Keep HMC150 or get a DSLR

H

haperez

Member
I have a debate, I recently got a HMC150 with letus extreme, but most of my work is in control environments, short films and music videos and an upcomming feature. I would love to have the AF100, but I cannot afford it at this time. Also, I don't do documentaries style shooting.

Should I keep the camera + adapter or sell it and get a DSLR such as the 7D or GH2? I know if I get the DSLR I have to record audio separare such as using the zoom H4n.

Your advise is very appreciated
 
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Well, what is your budget?

The HMC150 is $3k new, if you can find it, and goes for around $2200-$2500 used. A new 7D body alone is $1549 minus glass, batteries, and all the DSLR rig accessories you'll need.
 
Last December I made the decision to keep my HMC-150 and buy a Panasonic GH-2 for large sensor / shallow DOF work, this way I have the best of both worlds: A good ENG camera for quick live event work, and a great large sensor camera for the more "serious" stuff.

If you can afford it, I would recommend selling your Letus Extreme, keeping the HMC-150, and pick up a new GH-2 with a Nikon lens adapter. ( tons of great manual focus Nikon AI-S glass around )
 
Phil1076 said:
Well, what is your budget?

The HMC150 is $3k new, if you can find it, and goes for around $2200-$2500 used. A new 7D body alone is $1549 minus glass, batteries, and all the DSLR rig accessories you'll need.
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I already owned the HMC150.

I am debating if I should keep it or sell it to get a DSLR (T2i, GH2 or 7D? My budget is $3200, assuming I sell the video camera and letus extreme + some savings

I would like to get the AF100, but that is a future goal. This is just for control environments, not documentary style or live events.

Thanks for your help and suggestions
 
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I know..I mean, you could sell it for $2200-$2500 and then use that money for a DSLR if you wish, but my question is how much money would you have if you sold the 150? Would it be enough for a body+glass+DSLR rig?
 
Phil1076 said:
I know..I mean, you could sell it for $2200-$2500 and then use that money for a DSLR if you wish, but my question is how much money would you have if you sold the 150? Would it be enough for a body+glass+DSLR rig?
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My budget is close to $3500, which is good for body + glass + some extras I think. I already have a dvrigpro, follow focus, field monitor and 15" rail system that used with my hmc150. Is there something else needed?
 
I went HMC and GH1 at the time and loved the combo... I think you should sell the adapter and get a GH2 body. You prob already have lenses for your Letus.. just keep em and get an adapter got the GH2! If you end up never using the HMC sell that bad boy off. I ran into situations where I needed the extras the HMC offeres though, but I shoot a lot of live events.
 
I find it strange that not many people like the look of the camcorder 35mm dof adapter combo. I like the look. The ground glass adds a nice grain to the footage if you use it correctly. Yeah it sucks in low light, but he mentioned he shoots in a controlled enviornment, Plus with the combo, you tend to spend more time on lighting which usually adds to the overll production value. I have both the gh2, t3i, and I still tend to use the camcorder/35mmadapter if I can. I do dislike the size of the big camcorder rig, but you get used to it and work around the issues. Just having onboard xlr's makes it worth it in my eyes.
 
Thanks for all replies. Very good points of view.

It seems that I may wait until I can save more $$, for now I will keep the letus.
 
Just out of curiosity, I found this kit GH2 with Voigtlander 25mm F0.95mm for sale

Do you think this kit will be better for a narrative than the HMC150 + letus extreme combo?

Thanks
 
I also 2nd the comments to keep the 150 and buy something else like a GH2. Sell that Letus though if you can recover some money that's good. I've shot quite a bit of stuff matching both the 150 to the GH2 and also the AF100 and it all matches pretty well.


I also don't ever want to shoot anything pretty much single cameras.. and that includes interviews, music videos and features. The 150 is so much better for events where you have strobes or flashes or stuff with tons of camera movement. I also prefer flying my 150 on a steadicam rather than the AF or the GH2.


It's a different tool for different work and If I had sold the 150 I would have lost out on thousands of dollars of work this year cause something you need a hammer like the 150... and sometimes a DSLR is a better choice.... I do a gig for a guy who likes zooms in on the events live and you can't do that with a DSLR....


cheers and good luck.
 
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