Making the move, possibly?

Doug Jensen · December 31st, 2013, 04:43 PM

You're right to exclude the Z100 from the selection process. It's an interesting camera for what it is, but it's not a viable alternative to the XF300 or PMW-160.

Steven Davis · December 31st, 2013, 04:49 PM

Hey Doug, what camera do you have that uses the XQD cards?

Doug Jensen · December 31st, 2013, 05:58 PM

The PMW-F55 right now. I've been able to record 50Mbps HD422 XDCAM and 4K XAVC simultaneously to a single card without any problems. Lots a lot of data. And I don't even have the latest, greatest, type of XQD card.

I have also used them quite a bit with the PMW-200, 160, and 100. I think they would work with my EX1 (new in 2007) if I updated to the latest firmware, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Rock solid and nice little cards. Even when you just pick them up you can tell they are a physically better built card than any of the others. The closest equivalent in size and construction are the CF cards, but those scare me after I've had two SanDisks fail me.

Steven Davis · December 31st, 2013, 06:43 PM

Thank you Doug. Happy New Year!

James Manford · January 1st, 2014, 09:41 AM

Happy new year folks!

What camera did you choose in the end then?

Rob Cantwell · January 1st, 2014, 11:31 AM

A bit OT but, pity those XQD cards aren't as reasonable this side of the pond!! a 32 Gb XQD + adaptor is €371compared to the Sony SxS 32 Gb which is €336.
For economic reasons I've been using a 64 Gb SxS in slot A and a Sony MEAD-SD02 Adaptor with a Sandisc 64 Gb SDXC card, in slot B as a backup on my PMW 200, havent need to use it yet as the SxS seems to be big enough for what i'm doing.
One thing that always concerns me with CF cards (and I use them a lot) is the possibility of borking any of the 50 receiving pins in the camera.

CF technology having been around since the mid 90's is getting old by now especially with the advent of cards like XQD which are the furure i suspect.

Al Bergstein · January 1st, 2014, 11:40 AM

Have shot with both CF cards and SD cards for at least four years. Always Sandisk extreme pro or earlier equivelant. Never a card failure from CF. SD cards failed once in a while. Have shot in rain and snow, and 100% humidty. Main thing, get a dual card system, and record to both at once on one time only paid or unique shoots.

Steven Davis · January 1st, 2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Manford

Happy new year folks!

What camera did you choose in the end then?

Hey James, I'm still deciding. Between the Z100 and XF300, it's a 1900.00 difference based on units and accessories.

Doug Jensen · January 1st, 2014, 01:22 PM

Interesting. Let us know how it all shakes out and what your reasons were no matter which way you go.
I can't imagine a scenario where those two cameras would be the two choices.

Steven Davis · January 1st, 2014, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Jensen

Interesting. Let us know how it all shakes out and what your reasons were no matter which way you go.
I can't imagine a scenario where those two cameras would be the two choices.

Yeah Doug, it's one of those, 'go with reliable' or 'plan for the future' I have the Sony Z1u which has performed flawlessly, a true rock solid camera, the precurser to the Z100 in a sense.

I just read this, Canon XF300 / XF305 Camcorder Review which is a great review of the XF300. Probably one of the best reviews I've read on a camera in a long time.

Les Wilson · January 1st, 2014, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Jensen

Les, if you go back and re-read my post you'll see that I'm recommending that he compare the XF300 to the PMW-160. Both of those cameras have 1/3" sensors and similar specifications. Apple to apples.

<insert sound of hand smacking forehead> Sorry. I bobbled that one.

Doug Jensen · January 1st, 2014, 08:39 PM

No problem. I've been guilty of that on more than one occasion myself.

Steven Davis · January 16th, 2014, 08:51 PM

Well, I received my XF300 demo unit today. I laughed a little because the first camera in my business was a Canon GL2, and this one reminded me a little of it.

Does anyone have current information on how long your battery lasts in a long day? Couple of hours, more?

Chris Stevens · January 17th, 2014, 05:40 AM

I've had an XF300 for 3 years now & get almost a day out of a BP-975. Of course it greatly depends on how much you use the zoom servo, lcd screen & phantom power etc. Environmental temperature seems to have little effect on battery run times, which I fine strange. I shoot a lot in the Med in the summer, as well as northern latitudes like Finland. Canon batteries are expensive but reliable in my experience.

