Should I switch from HV30 to XL1? at DVinfo.net

Jackie Morton · January 11th, 2009, 11:44 PM

I'm really new at this and wanna start filming shorts - got an HV30 and filmed some stuff, and I think it's a really great little camera. But before I start buying stuff for it (wanna get a steadicam and everything), should I maybe just get an XL1 instead? How big is the quality difference between those two, and is it worth the sacrifice in size?

Chris Soucy · January 12th, 2009, 12:50 AM

Suggestion:

Do a lot more reading here. And keep your hand off that credit card till you KNOW what you NEED (note: I didn't say Want.)

CS

Pete Bauer · January 12th, 2009, 01:05 PM

Jackie,

Do you mean the "XL1" (out of production SD camera) or the HDV camera "XL H1?" If you do mean the older XL1, I'd have a hard time recommending it even though it would allow you to practice manual exposure control. It is missing so many of the useful newer features of XL, XH and competitor cameras that will, at higher purchase price, give you a lot more capability/flexibility to learn on. If money's tight, I'd certainly agree with Mr. Soucy to take your time, get everything you can out of HV30 and do a lot of online study.

Even if you need a more larger, more "professional" camera, I believe there's always a role for a pocket-sized camera. I have two XL H1 cameras and my little HF10 gets a lot more regular use because it fits in a large pocket.

Jackie Morton · January 12th, 2009, 09:00 PM

Unfortunately, I did mean XL1 - I can't afford XL H1. :( So your advice would be to stick with the HV30 until I can afford an XL H1?

Bill Pryor · January 12th, 2009, 09:05 PM

The XL1 has been out of production for some time, so you'd have to get a used one, and it's going to look softer than the HDV picture from your HV30. And, even Youtube is 16:9 now. I would stick with what you have, until, as suggested above, a need arises.

Kyle Ross · January 14th, 2009, 01:04 AM

I actually have a very similar question. I'm kind of in the same situation, although I don't have an HV30 right now.

I was thinking, with the new HV40 coming out, HV30 prices may dip. Even if they don't, I'd be spending $1000 tops on it, since that's what they cost new. Couple that with a 35mm adapter (like Letus35) and some 50mm lens, I'd probably be looking at a $2000 complete package. HD, 1080, 24p or something like it, and DoF.

Conversely, I could spend $2500 on a Canon XL2, which would give me 16:9, 24p or something like it, and SD. I'm not too sure how good the DoF is for a Canon XL2.

Which camcorder is going to give me the better picture, which would you guys recommend?

(My personal offering to the original post is skip the XL1; it's really old, outdated and there could be issues with the camera. Even if you're only upgrading to the XL1S instead, I hear it's much better. Still no true 16:9 though!)

Andy Olson · January 14th, 2009, 11:22 AM

Why don't you look at the XHA1? You probably could pick up a used one for about what you will pay for an XL1. Then you have you HD and more manual control than the HV30.
It's actually probably cheaper then a used XL2 and maybe a little more than the XL1 used but you will get HD and SD.

Best,
Andy

Nicholas de Kock · January 15th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Anything other than HD is a waste of money period! I have two XHA1's great cameras, stick with the HV30 until you can afford better, don't even look at anything SD!!

Ken Hull · January 16th, 2009, 01:44 AM

Jackie,

The Sony HVR-A1U is a respectable semi-professional hi-def camcorder at a reasonable price. It's got some professional features like XLR mic inputs. And there's a $200 rebate available right now.

Ken

P.S. -- I just saw your other post, asking about wide angle lens and mic for HV30. The A1U zoom goes quite wide without need for add-on. Also, the A1U comes with an XLR mic (which should do until you're ready to spend $250 for a better shotgun mic).

Tom Hardwick · January 16th, 2009, 02:15 AM

Even though Nicholas says anything other than HD is a waste of money, I think the main, up-front reason you shouldn't go for the XL-1 option is its 16:9 performance. As you've found out Jackie, the HV30 is a really great little camera, and even if you film in SD for the next 3 years, its performance in the 16:9 mode will knock the ancient XL-1 into a cocked hat.

So stay with it. Learn the craft shooting and editing in today's aspect ratio and when the time comes when you *need* (well said Chris) something bigger, better, heavier and more expensive (note I didn't say sharper, the little Canon is so good) then the thought won't leave you and you'll know it's time.

tom.

Chris Hurd · January 16th, 2009, 08:59 AM

If you already have an HV30, then keep it and start shooting.

It is superior to the XL1, which is an 11-year-old camera.

