2 XL2's or one AJ-SDX900?

[jnolla]

We have a good budget to start a video company. We are planning to shoot weddings, events, corporate video, and small time music production. We currently edit footage from other companies with FCP HD, and Apple equipment.

We have a budget that would allow us to get 2 XL2 cameras with all the goodies: good tripods, lights, dollies, and even matteboxes. Our budget so far has set us back $32,000.

The dilema. Should I get the set up for the 2 xl2's, or should I get one of the Panasonic AJ-SDX900 with all the gear, and rent a second one as needed?

We were going to go with the 2 Sony HDV, but decided not too. We have been researching for the last two months an we are ready to get this equipment, but want to take the best decision possible.

Thanks in advance!

[Shaw]

Personally, I would go for the SDX900. The quality difference between it and the XL2 is very, very large.

[scharky]

If I had the budget, I would as well go for the SDX900 and rent the other cameras as needed. you might even be able to buy an XL2 for a b-roll camera later on. although the DVX, would probably match the color better, but the XL2 would have the greater resolution if shooting in 16:9. I guess it all depends on how you are using the camera, I'm guessing that you are going to be shooting a lot of 30 and 24p, seeing your choice of cameras. Although with the SDX900 remember that you will have to have a DVCpro50 deck as well, and probably a lot more hard drive space. Plus the DVCpro 50 tapes cost more. So it will end up costing more in the end, but your footage will be all that much nicer looking, giving you (hopefully) more clients. hmmm, all that money to spend, what to get, what to get. You sure do have a dillema. ;D

[dakotapod]

This is an honest question and I mean it in all respect. But I am a little confused why you guys would recommend a $25,000 camera for weddings, events, corporate video, and small time music production.

Would it not make a world of sense to get two or three DVX's or Xl2s for way less then the cost of the SDX?

Obviously The quality of the SDX is huge, but for weddings and corp videos it would be so much more feasible to have multi cams as apposed to the higher res... Shit, a 3 cam set up is cost effective!

I might be off track and missing something.

[BLUESPIDER]

Would it not make a world of sense to get two or three DVX's or Xl2s for way less then the cost of the SDX?

I agree with dakota on this one. Why waste your investment on something that scale. The 900 quality surpass both DVX and XL2 but only by a bit. I've seen the 900 and DVX and some people couldn't distinguish the difference. I think it would be a better investment getting either a couple dvx or xl2. Those cameras put in the right hands can do some serious damage.

[jnolla]

I think about the opportunities this camera might bring n the future, and this is why it becomes a dilema.

Right now our business clients are looking for short clips for the web, but are thinking about commercials once they've see what we are capable off. Printing to SD tapes, would be better if shot with the AJ-SDX900, and we do have that capability.

[jimagine]

<<Personally, I would go for the SDX900. *The quality difference between it and the XL2 is very, very large.>>

Not really that large, in fact your average viewer can't differentiate, but the difference of $25k is substantial by most anyone's standards. More importantly , as others asked, is why you would need a $30k camera to shoot web clips and weddings. If TV is a future option, then the XL2 can do a great job with that. I'd suggest getting a single XL2 setup with everything from an indie dolly to a small crane/jib setup.In the instances where you need a second camera, rent it...if you get to a point where it's a regular occurence, then buy a second XL2 and you won't need to duplicate most of the extras.

[LoveHD]

But I am a little confused why you guys would recommend a $25,000 camera for weddings, events, corporate video, and small time music production.

Would it not make a world of sense to get two or three DVX's or Xl2s for way less then the cost of the SDX?


No. The size is an important factor. Not only the quallity. The size as well. If you want make money with video production it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home. The first time impression and the result of your job can give you more jobs and more cash to invest later.

[BLUESPIDER]

No. The size is an important factor. Not only the quallity. The size as well. If you want make money with video production it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home. The first time impression and the result of your job can give you more jobs and more cash to invest later.






hmm, If you got a good demo reel, your client is going to hire you because you have skills not because of the size of your camera. I've seen people who shoot weddings on DVCPRO and their final product looks like crap.

Jnolla, go get a SDX900! You got the money, plus you can always sell it later.

[Jeff_Chandler]

"it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home"

How many of your customers would have a couple of XL2's or DVX's at home? Every time I take out my ol XL1 it gets a lot of attention. People see these cams as professional. I agree with those that recommend the XL2's. If your business develops to the point you need the other, you can rent or buy. Just having the SDX900 won't get you there. What you establish as your talent level and the rep you develop will.

[LoveHD]

"it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home"

How many of your customers would have a couple of XL2's or DVX's at home?
How many of your customers are driving Lotus?


