Love the DSLR but I'm glad I didn't sell my 150.

Justyn

Justyn

Veteran
Greetings fellow 150 users. Just a little thought bubble to let you guys know that even though I've jumped the shark to the Gh2/ AF100 for most of my shooting, I'm so so so glad I still own the 150 and didn't sell it. I've been getting a variety of work for clients lately that the Gh2 wouldn't be good for... in run and gun and event videography. Stuff where you want some lattitude on your focus, and you need a real servo zoom. Well, I've been making money and it's more like found money again. I've seen work come though because everyone onns DSLRs and that's great but not everything should be done with one. Also now that I have the 5' Sony HD montior I have a nice studio rig as I have had the varizoom controller for a while. The color peaking option with the 150 is absolutely awesome. I sometimes use the punch in set on the 150 monitor to really get a quick comparrsion going.


Well I'm rambling on but Just wanted to see if others feel the same way. If people are contemplating selling their 150 or are on the fence...
 
I'm involved in a friend's project that's primarily shooting on a 7d. Absolutely gorgous images, but dang I hate actually using it. It's very much a still camera, not a video camera.
 
Let me rephrase that... I love using it when once I hit record. It's the getting to that point that's PITA, especially coming from a sports and news background.
 
I agree that it's great having both. Some things lend themselves to 7D, some to camcorders. Just different tools for different jobs. That's what pros do. Use the right tools for the job. Enjoy both. They have their own strengths and weaknesses.
 
8string... so perfectly put. The 7D is a PITA for lots of reasons, as can be my GH2. I kind of think of them as cars with manual steering as apposed to the 150 which is power steering. A camera like the AF100 is a stick shift that you are learning on. Lots of potential and easier than the DSLRs... It's strides forward and I think we'll see a lot more options for cameras.
 
Yep... pretty much you can if you are structuring your shooting the right way. A wide shot on the 150 looks pretty close to the GH2 and the GH2 also does reslove an image in ways to the 150.. but most of the time, it's different tools for different needs.
 
I mainly use the af 100 for interviews and slower paced b roll. The 150 with a servo lens is too versatile a tool to even think of giving up.
 
I shoot a lot with my 5D. I shoot a lot of yellow pages videos and let me say I never pull out the 5D for those. I need the xlr on camera no work arounds plus the servo lens. This little HMC 150 has paid for itself over and over!
 
You can get a good footage match between the 150 and a DSLR... it does take some getting used to, finding the right camera profile for the DSLR, etc. I find it's hard to get the HMC to have the "flatter" look a lot of folks use with DSLRs, but generally we push the DSLR footage down to denser blacks and more saturation, a-la the 150.

I've gotten to think of the 150 as my "work" camera and the Canon as my "art" camera... when I want mood & emotion, I tend to grab the DSLR.
 
Indeed all.. Great points. I just thought the 150 needed some love and it's so true. The 150 is an earner and it will be for years to come. I don't see another "conventiional" camera that I can think of buying anytime soon. Maybe the follow up 150 but who knows...

One things for sure, you get some gray hairs shooting with DSLRs.. but then again when it's magic.. man is it magic. My wife really doesn't ever comment on my 150 footage but the GH2 and AF100 make her say that I'm going to a new level... So, there's something to be said for all things and at these prices.. why not have both. I couldn't say that I'd be a happy person if I just had the GH2... It's be pretty miserable for sure...
 
Justyn said:
Indeed all.. Great points. I just thought the 150 needed some love and it's so true. The 150 is an earner and it will be for years to come. I don't see another "conventiional" camera that I can think of buying anytime soon. Maybe the follow up 150 but who knows...

One things for sure, you get some gray hairs shooting with DSLRs.. but then again when it's magic.. man is it magic. My wife really doesn't ever comment on my 150 footage but the GH2 and AF100 make her say that I'm going to a new level... So, there's something to be said for all things and at these prices.. why not have both. I couldn't say that I'd be a happy person if I just had the GH2... It's be pretty miserable for sure...
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head. In terms of "I'm picking up my camera and going to tackle any shoot environment" the HMC is stellar. The 'upgrading' worries me. They brought back miniDV which frustrates me to no end. They need to let the format die. The ONLY thing that looks great to me on the upcoming model is the dual sd cards. Incredibly helpful for redundant recording, or relay recording.

