LOOKING FOR A CHEAP CAMERA WITH SDI OUT TO MATCH AF100 image

GRENCH

GRENCH

Well-known member
I own 2 AF100 cameras and am looking for a cheaper 3rd camera that will deliver comparable images quality. We are recording extenally using a 3 cam setup via SDI. I'm looking for a camera with SDI output capabilities.

I thought about the canon xha1 but the price is still around $2K.

Question:

1. Would this camera be a suitable solution?

2. Is there a cheaper camera on the market that will deliver great quality threw a SDI output?

3. Would my HVX200 work as a 3rd camera using it's component output.

Thanks
 
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XHA1 doesn't have SDI. XHG1 does, but not the XHA1. The XF105 has it, but that's even more expensive than an HPX170, and would be much harder to get it to match.

SDI isn't all that common. About the cheapest camera on the market that has SDI would be the HPX170. HPX170 is $3995 MSRP, $3150 on Amazon. That's a steal for how awesome a camera the HPX170 is, but that's a different discussion. HPX170 would match reasonably well with the AF100 in several ways, because it has the same color and gamma circuitry. It's a CCD and its image will be a bit softer in resolution and grainier in texture, but other than that, probably the best match at the cheapest price.
 
Thanks Barry,

I feared as much. Would I be able to trouble shoot and use my hvx200's via component output for a 3rd camera?
 
jambredz said:
how about a gh2 (body)with a hdmi to sdi converter box? $1500 in all...image would match perfectly.
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The image wouldn't match well at all. The GH2 has no relationship with the AF100, other than sharing the same lens mount. The color and gamma are totally different, and getting them to match decently is quite difficult. Then, combine that with the fact that the HDMI output is just "wrong" in its representation of color, and that it's totally useless if the camera isn't recording simultaneously, and then finally that it's outputting at a nonstandard 60.00i frame rate instead of 59.94i, and I think using a GH2 would be one of the least satisfactory solutions.
 
Barry_Green said:
The image wouldn't match well at all. The GH2 has no relationship with the AF100, other than sharing the same lens mount. The color and gamma are totally different, and getting them to match decently is quite difficult. Then, combine that with the fact that the HDMI output is just "wrong" in its representation of color, and that it's totally useless if the camera isn't recording simultaneously, and then finally that it's outputting at a nonstandard 60.00i frame rate instead of 59.94i, and I think using a GH2 would be one of the least satisfactory solutions.
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i stand corrected :)

rent till you can get another AF lol
 
Rent a 3rd AF100. For short shoots renting is the best way to get just what you need. In a little while, prices for original AF100s (either new or used) will start to come down and then I plan to snag another one.
 
bgundu said:
I was just about to suggest this. There's even some used ones out there now. At these prices, why risk the headache of trying to match?
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That is the plan, but unfortunately right now I need a solution. We have a buyer for the HVX200 who is willing to wait an additional week until we shoot this project. Afterward we will sell the HVX200 and buy another AF100. Fortunately I was able to find someone who will rent me their AJA converter.
 
To be clear, we have two hpx170s and an AF100, and with reasonably similar settings have little to no trouble getting them to match. Did it today with pretty flat settings on both and got a good 1-2 look.
 
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