Seeking advice on xh-a1 purchase

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dstage

New member
I have recently decided after many years of thought, that I need to purchase my own camcorder to record films, skits and self-made documentaries. Over the course of the day, I have a great deal of ideas when it comes to shooting different scenes and how to create a 'feel' for the viewer that pulls on the core of their emotions. However there is one problem:

I do not have a videographer background. Any work I have done has been done by borrowing a friend’s 10 year old mini-dv camcorder with minimal editing done in Windows movie-maker or similar. However, because I feel that this almost a necessity for my artistic expression and much more than just a hobby, I know providing I take time to learn both the aspects of editing and shooting, I will be able to create what I'm looking for. Here's where my questioning comes in:

I have read for several weeks comparing different camcorders. I've looked at every Sony, Panasonic, and Canon in the $2000 - $4500 price range. I seem to be stuck on the xh-a1 for its versatility, expandability and image capturing quality. I have watched countless videos on the Vimeo group as well as on this forum and others and have done comparisons between all the major makes/models. I just get the feeling after combining everything, that I will not have trouble capturing the type of footage I'm looking for if I proceed with the purchase

Price isn't so much an issue, as whether or not I will be able to see the direct benefit of paying $3000 for my first hd camcorder. I'm somewhat concerned about being overwhelmed with features and customization. As well as anyone else who I've run the idea by. I'm hoping that anyone who is using the xh-a1 can provide some input on the learnability of the camera and some objective questioning to aid in my decision.

I appreciate any help I can get.
 
You can put the camera in full auto. It will auto focus, adjust the exposure, and adjust the audio levels for you. Just like the cheap digital camcorder you're used to using. Now this isn't the way to get the best out of your camera, but those features are there until you learn to use it manually.

You'll also ned a capable computer and editor that can handle HDV footage. Premiere, Final Cut, Vegas etc.

As far as learning the camera, just about all these mid-range camcorders have the same learnability. You'll just have to know what each feature is and how it relates to your final image. More important would be learning the other aspects of filmmaking. An HV20 in the hands of a pro will look superior to the XHA1 in the hands of a novice.

Whether you buy an XHA1, or an HMC150, you'll learn to use them. It's not brain surgery. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but no one is born with the knowledge to adjust the ND filters on a camera in the bright sunlight. They learn how to do it. Figuring out the camera is the easiest part of producing quality work. It's the lighting, the composition, the writing, the audio, etc, that will take forever and a day to master.
-Kevin
 
Thanks for the reply.

I just recently built a new machine that is capable of editing. I've tried to use Adobe in the past but found the few times that I did use Vegas it was easier to pickup. So I'll probably start there.

My friend suggested that instead of buying the xh-a1 right off that I should buy a decent $800 device first. I see this as being a potential drawback because I won't have the ability to learn the manual controls and environment capturing abilities with a point and shoot model. It seems like it would just be delaying the inevitable with little gain in the meantime.

Maybe my mind is already made up but is it possible that I'm overlooking something?
 
Go for the XH-A1 and get a Letus 35mm adapter later on, this is what I did and I am very happy. I like you had no background in filming... I am learning everything from the ground up. But, I am slowly getting there. The colors you can get from this camera are spectacular when you learn how to use it.

Check out this video I just made yesterday: http://www.vimeo.com/3892079

This gives you a little idea of how the camera performs in darker situations, which is a huge problem for many cameras.
 
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