What ENG rig to buy after an HDSLR set-up?

U

UnderwaterCinematographer

Member
Sorry fella's, wasn't sure where to stick this post, kinda didn't fit in anywhere special. And since I was more leaning towards one of the EX platform cameras, I thought it only right to post it in here.

Ok, so right now shooting a fully loaded Canon 7D, and I mean fully loaded. Cinevate Core package, matte box, follow focus, shoulder mount, H4N, Rode NPG-2, external monitor. My B camera is a CanonHF-S10. Now I know most of the pro's and cons of shooting with the HDSLR's.

But now that I have been shooting more and more freelance stuff. I was thinking to add pro 3 chip camera to the tool box. My goal is to basically have everything I need to shoot little indie shorts and feature length movies. Maybe some commercials, and a few good paying weddings. I plan on having a little trailer, with basically everything in it, lights, rigging equipment, etc.

So I know I need to add a really good 3 chip to the tool box, to get some of the really good jobs. So I was wondering what your thoughts were about picking up a good 3 chip, pro model? Do you think it will get me more work? Is is needed to get some of the bigger jobs? Really like to hear some of your thoughts.

Now the 3 chips I was looking at, starting from the high end to the lower end:
Sony PDW 335 XDCAM
Panasonic HPX 370
JVC GY-HM700L17S
Sony EX3 XDCAM
Canon XF305
Panasonic HPX300
Sony EX1R
Panasonic HVX200

So is it still a wise decision to buy a nice ENG camera? And which one is the most economical value? That offers a good range of bells and whistles?

Thanks for the feed back....
 
since you already have a very good CMOS based package, i would consider a CCD based system to compliment it.
 
I think having a pro/prosumer camcorder compliments your HDSLR because of various features. So, first define your market. Even between the XH-A1 and EX1 there are strengths and weaknesses even though both are 3 chip cameras.

The EX1, being higher resolution, can be used in a larger number of higher end markets. Discovery, BBC, and others have limitations on the A1.

The EX1 with a nanoflash is acceptable almost anywhere if you have the talent to use it, and IMHO the most bang for the buck.

The A1 is cheaper, CCD for little or no jello/skew, cheaper to run and has lots of features. I believe it has more picture adjustments too.

The EX1 has been used in a few feature films, many broadcasts, tons of indies.

The only feature I can think of for the A1 was Crank High Voltage, which had so much movement the CCD sensors were an advantage. Looking at the early clips and later trailers I think they post processed the hell out of that footage.

The EX3 has a changeable lens, but I've heard most people never change the lens. Those lenses aren't cheap.
 
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