipulating it on camera with filters. I use them sparingly myself, but sometimes you need to take the edge off with a pro-mist, or enhance a sky with a grad. Personally I think there is too much hype surrounding the use of 35mm lens adapters, like the brevis and M2. Yeah it's cool and it makes you look cool when you're shooting those same old tired genre films where GQ models are pointing guns everywhere, and it reduces the DOF(depth of field), but in most practical applications you'll never need it, and the cost and hassle is not really justified . Of course that being said I'll probably go out and get one, one day.

Anyway that's my 2 cents. Remember though, and I quote my zen "Zone System" proffessor from college, "The best camera in the world, is the one you're holding in your hand". Take that for what it's worth.

[True|Funk|Soldier]

The HVX has a bit of a learning curve. I've been shooting film/video for 16 years, and HD for about 3, and it's gonna take me a while to play with and decide on what settings I'll shoot with. The camera has a lot of options, which is a good thing if you have vision and know what you want.

My sense is that I would rather be overwhelmed in the beginning and have room to grow, rather than have something that I can pick up and play with, only to be dissatisfied 6-8 months from now.

Would you agree, or does the camera have so dizzyingly difficult of a learning curve that I will just be frustrated?

[brokenjack]

Actually in my original post I mention that it's a great camera and it will grow with you as you learn. It is not dizzyingly difficult. There is a lot to the menus, and one setting affects 5 others, but if you sit down and just play with the menus and refer to the manual, you get the hang of things after the first day. I think the first thing you need to wrap your head around is what the different resolutions coupled with frame rates mean, then you can move into messing with shutter speeds, and scene file settings. Actually it has some very nice default settings to start shooting right away.

My first impression after only 2 days with it (price/features/quality) is nothing short of amazing. I'm sure I'll have issues with workflow but so far so good.

[True|Funk|Soldier]

Actually in my original post I mention that it's a great camera and it will grow with you as you learn. It is not dizzyingly difficult. There is a lot to the menus, and one setting affects 5 others, but if you sit down and just play with the menus and refer to the manual, you get the hang of things after the first day. I think the first thing you need to wrap your head around is what the different resolutions coupled with frame rates mean, then you can move into messing with shutter speeds, and scene file settings. Actually it has some very nice default settings to start shooting right away.

My first impression after only 2 days with it (price/features/quality) is nothing short of amazing. I'm sure I'll have issues with workflow but so far so good.

Awesome. And I apologize for what was probably a misstatement of your original post. The more and more I read, the more that this seems like a better choice than the Z1. And as always, every time I see some sample footage, I am simply blown away by the quality and the look.

[Barry_Green]

Would you agree, or does the camera have so dizzyingly difficult of a learning curve that I will just be frustrated?
It's complex, but it's certainly not overwhelming. And Panasonic USA distributes The HVX Book to any USA customer who buys from an authorized dealer, which should go a long way towards dispelling any confusion. And there are also training DVDs available, as well as the wealth of knowledge here on this forum.

So decide based on whether the product does what you need or not. Don't be worried about the learning curve, as there are many ways to approach that.

[brokenjack]

And Panasonic USA distributes The HVX Book to any USA customer who buys from an authorized dealer, which should go a long way towards dispelling any confusion.

Are you talking about the book you wrote that's offered in the rebate, or another book you can get sooner?

[Barry_Green]

Yes it's the one I wrote. If you want something sooner you could get our DVDs as well...

[True|Funk|Soldier]

you can hardly get the camera itself for $5000 add p2 cards and youre looking at another grand easy.

the upside is that dvcproHD doesnt take a lot to edit with. a decent computer 3 years old or newer and either a fw800, SATA or eSATA drive and youre off to the races!

search the forum here weve covered both costs and workflow.

Forgot to address this last night...

My understanding is that the camera is *roughly* $5200 from B&H/Adorama. I know that number is always in flex, which is why I put my camera budget at *roughly* 5k. I understand that storage is an additional cost, which is not included in the figure that I had provided.

On the computer front, it sounds like I am all set. I recently purchased a MacBook Pro that I am absolutely in love with. People seem to be fond of FCP which, based on my limited knowledge seems like a good choice.