What am I thinking?

J

jaydigges

Active member
So I have a little problem. Im a gear nut, which means that my fledging video business spends almost 50% of its income on equipment. In the last 6 months I have bought 2 macs, a canon 7d with 4 lenses, a redrock shoulder mount... and various misc stuff.

I'm actually trying to justify buying a JVC hm100. PLEASE TALK ME OUT OF IT (or not). Im asking for advice.

The story: So I have this client, who just took me to australia for 2 1/2 weeks... He's happy to pay my full rate and now he is talking about bringing me to uganda and kenya. For the trip to australia I bought a used consumer camcorder off craigslist (which Im now selling). The fact is that the 7D is great video quality, but sucks for long format recording. Which brings me to the real question here. Which camera should I buy to compliment the Canon 7D?

a big factor:
I normally shoot with a sony EX1 for my commercial clients. I don't 'own' the EX1 but I have full access to two of them plus a teleprompter and a host of lights. etc. (please don't suggest I take the ex1 to africa... I can't)

So given that Im really looking for something portable and less than $4K. What camera would you buy? FX7? HM100? Price is always a factor, since saving $1000 on a camera means I can buy a sweet mic system... hehe.
:dankk2:
 
Either or any would work, it depends on what you're comfortable with, but for my comment I do recommend buying a camera, used. Then sell it the second you get back. It's like renting, but probably cheaper.
 
The HPX170 and HMC150's are popping up in the market place all the time... why not consider one of those...
 
hmc150 FTW



...maybe the hmc40?! but i havent really followed that cam much, so i;m not the best to recommend it.
 
Just putting it out there - you could get two or three of the new T2i's. They will likely suffer from the same 12 minute recording time, but that would give you 4 different shots. And if you overlap them in terms of recording time, you'll always be getting something from at least three cams...

This could mean three more tripods, and three more of everything. But really, you could probably set them around (or tape them securely to vertical object ala Mr. Hurlbut).

Just a thought.
 
but can he get them B4 he leaves is the question.

i;d honestly rather get a real video cam and have the 7d back it up...since he wants long format. plus he can run the sound into the camera.
 
Ftw

Ftw

I think the HMC150 (or MHC40) is the ticket. Thanks everyone. Mainly because Im most familiar with the operation of the DVX and HVX. Im actually looking for a documentary cam, so Having a camera thats VERY portable, and records to mem card are my prime values here. Based on the 35Mbps on the JVC HM100, its probably significantly better quality than the HMC40, Right?

Although the idea of the 2Ti is intriguing... and I might by a one for a B-Cam IF i ever get around to doing short films. but thats not where my customers are coming from right now.

Btw, You can do 2 camera shoots with 1 tripod. Sitting in a chair with the Red Rock SHould mount works. Its possible to carry and man 2 cameras, but hard to carry 2 tri-pods. Also, I have recorded testimonials with a 2nd cam mounted with a micro mount. 2 cameras, 1 rail system. (one wide, and 1 tight)
 
I believe JVC adopted the same 35 VBR codec as the Sony EX. As you're probably aware this cuts together very well with the 7D. The JVC has 3-1/4 CCD's, the Panasonic AG-HMC150 has 3-1/3 CCD's and the Panasonic AG-HMC40 has 3-1/4 CMOS sensors.

I'm guessing that the HMC40's picture might match the 7D better but I's also think you'd have the same rolling shutter issues so in that case I might go with the JVC.

Please let us know what you decide and hopefully share some samples.
 
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