Simple low light question at DVinfo.net

Bo Smith · August 7th, 2003, 04:46 PM

I currently have a Sony DCR-PC9 camcorder. I'm also looking for a new 3chip camera. Most of my shooting is done at night, so I need a better low light camera. Is the GL2 a better low light camera then what I have?

-Bo

Alex Knappenberger · August 7th, 2003, 05:13 PM

Yes, the GL2 would be better at night, but your best bet would be a Sony VX2000, which you can find for around the same price.

Don Palomaki · August 7th, 2003, 07:27 PM

Don't forget that the GL2 has a $250 rebate now.

Andre Viol · August 7th, 2003, 10:23 PM

yes, just to make the decision harder...

Ken Tanaka · August 7th, 2003, 10:28 PM

Bo,
When you say most of your shooting is done at night, what do you really mean?

Bo Smith · August 7th, 2003, 11:57 PM

I'm making a motocross movie, and alot of the races are on wed. nights. So I need a better low light camera. An on camera light just wouldn't work because it's outside at night. Very few of the races happen durring the daylight hours, maybe 4 total. This season there are 15 night races.

-Bo

Ken Tanaka · August 8th, 2003, 10:43 AM

I see. To be honest, Sony beats Canon in such dim light conditions. I'd recommend trying a VX2000 first. A rebate is only worth considering if it's for a product that meets your needs.

You'll want to looks at Torajima's recent casual comparison of these cameras. He points out several other ergonomic/usability factors as well.

Joe Sacher · August 8th, 2003, 02:53 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bo Smith : I'm making a motocross movie, and alot of the races are on wed. nights. So I need a better low light camera. An on camera light just wouldn't work because it's outside at night. Very few of the races happen durring the daylight hours, maybe 4 total. This season there are 15 night races.

-Bo -->>>

Surely they light up the track at night? If the track was dark enough that the Canon couldn't get decent video, then the riders couldn't safely ride.

Bo Smith · August 8th, 2003, 03:09 PM

Yeah, the track has lights, it's just my current cameras low-light capablilities are not as good as I want them to be. I have been looking at the VX2000, but I have heared it's going to be replaced in Feb., and I want the longer zoom on the canon. The race season is almost over, so I won't be getting anything new till around next Feb or March.

-Bo

Bo Smith · August 12th, 2003, 09:23 AM

How does the DVX100 stand-up against the VX2000 and the GL2 in the low light department? I'm intrested because a friend of mine is about to graduate from college (he took some summer classes to finish his requirements early) and for a final project he has to write and direct a short film. He's asked me to help plan, shoot, and edit his short. Now both of us want it to look like it was shot on film. So since I'm in the market for a new camera, and there are no local places to rent out cameras. Would the DVX still be able to handle my low light shooting during the night motocross events. And are there visable artifacts (pixelation/distortion?) when you do a quick pan in 24P, like I have heard?

-Bo

Richard R Rivera · August 12th, 2003, 10:44 AM

Sony has made a nice camcorder the VX 2000 and i had it , but at night it will make every thing a blur if you dont set it properly. The Canon gl2 White balances good at night and can pick up the race good as long as you dont put it in frame mode. other than that the Canon GL2 id say is the better deal plus you get a 250 rebate. the VX2000 cost more than the GL2 and i dont see it beating the Gl2 if any thing it ties it.

Canon has better lens than sony and thats why i pick Canon. Ofcourse this is my opion and other might disagree with me on this suject. I work in the news industry and they use mostly JVC and Hitiach cameras and Canon is now going to be their standard in DV cameras.

If feel that you should try renting a Canon GL2 and test it out at night before buying one or any other camera. Some times its just better to see if you like the feel of it before buy or passing judgement it. well i hope this helped you out any. have fun and as i always say, shoot it before its gone.

