buy now or wait?

[craaig]

Seriously, this is anoying me.. My trusty old XM(GL?)2 finally got the shameful early retirement. So, what to do? with shootings starting december, i've got some time to decide I guess but then how can I just put the camera down?

Anyway, i know for certain that there's been countless threads about XHA1 vs. HVX vs. XL2 vs. V1 e.t.c.. so, with the EX coming in november, should i wait and try and snap up a cheap Z1/HVX or just bite my lip and place an order for the A1? bare in mind i've only got $6000 in the cot so at the moment the A1 seems a logical deal (i can't justify the hv20 or the hv50 sorry) and the P2 pricing and workflow doesn't suit me that well at all unless it was substantially cheaper (e.g. so i can get a firestore maybe).

[marketmd]

Get the A1 now. You may be hit by a bus before the Sony comes out, or the "Day After Tomorrow" scenario could hit your area. In any case, we will all one day be wormsmeat. Don't wait...shoot NOW.

[smithy]

THe A1 is what I chose and this is before any rebates..but I'm glad I have it and wouldn't look back.

[Brandon Freeman]

I'm a proud new A1 owner...and I would say if there's a need now, get the A1. If you can wait, though, Sony's coming out with some new HDV cameras that have 3 progressive 1/3" CMOS sensors AND the capability of interchangeable lenses. Not saying these cameras will be better, but I am saying that I wonder what other upgrades are coming soon, that will, if nothing else, drop the current crop's price.

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?BIZ_SESSIONID=S2YpGvkGJNx1YpgWK hTvGSBrrNzwvq7f61VySqdpTbDVJ8scgvQY!-1933814116&contentId=1187079485470&site=biz_en_CH (http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?BIZ_SESSIONID=S2YpGvkGJNx1YpgWK hTvGSBrrNzwvq7f61VySqdpTbDVJ8scgvQY%21-1933814116&contentId=1187079485470&site=biz_en_CH)

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?contentId=1187079485406

[firstcinemapictures]

If Canon is going to come out with an XL-H2, A2, it should be anounced within the next 30 days. Heck, i've waite almost 2 yrs for on with true 24p. Just a little longer.
Darrell

[marketmd]

IF concerned, get an HV20, which is 24p for 1/4 the price, and get a Brevis or whatever. Then use the footage to work on your NLE and FX chops. Spice up your PC and storage until everything works great. Master great audio and lighting techniques. And then by that time the Sony EX will be out, Panasonic will have a big price drop on the HVX and P2 media, and Canon and JVC will step up with new offerings as well. MUCHO action will happen in the next 3-6 months. Be patient if you must.

Then again, if you have a great idea and can't wait...get it now. After all, you could be dead in 3-6 months.

[Brandon Freeman]

I would actually be pretty surprised if Canon came out with upgrades to their cameras so soon. The Z1U has been out for almost three years, and Sony has always said (at least when I've called) that the V1U is NOT a replacement for that camera. So, I'm thinking, Sony's upgrading their line here soon, but the XH-A1 came out less than a year ago. I would be seriously shocked (and a bit bummed) if they upgraded that quickly. :)

[Jack_Felis]

A1's a safe bet. I can't imagine anyone being upset with its 1080 24F performance, especially based on the various projects being done with it on the boards.

I've got an HV20 myself and it's been fantastic, albeit a little tricky due to the manual exposure workaround but at least it works. Also, I have the audio tweaked nicely with a Beachtek DXA6-VU, no problems so far.

[snowleopard]

I have to agree. If you need to buy now, or very soon, the Canon is a pretty safe bet at a great price.

I too agree it will be many months before Canon replaces/upgrades these cameras. They'll probably wait and see what happens with the XDCAM EX and how Panny responds before coming out with a solid state HD cam.

[marketmd]

I've got an HV20 myself and it's been fantastic, albeit a little tricky due to the manual exposure workaround but at least it works.
HV20 is a great cam for this strange transition period in the market. Exposure is a pain, but the image is fantastic, and anything can be fixed in post.

[marketmd]

Also, I have the audio tweaked nicely with a Beachtek DXA6-VU, no problems so far.
Does the DXA-4 also work with the HV20?

[Nathaniel McInnes]

One thing that im really concerned about and im sure if any one has a xm2 they will no what im mean.

Firstly does the A1 or G1 have the horrible remove cassette error.
Secondly is the body of the A1/G1 plastic like the XM2 or metal like a Sony PD170/Z1

I have serioulsy been looking at a A1 but i think i might go with the JVC HD110 720P true 24P for about £3000 ($6000)

Cheers,
Nathaniel

[craaig]

hah, nathaniel mcinnes, luckily my xm2 came up with that in the first year of using it so got it repaired under warrenty and then it worked fine for quite a few years after. That is definately the 'DREADED' xm2 curse, arriving on location and then getting "remove cassette" :|

I hope they have managed to rectify that major error, I havn't heard much about it so i imagine it's not a problem anymore.