canon hv30 overpowering a vx2000? at DVinfo.net

Luke Gates · May 8th, 2009, 09:26 PM

I currently shoot with a vx2000 and want to give HD a try. Not having the cash to buy my dream camera, an hdr-fx1000, I need to settle for less. So anyway i found someone who wants to trade me straight up my vx2k for his HV30 and a century .3 fisheye. I shoot primarily bmx so the fisheye will be great for me. Just wondering what you guys think? Will I miss my vx2k or will I never look back?

I know the HV30 has manual setting, just wondering if they are as easy to access as they are on the vx? I need manual white balance, shutter speed, and iris. try not to be biased because this is the sony vx section. thanks fellas

Ray Bell · May 8th, 2009, 09:30 PM

I'd ask if you can try out the HV30 for a couple days first....

What the HV30 does not have is the low light of the 2100... but in good light
the HV30 blows the 2100 out of the water...

Chris Barcellos · May 8th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Luke:

I have both cameras. The VX2000 has had its day. While the adjustments are easier on the VX2000, after a learning curve, you will out shoot the VX2000 in all situation-- except in a dark room.. in that situation, just turn on some lighting...

Will Tucker · May 9th, 2009, 08:52 AM

I have 2 PD-150s that I have not taken out of the closet since getting 2 HV 30s. I loved those Sonys, but the HV30 looks better in most situations. I don't think you will look back. Also, with a little tweaking the footage matches up well with my Sony Z5.

-William

Jeremy Doyle · May 9th, 2009, 09:40 PM

I sold my VX2000 over a year ago and bought a HV20. I'll admit that I get a little irritated jumping through hoops to get the settings working manually on the HV20. Then I see the picture and all is forgiven. I'm amazed at the quality.

I wouldn't hesitate to make the trade at all. Especially given the age of the VX2000. Depending on how heavy you've used it, it's gotta be getting close to end of life although they are built like a tank.

Luke Gates · May 10th, 2009, 10:20 AM

Ok, looks like I'm going to trade. I have a pentium dual core 1.9 gig laptop with 3 gig of ram. Will that be able to handle HD? Also all I have is firewire. Do I need an HDMI or DVI in/out to edit?

Chris Barcellos · May 10th, 2009, 10:36 AM

You only need firewire for capture. You don't say what editor. But Vegas and Cineform's NeoScene (98.00 at one of the sponsers) will give you plenty of power to do the editing. Check those fora for more information

Brendan Donohue · May 13th, 2009, 09:36 AM

Yeah, you'll love the hv30 for sure, the only thing I could see being a downfall is the HV's lack of a top handle/grip, which I think is indispensible when filming action sports (skate, bmx) esp. for low angle shots. No doubt you could rig someting up though, lots of people out there fabricating handles to mount on the hv.

DO IT, you won't regret it!!

Taky Cheung · May 13th, 2009, 10:49 AM

HV30 is a very capable camera. But it is a consumer cam after all. There're ways to work things around. I use it in weddings too. One thing to do for sure is to learn the "light trick" to lock down gain in dim situation.

Chris van der Zaan · May 13th, 2009, 07:37 PM

I have the HV30 and VX2100 and i prefer using the VX2100.
The HV30 has some incapabilities like heavy motor noise. Default white balance, exposure settings look quite bad. The manual controls are not user friendly. And everyone knows about the zoom button...

I bought the HV30 to do interviews on the streets and other daily work , but i ended up using the VX2100 after all. Mainly because of the motor noise which is just plain terrible. But also because you really need to setup the HV30 beforehand.

I still take the HV30 with me on trips and use it like a normal consumer would use , but that's about it.

My aim is a Sony Z5 next year. :-)

Taky Cheung · May 13th, 2009, 07:41 PM

For serious work, I added a shotgun mic for interview instead of using the onboard mic.

The zoom rocker button sucks. But I always use the camera on tripod. Then mount the remote control on the handle and wire an optical cable to the front to use it as LANC control.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-vix...t=missing+lanc

Chris van der Zaan · May 13th, 2009, 07:55 PM

Hey Taky. That looks very nice. Will try that toslink trick.

I use a Rode NTG2 on top of the HV30 or by using a bracket. The NTG2, however, picks up sounds so clearly that i still hear the motor noise. :-(

BTW. Your HV30 batteries are still going strong. :-)

Taky Cheung · May 13th, 2009, 08:06 PM

hey chris, I'm glad the BP-2L24H battery is still working great for you. I am also using NTG-2 on top of the camera. But I don't notice any camera noise.. oh I have bad hearing =)

Chris van der Zaan · May 13th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Check this:

MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

My main concern is the noise which comes and goes every few seconds.
I returned it to Canon once because of this. But they tell me this is 'normal'.

Ray Bell · May 13th, 2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan Donohue

Yeah, you'll love the hv30 for sure, the only thing I could see being a downfall is the HV's lack of a top handle/grip, which I think is indispensible when filming action sports (skate, bmx) esp. for low angle shots. No doubt you could rig someting up though, lots of people out there fabricating handles to mount on the hv.

