Top 3 Camera for low light at DVinfo.net

Mike Phan · November 10th, 2005, 09:09 PM

I'm just curious. I'm planning on getting a second camera to Canon XL2 and wanted to take a poll from you all. With your personal experience/knowledge, what is your top choices of the best low-light cameras? (ie. VX2000, GY-DV300U, AG-DVC30 to name a few) Thank you all for your imputs.

MP Productions

Tommy James · November 10th, 2005, 09:46 PM

Actually the top camera for low light for weddings is the Sony HDR-FX1. It has a very good 3 lux rating. Other cameras with higher lux ratings may work but you will need a sun gun.

Don Bloom · November 10th, 2005, 10:08 PM

The PD170 has a rating of 1 Lux and the PD150 (discontinued) was 2-
The VX2100 is also rated at 1. I would have to think that the 170 and 2100 are considered to pretty much be the gold standard as far as cams used for weddings-pretty much everyone I know across the country who does weddings uses them or the 150s or 2000s.
Don

Robert Brownell · November 10th, 2005, 10:30 PM

The PD-170 is a GREAT camera ( I have one and love it) and is amazing in low light. My only concern is using it with a canon. You may have a hard time getting the colors to match when cutting from camera to camera - just something to consider.

Darrell Aubert · November 11th, 2005, 03:21 PM

The DCR 300 has a lux rating of .25

Dan Minor · November 11th, 2005, 09:28 PM

I have 2 PD170's, 1 PD150, and a GL2. I have never had a problem with matching colors as long as I custom white balance in the same light at the same time. I use Ed Pierce's white card

Dave M. Smith · November 14th, 2005, 07:21 AM

I'm casting my vote for the PD170. I haven't really used a lot of the other popular cameras out there--just the Canon XL1s. All I can say is this...the first wedding I shot was in a gym, lit entirely with candles and white Christmas lights. That's it. I was convinced that my entire career would begin and end with that one wedding. But the PD170's performed beautifully and the B&G were thrilled with the final product. I definitely am a fan of the PD170. Just my two cents.

Craig Seeman · November 14th, 2005, 09:40 AM

PD-170. I've looked at the FX-1. Slightly less sensitive. WAY too noisy compared to the 170 in low light.
The VX-2100 (not 2000) should match the low light ability of the 170.

BTW one difference between 150 (2000) and newer 170 (2100) is lower noise. No change in sensitivity, Sony found a way to clean up the noise. My hunch a model Subsequent to the FX-1 will do the same.

Can't always go by the Lux rating since manufacturer's don't necessarily use the same standard.

You need to look at sensitivity AND noise.
Two cameras may show same "brightness" at same F stop and gainup but one may be more noisy or one may need higher gain setting to get same brightness (which can result in more noise).

Boyd Ostroff · November 14th, 2005, 09:50 AM

See the following threads for discussion of the Z1/FX1 in low light:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=49518
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=47434
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48020
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=40900
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=40368
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=39865

November 14th, 2005, 09:44 PM

I've used a Canon XL-1s for three years and I thought I was very happy with it... until last week when I bought a Sony DSR-400.

Whoa. Whole new world, I'm here to say.

Gurinder Deed · November 14th, 2005, 10:22 PM

i have these cameras & i do weddings...
how u guys rate these cameras....
any suggestion....i have just bought jib CRANE & looking for multi camera stuff...

any suggestions where i should buy the video mixer & audio mikes etc.,\

thanks

gurinder

Peter Jefferson · November 15th, 2005, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Newcomb

I've used a Canon XL-1s for three years and I thought I was very happy with it... until last week when I bought a Sony DSR-400.

Whoa. Whole new world, I'm here to say.

LOL yeah well, with a 2/3 CCD block im sure its low light performance would poo on quite afew cameras... lol

Tommy James · November 15th, 2005, 12:18 PM

Maybe its about time to raise the bar and step into the world of HD high end.
Next year Sony is introducing it HD XD cam complete with lens for around 25,000 dollars with half inch chips for superb low light performence. Also JVC will introduce its HD7000 series camera complete with 2/3 inch chips for about the same price. Of course with these cameras the idea of a shooting a Wedding for the same cost as standard definition goes out the window as one would have to add camera rental charges to the overall price. A deck that is capable of playing high definition video sells for 350 dollars and can be bundled as part of a premium wedding package.

Marcus Marchesseault · November 15th, 2005, 10:32 PM

Ouch! A $25,000 camera for doing weddings! There is way too much competition out there for most people to afford equipment that expensive these days. Sure, I'd love to have one, but $1500 wedding videos don't have much room for $1000/day rental fees...

I have worked with the FX1, XL1, VX2000, PD150, and PD170 for weddings. The XL1 had such poor low-light performance that it can't be used in ballrooms without a fairly powerful light onboard, even if the room lights are on full. I consider it functionally useless for weddings, except outdoors. ALL of the other Sony cameras in the PD150 family have about the same low-light performance and it is excellent. The PD170 has one extra gain setting, but I wouldn't even go near 18db gain on any camera. I limit my VX2000 to 12db and everything is just fine. The benefits of the PD cams over the VX models is in the extra custom settings and the audio inputs. The FX1 HDV camcorder is almost exactly 3 f-stops less sensitive than my VX2000 (but still way better than the XL1). It is barely useable in low-light, but it is fine with regular room lighting. When the lights go dim, you would need supplemental lights.

