$8000 to Spend on a New Primary Filming Set-up. NEED HELP!

J

Jared Chilko

Member
I have a big purchase dilemma and any opinions, insight, or suggestions from you learned folks would really be of help.

So here is a bit of background about myself. I ride bmx professionally and I’ve been filming bmx and skateboarding as a hobby and for compensation from brands for the better part of 10 years. My setups have ranged from TRV’s, VX1000’s, DVX’s, Canon DSLR’s, HVX200’s, and HPX170’s.

I’ve decided to make the move to start planning videography as a profession. I have taken on a few pro bono projects over the past month to build a more diverse portfolio.

Anyway, I have an $8000 US budget to get myself setup with a new primary filming rig with recording media.

I purchased an HPX250 from B&H and returned it as I felt I could make a better purchase. I want something a bit more “future-proof” and hoping this purchase can last me 3-5 years in the industry before I need an upgrade.

My main requirements are below.

-Some sort of servo zoom is key for filming skate/bmx action.
-A wide fisheye option, again for skate and bmx
-A strong codec. AVC Intra 100 looked great on the 250 but with no support for 1080 60p I wasn’t satisfied.
-A good OIS system, again for the run and gun action sports shot.
-Something that I can setup in the studio for controlled shots for products.

4K ready would be nice but not an asset.

I’m contemplating the below camcorders……..

1) Panasonic PX270 – Great codec’s, has a wide fisheye (Century Optics Xtreme .55), great zoom, I’ve heard it has bad OIS even after the most recent update, only 1/3”, No 4k period. (Unless you count 1080 60p as 4K. haha)

2) Sony FS700r – weaker codec, mediocre rocker zoom with the kit lens, great fisheye option with the Canon 8-15 and speedbooster, 4K compatible!, not the best ergonomics.

3) Sony PXW-X200 – Strong codec, has wide fisheye (Century Optics Xtreme .55), great lens, ois should be great as usual, ½”!!! No 4K again.

4) Give me a recommendation.

Thanks.
 
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1) Panasonic PX270 –

This is your best option imho. The OIS is not bad, it is quite good. I have yet to install the latest update but the previous update pretty much solved the issue. For $8,000 you can not say "only 1/3" Outside of the PXW-X200, 1/3" is all that fits into your budget.

2) Sony FS700r –

This camera does fit your work needs if a "servo zoom is key"

3) Sony PXW-X200 –

This camera no doubt is workhorse. I would handhold this and the PX270 and see which one you like the best. I prefer the PX270 for weight and longer lens. In my view, the difference between 1/3" and 1/2" chips is almost non existent.


With your budget you can get a PX270 and a GH4 or even an LX100 to have a one, two punch. I have always preferred Panasonic colors and the PX270 is about the best 1/3" camera I have ever come across. The color controls are the real deal and the noise levels are super low.

If you really want 4k then the Panny 1000 might be an option but I do not know its light sensitivity. I do not think 1080p60 is going out of style any time soon. Great, true colors and ergonomics that allow you to get the best product are more important than resolution.
 
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Bassman2003 & iamlance,

Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to go with the PX270 but want to wait until I can get my hands on a pxw-x200 and compare before I make the purchase.

The LX100 looks awesome. That fixed lens does a lot!
 
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Cool. It is always best to hold, use and look at the images from a number of cameras before buying. We all have preferences but it only matters what you want. Don't be put off by the anti-zoom crowd. Zoom can be a 4 letter word around here, wait it is 4 letters... What is important is the 22x zoom range and the ability to quickly and smoothly change it. Cinema or shallow DOF cameras have a great look but require a certain type of shooting. It is up to your work to see if that workflow will fit your needs. That is why both are good to have. I know I can get a large variety of shots when I am in a fast paced shooting environment like on a football sideline with a PX270 style camera. A SDOF camera would create some cool shots but I would miss a lot as well.

Here is an example of the PX270 in one of those situations. The file is in 1080p - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbKA4bpuxr4&list=PLE1Y3F2nS-mRR-uWa4vsXF8ORdMpzVYPA&index=7

Good luck with your search and let us know how it turns out.
 
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