Steven Davis · January 17th, 2014, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Stevens

I've had an XF300 for 3 years now & get almost a day out of a BP-975. Of course it greatly depends on how much you use the zoom servo, lcd screen & phantom power etc. Environmental temperature seems to have little effect on battery run times, which I fine strange. I shoot a lot in the Med in the summer, as well as northern latitudes like Finland. Canon batteries are expensive but reliable in my experience.

Thanks Chris. My current setup, I get 4 hours max out of my batteries, the older batteries, not even that much.

December 31st, 2013, 04:43 PM	#16
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: Making the move, possibly? You're right to exclude the Z100 from the selection process. It's an interesting camera for what it is, but it's not a viable alternative to the XF300 or PMW-160. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

December 31st, 2013, 04:49 PM	#17
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Making the move, possibly? Hey Doug, what camera do you have that uses the XQD cards? __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 31st, 2013, 05:58 PM	#18
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: Making the move, possibly? The PMW-F55 right now. I've been able to record 50Mbps HD422 XDCAM and 4K XAVC simultaneously to a single card without any problems. Lots a lot of data. And I don't even have the latest, greatest, type of XQD card. I have also used them quite a bit with the PMW-200, 160, and 100. I think they would work with my EX1 (new in 2007) if I updated to the latest firmware, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Rock solid and nice little cards. Even when you just pick them up you can tell they are a physically better built card than any of the others. The closest equivalent in size and construction are the CF cards, but those scare me after I've had two SanDisks fail me. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

December 31st, 2013, 06:43 PM	#19
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Making the move, possibly? Thank you Doug. Happy New Year! __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

January 1st, 2014, 09:41 AM	#20
James Manford Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,393	Re: Making the move, possibly? Happy new year folks! What camera did you choose in the end then?

January 1st, 2014, 11:31 AM	#21
Rob Cantwell Major Player Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tipperary, Ireland Posts: 624	Re: Making the move, possibly? A bit OT but, pity those XQD cards aren't as reasonable this side of the pond!! a 32 Gb XQD + adaptor is €371compared to the Sony SxS 32 Gb which is €336. For economic reasons I've been using a 64 Gb SxS in slot A and a Sony MEAD-SD02 Adaptor with a Sandisc 64 Gb SDXC card, in slot B as a backup on my PMW 200, havent need to use it yet as the SxS seems to be big enough for what i'm doing. One thing that always concerns me with CF cards (and I use them a lot) is the possibility of borking any of the 50 receiving pins in the camera. CF technology having been around since the mid 90's is getting old by now especially with the advent of cards like XQD which are the furure i suspect. __________________ http://www.robertcantwell.com

January 1st, 2014, 11:40 AM	#22
Al Bergstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Port Townsend, WA Posts: 456	Re: Making the move, possibly? Have shot with both CF cards and SD cards for at least four years. Always Sandisk extreme pro or earlier equivelant. Never a card failure from CF. SD cards failed once in a while. Have shot in rain and snow, and 100% humidty. Main thing, get a dual card system, and record to both at once on one time only paid or unique shoots. __________________ Al Upper left hand corner of the map

January 1st, 2014, 01:22 PM	#24
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: Making the move, possibly? Interesting. Let us know how it all shakes out and what your reasons were no matter which way you go. I can't imagine a scenario where those two cameras would be the two choices. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

January 1st, 2014, 08:39 PM	#27
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: Making the move, possibly? No problem. I've been guilty of that on more than one occasion myself. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

January 16th, 2014, 08:51 PM	#28
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Making the move, possibly? Well, I received my XF300 demo unit today. I laughed a little because the first camera in my business was a Canon GL2, and this one reminded me a little of it. Does anyone have current information on how long your battery lasts in a long day? Couple of hours, more? __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

January 17th, 2014, 05:40 AM	#29
Chris Stevens Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK Posts: 44	Re: Making the move, possibly? I've had an XF300 for 3 years now & get almost a day out of a BP-975. Of course it greatly depends on how much you use the zoom servo, lcd screen & phantom power etc. Environmental temperature seems to have little effect on battery run times, which I fine strange. I shoot a lot in the Med in the summer, as well as northern latitudes like Finland. Canon batteries are expensive but reliable in my experience.