Any regrets buying a Z1? at DVinfo.net

Paul Chun · November 13th, 2005, 07:40 PM

I'm thinking of purchasing a Z1. Anyone have any regrets or suggestions for me?

Boyd Ostroff · November 13th, 2005, 08:01 PM

I have no regrets, it's a great camera. But for me personally the deciding factor was the dual PAL NTSC SD capability.

But if you don't specifically need this feature you should give a lot of thought as to whether the FX1 would meet your needs as you could save over $1,200. There are some other nice upgrade features to the Z1, but it might be hard to justify the added cost for them.

Alfonso Rojas · November 13th, 2005, 11:26 PM

Yah, I'm in the process of buying one of the two camera's and the sales clerk talked me into settling for the FX1, for the same reason. Anyways, good luck with your decision.

-Alfonso

Fred Foronda · November 16th, 2005, 02:27 PM

Good to see a fella local here on the boards. Z1 is an excellent camera if you need those features. I just settled for the FX1 and spent the extra 1200+ on other video goodies. If you do decide to pick any of these up go to bhphotovideo.com. You'll save couple hundred $$ or more than buying at local retailers.

Paul Chun · November 16th, 2005, 03:59 PM

Hi Fred, yes I did order my Z1 from B&H, they had a problem with verification so they gave me next day shipping for an additional $16. Hopefully I'll have it here tomorrow.

I checked out Video Life and they want $4,799 for the camera and $499 for the wide angle lens plus tax. So I did save a bit going to B&H.

Allen Lu · November 16th, 2005, 04:09 PM

Just regret the days going by with no time to capture some good video.

BTW this cam does great in capturing the moon's surface with a setting of 3000-4000 shutter + zoom lens.

Ben Bixby · November 17th, 2005, 08:06 PM

No regrets on my FX1...I just hate it that it didn't come with built in XLR...I do a lot of interview stuff and the stock mic sucks.

Fred Foronda · November 17th, 2005, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Bixby

No regrets on my FX1...I just hate it that it didn't come with built in XLR...I do a lot of interview stuff and the stock mic sucks.

Is there a way to put an XLR on the FX1?

Gareth Watkins · November 18th, 2005, 02:04 AM

Personally, No regrets getting my FX1.. fantastic camera.

as to the lack of XLR input... get a Beachtek or Sign Video XLRPro adapter box..
both bolt onto the camera and away you go...

works a treat with my AT897 and Senheisser G2 lav set up.

cheers

Gareth

Colvin Eccleston · November 18th, 2005, 06:42 AM

I had my eye on a fx1 for the reasons mentioned above. The difference in price didn't make the z1 seem worth it. As things turned out, I got a z1 and I think it is worth it just for the small changes in options that I use all the time because I have the choice; if I had the fx1 I might not miss them.
HDV is definitely worth the money. I look forward to seeing street models of the canon and panny to see what they offer.

Shannon Rawls · November 21st, 2005, 06:46 PM

My Z1 paid for itself in 36 days flat. No regrets in the money department.

Only thing I wish....is that the lens was removable which is why I am starring at the new Canon XL-H1. and I dont like how it does the pulldown in the camera for CF24. I wish Sony would have done it the wasy Canon is doing it. All the hoops I gotta jump through in post kinda sucks to get 24p.

- ShannonRawls.com

Tom Hardwick · November 22nd, 2005, 02:56 AM

My only sadness is the barrel distortion down the wide-angle end of the zoom. But the whole damn camera costs less than a 'proper' lens, so who am I to complain?

tom.

Murry Dalton · November 22nd, 2005, 03:13 AM

Hi CHUN, I HAVE OWNED A Z1 SINCE FEB OF THIS YEAR. TO ME, IT'S THE BEST CAMCORDER IN IT'S CATAGORY. I USED TO USE PANASONIC AGDVX100 CAMERA'S. THE Z1 HAS 42 MORE FEATURES THAN THE FX1 AND IS WORTH THE ADDITIONAL $1200. ALSO BY SHOOTING IN HIGH DEFINITION I HAVE SOLVED PROBLEMS OF ANY FLICKER. THE CLARITY IS THE BEST IVE SEEN AND THE IMAGES ARE BREATH TAKING. YOU MADE A WISE PURCHASE.

Steve Mullen · November 22nd, 2005, 04:24 AM

I see five Z1 advantages:

1) Black Streatch

2) Center Cut to SD function

3) Focus Assist

4) XLR without an extra box

5) AE Response

6) Audio Limiter possible on Manual control

7) Simutaneous VF and LCD

8) Dual Formats

Now if you divide the delta in cost by 8 -- or the number you need -- you can see the approximate cost of each feature. Plus the Pro Warrantee and support.

Mark Utley · November 22nd, 2005, 04:42 AM

Black Stretch and Focus Assist alone are worth it. (focus assist allows you to still manually focus while in automatic focus mode)

November 13th, 2005, 07:40 PM	#1
Paul Chun Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 132	Any regrets buying a Z1? I'm thinking of purchasing a Z1. Anyone have any regrets or suggestions for me?

