Chris Rieman
June 7th, 2007, 12:32 AM
Here's my situation. I have a Canon GL2 and I need to replace it within the 2-3 months. Its not that the camera is not performing well. Despite being long in the tooth a bit, the video quality still performs like the GL2's reputation has earned itself. In fact, its one hell of a camera that several years old still can run some circles around newer 3-CCD stuff.
My problem is with its size. I do event videography and production at automotive events such as car shows, tuners, outdoor, indoor, running from place to place or in a golf car snagging general video and interviews. Its just too small of a camera to be able to whip out and get stable shots with, without having to lug my Manfrotto 525 around like a ball and chain. Setup time is a drag to set up the tripod, connect the camera, go through simple leveling, and get things tightened up. I need to shoot NOW. For steady pre-planned shots, I still have no problem using it as a main weapon of choice on top of a tripod -- the video remains that good when properly stabilized.
So I think I need a larger camera with a shoulder rest. And I must have at least a couple XLR ports to work with to run no less than two wireless systems. Having said that, HD would be nice upgrade. And I really dont know if spending another $2000-4000 on a second SD camera makes sense in the long run (2-3 years). Most of the HDs under $5000 just wouldnt work for what Im doing however. I have to have shoulder mount and a larger profile, not just for quick run and gun shots and to stabilize, but Im competing against the likes of ESPN and Speedvision and as we know, looking the part is sometimes 1/2 the battle to getting that street cred -- quality of your production aside.
So my options are a SD camera or HD camera I can shoulder mount, with at least 2 XLRs. And if its HD, I really want 24p and not 24i.
Here's what Ive considered thus far:
STANDARD DEF
Panasonic AG-DVC60
Good: Full size, XLRs, solid SD imaging, iflip out LCD, nexpensive
Bad: no lens change, on board audio not great, manual controls lacking
Verdict: huge bang/buck for on the fly SD. I run Sennheiser audio so connect to the XLRs and Im good to go. But no HiDef for my investment.
Canon XL2
Good: Im used to Canon, XLRs, interchangeable lenses, shoulder mount, quality video
Bad: no HD for close to $4000, no LCD, a bit goofy design, about as old as the GL2
Verdict: Seems like Im not buying much other than a cpl XLR ports and convenience
HI DEF
Canon XL-H1
Good: Will do HD, XLRs, used to Canon, can shoulder mount it, great zoom and stabilization
Bad: Pricey compared to alternatives (albeit which are not shoulder capable), no 24p, goofy design, no LCD,
Verdict: Capable camera, but the design is not exactly perfect for shoulder stuff. Lack of true 24p and no LCD at this price is really inexcusable. Its also pricey and the $3500 HD cameras probably shoot just as good video, perhaps better
Sony HDR-FX1
Good: Great video quality, portable I suppose
Bad: No XLR, No shoulder mount
Verdict: Not really an option in any respect
Panasonic AG-HVX2000
Good: Maybe best camera for the money. Frame rate smörgåsbord,
tremendous video quality in both DS and HD
Bad: Too small, leaving same issues as GL2
Im really stuck as to what to do and where to do. Part of me says get the Panny AG-DVC60 and stick with SD for a while and save myself thousands. I already own decent audio pieces to get around the suspect on board stuff. Another says, you are used to Canon, get the XL2 because it can be sorta shoulder mounted and is 1/3 the cost of the H1. If nothing else Im used to Canon and it would probably be a smooth transition. But its $3500 blown to shoot more SD and no HD. Another part of me says try the H1. But I have to go into debt for it and the design has the same pseudo handheld/shoulder goofyness as the XL2. Plus others for 1/2 as much shoot HD just as well. So The other $4500 buys me a shoulder mount and not a lot else.
Its a conundrum. I really have to have shoulder mount and XLRs. The tiny handheld thing just aint gonna work. A lot more options exist, especially from Panny, but you gotta spend 5 figures to get there. And it still doesnt buy you HD. I cant see spending $10,000 and not having HD for my investment. If Im gonna spend $5K and get HD, I better have it if Im gonna spend 10.
