Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

jnolla

jnolla

Active member
Tomorrow I will purchase two Z1's from Promax! We Preorder them, and were first on the top people to get them!

Still I'm a bit hesitant, and wonder if the Xl2 would be a better choice. We are going to do mainly weedings, and clips for our clients websites. I don't think I really need the 24p, though I love the look of it.

This is a desperate cry for help. Please give me some sound advice; I still have about 12 hours left!!!
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

If you don't think you need 24P then I think you have answered your question cause that seems to be the deal breaker for most between the XL2 and the new Sony HDV models... if you do feel you are missing something or you will loose buisness due to lack of 24P then you may want to reconsider before it's too late.  2 DVX100a's for 24P over the 2 XL2's would i think be a better option unless you have used XL2 and prefer to shoot with it 16x9 over the DVX.

Having said that... you are getting the Z1's and not FX1's.  If money is not a factor then the Z1 is a fine choice.  If it does come down to the cash flow and you don't need some of the functionality of the Z1, 2 FX1's saves you quite a bit (as does 2 DVX's if you feel you can't live without 24P)

Good luck with your decision.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I might have to agree on this one.

Shooting weddings will not require 24p.  Although I would rather have a wedding shot that has that magical 'filmic' quality to it (24p and cinegamma).    

The question is:  Why High Def?  For weddings?  I assume this is nice selling point?  Assuming the clients (young newlyweds?) actually has a High Def Television?

Kind of goes back to the "XL2/DVX" conundrum.  Both of those cameras give you the 24p/60i options.

I guess I am glad I am not in the market for a new one!  :D
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I took the plunge. I'm going with the XL2, here is why!

1. Editing highly compress format can give very bad results. If convert to uncompressed HD, too much money for a Raid solution, KONA 2, and HD10 converter.
2. No form of delivery, for the final product.
3. No really big market.
4. No way of viewing it! I don't have an HD monitor that can playback 1080i, how many of you do?
5. XL2 can provide some stabilization, for handheld shooting.

I really like the hype the sony z1 brings! But honestly, is just because I always want to have the latest, and greatest. The XL2 is proven camera, and gives beautiful quality when working with 16x9 SD. Plus I can venture into the world of 24p!

Thanks for the help! I will post pictures and clips, once we get the equipment.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

Conrats on your new cams! Take the pics of you opening the box and saver the moment (like we all do with new gear ;D)

I will admit that HD (HDV) editing solutions at the moment are missing for the most part and do require a bit more cash upfront for support and Hard drive space alone.

I'm curious as to the decision of XL2 over the DVX purchase. I have not used the XL2 much but I used a lot of the XL1 and XL1s. Not on tripods or without some support they are to say the least handleld nightmares... (my wrists hurts thinking about using it). It seems as though this is addressed with the XL2. So is it safe to say that native 16x9 shooting was the main deciding factor? Just curious to know...
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

16x9, telephoto lens, handheld shooting, and the impressive look of the camera.

I will post pictures ASAP!
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

hahaha... you just couldn't resists tossing in the 24P vs HD comment could you John. ;D

Jnolla, when you say "look" of the camera are you refering to it's actually picture quality or the actual presence/size(itimidation factor) of the camera? While both are true I too think that the camera "looks" like a crazy beast due to it's monster lens... and I agree sometimes that is important.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

Sorry but I think you have made a mistake. HD is now editable and you can send it back to tape, something you couldn't do a couple of weeks ago.

I own an FX1 and ZU 1, and do a lot of weddings. And you know what? Bookings have gone up. The reason? How would you like your wedding shot in HD? in ten years time couples can watch their wedding on the 50 inch HD plasma, like it was yesterday. It's future proof and is a fantastic selling point.

The XL2 is a great camera, but 4-5 years down the line it's going to look awfully dated. Fine for now, but when you are trying to pick up work against other videographers that can offer HD, you are going to be overlooked.

Just my opinion.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=Steve_Shovlar link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#8 date=01/31/05 at 14:21:22]Sorry but I think you have made a mistake. HD is now editable and you can send it back to tape, something you couldn't do a couple of weeks ago.

