I've read all the facts and differences in this cam vs. the Z1 and A1, etc. I'm more curious to know if anyone has/is using this camera on the job, and if they are getting good results.

I have tested the camera for my own needs, and so far it can create a much sharper image than my Canon XL1s (of course the XL1s are the lowest rez in the league). I do plan on using the HC1 to spot locations and for setup during walk throughs, etc. (More likely I'll rent something bigger for the actual shoot).

However, some folks here wanted the camera for it's small size for hiking, or travel, and confined spaces. Not sure if anyone is using this camera for weddings or run and gun. However, I'd like to hear about your experiences, if any, in using the camera for real work. Thanks.

Hmmm. 24 hours, over 100 views and not one reply.

Anyway, I've tested the HC1 in three scenarios: In the studio (controlled lighting), and in an open foyer (available lighting -overcast day), and finally in a manufacturing environment, shooting lots of machinery in motion.

I then compared with the results with a Canon XL1s used in the same scenes. Ignoring charts, and all the technical data. I wanted to know more about work flow, and each camera's ability to adapt and play well in a working environment.

Finally, both I and our art director viewed the final results. Not the rez charts, or monitors. But what goes on tape, and winds up as a compressed windows media file for CD and web delivery. (Not for broadcast, faking film, or projection. But the other stuff that fills 90% of what I do). The end results is what our clients critique.

Setup for the studio was three light setup for interview. A key, a fill, and a back light. Actual setup time for both the XL1s and HC1 was similiar, (about 15 minutes).

The XL1s was the decisive winner in this however. It's a night owl compared to the HC1 and I was able to easily dial in the camera to get the look I wanted. The HC1 was very limiting in it's exposure and settings. Even under controlled lighting, I didn't have as fine or minute adjustments to get things quite right. Exposure was more quess work. I had to move the lights closer to subject, but risk blowing out highlights in the process. It was doable, but compared to the XL1s, it was a struggle.

Setup for the foyer only required a tripod and white board for bounce. I wanted available light. Here is where the HC1 had it easy, and no more difficult than the XL1s. I did use white balance to a white, grey, and even a light blue card to push the red skin tones on the HC1. However, the XL1s was the clear winner. A simply white balance was the only setting to get it right.

Setup for the manufacturing floor was a tripod and using available light only. the HC1's resolution was the clear winner obviously. The XL1s, even when viewed at it's native resolution, is simply too soft for shooting small moving objects.

Taking a step back and looking at the final results, both the art director and I came to the conclusion that the HC1 was not up to professional work. That image resolution and sharpness is not the only decisive factor. He would prefer that I continue to shoot my interviews, training, and events with the XL1s, and look into getting a camera that has both the resolution and color.

Some of you may cry foul, that such comparisons are not fair. However, the XL1s is considered a prosumer or low end pro camera as well. It is clearly the lower resolution camera of it's peers. But resolution was not why I purchased it. For the last five years I've heard nothing but praise of it's image quality. Therefore, to be fair, I had to judge the HC1 (and the possible purchase of an A1) for the same reasons.

In the end, my initial enthusiasm is wearing off. I'm not happy with these findings, but for me, it's reason to budget for a better camera.

Hi Peter

The conclusion doesn't really surprise me to be honest.
HC1's trump card (obviously) is it's resolution, particularly in good light. Then it shines and you can forgive it its faults.

What is doesn't do very well, in comparison to your XL1 is low-light stuff, full manual control, flexibility etc.
But this is what i'd expect since the XL1 is designed to match fairly well the pro-type use you're putting it to, and the HC1 is, frankly, designed as a consumer cam.
So i think your comparison definitely has value and is interesting to hear of your findings. -nobody should be particularly surprised and nobody should take it as a sleight on the HC1, which is very good in certain situations.

Pro-type filming is not it's forté as you've confirmed.

For HDV footage for the sort of stuff you do, you'd have to go FX1 or Z1.

No surprise in terms of the results: the HC1 simply isn't as good a camera as the FX1 or Z1U, especially in challenging situations. Have you tried comparing either of the more expensive HDV cameras to your XL1, and if so what did you conclude from that?

Stu,

I'm happy with my HC1 for what it does for the money. But, I have to be brutally honest and see if it answers the question I've always pondered (and a weakness I've known in the XL1s): Is higher resolution the answer? No. The HC1 was the perfect test. I'll use it as the family cam, a B-roll and setup maybe.

In a way I feel some respect for and justified in my choosing the XL1s. It has been faithful to me for the last five years. However, it's showing it's age and needs to be replaced.

