XF300 compared to the HVX200?

Grug

Grug

Veteran
Hi guys,

I'm shooting a commercial for a builder next week (so it'll be mostly real-estate/interior fittings type shots). I'd normally just shoot it with the trusty old HVX200, but I've just been told there's a Canon XF300 available to shoot with if I'd like.

I hadn't heard of the XF300 until today, so I've done a quick read up on the camera, but I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on how it compares to an older workhorse like the HVX200?

Does anyone know what the dynamic range is like on the Canon?

Also, I'll probably be shooting with Letus 35mm adapter as well, so I'd be interested to hear how they might compare through an adapter.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers
 
In my own opinion, the XF300 bests the HVX200 in nearly every way. Full-raster 1080p, true 4:2:2 (vs the sub-sampled 4:2:2 of the HVX), excellent noise performance, better lens, better ergonomics, better LCD, etc, etc. Keep in mind, this is 2010 technology vs 2005 technology we're talking about here, so all those things should be better.

Without being able to comment on exact numbers, I will say that the dynamic range of the XF300 is very very good, and I believe better than the HVX200's. There is a lot of information in the shadows, more-so than any camcorder I've ever used in this price range. And the cine gamma's hold down highlight blowout remarkably well.

With a DOF adapter, you can expect really excellent results. Also, there is a button on the LCD to mirror flip your image, as well as a menu setting to do a reverse scan record so that your images are recorded in the correct orientation (if you don't have a flip module).

All that being said - I would be wary of going into a professional shoot with a camera I wasn't already very familiar with. If you know the HVX200, and know how to get great results with it, use it - in the end, results are the only thing that matter. But, if you get the chance to work with and learn the XF300, I think you'll find that it can give you technically higher quality video.
 
Grug,

Just received my XF300 after shooting with the HVX200 for years. I've made a lot of money off the HVX which I mention because I assume that this is a paying gig. The client has seen what you do with the HVX. You feel comfortable with the HVX. You know all it's little foibles. Don't change horses midstream they say...

Yet you're not in the stream quite yet, and there is a much nicer horse on the shoreline.

The XF300 seems to be an amazing camera in every way, check out the great video that Cowpunk was able to manage in one night and about a gazillion setups with it. The controls are much better with it, the iris ring is actually a ring located on the lens and not the little scrolly thingy ma-jobber.

Tough call, but I'd stick with the horse I know.

Be sure to let us know which you choose.

BTW, I'm selling my HVX along with a lot of stuff ie: Century optics zoom-through wide angle.

CK
 
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Thanks fellas, that's a big help. I figured the march of time would probably render the XF the better camera and this confirms it.

I picked up the Canon this afternoon, so I'll have a play with it over the weekend and if I feel comfortable with it, I'll take it on the shoot (if not, I'll stick with what I know).

Thanks again for the input, it's much appreciated.

Cheers
 
Grug, (spell check on iPad wants to call you Grub)

If you have so many days to familiarize yourself with the new apparatus, then you should be fine. I was under the impression that it was going to be a very brief introduction.

Let me know what interesting things you learn in comparison along the way?

One thing for sure, the handheld with optical image stabilization, versus electronic, is really amazing. I'd forgotten how good this was from my XL1 and XL2 that I owned before I went to HVX.
Also, the color sampling at 4:2:2 will really make your editor happy when doing any color grading or correction.

I'm not a big tech geek, so I only notice "big picture" stuff.

Regards,
CK
 
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