Super Confused - Which Camera?
- Thread starter HowdyDoo
- Start date
HowdyDoo said:
Century Optics is also offering wide angle adapters for the HVX,
including a super-fisheye...
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/hvx200/hvx200.htm
DP StrangeLove
Well-known member
HowdyDoo said:
HowdyDoo, you can find the G35 adapter at http://www.cinemek.com/. Please not that it is still not on the marker yet. I myself am probably going to go for the Redrock micro adapter, it is a bit cheaper, and they will be soon offering other options, like a follow focus unit and mattebox system. It is much different than the EOS adapter that was a lens option for the XL1. It allows you to use SLR lens, or PL mount lenses, and you don't get the magnifaction factor of the EOS lens. It is an adpater that fits on the front lens element of the HVX's Leica Lens.
Regarding your indecision on cameras, I was in the same boat as you. I am coming an XL1S shooting background. I loved the camera, the shape, how I can shoot shoulder mounted, and the interchangeable lens. I needed to updgrade and was debating b/w the JVC and HVX. The JVC seemed like a great, and perhaps underestimated camera, along with it sharing a similar body any modification style of the XL1. I also loved the feel, (not the look) of its Fuji lens. The HVX has a great lens on it as well, but it still doesn't seem as smooth and controlled. The Zoom seemed a bit wobbly when you first start a movement.
But I did decide on the HVX as the frame rate, timelapse, HD not HDV, and it longevity in the production world finally weighed in.
Plus, it would be hard for me to justify spending over 10K for the wide angle lens option for the JVC. By having the Redrock or G35 lens adapter option for the HVX seems much more feasable and affordable. I can finally use my collection of Nikon lenses on the Cam. The only thing I might miss greatly is the form and shape of my XL1, but that is why I am keeping it as a second camera. I don't know if I'll ever feel that when shooting the HVX, it will feel like an extension of my body and flow, but I think it is an otherwise incredible camera that will blow my clients away.
Just my two or three cents of advice. Good luck!
HowdyDoo
Well-known member
Is this G35 supposed to be released this year? I've read a few more posts on that adapter and it seems like the G35 is a mythical, elusive product. The preorder list is filled up so does that means the rest of us won't get our hands on it until late winter or early spring of next year?
I would go with a Redrock but I shoot a lot of handheld so the Redrock looks like it could be a pain.
I would go with a Redrock but I shoot a lot of handheld so the Redrock looks like it could be a pain.
DavidBeier
Veteran
First of all, I think it should be said that you should avoid the Sony like the plague as it simply sucks (I've shot with it and it's just really sharp bad video).
The second thing I think most will note is that the JVC, Canon, and Panasonic are all great cameras and worth the money. The real question you should ask yourself is which you'll feel more comfortable with.
The Canon XL H1 is the highest resolution and can support inerchangible lenses (though i personally can't afford that). It's also got pretty good image quality. However, you must record to HDV tape which unless you have some sort of seperate deck. This means both dealing with the hassle of tapes (which I hate) and 4:2:0 compression. You also don't get "true" 24p. It's also about $3k more than the others.
The JVC HD100 is pretty sharp and has a LOT of image control. You can record HDV or to a hard drive. You can also interchange lenses (though the one that comes with it sucks). However, you are still stuck with 4:2:0 compression.
The Pansonic HVX200 is technically lower resolution than the JVC if you look just at chip size but recent tests Barry has performed, as well as others I have seen actually seem to put it in between the JVC and Canon in terms of sharpness. Now, there are a lot of great things. Personally, I still find that the HVX has more film-like latitude than the other cameras and better looking colors. It's also more sensative. One also has the option to use variable frame rates in 720p which is amazing. The recording device are either P2 cards or a hard drive. The nice thing about these though is that once can record in 4:2:2 (which means twice as much color info as the others) and, if using P2s or a cineporter HD, one can record in "native" 720p mode and save space. Of course, there are no interchangible lenses, only adapters which will look virtually the same but result in a loss of light. As an added plus for you, if you're used to the DVX then the you should be able to master the HVX far faster.
The second thing I think most will note is that the JVC, Canon, and Panasonic are all great cameras and worth the money. The real question you should ask yourself is which you'll feel more comfortable with.
The Canon XL H1 is the highest resolution and can support inerchangible lenses (though i personally can't afford that). It's also got pretty good image quality. However, you must record to HDV tape which unless you have some sort of seperate deck. This means both dealing with the hassle of tapes (which I hate) and 4:2:0 compression. You also don't get "true" 24p. It's also about $3k more than the others.
The JVC HD100 is pretty sharp and has a LOT of image control. You can record HDV or to a hard drive. You can also interchange lenses (though the one that comes with it sucks). However, you are still stuck with 4:2:0 compression.
