Choose XH A1 or GL2?

Holly Rognan · November 26th, 2006, 10:58 AM

The gs400 and gs500 have a plethora of controls, just relegated to the menu.

I would serisously consider it. (Just because HD is around the corner, it shouldn't be the determining factor because distribution is still out of town for a while.)

If you have the funds, get the A1, it will not dissapoint. However I believe a smaller camcorder would work better for snowboarding than the gl's and dvx's for portability.

You shouldn't need a very long lens for this type of shooting, in fact you should be using a wide lens or fisheye.

My gs500 has nearly the same telephoto reach as my A1 because the A1 starts off so wide. So just because it says 20x doesn't really mean much.

By the way, if you are really desiring a long reach, the DVX only has a third of the reach of the gl2. In any case I find wide angles more useful that long.

Thomas Smet · November 26th, 2006, 11:21 AM

Why not go for the Canon HV10 HDV camera?

It is very small, HD, and cheap. You will get some earth shattering SD video from this thing if you downscale in your NLE.

There are no mic jacks on the thing but then again I doubt you will be using mics on a snowboard anyways.

The HV10 isn't as good in low light but again this should not matter with snowboarding.

I think the camera is the cheapest HDV camera on the market right now and would actually be much cheaper then the GL2. In the future if you want a better HDV camera with better controls and audio features you can still keep the HV10 to use as a great HD B-roll camera or deck for your NLE.

This camera has an insane amount of quality for either HD or SD and will give you some cutting edge quality for at least a few years.

One other bonus is how good the infrared focus system is on the HV10. It uses an infrared sensor for almost instant focus which might be nice for fast showboarding scenes.

Mike Aldred · November 26th, 2006, 01:38 PM

I did look at the HV10, the only trouble with that would be mobility, upright camcorders are really difficult to ride with (Holding).

Holly, The reason i need the long focal length, is for following riders down the mountain on a tripod.

John M. Graham · November 26th, 2006, 06:52 PM

Mike,

I think the perfect compromise for your budget and picture quality would be the Sony FX1. You can get one right in between the $2200 GL2 and the $4000 A1 at around $3200. The FX1 takes great video. It has the handle you're looking for, but it is a little on the heavier side.

It may only have a 12x zoom, but if you're doing SD projects, you can crop and zoom your HDV 1080i clip in your PAL 525 timeline and not loose an ounce of resolution.

I know it may seem wise to hold off on buying HD now if the UK isn't fully embracing it yet at this point in time. But, in 2-5 years when that does happen and you have your HDTV, would you want to watch your old footage in HD? I made the plunge into HD, and I don't have an HDTV yet. All I know is that HD video looks great on my LCD computer monitor, and produces the best looking SD on my 4:3 CRT TV. Then, hopefully, next year when I get my 1080p HDTV, my videos will look even better!

I say if you're getting a camera, go HD and don't look back.

Steve Nunez · November 26th, 2006, 07:03 PM

JVC HD1U is a steal at $1399 (B&H special)
It can do SD video progressively at 60FPS which is fantastic for sports, and if you're shooting snow-sports, light wouldn't be an issue (this cam likes light)....it would allow SD and HDV when you're ready! They also have a top handle for low angle shooting.....I had one awhile back and thought it was a good camera for the right user- and you just might be the ideal user for a camera like that.

(biggest gripes are aggressive edge enhancement <sharpening> and low light capapbility isn't as good as other cameras- of which those 2 issues may not be of concern to you)

Holly Rognan · November 26th, 2006, 09:06 PM

Mike, You will be zoomed in fully while riding?

Do you have shock absorbers on your snowboard, because full telephoto on the slopes might get the viewers a little sick.

A lock down telephoto on tripod would look great though.

Evan C. King · November 27th, 2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Aldred

at the minute i don't need HD, but in the long run i'd like to know it was there, but the GL2 still does a brilliant job?? That's my predicament. I've never had a Prosumer camera, so i'd rather buy one that could last me a fair few years.

From what you've listed as your needs and what you'll do, it sounds like you would fine and happy with an fx7 or fx1, maybe even an hvr-a1u. Don't throw money away on features you'll never use.

