Advice?

S

Sand&Fog

New member
Hey guys, I just recently discovered this forum, and have been amazed at the vast amount of info it has!
I'm having a bit of dilemma though, and was hoping I could get some advice from you guys.
I am currently in film school getting ready to start my senior thesis, a documentary. Along with that, I have a few short films I am planning to make withing the next 6 months. I have decided on making a camera investment. However I am torn between the DVX100b or the Canon XH-A1. From the footage i have seen at school, it seems the canon has better quality at night/low light, but the DVX still shoots better in the day. Also, i feel that the DVX still has a better "film" look to it. Now is this just because the footage wasn't shot all that good with the canon, or is it still true that the DVX's true 24p is better? Also, I heard there are problems importing the Canon's footage into Final Cut?
I'm a bit of a newbie at the world of digital filmmaking, so feel free to lay it all out for me!
 
If I were going to spend that kind of money at this point I would definitely want to get a camera that can shoot Hi Def which the DVX can not do. Depends on your budget.

There is currently no problem getting the footage into Final Cut. You may have been reading posts from before the Final Cut update that included settings for the A1's 24f mode.

I actually think that the DVX might have better low light capabilities than the Canon, but I am not sure.

It is unfortunate that you didn't see well shot A1 footage. Check this out.

That is well shot A1 footage with no lighting (just a reflector). It is what sold me on the potential of the A1 - in the right hands. This example has a bit more of a video look because there is so much in focus, but still shows you what the A1 can do.

I am not really trying to sell you on the Canon. The Panasonic is an all time great camera. I have shot with it, and love it. I just hope you have the right information before you decide, no matter what camera you buy.
 
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Oynk,
Thanks for advice. The thing that bugs me about the DVX at night, is it seems to have alot of noise. Most of the stuff I have shot tends to be fuzzy, especially in the blacks. Most likely I'm going to have to try out the canon in some low light situations first.

The clip you linked was great by the way. That footage really was crisp. Thanks again.
 
The DVX absolutely have better low light capability, and both cameras are equally good when they are given enough lights (as is the case for any camera).
 
Sand&Fog said:
Also, I heard there are problems importing the Canon's footage into Final Cut?
Click to expand...

I'm still in the trial and error stages of my FCP/HD workflow, but I can say I don't have any major problems importing or editing HD footage with the A1.

I'd go with the A1.
 
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