Hey everyone! Usually I just browse these forums, but I'm making a pretty important decision soon, so I figured I'd ask you guys' advice. In about a month I will be able to buy either a XHA1 or a HV20 with a whole Redrock M2 setup. So what I'm wondering is, which one is the better buy, a bare bones xha1, or the hv20 with the whole M2 rig? I'm pretty torn between the two, and I can't seem to make up my mind. Any thoughts? I'll be working on some short films, music videos, and commercials. Thanks in advance!
Considering an XHA1
- Thread starter KOHR
- Start date
Drew Ott
Wish I were banned.
I'd personally go with the A1 (and I did).
It'll be harder to get hired to make commercials when your camera is the size of your hand. That's just the way it is. The A1 also is way more customizable and puts out a nicer picture because of it.
And once you start making music videos, short films, and commercials you can still buy that M2 set-up to go with your A1.
It'll be harder to get hired to make commercials when your camera is the size of your hand. That's just the way it is. The A1 also is way more customizable and puts out a nicer picture because of it.
And once you start making music videos, short films, and commercials you can still buy that M2 set-up to go with your A1.
Ha. Good point, however, most of the money from the commercials will be going into the short films.... and the music videos are for friends :undecided . So no profit. Though, I can see where the consumer-appearance of the HV20 wouldn't help my professional identity
lordybob
Well-known member
just my 50 cents.
If you know how to use a 35mm adaptor with the camera aand have had previous experience with that type of filming then the HV 20 would be great. However the XH-A1 will be more "fail proof" in terms of "not being able to really screw up the focusing" etc.
It depends on your knowledge of depth of field and lenses.
If you know how to use a 35mm adaptor with the camera aand have had previous experience with that type of filming then the HV 20 would be great. However the XH-A1 will be more "fail proof" in terms of "not being able to really screw up the focusing" etc.
It depends on your knowledge of depth of field and lenses.
When you say M2 setup do you mean just the M2 itself or are you accounting for things like lenses, external monitor, noga arms and monitor batteries? That can easily add another 2 grand. Without an external monitor, that M2 is completely worthless to you. My one attempt to use an M2 with the A1 w/o a monitor ends pretty much in disaster. Took forever to try and guess focus, "mentally" flip the image and set up the shot. I think that a 35mm adapter is a specialized tool and if you're just starting out it might not be a good idea to blow your money on one.
Sean Michael
Well-known member
I have an HV20, a Redrock M2, and also a DVX.
The M2 is not that easy to configure and use. It will take a lot of practice to get the results you want. And it makes your camera a lot less portable.
So, given the options you present, I'd recommend the A1. You'll have a powerful camera that also looks the part (impresses clients) and has plenty of image tweaking options.
The M2 is not that easy to configure and use. It will take a lot of practice to get the results you want. And it makes your camera a lot less portable.
So, given the options you present, I'd recommend the A1. You'll have a powerful camera that also looks the part (impresses clients) and has plenty of image tweaking options.
Hey thanks guys... I'll probably go with the A1 like you've all been suggesting. Mainly because while researching external monitors, I realized that I may exceed my budget. With the A1, I can get some beautiful shots, have way more manual control over my image, and eventually can put an M2 system on it instead! Thanks for all your help!
Yeah, the Brevis, the Letus Extreme, or the SG Pro.
But, why? Are they of better quality or the same for any lower price? Thanks!
Unless the M2 steps it up, it seems like its going to get overtaken for the adaptors themselves. But their accessory line looks hot. That remote controll wireless follow focus for around $500 is insane.
Id' rec an SGpro, Brevis, or Letus Extreme (personally I'd go Letus Extreme). They are all good depending on your preferences.
Also I think you can certainly make good work with an HV20, but it seems like there are some trade offs for getting something that compact with HD. There is supposedly some kind of wobble - dunno.
The A1 is a much more professional camera, maybe slightly more future proof? If you make some money with it you're not gonna have a client say what's that wobbling.
I'd get the A1, then save up and later invest in a 35mm adaptor. The 35mm adapter you were looking at is about a year and a half behind the times in a rapidly growing new technology .... I predict something better than anything that's available right now in the next 6 months to a year - another reason to get the A1 now and wait on the adapter.
Id' rec an SGpro, Brevis, or Letus Extreme (personally I'd go Letus Extreme). They are all good depending on your preferences.
Also I think you can certainly make good work with an HV20, but it seems like there are some trade offs for getting something that compact with HD. There is supposedly some kind of wobble - dunno.
The A1 is a much more professional camera, maybe slightly more future proof? If you make some money with it you're not gonna have a client say what's that wobbling.
I'd get the A1, then save up and later invest in a 35mm adaptor. The 35mm adapter you were looking at is about a year and a half behind the times in a rapidly growing new technology .... I predict something better than anything that's available right now in the next 6 months to a year - another reason to get the A1 now and wait on the adapter.
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