DVX100 vs Canon HV30 / HF100

Derkoi

Derkoi

Well-known member
I have a DVX100a & i'm wondering if i should consider changing to one of the HD cameras like the HV30 or HF100 or even the Panasonic HDC-SD20.

I can't afford a HVX200 or anything like that, basically i'd be selling my DVX100a to fund my new camera purchase.

Is it worth the change, will the image be better?

I've already lost one client as i could not provide HD.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated, maybe if anyone can suggest an HD camera i may have missed?

Also does anyone have a comparison of a DVX100 shot vs HD shot from one of these consumer HD cams ?
 
They do, but I'd get an external mic - or plug one into the camera. Though the EOS-500D doesn't have a microphone input i think. Just, a built in mic. The HF20 has a plug so you can though.
 
Showing up with an HV30 to a paying job is going to cost you that job faster than you can say "but it shoots HD!"

I mean, seriously, it's a pain to work with a consumer camera. No manual control, no XLR input, no zoom/focus ring. Keep the DVX.
 
Huy Vu said:
Showing up with an HV30 to a paying job is going to cost you that job faster than you can say "but it shoots HD!"

I mean, seriously, it's a pain to work with a consumer camera. No manual control, no XLR input, no zoom/focus ring. Keep the DVX.
Click to expand...

Yeah i know what you're saying, but my clients are mostly bands that pay £300 for a music video or some footage for court evidence etc.

I know the controls are an issue, but i was thinking of getting a 35mm adapter which will then give me all the manual controls i need.
 
On an HV camera you can't control gain, iris or shutter independently, it's always pick one and let the other two be automatic. That can cause huge problem with adapters because many of them have a shutter or aperture limit. All adapters user uses the camera iris to control exposure in addition to the SLR lenses because of this so your problems doesn't really go away. I've worked with the HV20/HV30 several times and it's always a PITA to make sure that the camera doesn't bump up the gain automatically. There are of course workarounds, but you're paying for it with time on set.
 
Yeah i heard about that, but i thought you could lock the settings down?

I'm just wondering if there's something in the middle of the HV30 and DVX100 in terms of HD and manual controls.

Any ideas?
 
Man, I had a DVX100a and I loved it, but the bottom line is, it's past its prime. This is the HD generation. There's no way I would be trying to do quality work now with 480x720. I just ordered the Canon HV40 and can't wait for it to get here. If you haven't yet seen some footage on these cameras, go to vimeo and compare. The prices on the DVXs continue to drop in worth for one reason only - it's not HD.
 
The thing is, no matter who you ask for advice. Everyone will have different opinions.

It'll make your decision harder.

Sure you might find something someone agree's on, but you won't know if you've made the right decision or not until you've actually used it. I've been searching for a couple of months now, and every damn time i think i've found the perfect piece of equipt', something better come's along..
 
Marlon Ladd said:
Man, I had a DVX100a and I loved it, but the bottom line is, it's past its prime. This is the HD generation. There's no way I would be trying to do quality work now with 480x720. I just ordered the Canon HV40 and can't wait for it to get here. If you haven't yet seen some footage on these cameras, go to vimeo and compare. The prices on the DVXs continue to drop in worth for one reason only - it's not HD.
Click to expand...

Yeah i agree, that's what i'm feeling now when working with the DVX100, it's past it's prime.

Ki-Ki said:
The thing is, no matter who you ask for advice. Everyone will have different opinions.

It'll make your decision harder.

Sure you might find something someone agree's on, but you won't know if you've made the right decision or not until you've actually used it. I've been searching for a couple of months now, and every damn time i think i've found the perfect piece of equipt', something better come's along..
Click to expand...

Yeah the HV20 / 30 is a great camera, reviews are very positive.

I guess it's something i'll have to think about. :)
 
I have 2 HV20's and now a new HV40. The HV40 I bought new and the HV20's I got used for less that 400.00 each when Circuit City went out of business. I love them. The important thing to ask is how much money do you have to spend. The HV's are the best camera under 1000.00 IMHO.

As far as locking exposure you are just two button clicks from being locked. Manual focus is one button click away.

I also use my HV's with a Letus35 Mini and they work fine.

Yes it doesn't have the standard focus/iris rings but in a few hours you'll understand how the camera works.

Most of my jobs are low budget so people don't mind me shooting with a consumer cam. Plus the image from these cams look great for the price.
 
hepabst said:
I have 2 HV20's and now a new HV40. The HV40 I bought new and the HV20's I got used for less that 400.00 each when Circuit City went out of business. I love them. The important thing to ask is how much money do you have to spend. The HV's are the best camera under 1000.00 IMHO.

As far as locking exposure you are just two button clicks from being locked. Manual focus is one button click away.

I also use my HV's with a Letus35 Mini and they work fine.

Yes it doesn't have the standard focus/iris rings but in a few hours you'll understand how the camera works.

Most of my jobs are low budget so people don't mind me shooting with a consumer cam. Plus the image from these cams look great for the price.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.

As far as money goes, i'll be selling the DVX100 to directly fund the purchase of the new camera, so i think i'm looking at around £800.

Most of my jobs are low budget too, band videos etc.

An internet friend of mine sent me some raw footage in m2t format for me to play with, the image quality has really sold it to me.
 
Just got the HF200 new in the box for 350 bucks!! I wish I had the internal memory of the HF20, but, I mean, come on, 350 bucks?!

This is my first every venture into the world of tapeless -- and, I gotta say, it is just too cool. The camera even has an HDMI hook-up. 24p (recorded at 60i). I literally JUST got it, so I'll post some footage this weekend.

Extremely happy with it so far. The picture is just ridiculous (EX 1 ridiculous).
 
Derkoi said:
I have a DVX100a & i'm wondering if i should consider changing to one of the HD cameras like the HV30 or HF100 or even the Panasonic HDC-SD20.

I can't afford a HVX200 or anything like that, basically i'd be selling my DVX100a to fund my new camera purchase.

Is it worth the change, will the image be better?

I've already lost one client as i could not provide HD.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated, maybe if anyone can suggest an HD camera i may have missed?

Also does anyone have a comparison of a DVX100 shot vs HD shot from one of these consumer HD cams ?
Click to expand...
I shot a feature on a Panasonic DVX100 and I am thinking the same too. I no longer have the DVX but want to get a Canon HF200 or the HF S100. I have seen footage shot with these cameras.

I considered the DVX100 (original) to produce washed out colors.

Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top