What's the handling of the HVX 200 like?

B

belloman

Member
Like many others it seems I am trying to choose between the JVC HD100 and the HVX 200. There are many reasons why I would like to go with the HVX 200...what many of you point out here...but one thing that really makes it hatd to decide is that it is not a shoulder mount like the JVC and the eyepiece directly behind the body and not to the side. Being to the side makes it much earier on a tripod. My arm and back get very sore holding these cameras up for hours so I really wanted a shoulder one.
But how do people find the HVX 200 not being a shoulder mount?
Another thing is the HVX 200 does not come with a ext mic like the HD100 or CAnon.
 
I find the lack of shoulder-mounting moderately annoying. The camera is a bit heavy, so I wouldn't want to use it without a tripod for any extended length of time. Oh the other hand, the bottom of the unit is almost totally flat, so it would be fairly easy to fashon a shoulder-mount to the tripod threads on the bottom. I'm thinking about building one in the coming weeks, in fact.

As for lack of an external microphone-- I assume you mean a detachable one? Because it does have a fairly decent on-board mic.

Personally, I think the decision between the JVC and the Panasonic should mostly involve the formats -- can you live with the HDV motion artifacts in exchange for being able to shoot HD to tape? Or is P2 with 4:2:2 recording better suited to you? Are interchangable lenses important? If so, be sure to include the cost of diffrent lenses when comparing prices...

I bought the HVX mostly because I liked the idea of P2 (though it took much convincing to finally win me over), and because of the variable frame rates. Those facts, combined with the split-screen issue that the JVC sometimes has made it an easy choice for me.
 
It handles freaken sweet when you put it on a DVRIGPRO shoulder mount system - I would never use a handheld camera in my hands especially when it is an HD camera. The extra weight is also nice for stedicams.

The basic mics that are included are pretty much crap - you want to throw on a much better one. There is the built in mic on the HVX which works for slate claps.
 
I wanted the JVC as well, but it has a really terrible problem with the AD/DA converters in the pickups, sometimes the screen gets split in half and the two side have different color tints to them. ABC wanted to buy a slew of them, had JVC do a bunch of mods and in the end couldn't get the problem fixed in it's current confi. As well, the likelihood that the major distributors will accept HVX content is much better vs. the JVC as the HDV format is problematic. I hated spending the extra money, and it is significant when all the accessories and FS100 etc are added, but so far we're delighted.

Don Wilson
AmericanaMediaInc.com
 
Thanks for comments. It's a hard decision....just wish Panasonic had made a shoulder mount/side eyepiece camera and my decision would be easy. I've seen some of the JVC footage and it looks great also but have heard there are problems getting into edit programme (I use Avid).
Any ther opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Anything new coming up at NAB that would change things?
 
I find the HVX a little disconcerting handheld... it's heavy, and in order to have your fingers free to work the controls, a lot of the weight goes on the hand strap. However, the handstrap is attached to the tape door, which flexes, creaks, and moves under the strain. Not confidence inspiring, and maybe problematic for the longevity of the tape drive? I guess it's better to put your thumb under the cam and use the top button on the handle to start/stop recording... but certainly not as natural.
 
A shoulder mount/side eyepiece is the determining factor ?

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If there is one area where Panasonic has fumbled hard it is the lack of shoulder-support with the HVX and DVX cameras and the odd placement of the EVF.
 
Lack of shoulder support isn't great, but the small form factor is great for documentary work. It's really easy to go into a shooting situation and blend in seamlessly. People forget your filming and let their guard down. I imagine that lugging around an XL2, or an XL-H1 would make blending in impossible. The DVrig is a great investment for handheld work and helps get pass the DVX/HVX form factor.
 
I just spent 4 weeks using the camera in a hand held mode. we were going for the frantic -long lens -not sure where you were look. however, I would recomend getting a spiderbrace or another similar shoulder mount if you need a more stable docu style look, the deal is that you need to keep the monitor close so you can keep an eye on focus. you could also put a varizoom on the handle of the shoulder mount for focus and zoom control.
 
So do you all agree that that the HVX 200 is worth getting over the JVC HD101 even though handheld & eyepiece is not great design?
 
I think it also comes from what your expereriences in the past have been. I've personally become used to shooting with the XL1 without any brace and have the wrists and forearms conditioned.. so the transfer to the HVX wasn't that bad for me. The camera weight about the same... I also find that shooting with the VIewfinder presse dup against you.. gets much smoother shots....


What was said about the strain on the Handgrip and the tape door is totally right on there! the plastic clear cover over the tape has a crack in it already.. Not sure how it happened.. or why... it seems mostly cosmetic, but it's there.

A couple of the other odd things I don't really like is.. the orientation of the power adapter. Still doesn't seem to make any sense to have to turn it around and have the cord on the deep inside of the camera. The canon one is so much better... And easier to connect.. I still fumble with this whole contraption especially when ther's no light to be had...

I do think the spiderbrace looks sweet for the cash. I'll have to pick that up. I do have a friend with the fig rig.. but that would be kind of weird to use without a zoom controller.. unless it was some fisheye stuff or somethign like that.
 
belloman said:
So do you all agree that that the HVX 200 is worth getting over the JVC HD101 even though handheld & eyepiece is not great design?
Click to expand...
Belloman, that is simply not an issue, because as soarprod said, you only need to buy a shoulder mount to attach the camera to, and you'll have a shoulder mount HVX. Problem solved. I would not shoot handheld without a shoulder mount.

There are many kinds. check out this thread for more info.
 
I saw the setup photo of braces in other thread....what a rig!! In Australia here those braces cost about A$1400. The rails sound a good idea....is the level OK for the eyepiece?
I'll be confinced yet to go with the HVX 200.
 
"A couple of the other odd things I don't really like is.. the orientation of the power adapter"

Justyn: It amazing that was my pet peeve. I finnally took my old adapter that was included with the DVX 100 and low and behold it's zakery (Southern) 180 degree from the DVX 200. You thank the HVX 200 designer was left handed?
HeHaw :badputer::badputer:
Mule
 
Must have been Mule... lol.. that's funny.


Also must have been a small man who operated his camera from the side so that is why the control orientation is all wonky... I can't understand for the life of me why they put the menu buttons and play and all that where they did.. at that orientation to the side... Makes no sense from a videography sense.. but maybe an engineering one. Like they were looking at the beauty.. marveling at it from the side..


And I'm pretty sure thaty they all spoke janglish on this build team.. lol. Still what a beauty huh?
 
DVRIGPRO shoulder mount system with two handles or one? Hmmmm. Anyone have any thoughts? I'd also like to add a hood and a follow focus, if that matters.
 
Interesting you all taliking about positioning of buttons etc...it's something alot of people have said they really liked about the JVC HD100, that it's just like handling a Betacam...everything is in similar positions.
 
Soarprod, why 2 handles? Just wondering. I'm coming over from the XL-1 world where you don't have to buy shoulder mounts.
 
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