DO IT, you won't regret it!!

Mount the HV30 on a mono pod and turn it over... it works great... all you have to do
is flip the video with your NLE during post edit... very easy...

May 8th, 2009, 09:26 PM	#1
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	canon hv30 overpowering a vx2000? I currently shoot with a vx2000 and want to give HD a try. Not having the cash to buy my dream camera, an hdr-fx1000, I need to settle for less. So anyway i found someone who wants to trade me straight up my vx2k for his HV30 and a century .3 fisheye. I shoot primarily bmx so the fisheye will be great for me. Just wondering what you guys think? Will I miss my vx2k or will I never look back? I know the HV30 has manual setting, just wondering if they are as easy to access as they are on the vx? I need manual white balance, shutter speed, and iris. try not to be biased because this is the sony vx section. thanks fellas

May 8th, 2009, 11:47 PM	#3
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Luke: I have both cameras. The VX2000 has had its day. While the adjustments are easier on the VX2000, after a learning curve, you will out shoot the VX2000 in all situation-- except in a dark room.. in that situation, just turn on some lighting... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

May 9th, 2009, 08:52 AM	#4
Will Tucker Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 51	I have 2 PD-150s that I have not taken out of the closet since getting 2 HV 30s. I loved those Sonys, but the HV30 looks better in most situations. I don't think you will look back. Also, with a little tweaking the footage matches up well with my Sony Z5. -William __________________ Sony HVR-Z5, Sony PD-150, Canon HV30, Adobe Creative Suite 4

May 10th, 2009, 10:36 AM	#7
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	You only need firewire for capture. You don't say what editor. But Vegas and Cineform's NeoScene (98.00 at one of the sponsers) will give you plenty of power to do the editing. Check those fora for more information __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

May 13th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#9
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	HV30 is a very capable camera. But it is a consumer cam after all. There're ways to work things around. I use it in weddings too. One thing to do for sure is to learn the "light trick" to lock down gain in dim situation. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

May 8th, 2009, 09:30 PM	#2
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	I'd ask if you can try out the HV30 for a couple days first.... What the HV30 does not have is the low light of the 2100... but in good light the HV30 blows the 2100 out of the water...

May 9th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#5
Jeremy Doyle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brainerd, MN Posts: 287	I sold my VX2000 over a year ago and bought a HV20. I'll admit that I get a little irritated jumping through hoops to get the settings working manually on the HV20. Then I see the picture and all is forgiven. I'm amazed at the quality. I wouldn't hesitate to make the trade at all. Especially given the age of the VX2000. Depending on how heavy you've used it, it's gotta be getting close to end of life although they are built like a tank.

May 10th, 2009, 10:20 AM	#6
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	Ok, looks like I'm going to trade. I have a pentium dual core 1.9 gig laptop with 3 gig of ram. Will that be able to handle HD? Also all I have is firewire. Do I need an HDMI or DVI in/out to edit?

May 13th, 2009, 09:36 AM	#8
Brendan Donohue Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 161	Yeah, you'll love the hv30 for sure, the only thing I could see being a downfall is the HV's lack of a top handle/grip, which I think is indispensible when filming action sports (skate, bmx) esp. for low angle shots. No doubt you could rig someting up though, lots of people out there fabricating handles to mount on the hv. DO IT, you won't regret it!!

May 13th, 2009, 07:37 PM	#10
Chris van der Zaan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 75	I have the HV30 and VX2100 and i prefer using the VX2100. The HV30 has some incapabilities like heavy motor noise. Default white balance, exposure settings look quite bad. The manual controls are not user friendly. And everyone knows about the zoom button... I bought the HV30 to do interviews on the streets and other daily work , but i ended up using the VX2100 after all. Mainly because of the motor noise which is just plain terrible. But also because you really need to setup the HV30 beforehand. I still take the HV30 with me on trips and use it like a normal consumer would use , but that's about it. My aim is a Sony Z5 next year. :-)

May 13th, 2009, 07:41 PM	#11
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	For serious work, I added a shotgun mic for interview instead of using the onboard mic. The zoom rocker button sucks. But I always use the camera on tripod. Then mount the remote control on the handle and wire an optical cable to the front to use it as LANC control. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-vix...t=missing+lanc

May 13th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#12
Chris van der Zaan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 75	Hey Taky. That looks very nice. Will try that toslink trick. I use a Rode NTG2 on top of the HV30 or by using a bracket. The NTG2, however, picks up sounds so clearly that i still hear the motor noise. :-( BTW. Your HV30 batteries are still going strong. :-)

May 13th, 2009, 08:06 PM	#13
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	hey chris, I'm glad the BP-2L24H battery is still working great for you. I am also using NTG-2 on top of the camera. But I don't notice any camera noise.. oh I have bad hearing =) __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

May 13th, 2009, 08:36 PM	#14
Chris van der Zaan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 75	Check this: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service My main concern is the noise which comes and goes every few seconds. I returned it to Canon once because of this. But they tell me this is 'normal'.