January 11th, 2009, 11:44 PM	#1
Jackie Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, USA Posts: 63	Should I switch from HV30 to XL1? I'm really new at this and wanna start filming shorts - got an HV30 and filmed some stuff, and I think it's a really great little camera. But before I start buying stuff for it (wanna get a steadicam and everything), should I maybe just get an XL1 instead? How big is the quality difference between those two, and is it worth the sacrifice in size?

January 12th, 2009, 12:50 AM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Hi Jackie........... Suggestion: Do a lot more reading here. And keep your hand off that credit card till you KNOW what you NEED (note: I didn't say Want.) CS Last edited by Pete Bauer; January 12th, 2009 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Political references

January 12th, 2009, 01:05 PM	#3
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Jackie, Do you mean the "XL1" (out of production SD camera) or the HDV camera "XL H1?" If you do mean the older XL1, I'd have a hard time recommending it even though it would allow you to practice manual exposure control. It is missing so many of the useful newer features of XL, XH and competitor cameras that will, at higher purchase price, give you a lot more capability/flexibility to learn on. If money's tight, I'd certainly agree with Mr. Soucy to take your time, get everything you can out of HV30 and do a lot of online study. Even if you need a more larger, more "professional" camera, I believe there's always a role for a pocket-sized camera. I have two XL H1 cameras and my little HF10 gets a lot more regular use because it fits in a large pocket. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

January 14th, 2009, 11:22 AM	#7
Andy Olson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	Why don't you look at the XHA1? You probably could pick up a used one for about what you will pay for an XL1. Then you have you HD and more manual control than the HV30. It's actually probably cheaper then a used XL2 and maybe a little more than the XL1 used but you will get HD and SD. Best, Andy __________________ www.dvfilm.com

January 16th, 2009, 01:44 AM	#9
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	Check out the Sony HVR-A1U Jackie, The Sony HVR-A1U is a respectable semi-professional hi-def camcorder at a reasonable price. It's got some professional features like XLR mic inputs. And there's a $200 rebate available right now. Ken P.S. -- I just saw your other post, asking about wide angle lens and mic for HV30. The A1U zoom goes quite wide without need for add-on. Also, the A1U comes with an XLR mic (which should do until you're ready to spend $250 for a better shotgun mic). Last edited by Ken Hull; January 16th, 2009 at 01:55 AM. Reason: Saw your other post (wide lens for HV30)

January 12th, 2009, 09:00 PM	#4
Jackie Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, USA Posts: 63	Unfortunately, I did mean XL1 - I can't afford XL H1. :( So your advice would be to stick with the HV30 until I can afford an XL H1?

January 12th, 2009, 09:05 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	The XL1 has been out of production for some time, so you'd have to get a used one, and it's going to look softer than the HDV picture from your HV30. And, even Youtube is 16:9 now. I would stick with what you have, until, as suggested above, a need arises.

January 14th, 2009, 01:04 AM	#6
Kyle Ross Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, British Columbia Posts: 48	I actually have a very similar question. I'm kind of in the same situation, although I don't have an HV30 right now. I was thinking, with the new HV40 coming out, HV30 prices may dip. Even if they don't, I'd be spending $1000 tops on it, since that's what they cost new. Couple that with a 35mm adapter (like Letus35) and some 50mm lens, I'd probably be looking at a $2000 complete package. HD, 1080, 24p or something like it, and DoF. Conversely, I could spend $2500 on a Canon XL2, which would give me 16:9, 24p or something like it, and SD. I'm not too sure how good the DoF is for a Canon XL2. Which camcorder is going to give me the better picture, which would you guys recommend? (My personal offering to the original post is skip the XL1; it's really old, outdated and there could be issues with the camera. Even if you're only upgrading to the XL1S instead, I hear it's much better. Still no true 16:9 though!)

January 15th, 2009, 04:21 PM	#8
Nicholas de Kock Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: KLD, South Africa Posts: 983	Anything other than HD is a waste of money period! I have two XHA1's great cameras, stick with the HV30 until you can afford better, don't even look at anything SD!!

January 16th, 2009, 02:15 AM	#10
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Even though Nicholas says anything other than HD is a waste of money, I think the main, up-front reason you shouldn't go for the XL-1 option is its 16:9 performance. As you've found out Jackie, the HV30 is a really great little camera, and even if you film in SD for the next 3 years, its performance in the 16:9 mode will knock the ancient XL-1 into a cocked hat. So stay with it. Learn the craft shooting and editing in today's aspect ratio and when the time comes when you need (well said Chris) something bigger, better, heavier and more expensive (note I didn't say sharper, the little Canon is so good) then the thought won't leave you and you'll know it's time. tom.

January 16th, 2009, 08:59 AM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	If you already have an HV30, then keep it and start shooting. It is superior to the XL1, which is an 11-year-old camera. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!