Using SD or HD Cams: Poll

Gary Mckinstry · March 15th, 2007, 02:40 PM

I went for the Z1 and FX1 last year moving from the pd150.

Gary

Ben Lynn · March 15th, 2007, 03:21 PM

I went with the HD100 this past winter. Costly to change over but worth the investment for me.

Ben

Paul Nguyen · March 15th, 2007, 06:39 PM

We use a Pana DVX102B(A-roll) & Canon XL2(B-roll) shooting weddings in 16:9, mixing 50i with 25P on the timeline rendering to 25P for DVD delivery.

Currently just researching HDV/DVCPRO and will choose between either the JVC GY-HD111 or Pana HVX202.

When brides start asking us for HD then we'll look at investing in it - any sooner though and I think I'd only be satisfying a WANT rather than a NEED!!! (Already made that mistake purchasing the XL2 instead of a second DVX.)

Kit Hannah · March 16th, 2007, 03:47 AM

ALL HD NOW! We turned in our DR-DV5000's and purchased 6 HD-110's. Couldn't be happier - you really see the difference witht he image detail. They definately don't do as well in low light, but the gain seems to be a bit more forgiving than the SD cameras.

Kostas Madalias · March 16th, 2007, 05:54 AM

I have FX1 and July my first shooting in HDV format...

Mike Wade · March 16th, 2007, 06:28 AM

Moved from DSR300s to 2 FX1s with Beachtek XLR adaptors and an A1. We did this as much to shoot in true 16:9 as to have HD capability. No regrets.

Kevin Shaw · March 16th, 2007, 07:58 AM

I'm using two Sony FX1's with an HC1 as a run-around cam. Sold my Canon GL1/GL2 with accessories for enough to almost pay for one of the Sonys.

As others have noted low-light settings can be a challenge for HDV, but I'm learning to work with that plus iron out other kinks dealing with widescreen/HD footage. Glad to be doing that now before more customers decide they want HD.

Michael Steeves · March 16th, 2007, 09:34 AM

Only have one camera so far.
It's a JVC GY-HD100.
I like it, but it was way over my budget.
I should have purchased two or three SD cameras
from Sony or Panasonic instead, but I lost my mind.
Don't get me wrong... I love the JVC GY-HD100,
It was just the wrong time for such an expensive camera.
Now I'm totally broke... :(
M

Mark Holland · March 16th, 2007, 09:56 AM

GL-1 and GL-2 for weddings. Mostly because the wedding business in general doesn't support the cost, etc. of HD...for now.

Rick Steele · March 16th, 2007, 11:51 AM

SD all the way here. 1-VX2100, 2-VX2000's.

I figure I've got a least 2 years. And even then, I'll most likely rent first before betting the farm on any particular HD cam right away.

Eric Gan · March 16th, 2007, 01:38 PM

Two FX1s here. Primary reason was for native 16:9. HD is a bonus, but haven't delivered an HD project yet. For a 3rd backup cam, I'm struggling with whether to get a VX2100 (low-light) or an HC3 (can be used as a capture deck).

Timothy Harry · March 16th, 2007, 03:42 PM

Im in the process of getting started in the wedding realm. I do some commercial/corporate work as well so I chose a HVX200. I do not regret my decision at all. We will be purchasing 1 more HVX probably in September. with anothe HVX after the first of next year. The color quality is absolutely incredible on this camera. It is realy hard to lay down footage shot on my XL1 beside what this camera shoots. This cam makes my XL1 footage look like it was shot on a handicam.

The reason I chose HD over SD was that I wanted to be on the bleeding edge. I could not see myself spending 3 grand on a DVX, that might only last me a year before I really need to start making a move to HD. My thoughts were that I needed to get the best camera I could afford for what I do. The camera by the way has already paid for itself in the gigs I have done. I bought it in december, and I only do video at the moment part time in the evenings and on weekends.

Waldemar Winkler · March 16th, 2007, 05:02 PM

Sticking with my SD Canon's at least for the remainder of this year. Will keep them for an additional year as back up. HD cameras some time next year, followed by new computers.

Joe Allen Rosenberger · March 16th, 2007, 05:28 PM

It is great to hear so many responses to the gear the users here work with and plan to purchase....keep them coming!

William Osorio · March 16th, 2007, 05:57 PM

I think HDV or HD cameras are reliable but when software, players & etc get in to the point with a good price! to expensive I have both versions of cameras and to be honest I don't use the features, just still using SD with it/.

