7D or HVX200

D

DDirector

Veteran
Im sure many will dispute the idea to compare these two products as they are very different, but I still want to hear your opinions.

I have currently $2000.

My decision is either buy the Canon 7D and 1 or possibly 2 prime lenses, or get the HVX200 with nothing extra, but the memory.


*The problems I am seeing with the HVX200, is that I will need to pay more for attachments in the future, such as the 35mm adapter.


So, only having $2,000, which of these two cameras would you purchase and why?
(Canon 7D + 1 or 2 prime lenses or a diff. add-on instead of lenses.)
(Panasonic HVX200 + memory)
 
What are you shooting?

Have you looked into the T2i for $800, appears to be nearly the same video quality as the 7D. Might let you score some better lenses that way.
 
I want a camer that I can use to shoot anything basically. I want to practice and just shoot some short films. Nothing special.
However, I am looking for something that is good with good quality, not just something cheap to use.

Never seen the T2i.
 
if I only had to 2k I would go with the 7D or T2i. But you will need extra gear with either cam.

If you want an adapter you can catch one used right now for cheap.

It really boils down to what you are using it for. I went from HVX200 with the Letus Extreme to a 7D and don't regret it but I miss a lot of things about the HVX, Mainly that is was a actual VIDEO camera, with XLR inputs, Articulating LCD, Etc. the form factor with the 7D is awful, but you get used to it. And the moire and aliasing can spell trouble if you don't watch out.

There are plenty of threads here that you can research and then decide what is best for what you do. I do feature films, short films and Coporate video and so far the 7D is holding up. But I will tell you this, the ONLY reason I switched is because I needed the money, other wise I would still shoot with the HVX/LEX combo. Hope it helps.

And what roxis said.
 
For 2K with the intention to shoot short films, I would pick up the T2i with a few nice sharp prime lenses. I would also grab an H4n or similar recorder for sound.

Depending on the lenses you should come in under $2000.

I also do short and features films on the side and commercial video professionally. For my commercial stuff I use an XHA1. But for short films I'm picking up the T2i.
 
I looked at the T2i & 7D, and I dont see any differences in the descriptions for video.

What is the difference between these two cameras?
 
DDirector said:
I want a camer that I can use to shoot anything basically. I want to practice and just shoot some short films. Nothing special.
However, I am looking for something that is good with good quality, not just something cheap to use.

Never seen the T2i.
Click to expand...
Do you want to practice as a director or a cameraman?
If your not looking to get into shooting as a side job or whatever, I´d also go with the t2i. seems like the best bang for the buck ATM. You get that shallow DOF look, we all love so much and don´t have the hazzle and costs of an adapter setup...
A HVX would prepare you for shooting with a "normal" videocamera and will also look more pro when shooting with a client (others may disagree on this though...)
 
DDirector said:
I looked at the T2i & 7D, and I dont see any differences in the descriptions for video.

What is the difference between these two cameras?
Click to expand...

The build quality and the still photo capability of the 7D is better. From some of the early comparison videos some might say the 7D is a tad better in lower light.
Otherwise the video quality appears to be very very similar. So it's a question of if you want to spend $900 more for the better build quality and still photo features. Or if you'd rather use that $900 toward lenses and other things.
 
Alright. Thanks guys.

I will most likely look at the T2i. I will have to see what lense(s) to get with that nad how much it will all cost me.
 
So, it sounds good so far, looks like I will most likely go with this camera.

This is what I was thinking of getting in total;
- Canon t2i Body
- 50mm 1.8 or 1.4? ~ Which one?
- Rode NTG-2 Kit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481528-REG/Rode__NTG_2_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html

I should have about $310 left over - if I purchase the cheaper lens (50mm 1.8)

*And, I already have a tripod, so I don't need that right now. But, I will need to upgrade sometime soon.
 
I wouldn´t save on the mic and go for the NTG-3, gets a lot of good talk...
(I guess you already have an audio recorder or some XLR converter like the juicelink...?)
I´d get the 1.8, because it´s cheap and sharp and because the t2i is already full plastic ;-)
And/Or I´d get one of the cheaper 2.8 wideangle zooms out there, maybe the tokina or the sigma...

Than I´d made a garage sale, to get another 300-500 to buy some extra stuff like CF cards, zoomH4 (if not owened yet), boom and shockmount, deadcat, good headphones ahhhh the list grows on and on and on and on..
 
True, the list does go on and on lol

From what you stated, I think you'll be fine with the T2i. I'd also opt for the 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8 (better in low light)
 
Jay Rodriguez said:
I'd also opt for the 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8 (better in low light)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was considering the 1.4 - low light
I will be shooting in low light conditions quite a bit. But, I don't know yet which lens. Depends on what I need to purchase and how much money I got.

I don't have any of my own equipment.
 
DDirector said:
Yeah, I was considering the 1.4 - low light
I will be shooting in low light conditions quite a bit. But, I don't know yet which lens. Depends on what I need to purchase and how much money I got.

I don't have any of my own equipment.
Click to expand...

If you can I'd go with the 1.4 for the build quality alone. The 1.8 is a nice cheap sharp lens for still photography, but that front focus ring is so loose I can only imagine how much trouble it would be trying to keep it from jiggling out of focus shooting video. Maybe others have had better luck. I don't know.

Consider that you can also get an inexpensive adapter to mount Nikon glass on this camera. That opens you up to old manual focus Nikon primes you might be able to score for cheap.
 
I concur with Jay and roxics. If you can afford the 1.4, get it. It'll probably remain in your kit for a long, long time. But...playing devil's advocate, if you buy the 1.8, you'll be able to sell it for almost as much as you pay for it as long as you take good care of it. So you could always upgrade later.
 
I was in this dilemma recently, though it wasn't with a lot of money at stake. I was hiring a DP and he had an HVX and a Canon and gave me the choice of which one to use between'em. It's for a music video and I'm leaning towards the HVX, if only cause the results would be similar and it feels more official holding an HVX instead of something that resembles a still camera I can crush with one hand
 
Question. Can you get an HVX200 for 2k? I thought the cards cost loot as well. Cause I'll buy on now if I can.

The nifty fifty is a cheap starter lens and is useless for video due to the loose plastic focus ring that sits too far to the front. With 50mm the market is flooded if you know how to look. There are so many other affordable options. Better off to get a cheap nikkor adapter and a 50mm ais 1.4 for about $140 total, then you'll have a first class prime.
 
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