The GH2 is not 'miserable' but is just isn't the serious run-n-gun workhorse that is the HMC. I love love LOOOVE the video out of the GH2, I just always use my HMC as an alternate angle and for audio recording. BUT... If I had to take one to go do a documentary, the HMC150 wins out easily... I never have to fiddle through menus in order to get the right setting. ND filters!!
 
Justyn said:
Greetings fellow 150 users. Just a little thought bubble to let you guys know that even though I've jumped the shark to the Gh2/ AF100 for most of my shooting, I'm so so so glad I still own the 150 and didn't sell it. I've been getting a variety of work for clients lately that the Gh2 wouldn't be good for... in run and gun and event videography. Stuff where you want some lattitude on your focus, and you need a real servo zoom. Well, I've been making money and it's more like found money again. I've seen work come though because everyone onns DSLRs and that's great but not everything should be done with one. Also now that I have the 5' Sony HD montior I have a nice studio rig as I have had the varizoom controller for a while. The color peaking option with the 150 is absolutely awesome. I sometimes use the punch in set on the 150 monitor to really get a quick comparrsion going.


Well I'm rambling on but Just wanted to see if others feel the same way. If people are contemplating selling their 150 or are on the fence...
Click to expand...

I kept my 150 (and got a 60d)...and boy am I glad I did. A few weeks ago, I had to shoot a four hour musical performance. My 150 made that a piece of cake. If I only had a DSLR option, I would have had to pass up the gig.
 
So true... I recently had to crew up a gig and I was arlamed at how many people now only have a DSLR.. Well that's a great camera but not for all things... and my 150 has made money for me since the day I bought it and will continue for the unforseen future....
 
I have noticed DSLR's are more and more popular at events and concerts where they are only capturing image, actually its all I see anymore... But when it comes to needing the rest of the pro features a video camera has to offer, you have to pull out the HMC.

I still have 2 hmcs and 2 dslrs and can't seem to justify selling any of them yet.
 
I'd still love for Panasonic to make a "one camera to rule them all" model. Mostly because I want to do both types of jobs, and can't afford two cameras. (Nobody actually wants to pay for professional video production any more. :()

An AF200 using a CCD instead of CMOS (no more jello or flash banding), shooting AVC-I to SDHC cards (UHS cards are plenty fast enough), with the start/stop button back where it belongs (under the right thumb), and a zoom rocker for the new series of servo lenses (all with OIS) that come out with the camera.

Or, they could just slap in three 1/2" CCDs and replace the P2 with a couple of SDHC slots on the new 250, that would also do very nicely for both production and event shoots.
 
Last edited:
with all of this sweet talk about the hmc150, no one here shoots with the 200a/170?

i generally find the image of the 200a/170 more satisfying than the 150.

ymmv

be well

rob
smalltalk productions
 
Jim Simon said:
I'd still love for Panasonic to make a "one camera to rule them all" model. Mostly because I want to do both types of jobs, and can't afford two cameras. (Nobody actually wants to pay for professional video production any more. :()
Click to expand...

I think the AF100 was a great attempt at that, but its still lacking a servo zoom...

And, I wouldn't say no one wants to pay for professional work. There are plenty of people that realize the need for great video and have sizable budgets.
 
Jim Simon said:
I'd still love for Panasonic to make a "one camera to rule them all" model. Mostly because I want to do both types of jobs, and can't afford two cameras. (Nobody actually wants to pay for professional video production any more. :()

An AF200 using a CCD instead of CMOS (no more jello or flash banding), shooting AVC-I to SDHC cards (UHS cards are plenty fast enough), with the start/stop button back where it belongs (under the right thumb), and a zoom rocker for the new series of servo lenses (all with OIS) that come out with the camera.

Or, they could just slap in three 1/2" CCDs and replace the P2 with a couple of SDHC slots on the new 250, that would also do very nicely for both production and event shoots.
Click to expand...

This fantasy AF200 camera system would cost tens of thousands of dollars. Servo lenses on even the smaller 4/3 sensors would cost a boatload. Ever price out lenses for a 1/2 system?

Also, no way in hell you're fitting three 1/2 chips into the form factor of an HPX250.

Oh and p.s. CCD tech is largely going to go away in the professional market. Better get used to it.
 
I'm SO glad I didn't sell my 150s. DSLRs feature video, but were not made for it. I admire those who have made the transition work for them, but I'm waiting until the DSLR killers come into range.

DOF is a nice trick for the arsenal, but 99% of the time I just need a video camera designed for real-time manual focus, real-time exposure and follow focus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top