August 7th, 2003, 04:46 PM	#1
Bo Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Exit28, NY Posts: 64	Simple low light question I currently have a Sony DCR-PC9 camcorder. I'm also looking for a new 3chip camera. Most of my shooting is done at night, so I need a better low light camera. Is the GL2 a better low light camera then what I have? -Bo __________________ Bo Smith \| Camera Operator / Cinematographer web \| http://BoSmith.tv

August 7th, 2003, 07:27 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Don't forget that the GL2 has a $250 rebate now. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

August 7th, 2003, 10:28 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Bo, When you say most of your shooting is done at night, what do you really mean? __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 7th, 2003, 11:57 PM	#6
Bo Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Exit28, NY Posts: 64	I'm making a motocross movie, and alot of the races are on wed. nights. So I need a better low light camera. An on camera light just wouldn't work because it's outside at night. Very few of the races happen durring the daylight hours, maybe 4 total. This season there are 15 night races. -Bo __________________ Bo Smith \| Camera Operator / Cinematographer web \| http://BoSmith.tv

August 8th, 2003, 10:43 AM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I see. To be honest, Sony beats Canon in such dim light conditions. I'd recommend trying a VX2000 first. A rebate is only worth considering if it's for a product that meets your needs. You'll want to looks at Torajima's recent casual comparison of these cameras. He points out several other ergonomic/usability factors as well. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 7th, 2003, 05:13 PM	#2
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Yes, the GL2 would be better at night, but your best bet would be a Sony VX2000, which you can find for around the same price.

August 7th, 2003, 10:23 PM	#4
Andre Viol New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 18	yes, just to make the decision harder...

August 8th, 2003, 02:53 PM	#8
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	<<<-- Originally posted by Bo Smith : I'm making a motocross movie, and alot of the races are on wed. nights. So I need a better low light camera. An on camera light just wouldn't work because it's outside at night. Very few of the races happen durring the daylight hours, maybe 4 total. This season there are 15 night races. -Bo -->>> Surely they light up the track at night? If the track was dark enough that the Canon couldn't get decent video, then the riders couldn't safely ride.

August 8th, 2003, 03:09 PM	#9
Bo Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Exit28, NY Posts: 64	Yeah, the track has lights, it's just my current cameras low-light capablilities are not as good as I want them to be. I have been looking at the VX2000, but I have heared it's going to be replaced in Feb., and I want the longer zoom on the canon. The race season is almost over, so I won't be getting anything new till around next Feb or March. -Bo __________________ Bo Smith \| Camera Operator / Cinematographer web \| http://BoSmith.tv

August 12th, 2003, 09:23 AM	#10
Bo Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Exit28, NY Posts: 64	How does the DVX100 stand-up against the VX2000 and the GL2 in the low light department? I'm intrested because a friend of mine is about to graduate from college (he took some summer classes to finish his requirements early) and for a final project he has to write and direct a short film. He's asked me to help plan, shoot, and edit his short. Now both of us want it to look like it was shot on film. So since I'm in the market for a new camera, and there are no local places to rent out cameras. Would the DVX still be able to handle my low light shooting during the night motocross events. And are there visable artifacts (pixelation/distortion?) when you do a quick pan in 24P, like I have heard? -Bo __________________ Bo Smith \| Camera Operator / Cinematographer web \| http://BoSmith.tv

August 12th, 2003, 10:44 AM	#11
Richard R Rivera New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 22	Get the Canon GL2 its better in the long run Sony has made a nice camcorder the VX 2000 and i had it , but at night it will make every thing a blur if you dont set it properly. The Canon gl2 White balances good at night and can pick up the race good as long as you dont put it in frame mode. other than that the Canon GL2 id say is the better deal plus you get a 250 rebate. the VX2000 cost more than the GL2 and i dont see it beating the Gl2 if any thing it ties it. Canon has better lens than sony and thats why i pick Canon. Ofcourse this is my opion and other might disagree with me on this suject. I work in the news industry and they use mostly JVC and Hitiach cameras and Canon is now going to be their standard in DV cameras. If feel that you should try renting a Canon GL2 and test it out at night before buying one or any other camera. Some times its just better to see if you like the feel of it before buy or passing judgement it. well i hope this helped you out any. have fun and as i always say, shoot it before its gone. __________________ If you dont use it , you'll just loose it!