Help with my major purchase!

[KOHR]

**12/4/07 _ UPDATED**
Hey everyone, originally I posted a very similar thread in the XH-A1 forum, but I realize now that the advice given would be slightly biased (due to the nature of my predicament!). So, if anyone could enlighten me on any of the pros or cons of these two rigs and which one would be a better investment, I would greatly appreciate it. Think of it more as a rig vs. rig than cam vs cam! :D

Rig #1
A stock Canon XH-A1 all by it's lonesome (and in about a year or more... a 35 mm adapter setup like the one described below)

Rig #2
The Redrock M2 Complete Indie Package: HD Edition (which includes everything from adapter to follow focus system to power pod ... rails etc)
Redrock Mattebox (when it comes out)
Totevision 703HD 7" Monitor + Noga Arm
all of this for use with my buddies' XH-A1 and later on (a couple months) possibly with my HV20

Rig #3
DVX100B with manfrotto tripod, shot gun mic, and a pelican case

I will be using the rig mainly for some low-budget commercials, some sports events, music videos for local bands, and for all of my short films! Also, I have two partners who also have XH-A1s, meaning that I already have access to this camera but that the HV20 setup may cause an issue when editing the different camera setups together from 2 or 3 camera shoots. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate whatever help you may offer me on this extremely difficult decision!

Edit- Though, if it matters, the budget I'm doing all of this on is just about $3200... and if anyone has any better rig suggestions that can be met for around that budget, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Watermoore]

Hey man, I feel your pain. I am in a nearly identical problem. but the solution if your going to do commercials, without a doubt is the Xh-A1. even though its just the camera and a tripod, commecials generally arent looking for a film style which the brevis will provide you with. I was going to make the same choice in the past especially since my primary use is for making films. I thought having a more complete setup would be better then just having the XH-A1, but think about it. The Hv20 with a 35mm economy really isnt worth the cash if you cant make it back right? No one will really take you seriously for shooting commercials with a consumer camera. The HV20 is a nice camera and in great lighting situations would be hard to determine the difference between it, and the Xh-A1 but it doesnt change the fact that people want to think the money they are spending on a commercial is going "the distance". Most potential clients will get apprehensive when you pull out consumer-ish looking camera knowing they are about to spend 800-1800 on a commercial shoot. Go with the XH-A1. You will get far more opportunity to make money which will provide you more resources to complete your set up down the line.

[andoguru]

Hey,

I have an HV20 with a brevis setup and it's nice and produces great results. But I only have an hv20 because I don't have enough money for anything better. That being said why do you need to get another camera if your two partners already have XH-a1's?

Why not get the Brevis and the flip module, that is about to come out, with the indifocus and spend some of the extra money on a few good lenses to go with the Brevis. I think getting a flip module instead of the HD monitor is a good way to save money, but you will get a lot of use out of a bigger LCD monitor that you can pull focus with.

Then you can use the brevis on your partner's cameras when you guys work on films or commercials etc.

It would be more impressive to see 2 xha1's with one decked out with a 35mm adapter and all the extra gear then to just see 3 xha1's for me at least. Also, you'll come to love the easier use of an xha1 over the hv20...trust me, since owned a hv20 I've dreamed of not having to do menus and workarounds just to change my exposure etc.


Just me two cents.


Andoguru

[KOHR]

Hey,

I have an HV20 with a brevis setup and it's nice and produces great results. But I only have an hv20 because I don't have enough money for anything better. That being said why do you need to get another camera if your two partners already have XH-a1's?

Why not get the Brevis and the flip module, that is about to come out, with the indifocus and spend some of the extra money on a few good lenses to go with the Brevis. I think getting a flip module instead of the HD monitor is a good way to save money, but you will get a lot of use out of a bigger LCD monitor that you can pull focus with.

Then you can use the brevis on your partner's cameras when you guys work on films or commercials etc.

It would be more impressive to see 2 xha1's with one decked out with a 35mm adapter and all the extra gear then to just see 3 xha1's for me at least. Also, you'll come to love the easier use of an xha1 over the hv20...trust me, since owned a hv20 I've dreamed of not having to do menus and workarounds just to change my exposure etc.


Just me two cents.


Andoguru

The only issue with that idea is that I don't exactly have complete access to their cams; meaning that I can't just decide when to shoot without clearing it by their schedules as well, which can be a little tedious. Also, I sort of need my own camera to take with me when I move for college next year.

[andoguru]

Ah ok. Well, I would say since you plan to use this camera for weddings, sports, commercials that you should get an XHA1. The hv20 is good when you have a pretty controlled environment like shooting your own short films, but it's still just a consumer camera. The controls and handling of the XHA1 will be far superior.

I got mine with a 35mm adapter because I couldn't even afford getting a XhA1. I got a HV20 with giftcards and a 10% discount then got a used Letus 35 FE so I definitely went the cheap route.

Hands down though if I could get a XHA1 I would have gone with that over a HV20 and Brevis. And you can always add a 35mm adapter later on. It's better to get the better base camera in the XHA1.

Hope this helps.

Andoguru

[srfer919]

I agree, get the XH-A1. You can always purchase a 35mm adapter later on.

As far as an inexpensive tripod... Check out the Libec tripods. They are plenty sturdy enough to support the A1 and give you nice pans, and very inexpensive compared to others.

[KOHR]

updated with new rigs

[srfer919]

Talk about having editing issues on multi-cam shoots? Have fun with your friends A1's and a DVX.

Having the DVX option in there is like asking us if you should buy a football, or a basketball to play sports with. I know you're tired of hearing it, but it all depends on what sport you're going to be playing.

I still say XH A1. Just be patient, save a little more money, and buy the A1 and a tripod.

It sounds like your heart is set on "RIG 2" though, so I would just get that. It'd probably be pretty important to have a tripod with all of that though. Even if it's a cheap wal-mart brand. Probably wont get any pans out of it, but at least you can have some good static shots.

As far as the DVX, great camera, but the only thing I'd do with a DVX on set with XH-A1's is a good behind the scenes video? If you're not going to be doing any HD for a long time, and aren't going to be mixing your footage with different brand cameras, then the DVX would be a great choice.