I dont really have a set price. The camera will determine everything.
Perhaps there are other cameras I havent considered that would be a home run for me?
I use Sony Vegas. Not that it matters, but whatever I have must be ok to download to it.
My problem is with its size. I do event videography and production at automotive events such as car shows, tuners, outdoor, indoor, running from place to place or in a golf car snagging general video and interviews. Its just too small of a camera to be able to whip out and get stable shots with, without having to lug my Manfrotto 525 around like a ball and chain. Setup time is a drag to set up the tripod, connect the camera, go through simple leveling, and get things tightened up. I need to shoot NOW. For steady pre-planned shots, I still have no problem using it as a main weapon of choice on top of a tripod -- the video remains that good when properly stabilized.
So I think I need a larger camera with a shoulder rest. And I must have at least a couple XLR ports to work with to run no less than two wireless systems. Having said that, HD would be nice upgrade. And I really dont know if spending another $2000-4000 on a second SD camera makes sense in the long run (2-3 years). Most of the HDs under $5000 just wouldnt work for what Im doing however. I have to have shoulder mount and a larger profile, not just for quick run and gun shots and to stabilize, but Im competing against the likes of ESPN and Speedvision and as we know, looking the part is sometimes 1/2 the battle to getting that street cred -- quality of your production aside.
So my options are a SD camera or HD camera I can shoulder mount, with at least 2 XLRs. And if its HD, I really want 24p and not 24i.
Here's what Ive considered thus far:
STANDARD DEF
Panasonic AG-DVC60
Good: Full size, XLRs, solid SD imaging, iflip out LCD, nexpensive
Bad: no lens change, on board audio not great, manual controls lacking
Verdict: huge bang/buck for on the fly SD. I run Sennheiser audio so connect to the XLRs and Im good to go. But no HiDef for my investment.
Canon XL2
Good: Im used to Canon, XLRs, interchangeable lenses, shoulder mount, quality video
Bad: no HD for close to $4000, no LCD, a bit goofy design, about as old as the GL2
Verdict: Seems like Im not buying much other than a cpl XLR ports and convenience
HI DEF
Canon XL-H1
Good: Will do HD, XLRs, used to Canon, can shoulder mount it, great zoom and stabilization
Bad: Pricey compared to alternatives (albeit which are not shoulder capable), no 24p, goofy design, no LCD,
Verdict: Capable camera, but the design is not exactly perfect for shoulder stuff. Lack of true 24p and no LCD at this price is really inexcusable. Its also pricey and the $3500 HD cameras probably shoot just as good video, perhaps better
Sony HDR-FX1
Good: Great video quality, portable I suppose
Bad: No XLR, No shoulder mount
Verdict: Not really an option in any respect
Panasonic AG-HVX2000
Good: Maybe best camera for the money. Frame rate smörgåsbord,
tremendous video quality in both DS and HD
Bad: Too small, leaving same issues as GL2
Im really stuck as to what to do and where to do. Part of me says get the Panny AG-DVC60 and stick with SD for a while and save myself thousands. I already own decent audio pieces to get around the suspect on board stuff. Another says, you are used to Canon, get the XL2 because it can be sorta shoulder mounted and is 1/3 the cost of the H1. If nothing else Im used to Canon and it would probably be a smooth transition. But its $3500 blown to shoot more SD and no HD. Another part of me says try the H1. But I have to go into debt for it and the design has the same pseudo handheld/shoulder goofyness as the XL2. Plus others for 1/2 as much shoot HD just as well. So The other $4500 buys me a shoulder mount and not a lot else.
Its a conundrum. I really have to have shoulder mount and XLRs. The tiny handheld thing just aint gonna work. A lot more options exist, especially from Panny, but you gotta spend 5 figures to get there. And it still doesnt buy you HD. I cant see spending $10,000 and not having HD for my investment. If Im gonna spend $5K and get HD, I better have it if Im gonna spend 10.
I dont really have a set price. The camera will determine everything.
Perhaps there are other cameras I havent considered that would be a home run for me?
I use Sony Vegas. Not that it matters, but whatever I have must be ok to download to it.