Sony HDR-FX1 vs. HVX for music video?

evolvnyc

evolvnyc

Well-known member
I want to ask people's experience with these cameras in the following context: I've had a dvx100a for years and it's amazing, always in 24p... I am doing a music video for a great band, but we're splitting the expenses. I want it to look amazing, so I decided to shoot HD. I would use the HVX in a heartbeat, but the catch is this: I can use a Sony HDR-FX1 for free, OR rent the HVX for $1500... I don't mind spending the money if it will bring me much closer to a saturated film look/feel, but if it's a negligible difference, I'd rather save the $ and pay my DP. Any thoughts?
 
Given neither the FX1 or the Z1U shoots true progressive, and the codecs have significant color space differences, I'd pony up for the HVX200.

For another $3,000, you can buy one.
 
I understand that musicians are usually broke and all that, but why would you cover half the costs? Especially if you are donating your time and or working for free. I've had this run around a few times with bands and have concluded that most are too much trouble to deal with.. even if they are good. I did a couple of promo pieces for a rap act that hit it bit... promised to take care of me when they did.. and of course they didn't. Musicians... lol


I'd say though just for giving my .02, the HVX offers so much more. Real slow mo, super nice high shutter looks... and some great in camera options for single frame or timelapse photography...


Good luck and I wouldn't pay anything towards someone else's gig... That's crazy stuff when you are giving yourself for free.
 
Frankly, I'd rather shoot a music video with a DVX100 than a FX1. I'm biased because I despise the FX-1 for anything but even shooting (and even then the lack of an XLR input makes me want to cut someone). The progressive is false and not only blurry but doesn't move like real 24p. The lattitude is smaller than the DVX or HVX and looks nothing like film. The colors are video-ish and the whole image has a plasticky feel to it. It's just not a good looking camera in my book. On the other hand, I don't know how much 1500 is worth it to you.
 
For a music video take the DVX - there is no need to go HD, yet. In stead of renting a HVX rent a 35mm adapter, lenses and a DP who knows to handle it all - with 1500$ you will get the whole package. Everybody will think you shot on 35mm - the product value will be amazingly higher.
 
$1500???? sucks to be in brooklyn. l.a. is flooded with hvx's renting cheap. $300 gets you an hvx, 3 batteries, 2 8gb p2's, a 60gb p2 store, and some mics all packaged in a pelican case for the entire weekend!!! hit craigslist l.a.. maybe some of these guys will ship.... i'm shooting a horror film on hvx right now. we rented ours for two weeks with 2 8gb p2's for $800
 
Give me 1500$ i'll shoot your musicvideo..... with an HVX and 35 adapter.... lol. Infact, just to make you feel better i'll bring 2 HVX's.
 
^
Now you're just showin off.

I'll bring two HVX200, two DVX100s, a JVC HD100, a Canon XL2, a Canon Rebel XT still camera, and a monkey. You never know when a monkey is gonna come in handy.
 
you need the monkey. He used to work on NYPD blue operating camera, then he got hired by "Viva la bam"... hes a millionaire. now he works for me.
 
HVX-200-pay the money.

I own Panny's- a 100,100A and a HVX. I'm currently shooting a syndicated show that uses the Z1U- I hate that camera. It shoots a good interlaced picture, but that's about the only good thing I can say about it.

The ergonomics, menu driven operation and placement of controls/ buttons is very amateur. It's hard to use handheld without constantly hitting some button or kicking it into one of it's myriad of automatic modes. The audio monitor level is not high enough to be usable in anything other than a very quiet environment etc...It's imperative that you add a output amplifier on order to monitor audio. We've had several go down because of their extreme vulnerability to any kind of moisture or dust. We now have one just for a backup. I could go on and on. These issues by themselves, should be enough to sway anybody towards another camera.

For a film look...? It's not even a contest, the HVX. As others have said, I'd go with a 100A over the FX1/Z1U. THe HVX's true progressive, better color, no motion artifacts, higher bit audio....?

Sorry for the rant, it's not directed at you. I just ended another week of shooting with the Z1U, and it usually takes me a couple of days to recover. It's like a bad hangover. ;-)

Find a way to pay for the HVX for the shoot.
 
Yes, if it fits the budget: HVX, adapter, lots of lightning and magic bullet in post. The band is bad? Never mind, with the clip you a going to shoot they will get a Grammy!
 
Sorry for the rant, it's not directed at you. I just ended another week of shooting with the Z1U, and it usually takes me a couple of days to recover. It's like a bad hangover. ;-)
Click to expand...

It's been a year since I used an FX1 (and later a Z1) on a documentary and I still havn't gotten over it. Some times I still wake up late and night, trying to find an XLR input or weeping because I've got roughly six stops of lattitude.
 
DavidBeier said:
It's been a year since I used an FX1 (and later a Z1) on a documentary and I still havn't gotten over it. Some times I still wake up late and night, trying to find an XLR input or weeping because I've got roughly six stops of lattitude.
Click to expand...

He he he. I feel your pain brother. Cuddling with my HVX after using the Z1U for a week helps me keep the bad thoughts at bay. :-O
 
I shot with the Sony ONCE... and only ONCE. I hated so many things about that cam... so consumer and auto-driven. I'ts also surprisingly heavy and not well balanced for a smaller cam... Yikes.. HATED!
 
well i will have to go the other route on this one. If someone offered to use any of the 3 cameras for free then i would choose a hvx. since that is not the case why pay for it when u have 2 camera that work fine.

If u have a free dvx or fx1 use um. The shooter make the video great not really the camera. Some people hate the fx1 but it can be a great camera. I have seen stuff shot with a fx1 that looks better than alot of hvx stuff.

If i had to choose between a dvx and a fx1. i go fx1 all the way. Every camera is different. Some of the best DPs on this forum have used the fx1, and it looked great.

all i have to say is FREE FREE FREE

thought this threaad was interesting
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=90665
 
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