Kevin,

I am considering the Z1U, it's added skin tone settings is appealing. Plus the balanced XLRs, etc. I don't think I'll miss not having an interchangeable lens, as I've always used the lens that came with the canon, only swapping in a rented wide angle from time to time.

My local dealer decided not to get canon H1's for rentals, and upgraded to the Pany HVX200's. I got a close look at one two days ago. It's build like a tank and not consumerish as I initially thought. However, it raises a lot of work flow issues for much of the long form shoots that I do. Unfortunately, it would be another fun toy to have, but like the HC1, just won't fit.

I could get an H1, but for the price, I could stretch a little more and get two Z1U's, or upgrade the rest of my kit. I discussed this with the art director and he seems to agree. He pointed out that I shouldn't get bogged down in all the tech, and let my eyes and hands be the judge.

I do plan on renting the Z1U. I have to find a source close to the Reading, PA area. I also have the perfect shoot for this scheduled in July. A real job, not a test.

I have some questions about the Z1U, but I'll ask in the proper forum. It's very late and I'm about to take a nose dive into my keyboard.

I appreciate the responses.

I'd be curious to know if the A1U would have made the difference, as it apparently allows more control than the HC1.

The A1 would...

I tested it out for the day. the image is much better than the HC1 and it has the options for control and although its a quite colder picture to the canons, it does have some controls to make it come close...

Otherwise, I'd go for the FX1 or Z1. The skin tone controls are to die for in my opinion. I have put my FX1 up against the XL2, and although resolution isnt the answer to everything, it does have sharper picture and better image control.

Although, using an HC1 up against an XL1, I think the comparrison is a little had to digest and take seriously in my opinion... but *shrugs* his to his own.

Seeing is believing. Resolution aside, the HC1 would come close to the XL1s in full automode, but the menu/settings were too limited to allow me to achieve a similiar look in manual mode. Not being able to see in the dark was the other issue, and the speed to apply settings while under the gun was yet another issue. Granted it's a consumer cam.

However, I've read all the positives about this camera's image and wanted to know how it applies to my job. I purchased it as the family cam, and thought about getting an A1U for work. I don't think the A1U, from what I've read, will provide the extra settings and features I need. So, I'm looking at the Z1.

The A1 would...

I tested it out for the day. the image is much better than the HC1

That's strange considering that the hc1 and a1 are basically the same camera. As in fx1 = z1u. Except without the pro-features like xlr's.

That's strange considering that the hc1 and a1 are basically the same camera. As in fx1 = z1u. Except without the pro-features like xlr's.

While they are very equivalent mechanically and sensor wise, The FX1 is more than a Z1U with XLR, and the A1 is more than an HC1 with XLR. There is more to the firmware. The pro versions have a little more flexibility in control on capture settings, more capture modes and so on. I forget where the feature comparison is, but there are a couple out there that can help explain why an experienced person can get a better image with the A1.

but there are a couple out there that can help explain why an experienced person can get a better image with the A1.

There's the black stretch feature, but other than that the picture should be exactly the same. Unless you use cinegamma or such, which I wouldn't anyway.

Do a search on "colorimetric and resolution HC1 Alan Roberts"

Mr. Roberts provides a PDF that explains in great detail, all the settings and difference between the two cameras.

However, my test were not based on getting the image alone, but more importantly on how easy was to get the image in the first place. This site is full of rez charts and technical comparisons, but one forgets that "camera usage" is also a very important test.

The A1 has double the settings available over the HC1 in a number of key areas. It has the black stretch to help a bit in low light.
They will allow you to get some stunning footage. But some people simply don't like how the settings on these cameras work, preferring the standard f-stop approach rather than having to lock down the shutter sped and having to learn what Exposure setting is equivalent to which f-stop.

And for those people a Z1 maybe the better choice.

My friends are using the A1 and HC1 in professional areas of work with great results, incl. short films, documentaries and jumping out of planes with the A1 strapped to a helmet. It's an awesome little camera!

heath

I shot a wedding this past weekend with an HC1, but I had to use my Panasonic 3-chip camera for the reception because of the poor lighting.

Peter, small world! I live in Shillington, right across the street from where Wyomissing begins.

Hey Robert, small world indeed. I work in Wyomissing, for Arrow, and live in Muhlenberg.

Used the HC1 for a wedding, eh? How were the results? I find the cam a little soft when sticking with the 1080i for output, but 720p and SD down is tac sharp. Were you pleased with the colors? Were you locked off on a tripod, or using a shoulder rig?

You're right about the light. I'm testing some studio shots and finding out that it takes a heck of a lot light to make 100 IRE before I have open IRIS past 1.8 0dB. Then it's hello noise and goodbye image.