Mike Aldred · November 27th, 2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Rognan

Mike, You will be zoomed in fully while riding?

Do you have shock absorbers on your snowboard, because full telephoto on the slopes might get the viewers a little sick.

A lock down telephoto on tripod would look great though.

No Holly. I mean't that when i do Follow cam, i'll use a Fisheye or Wide angle. But when i'm not riding i'll use a tripod to get in on the action up the slope. That would be horrible watching footage that shaky :-)

Mike Aldred · November 27th, 2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John M. Graham

Mike,

I think the perfect compromise for your budget and picture quality would be the Sony FX1. You can get one right in between the $2200 GL2 and the $4000 A1 at around $3200. The FX1 takes great video. It has the handle you're looking for, but it is a little on the heavier side.

It may only have a 12x zoom, but if you're doing SD projects, you can crop and zoom your HDV 1080i clip in your PAL 525 timeline and not loose an ounce of resolution.

I know it may seem wise to hold off on buying HD now if the UK isn't fully embracing it yet at this point in time. But, in 2-5 years when that does happen and you have your HDTV, would you want to watch your old footage in HD? I made the plunge into HD, and I don't have an HDTV yet. All I know is that HD video looks great on my LCD computer monitor, and produces the best looking SD on my 4:3 CRT TV. Then, hopefully, next year when I get my 1080p HDTV, my videos will look even better!

I say if you're getting a camera, go HD and don't look back.

Hi John,

Someone i know has the camera, it's a very good camera. As you said it is heavy. I think at this time for just Snowboarding it's overkill, i would love a cam like that though.

Mike Aldred · November 27th, 2006, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Nunez

JVC HD1U is a steal at $1399 (B&H special)
It can do SD video progressively at 60FPS which is fantastic for sports, and if you're shooting snow-sports, light wouldn't be an issue (this cam likes light)....it would allow SD and HDV when you're ready! They also have a top handle for low angle shooting.....I had one awhile back and thought it was a good camera for the right user- and you just might be the ideal user for a camera like that.

(biggest gripes are aggressive edge enhancement <sharpening> and low light capapbility isn't as good as other cameras- of which those 2 issues may not be of concern to you)

I have looked for this camera in the UK. But i can't find it anywhere. which is why i'm kind of focusing on the GL2 to get me started.

Philip Williams · November 27th, 2006, 08:54 AM

Well, how bout a used (unless you can find it new of course) Canon Optura 50 or 60 (not sure what the UK model is called). Superb day time footage, real 16:9, great colors, optical image stabilization. Honestly, except for low light shooting, I would prefer the Optura over the GL2. And they're way dirt cheap - $300-400 range in the US. That saves you money up front, and saves you money if you smash it up during a shoot.

Let me repeat, the video is outstanding. Don't let the low price fool you!

Larry Huntington · November 27th, 2006, 02:09 PM

Forget the budget. Get an A1. You'll be glad you did. Then get some serious work done and pay that baby off!

Thomas Smet · November 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Aldred

I have looked for this camera in the UK. But i can't find it anywhere. which is why i'm kind of focusing on the GL2 to get me started.

There was never a European version of that camera. It only comes as NTSC.

Mike Aldred · November 27th, 2006, 05:04 PM

That solves that then. No wonder i couldn't find it :-)

Mike Aldred · November 27th, 2006, 05:44 PM

Can anyone give me any advice on the Panasonic GS500. I can't seem to find footage of it anywhere. All i'm interested in is what the O.I.S is like compared to the GL2, and the quality of the footage???

November 26th, 2006, 07:03 PM	#20
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	JVC HD1U is a steal at $1399 (B&H special) It can do SD video progressively at 60FPS which is fantastic for sports, and if you're shooting snow-sports, light wouldn't be an issue (this cam likes light)....it would allow SD and HDV when you're ready! They also have a top handle for low angle shooting.....I had one awhile back and thought it was a good camera for the right user- and you just might be the ideal user for a camera like that. (biggest gripes are aggressive edge enhancement <sharpening> and low light capapbility isn't as good as other cameras- of which those 2 issues may not be of concern to you) __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com