November 16th, 2005, 04:09 PM	#6
Allen Lu Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	No regrets on the FX-1 Just regret the days going by with no time to capture some good video. BTW this cam does great in capturing the moon's surface with a setting of 3000-4000 shutter + zoom lens.

November 17th, 2005, 08:06 PM	#7
Ben Bixby Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 75	No regrets on my FX1...I just hate it that it didn't come with built in XLR...I do a lot of interview stuff and the stock mic sucks. __________________ Ben Bixby benbixby@mac.com

November 21st, 2005, 06:46 PM	#11
Shannon Rawls Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 853	My Z1 paid for itself in 36 days flat. No regrets in the money department. Only thing I wish....is that the lens was removable which is why I am starring at the new Canon XL-H1. and I dont like how it does the pulldown in the camera for CF24. I wish Sony would have done it the wasy Canon is doing it. All the hoops I gotta jump through in post kinda sucks to get 24p. - ShannonRawls.com __________________ Shannon W. Rawls ~ Motion Picture Producer & huge advocate of Digital Acquisition.

November 22nd, 2005, 03:13 AM	#13
Murry Dalton New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Jordan Utah Posts: 9	Z1-best In My Books Hi CHUN, I HAVE OWNED A Z1 SINCE FEB OF THIS YEAR. TO ME, IT'S THE BEST CAMCORDER IN IT'S CATAGORY. I USED TO USE PANASONIC AGDVX100 CAMERA'S. THE Z1 HAS 42 MORE FEATURES THAN THE FX1 AND IS WORTH THE ADDITIONAL $1200. ALSO BY SHOOTING IN HIGH DEFINITION I HAVE SOLVED PROBLEMS OF ANY FLICKER. THE CLARITY IS THE BEST IVE SEEN AND THE IMAGES ARE BREATH TAKING. YOU MADE A WISE PURCHASE.

November 13th, 2005, 08:01 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I have no regrets, it's a great camera. But for me personally the deciding factor was the dual PAL NTSC SD capability. But if you don't specifically need this feature you should give a lot of thought as to whether the FX1 would meet your needs as you could save over $1,200. There are some other nice upgrade features to the Z1, but it might be hard to justify the added cost for them.

November 13th, 2005, 11:26 PM	#3
Alfonso Rojas New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 13	Yah, I'm in the process of buying one of the two camera's and the sales clerk talked me into settling for the FX1, for the same reason. Anyways, good luck with your decision. -Alfonso

November 16th, 2005, 02:27 PM	#4
Fred Foronda Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 337	Good to see a fella local here on the boards. Z1 is an excellent camera if you need those features. I just settled for the FX1 and spent the extra 1200+ on other video goodies. If you do decide to pick any of these up go to bhphotovideo.com. You'll save couple hundred $$ or more than buying at local retailers.

November 16th, 2005, 03:59 PM	#5
Paul Chun Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 132	Hi Fred, yes I did order my Z1 from B&H, they had a problem with verification so they gave me next day shipping for an additional $16. Hopefully I'll have it here tomorrow. I checked out Video Life and they want $4,799 for the camera and $499 for the wide angle lens plus tax. So I did save a bit going to B&H.

November 18th, 2005, 02:04 AM	#9
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Personally, No regrets getting my FX1.. fantastic camera. as to the lack of XLR input... get a Beachtek or Sign Video XLRPro adapter box.. both bolt onto the camera and away you go... works a treat with my AT897 and Senheisser G2 lav set up. cheers Gareth

November 18th, 2005, 06:42 AM	#10
Colvin Eccleston Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 93	I had my eye on a fx1 for the reasons mentioned above. The difference in price didn't make the z1 seem worth it. As things turned out, I got a z1 and I think it is worth it just for the small changes in options that I use all the time because I have the choice; if I had the fx1 I might not miss them. HDV is definitely worth the money. I look forward to seeing street models of the canon and panny to see what they offer.

November 22nd, 2005, 02:56 AM	#12
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	My only sadness is the barrel distortion down the wide-angle end of the zoom. But the whole damn camera costs less than a 'proper' lens, so who am I to complain? tom.

November 22nd, 2005, 04:24 AM	#14
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	I see five Z1 advantages: 1) Black Streatch 2) Center Cut to SD function 3) Focus Assist 4) XLR without an extra box 5) AE Response 6) Audio Limiter possible on Manual control 7) Simutaneous VF and LCD 8) Dual Formats Now if you divide the delta in cost by 8 -- or the number you need -- you can see the approximate cost of each feature. Plus the Pro Warrantee and support. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

November 22nd, 2005, 04:42 AM	#15
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	Black Stretch and Focus Assist alone are worth it. (focus assist allows you to still manually focus while in automatic focus mode) __________________ Mark Utley