"it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home"
Every time I take out my ol XL1 it gets a lot of attention. People see these cams as professional.
Depends where you are.

"it is very important to use equipment the customer doesn't have at home"
Just having the SDX900 won't get you there.
Just having 2 XL2s won't get you there either.

[Jeff_Chandler]

"How many of your customers are driving Lotus? "


None to my knowledge, but what's the point? I doubt any of his are either, and if that reallly matters then he'd better go buy one for himself. Talent and ability are what really matter. When and if he needs the higher priced equipment to imeet the needs of a client, he can rent it. Many production companies do it that way all of the time.


Just having 2 XL2s won't get you there either.

No doubt, but they will cost a lot less and give him more capabilities for the immediate future.

Nothing wrong with pursuing higher goals, but having that amount of money tied up in 1 camcorder in the hopes of future business is very poor business practice. If you were opening your first restaurant, you wouldn't open 2 or 3 at a time in hopes that you would be a chain owner. You would take it a step at a time. And that especially makes sense when you can rent or purchase equipment as needed.

[Rick_Rock]

I, too, would rather go for dual XL2's. Being able to film two angles for one-time events like weddings and even preproduced events is truly worthwhile, not to mention a timesaver (and headache saver). And really, getting two XL2's will not put the same dent in your budget that a SDX900 will and not blowing your entire budget right from the get-go is probably a wise idea.

[David Jimerson]

<<Personally, I would go for the SDX900. *The quality difference between it and the XL2 is very, very large.>>

Not really that large, in fact your average viewer can't differentiate, but the difference of $25k is substantial by most anyone's standards.

You'll immediately see the difference when it comes to things like color correction.

Now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't go for the XL2s, but it's a factor.

[jnolla]

Thanks for all the help!

I do agree with everyone, that two cameras is better than one, but customers not always want to pay for the price of two; and if they are, then we can rent the other one.

Some might say, rent the camera when you actually need it, and just get the XL2's. The problem would be, that not being familiar with the camera, will hinder our shooting. Because renting the camera for a shooting, will not come packed with the skills necessary to be proficient with it.

Yes, I don't know budget wise how duable is going to be, since there is no firewire attached to the camera, the deck is a most, and that will set me back an extra $5,500.00.

There are things to consider: If in fact we can get as good as some of you are, meaning in our skills and talents regarding shooting, then we would be able to talk to the networks here in Chicago, to become freelancers for them.

Yes, it is an overflodded market, but we are looking to work with the Hispanic market. We met we Univision and they were really displeased with the quality of material they were getting for commercials, from the local businesses. We had a good meeting, and they agreed to outsource any work for us, "AS LONG AS WE CAN PROVE OURSELVES".

We can do some serious damage in FCP, and Motion, sorry no AE, but we would have to hire someone to do our shooting, and didn't feel it was a great business invesment, thus making us think about the opportunities the SDX900 can bring to our business.

Thanks again for the input!

[ColdPyroWF]

Its not the camera..its whatyou do with it. Personally I would get 2 DV5000's....or 2 XL2's with the 16x Manual Lenses.

[jnolla]

I want the manua lens, but If I'm shooting weddings, or live events; I'm concerned about having to focus all the time!

Is it worth it? I don't have the budget to get both lenses.

[ColdPyroWF]

Well they have lens controls available for the Manual Lens..

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/xl1_setup.php

My advice is to get the XL2 with the 16x manual lens, lens controls, a good tripod with fluid head, a small monitor and a bracket to hold it to the tripod legs.

You dont need 2 XL2's at all..mostly everything can be done with one camera.

[Rick_Rock]

Dude, your signature pic gives me the creeps. It looks like they're all about to make out with each other at the drop of a hat. :P

[Jeff_Chandler]

"You dont need 2 XL2's at all..mostly everything can be done with one camera."

It depends greatly on what you are taping. If you are taping events, one camera won't cut it.

[Mathew]

As nice as the SDX is I would opt for 2 XL2's. Reason being that if you're starting out you'll have a hard time paying for the SDX before it's obsolete. Rent the SDX as needed. It's always best to have two cameras. What if one craps out on you or you have two shoots in different locations in one day.

[monte]

If you are planning on doing things to it in post (Color Correction, Motion Tracked elements etc) I would get the SDX, just because you have more pixels to work with, better color rendition, which means more control over what you want to create.

Sure, somebody might not be able to see the difference in RESOLUTION, but trust me, the real difference, will be happening in post, that's where (IMO) the real advantage with high res cameras lies.

[Barry_Green]

You won't have more pixels with an SDX, regarding the number of pixels in the frame (they're both 720x480 frames) but you'll have a lot milder compression and twice the color sampling on the SDX (plus bigger chips, better lens, etc).