I bought the cameras because my JVC GY-GV500 was to old, 7 years, and I was in the need of a new camera so I decided to go with new tech and expect better use in the near future.
I courrently have PDW-F350 form Sony and GY-HD110 from JVC so far no complaints only a little hard time learning new funtions with the Sony.
BTW I don't even have a HD monitor hehehe so I can't tell you yet about quality picture.
I work for a network in the hispanic market here in US and we don't have HD yet, just Panasonic DVC-Pro gear.
cheers!~
William Osorio

March 16th, 2007, 03:42 PM	#27
Timothy Harry Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 93	Im in the process of getting started in the wedding realm. I do some commercial/corporate work as well so I chose a HVX200. I do not regret my decision at all. We will be purchasing 1 more HVX probably in September. with anothe HVX after the first of next year. The color quality is absolutely incredible on this camera. It is realy hard to lay down footage shot on my XL1 beside what this camera shoots. This cam makes my XL1 footage look like it was shot on a handicam. The reason I chose HD over SD was that I wanted to be on the bleeding edge. I could not see myself spending 3 grand on a DVX, that might only last me a year before I really need to start making a move to HD. My thoughts were that I needed to get the best camera I could afford for what I do. The camera by the way has already paid for itself in the gigs I have done. I bought it in december, and I only do video at the moment part time in the evenings and on weekends. __________________ Tim Harry Bandwagon Media Odessa, TX www.bandwagonhd.com

March 16th, 2007, 05:02 PM	#28
Waldemar Winkler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Posts: 711	Sticking with my SD Canon's at least for the remainder of this year. Will keep them for an additional year as back up. HD cameras some time next year, followed by new computers. __________________ Waldemar

March 15th, 2007, 02:40 PM	#16
Gary Mckinstry Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 32	I went for the Z1 and FX1 last year moving from the pd150. Gary

March 15th, 2007, 03:21 PM	#17
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	I went with the HD100 this past winter. Costly to change over but worth the investment for me. Ben

March 15th, 2007, 06:39 PM	#18
Paul Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, NSW Australia Posts: 31	We use a Pana DVX102B(A-roll) & Canon XL2(B-roll) shooting weddings in 16:9, mixing 50i with 25P on the timeline rendering to 25P for DVD delivery. Currently just researching HDV/DVCPRO and will choose between either the JVC GY-HD111 or Pana HVX202. When brides start asking us for HD then we'll look at investing in it - any sooner though and I think I'd only be satisfying a WANT rather than a NEED!!! (Already made that mistake purchasing the XL2 instead of a second DVX.)

March 16th, 2007, 03:47 AM	#19
Kit Hannah Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 528	ALL HD NOW! We turned in our DR-DV5000's and purchased 6 HD-110's. Couldn't be happier - you really see the difference witht he image detail. They definately don't do as well in low light, but the gain seems to be a bit more forgiving than the SD cameras.

March 16th, 2007, 05:54 AM	#20
Kostas Madalias New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Greece Posts: 9	I have FX1 and July my first shooting in HDV format...

March 16th, 2007, 06:28 AM	#21
Mike Wade Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 161	Moved from DSR300s to 2 FX1s with Beachtek XLR adaptors and an A1. We did this as much to shoot in true 16:9 as to have HD capability. No regrets.

March 16th, 2007, 07:58 AM	#22
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	I'm using two Sony FX1's with an HC1 as a run-around cam. Sold my Canon GL1/GL2 with accessories for enough to almost pay for one of the Sonys. As others have noted low-light settings can be a challenge for HDV, but I'm learning to work with that plus iron out other kinks dealing with widescreen/HD footage. Glad to be doing that now before more customers decide they want HD.

March 16th, 2007, 09:34 AM	#23
Michael Steeves Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 31	Only have one camera so far. It's a JVC GY-HD100. I like it, but it was way over my budget. I should have purchased two or three SD cameras from Sony or Panasonic instead, but I lost my mind. Don't get me wrong... I love the JVC GY-HD100, It was just the wrong time for such an expensive camera. Now I'm totally broke... :( M

March 16th, 2007, 09:56 AM	#24
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	GL-1 and GL-2 for weddings. Mostly because the wedding business in general doesn't support the cost, etc. of HD...for now.

March 16th, 2007, 11:51 AM	#25
Rick Steele Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado USA Posts: 654	SD all the way here. 1-VX2100, 2-VX2000's. I figure I've got a least 2 years. And even then, I'll most likely rent first before betting the farm on any particular HD cam right away.

March 16th, 2007, 01:38 PM	#26
Eric Gan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 187	Two FX1s here. Primary reason was for native 16:9. HD is a bonus, but haven't delivered an HD project yet. For a 3rd backup cam, I'm struggling with whether to get a VX2100 (low-light) or an HC3 (can be used as a capture deck).

March 16th, 2007, 05:28 PM	#29
Joe Allen Rosenberger Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 419	It is great to hear so many responses to the gear the users here work with and plan to purchase....keep them coming!

March 16th, 2007, 05:57 PM	#30
William Osorio Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 88	I think HDV or HD cameras are reliable but when software, players & etc get in to the point with a good price! to expensive I have both versions of cameras and to be honest I don't use the features, just still using SD with it/. I bought the cameras because my JVC GY-GV500 was to old, 7 years, and I was in the need of a new camera so I decided to go with new tech and expect better use in the near future. I courrently have PDW-F350 form Sony and GY-HD110 from JVC so far no complaints only a little hard time learning new funtions with the Sony. BTW I don't even have a HD monitor hehehe so I can't tell you yet about quality picture. I work for a network in the hispanic market here in US and we don't have HD yet, just Panasonic DVC-Pro gear. cheers!~ William Osorio