November 26th, 2006, 10:58 AM	#16
Holly Rognan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coalville America Posts: 244	The gs400 and gs500 have a plethora of controls, just relegated to the menu. I would serisously consider it. (Just because HD is around the corner, it shouldn't be the determining factor because distribution is still out of town for a while.) If you have the funds, get the A1, it will not dissapoint. However I believe a smaller camcorder would work better for snowboarding than the gl's and dvx's for portability. You shouldn't need a very long lens for this type of shooting, in fact you should be using a wide lens or fisheye. My gs500 has nearly the same telephoto reach as my A1 because the A1 starts off so wide. So just because it says 20x doesn't really mean much. By the way, if you are really desiring a long reach, the DVX only has a third of the reach of the gl2. In any case I find wide angles more useful that long.

November 26th, 2006, 11:21 AM	#17
Thomas Smet Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,719	Why not go for the Canon HV10 HDV camera? It is very small, HD, and cheap. You will get some earth shattering SD video from this thing if you downscale in your NLE. There are no mic jacks on the thing but then again I doubt you will be using mics on a snowboard anyways. The HV10 isn't as good in low light but again this should not matter with snowboarding. I think the camera is the cheapest HDV camera on the market right now and would actually be much cheaper then the GL2. In the future if you want a better HDV camera with better controls and audio features you can still keep the HV10 to use as a great HD B-roll camera or deck for your NLE. This camera has an insane amount of quality for either HD or SD and will give you some cutting edge quality for at least a few years. One other bonus is how good the infrared focus system is on the HV10. It uses an infrared sensor for almost instant focus which might be nice for fast showboarding scenes.

November 26th, 2006, 01:38 PM	#18
Mike Aldred New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 15	I did look at the HV10, the only trouble with that would be mobility, upright camcorders are really difficult to ride with (Holding). Holly, The reason i need the long focal length, is for following riders down the mountain on a tripod.

November 26th, 2006, 06:52 PM	#19
John M. Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 83	Mike, I think the perfect compromise for your budget and picture quality would be the Sony FX1. You can get one right in between the $2200 GL2 and the $4000 A1 at around $3200. The FX1 takes great video. It has the handle you're looking for, but it is a little on the heavier side. It may only have a 12x zoom, but if you're doing SD projects, you can crop and zoom your HDV 1080i clip in your PAL 525 timeline and not loose an ounce of resolution. I know it may seem wise to hold off on buying HD now if the UK isn't fully embracing it yet at this point in time. But, in 2-5 years when that does happen and you have your HDTV, would you want to watch your old footage in HD? I made the plunge into HD, and I don't have an HDTV yet. All I know is that HD video looks great on my LCD computer monitor, and produces the best looking SD on my 4:3 CRT TV. Then, hopefully, next year when I get my 1080p HDTV, my videos will look even better! I say if you're getting a camera, go HD and don't look back.

November 26th, 2006, 09:06 PM	#21
Holly Rognan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coalville America Posts: 244	Mike, You will be zoomed in fully while riding? Do you have shock absorbers on your snowboard, because full telephoto on the slopes might get the viewers a little sick. A lock down telephoto on tripod would look great though.

November 27th, 2006, 08:54 AM	#26
Philip Williams Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Snellville, Georgia Posts: 614	Well, how bout a used (unless you can find it new of course) Canon Optura 50 or 60 (not sure what the UK model is called). Superb day time footage, real 16:9, great colors, optical image stabilization. Honestly, except for low light shooting, I would prefer the Optura over the GL2. And they're way dirt cheap - $300-400 range in the US. That saves you money up front, and saves you money if you smash it up during a shoot. Let me repeat, the video is outstanding. Don't let the low price fool you!

November 27th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#27
Larry Huntington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 350	Forget the budget. Get an A1. You'll be glad you did. Then get some serious work done and pay that baby off!

November 27th, 2006, 05:04 PM	#29
Mike Aldred New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 15	That solves that then. No wonder i couldn't find it :-)

November 27th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#30
Mike Aldred New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 15	Can anyone give me any advice on the Panasonic GS500. I can't seem to find footage of it anywhere. All i'm interested in is what the O.I.S is like compared to the GL2, and the quality of the footage???