A1 good enough for weddings at DVinfo.net

Ray Saavedra · November 30th, 2006, 01:26 PM

Has anyone use the A1 for weddings. I'm thinking of purchasing another cam to go along with my Sony FX1. Are the low lights comparable to the FX1?

Anyone with experience with both cameras or equivalent please chime in. My wallet is itching.

TIA,
Ray

Alex Thames · November 30th, 2006, 08:08 PM

No, the FX1 low light capabilites are much better.

Kevin Shaw · November 30th, 2006, 08:50 PM

I have two FX1s and an HC1. The latter is useful for backup shots in decent lighting, but in poor lighting the image deteriorates much more than the FX1.

Michael Y Wong · December 5th, 2006, 12:43 PM

If outside in well lit environemnts definately yes, the quality of the image is indeed good looking enough to impress wedding clients. Indoors if well let the camera is still useable but in the terribely underlit receptions (and some ceremonies) then definately not, the image becomes just too muddy. I'm going to post up a sample later tonight of a wedding highlight reel shot with my HC1 (approximately the same low light capabilities of A1U).

Tommy Haupfear · December 6th, 2006, 09:49 AM

Ray,

I've owned the FX1 and currently the A1U (also for sale in classifieds) and the low light performance is very noticeable between the two in dim lighting. I would agree with other that outside footage is great but otherwise a dim ceremony or reception could get messy, or dark as it were.

Martin Mayer · December 6th, 2006, 11:37 AM

Two Z1s and an A1: the A1 is significantly worse in low light - almost unusable. 7 lux, compared to 3 lux, according to Sony's spec, and the Z1 footage can be pushed much more in camera and in post, and still look reasonable.

Oh, for an HDV camera with the PD-170's performance (1 lux)!

Jeff DeMaagd · December 7th, 2006, 10:40 AM

I do know people that use them for weddings.

This guy uses the HC1 variant to shoot weddings, check out the clips:
http://jcdv.com/demos.htm

Michael Liebergot · December 8th, 2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff DeMaagd

I do know people that use them for weddings.

This guy uses the HC1 variant to shoot weddings, check out the clips:
http://jcdv.com/demos.htm

Yes I know of his work. However you should note that ne also uses on camera lighting. You can tell from some of his clips, like the highlight reel where at the end the door closes and you can see the on camera lights hot spot on the door.

Again, these cmaeras are great when there is available light, like supplemental lighting or on camera lighting, but, if there is none then the color values drop off subatantially in a dimly lit ballroom.

Victor Wilcox · December 8th, 2006, 08:16 PM

I've been looking for the right light to use on my A1U for weddings. I have the Sony HVL-20DMA on my wish list. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Tom Johnson · December 8th, 2006, 09:12 PM

light panel

Jerome Cloninger · December 21st, 2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff DeMaagd

I do know people that use them for weddings.

This guy uses the HC1 variant to shoot weddings, check out the clips:
http://jcdv.com/demos.htm

Hey Jeff, Mike and Ray! Just wanted to chime in here for a sec. Jeff, thanks for suggesting my demos! Mike, you're right, you do need a light on these and there are hotspots that develops... Ray, these cameras can do very good for weddings with light, early this year I had to replace my cameras all at once so I opted for the HC1.... my clients don't notice hotspots and such, and not once had a negative comment on picture quality on any of their movies... does this mean that is acceptable? That is subjective based on the viewer. Atleast it looks much better than our local news channels! I'm not kidding either.

I have seen people use the HC1/A1 NOT to their full potential because of one reason or another and just chock it up to being "inferior"... ah well, whatever. They do and can make good cams for use in weddings as long as you don't rely on "auto" mode.

I suggest getting a V1 or Z1 to use as the main cam and the A1/HC1 as backups provided you can use them properly. I may be selling one this year (I have 3) and getting a V1 or Z1... haven't decided yet on which.

Hope this helps some.

