Sony VG20 Dead in the Water...At least for me

[Nathyn]

I posted about this in user films, but for those keeping up with our indiegogo page, if you're wondering why we took down the VG20 photo, it's because we're not going with it. I saw some footage from the VG20 and a review on Cinema5D that confirmed what I saw. There’s a lot of aliasing in the footage. I blew off eosHD's review, but when non-Sony footage started leaking it was apparent. My HG10 doesn't do even do that. I haven't seen a modern HD camera do that in quite some time. My game plan now is to stick to working with DPs and shooting my own stuff when I'm not in a scene. I think that's smart.

-Nate

 

[OldCorpse]

My game plan now is to stick to working with DPs and shooting my own stuff when I'm not in a scene. I think that's smart.

?

Forgive me for being thick. I don't understand - what's the connection between this, and the VG20?

 

[Nektonic]

Nathyn, I feel your pain regarding the VG20. I was really looking forward to that little cam. I can't afford an FS100 or AF100 right now, and really I'd rather not spend approx. $5,000 on a camera right now even if I could. With all the stuff maybe coming in the not too distant future (5DmkIII) I figured the VG20 might have been a safe and fiscally responsible way to get a 35mm sensor HD camera with more emphasis on video than on stills like the DSLR's to hold me over until I know more about what Canon is doing with things beyond that ridiculously priced C300 thing (cool camera though, just way out of my budget).

I am going to probably just get the GH2 and download the hack for it. It is cheaper than the VG20 anyways, and there was a new version of the hack announced that will allow for some insane low light capabilities (12,800 ISO). So all is not lost man, you could always go for a GH2.

Here is the EOS HD blog, which is where I found out about the new 12,800 ISO hack for the GH2.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/5248/latest-gh2-hack-unlocks-stunning-iso-12800-with-film-like-grain

Simply breathtaking stuff.

 

[Nathyn]

Forgive me for being thick. I don't understand - what's the connection between this, and the VG20?

VG20 was going to be my upgrade. I wanted a camera that shot like a 5D but was still styled like a video camera. The VG20 had it all. 24p, interchangeable, lens, great body and under $3000. My money was as good as gone. But I would never have thought in 2011 someone would make a prosumer camera with that kind of aliasing and moire. Honestly I can deal with the moire, but the aliasing is bad. Now I can't even find the video I saw it on. When I first saw it I didn't believe it. Then I read the article and just wondered. I question if it was done on purpose to not compete with the higher priced Sony cam. Plus it haqs less features than the VG10 plus the VG10 didn't have these issues.

-Nate

 

[Nathyn]

Nathyn, I feel your pain regarding the VG20. I was really looking forward to that little cam. I can't afford an FS100 or AF100 right now, and really I'd rather not spend approx. $5,000 on a camera right now even if I could. With all the stuff maybe coming in the not too distant future (5DmkIII) I figured the VG20 might have been a safe and fiscally responsible way to get a 35mm sensor HD camera with more emphasis on video than on stills like the DSLR's to hold me over until I know more about what Canon is doing with things beyond that ridiculously priced C300 thing (cool camera though, just way out of my budget).

Why is it so difficult to put 5dM2 style mechanics into a video camera body. I'm not getting it. Even at $2,000 it's a good deal.

I am going to probably just get the GH2 and download the hack for it. It is cheaper than the VG20 anyways, and there was a new version of the hack announced that will allow for some insane low light capabilities (12,800 ISO). So all is not lost man, you could always go for a GH2.

Here is the EOS HD blog, which is where I found out about the new 12,800 ISO hack for the GH2.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/5248/latest-gh2-hack-unlocks-stunning-iso-12800-with-film-like-grain

Simply breathtaking stuff.

Sounds like a plan. I want to stick with Canon because my current camera is a Canon and I like their cameras, but the GH2 may be the way to go.

-Nate

 

[Nathyn]

People are doing some good work on these cams. I never like to use the word "unusable" like many like to throw around when a camera doesn't create the image they'd like, but I'd much prefer not to have to worry about the aliasing. The moire one has to deal with anyway on most of these cameras.

-Nate