The Pansonic HVX200 is technically lower resolution than the JVC if you look just at chip size but recent tests Barry has performed, as well as others I have seen actually seem to put it in between the JVC and Canon in terms of sharpness. Now, there are a lot of great things. Personally, I still find that the HVX has more film-like latitude than the other cameras and better looking colors. It's also more sensative. One also has the option to use variable frame rates in 720p which is amazing. The recording device are either P2 cards or a hard drive. The nice thing about these though is that once can record in 4:2:2 (which means twice as much color info as the others) and, if using P2s or a cineporter HD, one can record in "native" 720p mode and save space. Of course, there are no interchangible lenses, only adapters which will look virtually the same but result in a loss of light. As an added plus for you, if you're used to the DVX then the you should be able to master the HVX far faster.
Elton said:
this has been my understanding too and is why i opted for the jvc hd100 over the hvx. however, i think for features and short commercials, the hvx might be the ticket, but in my case, i needed something to record long interviews. i'm totally unconvinced the p2 is suitable for that unless you're willing to spend another six grand in p2 cards.
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Howdydoo, it seems like you already made your decision, but I would like to tell you I'm in a very similar situation to you, and also decided to go with the HVX. I've analysed everything, every footage on the net from each of the main cameras I was considering to buy (Canon JVC and HVX), and tested 2 of them personally- JVC and Panasonic.
The HVX is the clear winner, for me. Similar operation to the DVX, same excelent color rendition, plus more (4:2:2), and excelent picture. P2 workflow is expensive, but if you are not long event shooting, it is not a problem. The portable recorders will solve this problem, in the near future. If you do a lot of long event shooting, than, for the limited budget, HDV is the only affordable and real solution. And if that's so, go for the Canon.
Consider this: Just download the Web footage from these cameras. Altough you can't judge final picture quality by this, you'll see that the best footage posted here and in other forums belong to the HVX. It just blows the rest out of the water in therms of organic color and detail.
The HVX is, in my opinion, the camera that does the most justice to Human skin tones and texture. And since I end up shooting people as a main subject in 95% of my work, the HVX is the clear winner, for me.
I suggest you visit the Videos and Frame Grabs section. Download the Lapdancers video, the Ipod Boogie and of course the infamous " Basketball" Barry Green and Jarred Land footage. You'll certainly be impressed by the High Production value this camera will bring in therms of looks to your production.
The HVX is the clear winner, for me. Similar operation to the DVX, same excelent color rendition, plus more (4:2:2), and excelent picture. P2 workflow is expensive, but if you are not long event shooting, it is not a problem. The portable recorders will solve this problem, in the near future. If you do a lot of long event shooting, than, for the limited budget, HDV is the only affordable and real solution. And if that's so, go for the Canon.
Consider this: Just download the Web footage from these cameras. Altough you can't judge final picture quality by this, you'll see that the best footage posted here and in other forums belong to the HVX. It just blows the rest out of the water in therms of organic color and detail.
The HVX is, in my opinion, the camera that does the most justice to Human skin tones and texture. And since I end up shooting people as a main subject in 95% of my work, the HVX is the clear winner, for me.
I suggest you visit the Videos and Frame Grabs section. Download the Lapdancers video, the Ipod Boogie and of course the infamous " Basketball" Barry Green and Jarred Land footage. You'll certainly be impressed by the High Production value this camera will bring in therms of looks to your production.
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I used an HVX yesterday for the first time. It was very nice. ITs image on the production monitor was superb. The beauty of the p2 workflow is that the recorded image is very close to that on the monitor, the DVCPRO format, retains so much of the image quality. It is very versatile, with the variable framerates, 1080i/p, 720, DVCpro50 SD format ( exciting enough as it is!)and now one of thebest SD cameras. ( dont forget 24p in everyformat)
Now despite all this good stuff, the limiting factors of P2 are very obvious. limited record time, with 6-8 minutes of offload time can be a BIG problem if you dont have someone helping you. Especially if you are coverign a live event.
But when the soon to be available, HDD options come around that problem will be some what solved.
You seem to have chosen the HVX already. I love it, but i now afer ahving using it, am aware of its pitfalls. They are easily overcome, but you need to prepare forthem in advance.
Hopethis helps.
Now despite all this good stuff, the limiting factors of P2 are very obvious. limited record time, with 6-8 minutes of offload time can be a BIG problem if you dont have someone helping you. Especially if you are coverign a live event.
But when the soon to be available, HDD options come around that problem will be some what solved.
You seem to have chosen the HVX already. I love it, but i now afer ahving using it, am aware of its pitfalls. They are easily overcome, but you need to prepare forthem in advance.
Hopethis helps.