I am part way through a training DVD on the camera, and I think that I might be recommending it for everyone. I will let you know. It is better to understand each and every setting than to copy anyone else's.

However, if you tell us what you want to shoot, you might get a flood of settings - many contradicting, and many the same.

I didn't know there was such a DVD. OK, now you've got to give us some details, even if you're not quite ready to make a recommendation ....

Well, I just finished watching it. I think I will watch it again after practicing a few concepts, and then I will review it in detail. But as far as I can tell, FX1 owners need to be alert to the differences, because it is actually geared to the Z1. But since they supply a comparison as a PDF on the DVD, it isn't too hard. Just a bit annoying that the Z1 has those cool features that are missing on the FX1. Not the 50i or DVCam, but the little adjustable settings that the FX1 is missing.

Check it out here:

http://www.handsonhdv.com/

They could have added some lower thirds now and then to let us know when they were discussing a Z1 only option. But I think it was certainly worth watching.

If you have not yet set up your personal menu, and you have been out shooting with your camera, you are just the person who needs this training.

Hey Steve! Wanna sell me your used copy of the Hands of HDV?? I'll buy it.....email me if you'd like to sell it. I can PayPal you..

chris.murphy@willowstudios.com

Thanks!

Actually, I will be keeping it for a while. I just got a contract to be the technical editor on a book about the cameras, so I think I will keep it for reference material. It will allow me to look at menus without actually having a Z1.

So, at least until late this summer, I will be hanging on to it.

Besides, I already told someone else I would sell it to him if I sold it at all.

I highly suggest that you just get your own copy, and if you feel it should be resold, do it that way. You know what would be fun? Buy a copy and invite a bunch of shooters over to watch it. Overcharge them for the snacks and drinks and have a great time.

OK, Steve. You get one new sale out of it.

Yup me too :-)

Andrew

I have only spotted one annoying error. When they refer to Shutter Speed they use "Frames per Second" when as far as I know it is not 60 frames per second, but 1/60 of a second. Kind of an odd error, but easy enough to ignore.

And when listing the differences between the Z1 and the FX1 they list a page full and then say "and many more". They should have continued. And they should have made some sort of note on the screen when they were dealing with the Z1 only issues. They do supply a list of the differences in a PDF.

They did review each and every setting in the Picture Profiles and they supplied a table for all of the Z1 defaults, but not for the FX1. I think I will post a list on my site once I go through them all and write them down.

But other than that, it is a really decent training session. Overpriced? Perhaps. But I will be shooting better footage because of it. So I guess I should not compain about $90 to make my $3500 camera work better.

Thanks for the assesment, Steve. I'm one of those -- "If you have not yet set up your personal menu, and you have been out shooting with your camera, you are just the person who needs this training," and I decided if it shortened my learning curve and/or opens me up to new ways of shooting it is worth the investment.

Since we are in the same town I would have gone for the high priced beer and pretzels if you had announced a showing at your place.

DSE one time said he'll provide proper setting for Sony HDV camera, he never did, did he?

Nope, I didn't. I started the article, and then got sidetracked to other things. I'll eventually finish it up.

Hands On DVD. ZU1 and FX1 DVD Guide
 

For those of you who don't know there is a new DVD released by hands on dvd. http://www.handsonhdv.com
And very good it is to, with loads of tips, tricks tutorials etc. I got my copy a couple of weeks ago and have watched it through several times. I have decided to sell it now, so if yoou don't want to fork out $84.95 for a copy, it is available on ebay now to thehighest bidder.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MESE:IT

I will post worldwide, even though it doesn't say this on the page. postage to the USA and rest of the world is £4.50 (about $8)

Hope this post saves someone quite a few dollars.