NX70U arrived, on the fence

Paul Cronin · December 4th, 2011, 08:02 AM

Andy Lewicky,

Thanks for the constructive input. Yes I was testing at all the stops inside and out. Makes sense such a small sensor needs all the light it can get.

I think the problem is I am so use to nice broadcast quality from 2/3" CCD chips and use 1/2" CMOS as B cam that I can't go down to a very small single chip camera. I am going to look at a three chip camera for my safety camera.

Was also looking to use this while shooting a doc on my single/double handed offshore racing sailboat. But for that I am going to buy a different camera.

Tom Roper · December 4th, 2011, 10:47 AM

We're all looking for a little cam with broadcast quality, overlooking the fact that the newest consumer format, AVCHD 2.0 is a higher spec than broadcast. And what about 3D? And in the pursuit of broadcast spec and BBC acceptance, 10 bit, 4:4:4 and what not, are we ignoring mobile devices and online viewers? The little cameras are the ultimate run and gun shooters. Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you. I'd love to have the low light of the F3, the sharpness of the XF300, the interchangeable lens of the ex3, the image stabilization of the TM900, the dof of the C300, the Red raw codec, and I want it all in a compact 3 chip water proof package that's affordable. C'mon...there is no single camera that does everything at ANY price point, broadcast or otherwise. The one that does more things better is probably the ubiquitous ex1, but we're looking for that kind of performance in a lightweight 1/3 chip package, with only limited success are we finding it. For my $0.02, the AC160 would tick a lot of boxes, but neither is it small or lightweight, and I see no point in getting it now until the announced 1080/60p upgrade is available.

Tom Roper · December 4th, 2011, 10:56 AM

Duplicate post

Ron Evans · December 4th, 2011, 01:37 PM

The top of the line consumer cameras from Sony( CX700 ) , Canon ( HFG10 ) and Panasonic ( TM900 ) take some beating when they are in auto or semi auto mode. The on board intelligent control is very fast and able to produce video to maximum capability of the camera. Going to full manual on these cameras, I think , removes a lot of their smart responses. Semi auto ( fix shutter speed, limit gain etc but leave the rest in auto ) is the best way to use them as this is much like a drive by wire system. Tell the camera what you want and let it do it. Things like getting the best focus and exposure for a group of people is easy for them. Not so easy or fast in full manual !! Automatically adjusting focus and exposure while tracking an object or person is another clever feat they do really well.

Ron Evans

Paul Cronin · December 4th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Tom, do not twist the accuracy of my post for your rants it is not appreciated!

Ron,
I had a Canon HF10 for use on a boat we race and it was a great little camera.

Ron Evans · December 5th, 2011, 09:32 AM

Paul, as something different you may want to look at the NEX5N. I think it has limited record times but if you start and stop it may well be something that has a real different characteristic.

I am a sailor too though sold my Laser 28 and moved to a cruiser, 2008 Hunter 31, recently as this is easier on everyone with the grandkids !!! Still race in JAM but its a bit like moving from a Ferrari to an RV !!! To be expected half the sail area and almost 3 times the displacement.

Ron

Paul Cronin · December 5th, 2011, 05:50 PM

Thanks Ron holding off for a couple of weeks on a third camera.

Laser 28 can be fun. 35 years as a pro in all kinds of classes and a few AC programs besides being a NA. This is what got me into shooting way back in the 16mm days. Got to love a life time passion such as sailing.

John McCully · December 5th, 2011, 06:10 PM

I recently squired a NEX 5n and as yet I’m a little underwhelmed. I also have a Noelex 22 for sale as after bareboating in the Caribbean for many years out of Oyster Pond mainly sailing 41 ft Centurions the little Noelex 22 is a bit like the little NEX 5n; fun but hardly the real thing.

Cheers...

Chuck Fishbein · December 5th, 2011, 09:14 PM

"Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you."

...and that's exactly why Paul and other professionals take the time to test the cameras that they will be carrying with them on assignments and why they share their findings here.

I agree that there is no, one perfect camera for every situation, but, Paul is a seasoned professional going back to the days of film, I have to assume that he knows what will or won't work for he and his clients.

I can relay way, too many stories about great images that were caught with less then stellar cameras or by using second rate wide angle adapters.. "Great shot of that skyline...to bad it's slightly soft."