I own an FX1 and ZU 1, and do a lot of weddings. And you know what? Bookings have gone up. The reason? How would you like your wedding shot in HD? in ten years time couples can watch their wedding on the 50 inch HD plasma, like it was yesterday. It's future proof and is a fantastic selling point.
[/quote]

I'll ask you the same question, though, Steve -- how are you delivering the HD content to your clients right now?  Or do you guarantee a future HD delivery when a viable HD delivery format becomes widely available?
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

I guarentee them HD when it is available. In the contract I stipulate that as soon as the technology is here I give them a HD DVD of their big day.

It may not be for a year or so  before I can start delvering HD DVD weddings to clients, but I have the footage here ready and waiting. Clients will be watching their weddings in 20 years time. I give them the opportunity to own it in high def.

Certainly helps 100% when being interviewed for the job.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

The physical look, Video Guy!

Steve_Shovlar:
As far as editing, and deliverying content a year from now, I really do hope you have lots, and lots, and lots for storage capability!!!!!!! And if you were to say you keep the tapes; well you would have to redo your work all over again, and it will not be exactly the same. Plus I hope you have some insurance against lawsuits, just in case some of your storage goes wild, and you loose all your data, which by the way it does happen!

As far as making the wrong decision, I thought about it, and if the business venture goes as plan, then in two years we will upgrade all of the cameras to HD, by that time there would be something much better, an with progressive CCDs.

As far as quality, if they want HD, and are willing to pay for it, I can rent the cameras from one of many rent houses here in Chicago!
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=Steve_Shovlar link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#10 date=01/31/05 at 15:32:29]I guarentee them HD when it is available. In the contract I stipulate that as soon as the technology is here I give them a HD DVD of their big day. [/quote]

:D

Really.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#14 date=01/31/05 at 15:57:54]

:D

Really.[/quote]

That is what he said John.  How does your reply help this arguement... again I'm just wondering... :)
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=jnolla link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#13 date=01/31/05 at 15:54:57]
As far as editing, and deliverying content a year from now, I really do hope you have lots, and lots, and lots for storage capability!!!!!!! And if you were to say you keep the tapes; well you would have to redo your work all over again, and it will not be exactly the same. Plus I hope you have some insurance against lawsuits, just in case some of your storage goes wild, and you loose all your data, which by the way it does happen!

[/quote]
You don't need lots, and lots of storage. You just keep the master which is 1 HDCam or HDV tape.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=jnolla link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#13 date=01/31/05 at 15:54:57]As far as making the wrong decision, I thought about it, and if the business venture goes as plan, then in two years we will upgrade all of the cameras to HD, by that time there would be something much better, an with progressive CCDs. [/quote]

Very realistic way to see it jnolla and agreed 100 percent.

There is some merit to Steve_Shovlar point of view and merit to David & John point of view. The main thing I think is that you can see both an make a conclusion and live with the reality/consequences of your choice (this applies to all technology and it not aimed at DVX/Z1 or XL2 specific... there are pros and cons to all) It would seem that you are aware of the current HD transition and have an action plan in a year or two if need be... bravo! Right or wrong decision aside... for you this is clearly the right one.

Again.. enjoy your new gear!
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

[quote author=jnolla link=board=sony;num=1107145163;start=0#13 date=01/31/05 at 15:54:57]The physical look, Video Guy!

Steve_Shovlar:
As far as editing, and deliverying content a year from now, I really do hope you have lots, and lots, and lots for storage capability!!!!!!! And if you were to say you keep the tapes; well you would have to redo your work all over again, and it will not be exactly the same. Plus I hope you have some insurance against lawsuits, just in case some of your storage goes wild, and you loose all your data, which by the way it does happen![/quote]

If you keep the project file, you can always recapture your footage later.
 
Re: Ready to purchase 2 Z1's

in ten years time couples can watch their wedding on the 50 inch HD plasma
Click to expand...

In ten years time it's unlikely that they will be watching their wedding video at all (very few do after the first year, assuming they are still together) and plasma TV's will likely have been replaced with something better.
 
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