Peter,
how do you find the comparison between your 2 cameras, when you view the results in a widescreen 1080 HD monitor?

thx,
hornady.

If you mean between the XL1s and HC1? I don't have a 1080 monitor, I do have a 42" Sony Bravia 720p. On that, it's night and day, the resolution of the HC1 alone wins it. On an SD monitor, the XL1s can beat the HC1 in colors. In the field or when on the run, the XL1s has settings to get the shot much faster than the HC1. Go figure, the XL1s it's designed to compete with ENG type cameras.

If you have the time for setup and are careful with the lighting, you can use the HC1 in some professional shoots. (i.e. docs or interviews in natural daylight, etc.)

If you jump out of a plane, (as mentioned before) where access to buttons and settings are not ideal, and/or you need a small form factor HDV camera then the HC1/A1U is the tool. When doing color correction in post to get the shot is worth it.

If you want do undercover work, the 120X zoom and Nighshot mode of the HC1 is the ticket.

If you want to look like a tourist, a stripped down HC1/A1U will give you the most resolution to work with.

If your just shooting family moments and kids running around the yard, and your ok with full auto, don't mind weak reds, and you plan on viewing this on your HD set, then the HC1 (or the HC3) is the only solution, in my opinion. Years later, when junior is graduating or getting married, you may want a small compilation of his life, and won't you be glad that you at least shot his first day's of walking, bike riding, etc. in 1080i HDV?

I've learned that it's not a matter of good camera/bad camera, it's more using the right tool for the right job. Now a couple of years from now, when and if Canon gets into the small form factor HDV game, and we get palm size HDV with ENG type colors, oh boy. Until then, this is the solution.

thank you Peter.

speaking of junior, makes my mind wonder...all this video hi-tech we're discussing now... what would it heard like 20 years from now... i mean, just imagine 20 years ago, there were people discussing the so-high-tech betamax giant camera... and now we're speaking proudly of HDV & stuffs....:)

HI,
my HC1 was stolen, but i did some test and i m oK with it.
the full manual setting is possible to work, u need to find out the iris setting.
i never use auto anyhow,
try to run a test a screen grab of HC1 and a Z1 ansd ask people which one is 5K Z1 and which is 1.7K HC1
everybody hates u. becuase no one can tell if u set up right.

sound --to me i don;t use mp3 so i rather use another recorder.

i have no money t o buy hc3 and i switch to JVC HD101E, but by no means i don;t like Hc1, if u like to impress client with big camera , try to beef up with a huge matte box and a "fake" camera body:)

i secretly made a test when i was shooting with panasonic varicam , and took a HC1 and shot on top on varicam, i have to say , varicam is better but just not much better.
JY

Tommorrow I'm taking the HC1 to it's first job site. I have to shoot some procedures in the OR, and we're discussing the script, and I'll have a walk through to discuss shots and setup. Usually I just take some notes and mentally visualize where stuff needs to go, and possible places for B-Roll, etc. Then I come back, sometimes weeks later, well prepared for the actually shooting.

With HC1, I can put clipboard down and just shoot stuff. When I mentioned bringing a cam to scout the area, they asked what cam, I said, "Oh, just a handycam..." OK, sure, no problem : )

So, I'll have my 'notes' in 1080i...

It was a good day in Philly. After four hours meetings and touring the facilities at UPenn, I was very happy to have brought the HC1 with me.

I mounted the camera on a cheap monopole and took shots of specific areas of interest and some B-roll. Having the cam handy (pun intended), we were able to quickly determine the best rooms and locations for shooting.

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/browseimages.php?c=33&userid=

The camera did not draw much attention, unlike a few times when I carried my XL1s kit in. Other than the occasional look from a security guard (to be expected), most folks took little notice and left me be. The only question I had was with the security guard at the entrance. "Are you affiliated with any news channel or crew?"

I do appreciate these officers doing their job. I just can't stand the constant interruptions of onlookers and gawkers getting in the way. Sure these cams are nice, and I'd love to talk shop, but I'm working here...

I've found that the HC1 loves two things. Sunlight, and fortunately, very bright surgical lights. Even though the sample clips I've shot were handheld, with EIS on, and interlaced (I will use a tripod with fluid head). My final piece will go out as a windows media 480p on CD-Rom. Plenty of room and very sharp on the final test, (not too shabby at 720p either). It's too soft at 1080i for 1080i viewing. I was able to manage an F2/125 setting with 0dB just at 100IRE. The image was bright and clearly useable.

At the end of the day my arms and shoulders were not sore at all. The HC1, even rigged on a monopole, was a delight to have. It made the job that much easier.