December 4th, 2011, 08:02 AM	#16
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence Andy Lewicky, Thanks for the constructive input. Yes I was testing at all the stops inside and out. Makes sense such a small sensor needs all the light it can get. I think the problem is I am so use to nice broadcast quality from 2/3" CCD chips and use 1/2" CMOS as B cam that I can't go down to a very small single chip camera. I am going to look at a three chip camera for my safety camera. Was also looking to use this while shooting a doc on my single/double handed offshore racing sailboat. But for that I am going to buy a different camera. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 4th, 2011, 10:47 AM	#17
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence We're all looking for a little cam with broadcast quality, overlooking the fact that the newest consumer format, AVCHD 2.0 is a higher spec than broadcast. And what about 3D? And in the pursuit of broadcast spec and BBC acceptance, 10 bit, 4:4:4 and what not, are we ignoring mobile devices and online viewers? The little cameras are the ultimate run and gun shooters. Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you. I'd love to have the low light of the F3, the sharpness of the XF300, the interchangeable lens of the ex3, the image stabilization of the TM900, the dof of the C300, the Red raw codec, and I want it all in a compact 3 chip water proof package that's affordable. C'mon...there is no single camera that does everything at ANY price point, broadcast or otherwise. The one that does more things better is probably the ubiquitous ex1, but we're looking for that kind of performance in a lightweight 1/3 chip package, with only limited success are we finding it. For my $0.02, the AC160 would tick a lot of boxes, but neither is it small or lightweight, and I see no point in getting it now until the announced 1080/60p upgrade is available.

December 4th, 2011, 10:56 AM	#18
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence Duplicate post

December 4th, 2011, 01:37 PM	#19
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence The top of the line consumer cameras from Sony( CX700 ) , Canon ( HFG10 ) and Panasonic ( TM900 ) take some beating when they are in auto or semi auto mode. The on board intelligent control is very fast and able to produce video to maximum capability of the camera. Going to full manual on these cameras, I think , removes a lot of their smart responses. Semi auto ( fix shutter speed, limit gain etc but leave the rest in auto ) is the best way to use them as this is much like a drive by wire system. Tell the camera what you want and let it do it. Things like getting the best focus and exposure for a group of people is easy for them. Not so easy or fast in full manual !! Automatically adjusting focus and exposure while tracking an object or person is another clever feat they do really well. Ron Evans

December 4th, 2011, 01:38 PM	#20
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence Tom, do not twist the accuracy of my post for your rants it is not appreciated! Ron, I had a Canon HF10 for use on a boat we race and it was a great little camera. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 5th, 2011, 09:32 AM	#21
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence Paul, as something different you may want to look at the NEX5N. I think it has limited record times but if you start and stop it may well be something that has a real different characteristic. I am a sailor too though sold my Laser 28 and moved to a cruiser, 2008 Hunter 31, recently as this is easier on everyone with the grandkids !!! Still race in JAM but its a bit like moving from a Ferrari to an RV !!! To be expected half the sail area and almost 3 times the displacement. Ron

December 5th, 2011, 05:50 PM	#22
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence Thanks Ron holding off for a couple of weeks on a third camera. Laser 28 can be fun. 35 years as a pro in all kinds of classes and a few AC programs besides being a NA. This is what got me into shooting way back in the 16mm days. Got to love a life time passion such as sailing. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 5th, 2011, 06:10 PM	#23
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence I recently squired a NEX 5n and as yet I’m a little underwhelmed. I also have a Noelex 22 for sale as after bareboating in the Caribbean for many years out of Oyster Pond mainly sailing 41 ft Centurions the little Noelex 22 is a bit like the little NEX 5n; fun but hardly the real thing. Cheers...

December 5th, 2011, 09:14 PM	#24
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: NX70U arrived, on the fence "Remember the adage, the best camera to use for any situation is the one you have with you." ...and that's exactly why Paul and other professionals take the time to test the cameras that they will be carrying with them on assignments and why they share their findings here. I agree that there is no, one perfect camera for every situation, but, Paul is a seasoned professional going back to the days of film, I have to assume that he knows what will or won't work for he and his clients. I can relay way, too many stories about great images that were caught with less then stellar cameras or by using second rate wide angle adapters.. "Great shot of that skyline...to bad it's slightly soft."