Keep or sell?

D

DanielHerbertson

New member
I was recently given a HVX200 (not the A version) to make a documentary but I'm not sure if it's worth keeping.

I shoot a lot with a 5D mk2 and I'm pretty happy with it and I'm thinking of selling the HVX200 to allow me to get a Canon 7D to do slowmo stuff. The doco will be on the Japanese underworld so I definitely need something that's good at low light, something that is easy to run n gun and something that doesn't stand out too much. If I sell the HVX, will I miss it later? I'm fairly new to video so I'm not sure if I'm really going to miss some of it's more advanced features later. Unfortuantely I don't have any P2 cards to test it out either and don't want to make an investment in then just to sell later.

Is there another route that may be worth investigating if I shouldn't go for the 7D or keep the HVX? I don't have a huge budget and I'm mainly a photographer so that's why I was think about the 7D...
 
If I were "given" an HVX I would absolutely keep it and try it out for a bit. If you don't love it, sell it later. It is designed for video work, where as the 7D really isn't. If you plan to do Doc work with people talking and cameras moving, the HVX is much easier to manage in those situations. The 7D will require you to invest in many add ons to be able to shoot video well.

The original HVX isn't great in low light. I can't speak to the 7D in low light. As for P2 cards, consider renting them or buying used to save a few dollars. If you have a 5D already, you have a good still camera for your "photography". My 2 cents... good luck.
 
We rent p2 cards...pm me for more info or email Cody@RichterVideoEquipment.com (website is under construction).

That being said, the 200 is a great cam. It has the ability to over/under crank to do effect right on the cam. You can also do slomo in post. Personalty I would not shoot a documentary on a dslr, simply because it's easier on a hvx 200. The low light capability is not as bad as everyone says. You can also tape SD to mini dv tape. I'd recommend buying (or renting) a 16 or 32 gb card. Try it out and see how it feels. i think you will be impressed by the 200.
 
I agree with the rest for keeping it. Wouldn't offend the person that gave it to you for this reason to begin with? I know if someone gave me a cam, I wouldn't turn around and sell it. But thats just me. Anyways, the hvx is an awesome camera. You may end up liking it as much as the 5d.
 
Even the original HVX will do slowmo stuff far, far better than a 7D.

It has a better video codec, professional audio-in that you can actually monitor in-camera, is capable of being hand-held steadily without a rig, is easy to zoom and focus, etc.
 
The reason I am finding the decision difficult is that filming conditions will be very tough. Strip clubs, bars, almost completely dark in these places. I'm worried the HVX200 won't cope. I'll be filming underworld figures so I want to be as inconspicuous as possible while retaining max quality. I already have a rig and sound setup or the DSLRs so that shouldn't factor into my decision.

The AF100 looks interesting but I have no lenses for that cam yet and I'll need good primes I'm guessing.
 
If you just want something that will share lenses with the 5D and slow-mo, get a T2i, it has ML which is a huge perk, and it's much cheaper. Unless you are running an external monitor or EVF, go with it.

I wouldn't rule out the HVX200 entirely, I miss having a traditional form factor camera, it sometimes is much more convenient. Also the AF100 is something to look into, you can use a lot of vintage lenses with it also. It is supposed to be great lowlight!
 
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