November 10th, 2005, 09:09 PM	#1
Mike Phan Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 93	Top 3 Camera for low light I'm just curious. I'm planning on getting a second camera to Canon XL2 and wanted to take a poll from you all. With your personal experience/knowledge, what is your top choices of the best low-light cameras? (ie. VX2000, GY-DV300U, AG-DVC30 to name a few) Thank you all for your imputs. MP Productions __________________ PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 2.5GB RAM/500GB/9800 256 Radeon/DeckLink Pro FCP HD/AE 6.5/DVD Studio Pro/Motion Canon XL2/Glidecam 4000/SteadyStick Sony PVM-1350 Monitor

November 11th, 2005, 03:21 PM	#5
Darrell Aubert Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 56	The DCR 300 has a lux rating of .25 __________________ Darrell Aubert Aubert Films

November 14th, 2005, 10:22 PM	#11
Gurinder Deed Tourist Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: edmonton,alberta, canada Posts: 1	dvx100 & jvc 5000 i have these cameras & i do weddings... how u guys rate these cameras.... any suggestion....i have just bought jib CRANE & looking for multi camera stuff... any suggestions where i should buy the video mixer & audio mikes etc.,\ thanks gurinder

November 10th, 2005, 09:46 PM	#2
Tommy James suspended -- contact admin Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 214	Actually the top camera for low light for weddings is the Sony HDR-FX1. It has a very good 3 lux rating. Other cameras with higher lux ratings may work but you will need a sun gun.

November 10th, 2005, 10:08 PM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	The PD170 has a rating of 1 Lux and the PD150 (discontinued) was 2- The VX2100 is also rated at 1. I would have to think that the 170 and 2100 are considered to pretty much be the gold standard as far as cams used for weddings-pretty much everyone I know across the country who does weddings uses them or the 150s or 2000s. Don

November 10th, 2005, 10:30 PM	#4
Robert Brownell New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7	The PD-170 is a GREAT camera ( I have one and love it) and is amazing in low light. My only concern is using it with a canon. You may have a hard time getting the colors to match when cutting from camera to camera - just something to consider.

November 11th, 2005, 09:28 PM	#6
Dan Minor Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 64	I have 2 PD170's, 1 PD150, and a GL2. I have never had a problem with matching colors as long as I custom white balance in the same light at the same time. I use Ed Pierce's white card

November 14th, 2005, 07:21 AM	#7
Dave M. Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36	I'm casting my vote for the PD170. I haven't really used a lot of the other popular cameras out there--just the Canon XL1s. All I can say is this...the first wedding I shot was in a gym, lit entirely with candles and white Christmas lights. That's it. I was convinced that my entire career would begin and end with that one wedding. But the PD170's performed beautifully and the B&G were thrilled with the final product. I definitely am a fan of the PD170. Just my two cents.

November 14th, 2005, 09:40 AM	#8
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	PD-170. I've looked at the FX-1. Slightly less sensitive. WAY too noisy compared to the 170 in low light. The VX-2100 (not 2000) should match the low light ability of the 170. BTW one difference between 150 (2000) and newer 170 (2100) is lower noise. No change in sensitivity, Sony found a way to clean up the noise. My hunch a model Subsequent to the FX-1 will do the same. Can't always go by the Lux rating since manufacturer's don't necessarily use the same standard. You need to look at sensitivity AND noise. Two cameras may show same "brightness" at same F stop and gainup but one may be more noisy or one may need higher gain setting to get same brightness (which can result in more noise).

November 14th, 2005, 09:50 AM	#9
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	See the following threads for discussion of the Z1/FX1 in low light: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=49518 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=47434 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48020 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=40900 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=40368 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=39865

November 14th, 2005, 09:44 PM	#10
Guest Posts: n/a	I've used a Canon XL-1s for three years and I thought I was very happy with it... until last week when I bought a Sony DSR-400. Whoa. Whole new world, I'm here to say.

November 15th, 2005, 12:18 PM	#13
Tommy James suspended -- contact admin Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 214	Maybe its about time to raise the bar and step into the world of HD high end. Next year Sony is introducing it HD XD cam complete with lens for around 25,000 dollars with half inch chips for superb low light performence. Also JVC will introduce its HD7000 series camera complete with 2/3 inch chips for about the same price. Of course with these cameras the idea of a shooting a Wedding for the same cost as standard definition goes out the window as one would have to add camera rental charges to the overall price. A deck that is capable of playing high definition video sells for 350 dollars and can be bundled as part of a premium wedding package.

November 15th, 2005, 10:32 PM	#14
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Ouch! A $25,000 camera for doing weddings! There is way too much competition out there for most people to afford equipment that expensive these days. Sure, I'd love to have one, but $1500 wedding videos don't have much room for $1000/day rental fees... I have worked with the FX1, XL1, VX2000, PD150, and PD170 for weddings. The XL1 had such poor low-light performance that it can't be used in ballrooms without a fairly powerful light onboard, even if the room lights are on full. I consider it functionally useless for weddings, except outdoors. ALL of the other Sony cameras in the PD150 family have about the same low-light performance and it is excellent. The PD170 has one extra gain setting, but I wouldn't even go near 18db gain on any camera. I limit my VX2000 to 12db and everything is just fine. The benefits of the PD cams over the VX models is in the extra custom settings and the audio inputs. The FX1 HDV camcorder is almost exactly 3 f-stops less sensitive than my VX2000 (but still way better than the XL1). It is barely useable in low-light, but it is fine with regular room lighting. When the lights go dim, you would need supplemental lights.