2/3" Cams: How difficult to transition coming from HVX/DVX?

Mister Big

Mister Big

Well-known member
Hey everyone. I'm a producer who has shot with an HVX and a DVX quite extensively when I couldn't afford a DP. I'm looking at a production for a cable network that will require a much higher quality camera -- one of the big guns. The problem is the shoot window is so long, I really can't afford to pay a DP. So the option would be to buy a big camera like an HPX500 or higher and shoot it myself (amortizing the cost of the camera across later productions). My question is how tough is it to transition from a handicam to a bigger camera? Are the principles basically the same, just in a bigger form factor with switches instead of menus? Has anyone done this? How tough should the transition be aside from the cost and the weight? FWIW, I am a fairly accomplished still photographer and understand the fundamentals of lighting, shutter, aperture, etc. Thanks for your advice.
 
Biggest difference is having a zoom servo that you can actually USE during a shot! Honestly, since you've got experience on the HVX, that'll be a great advantage in moving to the HPX. I'd shot small & large SD, but no HD or P2, so going to the HPX was a really big learning curve. I think those are much greater differences than small/large form factor. I prefer shoulder-mount handheld (more comfortable, more stable), except in tight/awkward spaces, over small cameras. And you'll spend a few moments scratching your head over the audio configurations on the HPX (so many options).
Bottom line - you'll love it. Just the feel of a REAL servo zoom & manual focus.... ahhhhh.....
 
Thanks for the answer. I've used the DVX mostly and havent' dealt so much with the HVX's P2 system, though I have filled up a couple cards on one. So it sounds like there will be a curve with the P2 flow, but not so much with the form factor or location of the controls. Yes, the biggest joys will be a real lens that it much more responsive than a handycam.
 
You'll have to practise a bit until you can shoot steady with the shoulder mount. But as soon as you've gotten used to it, you will never want to shoot with a handycam again! :)
 
Although I had experience with shoulder mounts earlier in my career, up until September of last year, we worked with Sony PD-170's.

Making the transition to the larger form factor went pretty smoothly, but the HD thing was little tougher with the critical focus issue. I used to rely on the auto focus on the 170's when I could, so I got a little lazy. I am still waiting to pick up a couple of those 8" Panasonic monitors to help with focus, but thats a few months off yet.

Best,
Brad
 
I find that using the VF on the HPX I can pull focus fairly quickly. Quick zoom in with peaking turned up, pretty easy. Thats not terribly useful on the fly though. But those uncontrolled situations that make it difficult for anyone on any 2/3" lens rarely occur in controlled situations, if ever so its safe. And in the uncontrolled situation, it usually matters less what else is in your shot beside what your shooting so going full wide and all in focus is fine.

Focus isnt as easy, but very doable, and I have a bad right eye. Left is perfect. Fat lot of good that does heh. Anyway even so I get focus. The monitor is great, but dont try to lug that around all day off the shoulder, it unbalances the camera severly placing a lot of stress on your arms. Of cours if its mounted on top is balanced, but useless.
 
question.
We all know that focusing with HVX200 is a disaster.
Do you HPX500 owners find the 500 viewfinder a relief compared to 200 viewfinder?
 
dolph2000 said:
question.
We all know that focusing with HVX200 is a disaster.
Do you HPX500 owners find the 500 viewfinder a relief compared to 200 viewfinder?
Click to expand...

On the 500, I still struggle with HD run and gun stuff when all I have is the viewfinder, but I think a lot of that is getting used to the camera. If I have plenty of time to set up the shot, it's not bad.

The peaking works pretty well, but I still struggle with the focus assist on the 500 as your subject has to be in the center of the screen for it to work.
 
oh come on - focus with hvx200 is not a problem - focus assist, peaking and zooming - many options -

the 500 is, if anything more difficult since your error margin is smaller due to the large image sensor - but both of these are easier then a film cam. Just use a monitor if you cant focus
 
Barry_Green said:
Really? I wonder how the 35,000+ HVX users manage to do it every single day...

Perhaps this was a bit of an overstatement?
Click to expand...

No problems here, I've gotten good at doing it quickly on full zoom with peaking on and focus assist. Looks sharp as can be on my 47" tv.
 
I can focus using the lcd even with my Letus Extreme slapped on. It takes a little practice to focus correctly. But it never has been a problem. Not once.

Peter
 
Maybe we can agree on that ALL of our little buddys out there just can´t compete with setting focus, zooming and setting aperture on the average shoulder-size ENG style camera...?
This limitation isn´t exclusively HVX domain.
Not that I didn´t hope this will change one day and I could enjoy the benefits of a small form factor together with a true manual lens with smooth zoom controll...
 
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