2nd cam upgrade to match XHA1 at DVinfo.net

Andrew Dryden · February 12th, 2009, 06:26 PM

After reading a bunch of old posts about second cameras I am thinking about upgrading my second camera (an HF10) to an XHA1 to match the existing XHA1 that I use as my main cam. I know lots of people use the XHA1's for wedding, but it sounds like since I bought mine (in early 2007) there are a lot more options out there in the same class. It sounds like perhaps the sony's have better low light and I like the idea of going tapeless with the panasonic HC150...but I already have one XHA1...should I just stick with buying another canon? I guess I don't want to sink more money into a second camera if I should really be using my HF10 for a bit until I wait for the next "big new thing"....like a tapeless, low light version of the XHA1...all for 2500...oh wait...maybe I've been dreaming too much :)

P.S. Something else to consider is that my wallet pain threshold is already being threatened with the idea of shelling out the 2500 for a good used XHA1...so any potential solutions need to be similar in dollars...I don't mind used gear though...

Jeremiah Rickert · February 14th, 2009, 12:25 AM

I've been having the same debate for a while now. Now that you can find an HV30 for around $599 I've been leaning that way, although the HV40 is supposed to be out soon and will use the same 24p technique as the XHA1.

I avoided the AVCHD cams because I wasn't sure about editing HDV and AVCHD on the same timeline.

I might save my sheckels and wait to buy an XHA1s, just so I can get the 6 pin firewire to use with my firestore.

Andrew Dryden · February 15th, 2009, 04:29 PM

Thanks for the reply...how do you like the firestore??

Jeremiah Rickert · February 15th, 2009, 04:44 PM

It works as advertised. I ended up getting the FS-C, the Canon version. It's saved my bacon a couple of times when events ran long and I ran out of tapes. (It's funny how a one-hour wedding can turn into a 3 hour wedding).

My main problem is still the 4 pin firewire on the XHA1. It's very difficult to anchor the plug if you're going to be shooting anything that isn't on a tripod. I've been thinking of actually taking a 4 pin to 6 pin converter and building a little clamp on it so I can attach it to the camera and it will be secure. Others have done similar things.

When I read the XHA1s was going to have 6 PIN I immediately contacted Canon and asked how much it would cost me to have them swap out the 4pin for a 6pin but they said an upgrade of that kind wasn't possible. Hehe.

Either way, I'm still trying to decide what to do about a second camera. HV30/40 also sounds good because then I wouldn't have to lug my XHA1 to the kids' Christmas programs and what-not. It's fun, in a sword-measuring kind of way, when all the other dads have crappy little handhelds or are shooting video with their still camera, but it's a pain to lug around.

Andrew Dryden · February 16th, 2009, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the info on the firestore. I read someplace on this board about somebody adding a 3.5mm jack that plugs into one of the other plugs on the camera to stabilize the firewire cord.
I like the portability of the HV30, but since I am doing mostly weddings and it sounds like it really suffers (as my HF10 does) in low light I figured I might need to go for the big guy...

February 12th, 2009, 06:26 PM	#1
Andrew Dryden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 56	2nd cam upgrade to match XHA1 After reading a bunch of old posts about second cameras I am thinking about upgrading my second camera (an HF10) to an XHA1 to match the existing XHA1 that I use as my main cam. I know lots of people use the XHA1's for wedding, but it sounds like since I bought mine (in early 2007) there are a lot more options out there in the same class. It sounds like perhaps the sony's have better low light and I like the idea of going tapeless with the panasonic HC150...but I already have one XHA1...should I just stick with buying another canon? I guess I don't want to sink more money into a second camera if I should really be using my HF10 for a bit until I wait for the next "big new thing"....like a tapeless, low light version of the XHA1...all for 2500...oh wait...maybe I've been dreaming too much :) P.S. Something else to consider is that my wallet pain threshold is already being threatened with the idea of shelling out the 2500 for a good used XHA1...so any potential solutions need to be similar in dollars...I don't mind used gear though...

February 14th, 2009, 12:25 AM	#2
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	I've been having the same debate for a while now. Now that you can find an HV30 for around $599 I've been leaning that way, although the HV40 is supposed to be out soon and will use the same 24p technique as the XHA1. I avoided the AVCHD cams because I wasn't sure about editing HDV and AVCHD on the same timeline. I might save my sheckels and wait to buy an XHA1s, just so I can get the 6 pin firewire to use with my firestore.

February 15th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#3
Andrew Dryden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 56	Thanks for the reply...how do you like the firestore??

February 15th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#4
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	It works as advertised. I ended up getting the FS-C, the Canon version. It's saved my bacon a couple of times when events ran long and I ran out of tapes. (It's funny how a one-hour wedding can turn into a 3 hour wedding). My main problem is still the 4 pin firewire on the XHA1. It's very difficult to anchor the plug if you're going to be shooting anything that isn't on a tripod. I've been thinking of actually taking a 4 pin to 6 pin converter and building a little clamp on it so I can attach it to the camera and it will be secure. Others have done similar things. When I read the XHA1s was going to have 6 PIN I immediately contacted Canon and asked how much it would cost me to have them swap out the 4pin for a 6pin but they said an upgrade of that kind wasn't possible. Hehe. Either way, I'm still trying to decide what to do about a second camera. HV30/40 also sounds good because then I wouldn't have to lug my XHA1 to the kids' Christmas programs and what-not. It's fun, in a sword-measuring kind of way, when all the other dads have crappy little handhelds or are shooting video with their still camera, but it's a pain to lug around.

February 16th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#5
Andrew Dryden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 56	Thanks for the info on the firestore. I read someplace on this board about somebody adding a 3.5mm jack that plugs into one of the other plugs on the camera to stabilize the firewire cord. I like the portability of the HV30, but since I am doing mostly weddings and it sounds like it really suffers (as my HF10 does) in low light I figured I might need to go for the big guy...