What cam to buy next?

[AndrewMSV]

I currently have an XL1S, a GL2, and an FX1.

If price IS a factor, what cam would you suggest that I get next?

FX1
Z1U
XL2
GL2
XL1S
XLH1
DVX of some sort...and why.

[Clock]

I currently have an XL1S, a GL2, and an FX1.

If price IS a factor, what cam would you suggest that I get next?

FX1
Z1U
XL2
GL2
XL1S
XLH1
DVX of some sort...and why.

Z1U - cheaper than the XLH1, Higher res than the others (except FX1)

[Maureen]

The HVX is not on that list. That is the cam I want to get next. I'm iffy on the whole HDV thing. I got an ad from Silverado Rentals and they are dumping their Varicam in favor of the HVX's.

[chriswatson]

The HVX isn't on there probably due to its limited use in the wedding field. P2 just isn't a viable format in wedding and event videography. Now if you're talking an indie then that's something else. Of course I'd be wary of not having the ability to archive in the native format cheaply (like tape)

Chris Watson
Watson Videography

[chriswatson]

Hey Andrew,

I think it would be a mistake to get an SD cam at this juncture. HD-DVD players are selling out as fast as retailers get them in and HD sets are going to overtake SD sets in sales this year. It simply doesn't make sense to invest in old technology at this point. I've heard great things about the XLH1 and if you're comfortable with the Canon line (not to mention richer than me) that might be the way to go. I llike the FX1 and plan on purchasing another as soon as possible. The colors are amazing, the resolution is crisp, and the manual controls are incredible for $3000. Plus it's widescreen. What more can you ask for?

Chris Watson
Watson Videography

[bruceo]

FX1 by far the best bang for the buck of any camera availabile

[Earl]

It would be the Panasonic for me. There are options other than the P2, and the overall shooting/format options, and the price, are in reasonable range. The cards will get bigger and get cheaper by the time they become a necessity, meanwhile there's tape and hard drives.

Earl Chessher
CorElAnn Productions
Huntington Beach, Calif.

[AndrewMSV]

Man, I've been eyeing the XL2 since it came out because I had backfocus envy. (The XL2 fixes the XL1's backfocus problems.)

But you guys are right. HDV has to be the way to go from here on out.

The H1 is just overkill. With all the hi-def professional outputs and a million different frame rates Canon pumped the price about $5k past the even videographer's budget. But if only they have a dumbed down version of the H1 like Sony was smart enough to do with the Z1.

Come to think of it... what's been brewing in the rumor mill regarding the GL2's upgrade to HDV?

Anybody heard anything?

[Junray]

For me the Z1 because of the XLR. I like my FX1 but I just hate messing aroung with the Beachtek.

You can get another FX1 to compliment your FX1.

The HVX are nice but I think some of us just don't have the budget for it. I loved my original DVX until I parted with it.

JR

[chriswatson]

Man, I've been eyeing the XL2 since it came out because I had backfocus envy. (The XL2 fixes the XL1's backfocus problems.)

But you guys are right. HDV has to be the way to go from here on out.

The H1 is just overkill. With all the hi-def professional outputs and a million different frame rates Canon pumped the price about $5k past the even videographer's budget. But if only they have a dumbed down version of the H1 like Sony was smart enough to do with the Z1.

Come to think of it... what's been brewing in the rumor mill regarding the GL2's upgrade to HDV?

Anybody heard anything?

It seems like the GL-H1 (or GL-3) has been in the rumor mill for the longest time. If Canon did come out with an HD version of the GL-2 at a comparable price, they would make some serious money. Right now Sony has the field all to itself. I think the most economical choice is the FX 1 (since you have one already) with an HC 1 as your balcony cam.

Chris Watson
Watson Videography

[RatVega]

I currently have an XL1S, a GL2, and an FX1.

If price IS a factor, what cam would you suggest that I get next?
FX1
Z1U
XL2
GL2
XL1S
XLH1
DVX of some sort...and why.

If you like the XL-2, get one.

I had an associate over today to talk about a new camera. Last weekend he took his DVX100A for a swim during a poolside shoot...

When we got down to brass tacks, we agreed that the liklihood of actually having demand and delivering an HD product in the next 18-24 months was very low. I advised he pick up a new DVX100B and exploit the "kit" investment he had in his recently deceased 100A. I figure that he'll pay out the new DVX in that time and in 2-3 years he'll pick up the latest and greatest new HD(V) thing. If he bought an FX-1, he'd have a 2-3 year old HDV camera (that would hopefully still be supported) and a lot of DV footage behind him. This would include the $1000-1500 "prestige charge" for owning an HD camera while producing DV.

