next upgrade? at DVinfo.net

Paul Cheung · September 2nd, 2009, 08:33 AM

I have owned an A1e for the past year and a half now and there are things that I definitely love about it like its small size and image quality in good light. However, its low light capability - or rather lack of - is becoming too much of an issue. Also I would like a more accurate focus ring.
I have been told that I can get about £1,000 for it ( I bought it for £1,700) in a part exchange but I don't really want to spend more than another £1,500 tops. So basically £2,500 in all.
I have been looking at the V1, a second hand Z1, the FX7. If I could find a good price for the Canon XH-A1s, that might be possible too. I have also been advised that maybe I should go for a tapeless camera as a form of future-proofing i.e. one of the Panasonics.
However, all this new camera talk may be for naught as I am currently shooting a documentary. Is changing to a completely new camera going to mess up continuity with the images?

Adam Gold · September 2nd, 2009, 12:19 PM

If low-light is really the issue, you should be looking at an FX1000. I don't know if you will be happy with the low-light performance of the V1/FX7. The Z1/FX1 would be better, but still not close to the FX1000/Z5.

The images from the CMOS cams will be pretty close to the A1 but not identical, but you can easily tweak in post. I find the FX1 (CCD) image much more cinematic and "softer/richer" than the CMOS picture, but even that can be tweaked later.

September 2nd, 2009, 08:33 AM	#1
Paul Cheung New Boot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 9	next upgrade? I have owned an A1e for the past year and a half now and there are things that I definitely love about it like its small size and image quality in good light. However, its low light capability - or rather lack of - is becoming too much of an issue. Also I would like a more accurate focus ring. I have been told that I can get about £1,000 for it ( I bought it for £1,700) in a part exchange but I don't really want to spend more than another £1,500 tops. So basically £2,500 in all. I have been looking at the V1, a second hand Z1, the FX7. If I could find a good price for the Canon XH-A1s, that might be possible too. I have also been advised that maybe I should go for a tapeless camera as a form of future-proofing i.e. one of the Panasonics. However, all this new camera talk may be for naught as I am currently shooting a documentary. Is changing to a completely new camera going to mess up continuity with the images?

September 2nd, 2009, 12:19 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	If low-light is really the issue, you should be looking at an FX1000. I don't know if you will be happy with the low-light performance of the V1/FX7. The Z1/FX1 would be better, but still not close to the FX1000/Z5. The images from the CMOS cams will be pretty close to the A1 but not identical, but you can easily tweak in post. I find the FX1 (CCD) image much more cinematic and "softer/richer" than the CMOS picture, but even that can be tweaked later.