XHA1 or DVX100B for SD??

S

Seaann

New member
Hey guys, first post here. I’ve been reading a lot because I’m quite new to video production. I want to buy my first prosumer camera to mess around with and possibly make some short films. I want that “film-look” that everyone else is after. I also want to take baby steps by shooting in standard definition before I make the big jump to high definition.
My first choice of camera was the DVX100B. I am on a budget so I have been looking for some used ones on Craigslist and I have found a few in the $2000 range.
All decisions had been made until I started noticing the Canon XHA1 on Craigslist as well in the $2500-2800 range.
Now for only few hundred more I can have both SD and HD. If I purchased the Canon I would probably only shoot in SD for the next year or so until I was comfortable shooting in HD.
So, should I go with the XHA1 and have the best of both worlds and eliminate having to buy another HD camera in the future? Or should I just go with the DVX100B and keep it simple and wait until about a year or two and then buy a different HD camera, hopefully for a lot less then they are going for now?

Thanks,
Sean
 
I dunno why you're hesitant to shoot in HD. It's not exactly the big leagues or a real bike without training wheels. Just step right up. The only thing that should shy you away from it, I think, would be if your computer can handle the HD footage.

Otherwise, everyone on here will say to get the best SD footage, shoot HD, edit HD, export SD.
 
Go with the DVX-100B

Go with the DVX-100B

Keep in mind that all the prosumer HD cameras struggle in low-light. If you're shooting in unlit situations (residential interiors, offices, dusk, etc), you will have problems with HD.

For the money, I'd definitely go with the DVX100b. In another year, the prosumer HD cams are going to be light-years ahead, and you'll know by then if this is something you want to invest in for the longterm.

good luck.
 
I probably will be shooting mostly low-light. Using a lense adapter, what would be the best camera to get that 35mm look?

Thanks to everyone who responded.
 
Isn`t the Sony PD170 considered the best SD cam for low light in it`s class? Just a thought... Especially since I saw one going for $1300 on one of these boards which looked like a great deal to me.
 
I was in your exact same position a couple months ago. Went with the XH-A1 and never looked back.

The only thing that was a big deal to me, but not enough of a big deal for me to change my mind, was the Servo (motor driven) lens on the A1. Don't get me wrong, the system is great, it just doesn't allow the type of snap zoom that I like to use in music videos.
 
i've owned both the PD-170 and the DVX100. the PD-170 is slightly better in low-light. that said, it doesn't measure up in many other areas. When compared in their totality, the DVX wins hands-down.
 
Go with the DVX I have the 100b and xh a1. DVX shoots better in low light and is way more camera than the pd170.
 
I think you'd better listen to Dwight.

Hah jk, but I do agree, the DVX is a perfect camera for you right now.
 
Sean,

I moved from dvx to A1, and in low light 4:3 I really miss the dvx, it is an awesome camera. That said, if you're on a budget and can only choose one, be absolutely positively sure you won't want to shoot in HD. For the stop or two you lose, you gain a great deal in terms of image quality it's worth it.
 
The DVX is still a great camera but much of its potential is wasted in crappy DV artifacts. I would much rather shoot in HDV and downconvert to DVCPRO50.


Marco
 
DVX is a great SD camera!

The only thing I can tell you for sure is you will want HD sooner than you think.
 
Thanks for the replies. I was split 50/50 on this. But I think I am going to go with the XHA1 just to play it safe.
I was planning on getting the new iMac either way, so I shouldnt have any problems editing HD in post.
 
If you're still teetering on your decision, one more vote for the A1.

BTW, I don't see a major loss in low light performance, this coming from a former 100a user.
 
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