I'm not anti-HD(V) but I am a pragmatist. The rank and file don't have the clout to get the kind of customers that it takes to really utilize and produce with these cameras. Heck, a lot of us don't even get a call for 16:9 DV.

Once the optical disk technology war settles down a bit and the HDV specs atart to align, I'll start looking more closely.

Faced with your decision, Andrew, I'd probably get the XL-2 or even a GL-2.

[AndrewMSV]

If you like the XL-2, get one.

I had an associate over today to talk about a new camera. Last weekend he took his DVX100A for a swim during a poolside shoot...

When we got down to brass tacks, we agreed that the liklihood of actually having demand and delivering an HD product in the next 18-24 months was very low. I advised he pick up a new DVX100B and exploit the "kit" investment he had in his recently deceased 100A. I figure that he'll pay out the new DVX in that time and in 2-3 years he'll pick up the latest and greatest new HD(V) thing. If he bought an FX-1, he'd have a 2-3 year old HDV camera (that would hopefully still be supported) and a lot of DV footage behind him. This would include the $1000-1500 "prestige charge" for owning an HD camera while producing DV.

I'm not anti-HD(V) but I am a pragmatist. The rank and file don't have the clout to get the kind of customers that it takes to really utilize and produce with these cameras. Heck, a lot of us don't even get a call for 16:9 DV.

Once the optical disk technology war settles down a bit and the HDV specs atart to align, I'll start looking more closely.

Faced with your decision, Andrew, I'd probably get the XL-2 or even a GL-2.

You see? This is why I was pushing to get you modding on these forums. You is smart.

Yes, I think that is probably the best idea. ESPECIALLY - and I forgot to mention this earlier - the XL2 is native 16:9 so all the widescreen snobs can be satisfied with its footage.

HDV is indeed several years away and if I ever book an HDV wedding, the booking itself is enough to pay for a new HDV cam to compliment the FX1 that I have on hand.

So the smart money is the XL2.
Lastly - Uncle charlie might even bring his FX1 to videotape his niece getting married. But no one EVER brings an XL-series Canon to a wedding. I have to have the biggest gun in the room or else it looks bad for me. :mrgreen:

Cheers!

[Clock]

You see? This is why I was pushing to get you modding on these forums. You is smart.

Yes, I think that is probably the best idea. ESPECIALLY - and I forgot to mention this earlier - the XL2 is native 16:9 so all the widescreen snobs can be satisfied with its footage.

HDV is indeed several years away and if I ever book an HDV wedding, the booking itself is enough to pay for a new HDV cam to compliment the FX1 that I have on hand.

So the smart money is the XL2.
Lastly - Uncle charlie might even bring his FX1 to videotape his niece getting married. But no one EVER brings an XL-series Canon to a wedding. I have to have the biggest gun in the room or else it looks bad for me. :mrgreen:

Cheers!

Just remember one other point. Will you be using this for weddings only?? One of the reasons I went for HDV was because my corporate customers were spending serious money on upgrading their training facilities with plasmas and lcd's

[AndrewMSV]

Just remember one other point. Will you be using this for weddings only?? One of the reasons I went for HDV was because my corporate customers were spending serious money on upgrading their training facilities with plasmas and lcd's

hrmm. interesting.
I haven't thought of that aspect.

I am currently working on a corporate piece but they haven't specified (and I didn't ask) if they wanted it in 4:3, 16:9, SD or HDV.

Maybe I just need to get one of each cam.
Better yet, two of each.

[shayes]

get the Z1u. the built in XLRs were enough to sway my decision. The FX1
and Z1 combo are really hard to beat for the cost. I am editing native HDV now instead of downconvert, and yes, it takes a bit longer, but the video
is stunning. Tweak the picture profile settings to your liking and be done with it. It would make no sense for you at this point tohave mismatched cameras.

[RatVega]

Just remember one other point. Will you be using this for weddings only?? One of the reasons I went for HDV was because my corporate customers were spending serious money on upgrading their training facilities with plasmas and lcd's

Good point if your business has a significant number of HD production buyers.

Upgrading to plasmas and LCDs isn't an HD statement per se, but installing HD projection gear sure would be. If I had a customer of that description I'd be selling him HD and renting a camera. If I had 12 customers like that I'd probably already have an XL-H1...

The issue is one of getting the most patback while satisfying the customers. I just refuse the temptation to use a "maybe" as an excuse to get a toy I find interesting.