Q: Xl2 - Dvx100ae - Hdr Fx1

[sassch]

Hello everybody, and am sorry if am writing in a wrong place.
I have a question for all of you. Am buying a camera, and i can't decide between XL2 - DVX100AE - HDR FX1.

Camera will be used to shoot music videos, Clips for presetations, documentary films, and later on for low budget movie.

I've worked with Sony VX2100 and VX 2000, XL1.
The other thing is i need the picture to look "good" (film / movie like) without going into post. I know its it cant look as good, but i belive you know what am trying to say. Am more less new in cinema world. So far Ive done 3 music videos and couple of short presetation movies.

What ive seen so far DVX and XL2 are pretty much the same (data sheet) (or maybe not? :) )
but the thing that's buggin me is HD... and thats the reason why am thinking about Sony - future related. I need a camera that i can work with next 3-4 years?
I've heard that XL1 had some problems, it broke quite a lot, Same problem with XL2?

Thank's to everybody for replying and sorry for long post :)

[xl70e3]

http://dvxuser.com/articles/shoot3/

[Jeremy Ordan]

Read that shootout and then you will eliminate the sony from your list. Look at the footage and it will come down to the DVX or the XL2. Being that you are on a DVX forum, most people will point you to the DVX, so to get a fair and balanced opinion, PM MattC. He has an XL2 and will help balance the choice for you. Best of luck and happy shooting.

[sassch]

I've read it, and Sony is out :).
Are there any additional wide and tele converters for DVX? Price?
And another Q, I've notice that DVX is kinda small, does that presents any problems using it - accidentally pushing buttons?

Once again thank you for help.

[xl70e3]

There are both wide and tele converters available, the best are made by Century Optics. Like 300-700$ each, but you rarely need something more than what the stock lens can offer.
And the DVX isn't small... maybe compared to XL2, yes, but on it's own it's quite big, much bigger than any consumer camcorder and very ergonomic.

Now, let me tell you something. I was in your position a few months ago and also had the same problem choosing between Canon (which I always liked) and Panasonic (which I never used before). And I went with DVX, camera I've only read about without actually using it. Why? All technical stuff aside... What is the name of the biggest indie filmmaking community on the internet? *Hint* type xl2user.com... See, can you really go wrong with the camera that gained such popularity and brought together over 9k people?
Plus, Canon is almost $1,5k more in Europe, think of all the accessories you can get for DVX for that money :thumbsup:

[sassch]

Same price for Canon and DVX - around 4000 $ - 4500 $ thats way i want to be sure to buy the right thing ;)

What is the difrenece beetwen DVX 100AE and DVX 100B (except the color :grin: )?
I try ed to look it up but no luck...



Thank's :thumbsup:

[Jeremy Ordan]

Didn't search very hard then. http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=37888&page=1&pp=10

[MattC]

The greatest strength that the Canon has is it's reach, and actually what I should say is it's potential reach since I'm not really referring to the 20X lens, but rather to the ability to attach still lenses with uber magnification. For those of us who need almost telescopic reach (wildlife, surf, surveillance) the Canon is really the only choice.

However for music videos, that need isn't there so you're choices are more open. Both cameras have their pluses and minuses, but they're fairly equal in my opinion as far as quality goes. I think the DVX has a slightly more filmic look (8mm) and the Canon delivers a sharper video look. The Canon may also be a tiny bit better if doing a filmout, but who's really going to do that???? I do like the native 16:9 of the Canon and think it's audio section is slightly better than that of the DVX. But again, if you're shooting music videos, neither cameras audio section will be good enough so you will be recording your sound separately anyway.

I also think the Canon has a steeper learning curve than the DVX. Also, to take full advantage of the Canon system requires additional lenses which are not cheap.

So, if you really needed what the Canon offers over the DVX you would probably know it and not be asking this question. Given that, I would think the DVX would be better suited for you.

Matt

[Anhar Miah]

Dont rule out the FX1 quite so quickly, take a look at some of McGregors Work in the Sony clips section. That was with the G35 attached though... (M2 could also produce the same quailty though)


Choose your guns according to your needs,
peace out,

Anhar