V1U "Photo" Feature? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Kolada · August 11th, 2008, 08:25 PM

I am going on a study abroad trip for the next couple weeks shooting a documentary on a Caribbean music festival in south america. Because I think all my tapes are going to the government, and I still want some personal keepsakes from the trip (potentially when i am shooting for the doc.) I was looking to take some pictures to the memory stick. I would usually take stills from the HD video...

Does anybody use this feature? How is the quality of the images?

-Jeff

Jeff Zimmerman · August 11th, 2008, 09:22 PM

Hey Jeff, one huge draw back to shooting with the V1U for stills is no flash. Personally your better off just getting a cheap Kodak or similiar camera. You'll get better pictures, have a flash and you can put it in your pocket. Plus the quality will be good enough that if you decide to print you'll be okay. V1U's still picture mode is an option I would only use as a last resort, out of tape. The pictures are usable but just don't carry the quality of a nice compact still camera.

Jamie Hellmich · August 12th, 2008, 06:40 PM

I use the still function quite frequently. For HD viewing it does very nicely, and better than screen grabs.

I carry an 8.1 megapixel still cam around with me, but it usually winds up staying in the truck if I'm shooting video, and I use the V1u. I seldom print pictures anymore, except small sizes for family.

Most viewing nowadays for me is via pc, with PS3 on plasma, or incorporated stills in movies, and the still shots are very good. Plus, how many still cams have a 20X optical zoom?

V1u prints on 3x5 or 4x6 look fine. If you want to print out larger, and need the flash... as Jeff Z. said... carry a small higher res still cam.

Regardless, the best camera to use is the one you have with you.

Jamie

August 11th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#1
Jeff Kolada Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	V1U "Photo" Feature? I am going on a study abroad trip for the next couple weeks shooting a documentary on a Caribbean music festival in south america. Because I think all my tapes are going to the government, and I still want some personal keepsakes from the trip (potentially when i am shooting for the doc.) I was looking to take some pictures to the memory stick. I would usually take stills from the HD video... Does anybody use this feature? How is the quality of the images? -Jeff __________________ Jeff Kolada http://www.jeffkolada.com

August 11th, 2008, 09:22 PM	#2
Jeff Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 386	Hey Jeff, one huge draw back to shooting with the V1U for stills is no flash. Personally your better off just getting a cheap Kodak or similiar camera. You'll get better pictures, have a flash and you can put it in your pocket. Plus the quality will be good enough that if you decide to print you'll be okay. V1U's still picture mode is an option I would only use as a last resort, out of tape. The pictures are usable but just don't carry the quality of a nice compact still camera. __________________ Jeff Zimmerman • Love what I do • Colorado + North America www.m3films.com

August 12th, 2008, 06:40 PM	#3
Jamie Hellmich Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ormond Beach, FL Posts: 105	I use the still function quite frequently. For HD viewing it does very nicely, and better than screen grabs. I carry an 8.1 megapixel still cam around with me, but it usually winds up staying in the truck if I'm shooting video, and I use the V1u. I seldom print pictures anymore, except small sizes for family. Most viewing nowadays for me is via pc, with PS3 on plasma, or incorporated stills in movies, and the still shots are very good. Plus, how many still cams have a 20X optical zoom? V1u prints on 3x5 or 4x6 look fine. If you want to print out larger, and need the flash... as Jeff Z. said... carry a small higher res still cam. Regardless, the best camera to use is the one you have with you. Jamie __________________ V8 Pro; Sony V1U & HC1 w/Ikelite housing + HG conversion lenses + gear; DIY Q6600/Vista 32bit pc with Sony BWU-200S BD burner & Asus DVD burner; Sony DSC-H9 still cam Last edited by Jamie Hellmich; August 13th, 2008 at 02:50 AM.