Michael Liebergot · December 21st, 2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerome Cloninger

Hey Jeff, Mike and Ray! Just wanted to chime in here for a sec. Jeff, thanks for suggesting my demos! Mike, you're right, you do need a light on these and there are hotspots that develops... Ray, these cameras can do very good for weddings with light, early this year I had to replace my cameras all at once so I opted for the HC1.... my clients don't notice hotspots and such, and not once had a negative comment on picture quality on any of their movies... does this mean that is acceptable? That is subjective based on the viewer. Atleast it looks much better than our local news channels! I'm not kidding either.

I have seen people use the HC1/A1 NOT to their full potential because of one reason or another and just chock it up to being "inferior"... ah well, whatever. They do and can make good cams for use in weddings as long as you don't rely on "auto" mode.

I suggest getting a V1 or Z1 to use as the main cam and the A1/HC1 as backups provided you can use them properly. I may be selling one this year (I have 3) and getting a V1 or Z1... haven't decided yet on which.

Hope this helps some.

BTW Jerome, sorry that I failed to mention that I thought that your demos looked great.

Michael Y Wong · December 21st, 2006, 12:15 PM

A Wedding Highlight Reel shot entirely with the HC1, you can judge the quality for yourself in comparision to 3 chip cameras.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=81781

Please ignore my first post regarding download instructions see post#6 for simple instructions.

Jerome Cloninger · December 21st, 2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Liebergot

BTW Jerome, sorry that I failed to mention that I thought that your demos looked great.

No problem, but thanks. IMO, if I had a better main camera, my demos could look Excellent---atleast much better.

Christopher Thomas · December 21st, 2006, 02:07 PM

I agree with everyone else regarding the HC1. I use the camera as a backup to my FX1, and the image is excellent for daylight ceremonies or very well-lit rooms. But in a dimly-lit church or reception hall, it is almost worthless without an on-camera light. (With the identical conditions, I get great footage in full manual with the FX1.)

With a light in these dimly-lit situations, the HC1 footage is great.

I got a deal on a clearance HC1 ($1,250.00), but for the cost of the A1U, I would spend a little extra and get another FX1. They're right around $3k right now with the recent releases of the FX7 and V1U.

Hope this helps!

November 30th, 2006, 01:26 PM	#1
Ray Saavedra Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 127	A1 good enough for weddings Has anyone use the A1 for weddings. I'm thinking of purchasing another cam to go along with my Sony FX1. Are the low lights comparable to the FX1? Anyone with experience with both cameras or equivalent please chime in. My wallet is itching. TIA, Ray __________________ junray@yahoo.com

December 5th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#4
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	If outside in well lit environemnts definately yes, the quality of the image is indeed good looking enough to impress wedding clients. Indoors if well let the camera is still useable but in the terribely underlit receptions (and some ceremonies) then definately not, the image becomes just too muddy. I'm going to post up a sample later tonight of a wedding highlight reel shot with my HC1 (approximately the same low light capabilities of A1U). __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 8th, 2006, 08:16 PM	#9
Victor Wilcox Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX Posts: 340	I've been looking for the right light to use on my A1U for weddings. I have the Sony HVL-20DMA on my wish list. Does anyone have a better suggestion? __________________ Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18

December 21st, 2006, 12:15 PM	#13
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	A Wedding Highlight Reel shot entirely with the HC1, you can judge the quality for yourself in comparision to 3 chip cameras. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=81781 Please ignore my first post regarding download instructions see post#6 for simple instructions. __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

November 30th, 2006, 08:08 PM	#2
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	No, the FX1 low light capabilites are much better.

November 30th, 2006, 08:50 PM	#3
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	I have two FX1s and an HC1. The latter is useful for backup shots in decent lighting, but in poor lighting the image deteriorates much more than the FX1.

December 6th, 2006, 09:49 AM	#5
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	Ray, I've owned the FX1 and currently the A1U (also for sale in classifieds) and the low light performance is very noticeable between the two in dim lighting. I would agree with other that outside footage is great but otherwise a dim ceremony or reception could get messy, or dark as it were.

December 6th, 2006, 11:37 AM	#6
Martin Mayer Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 416	Two Z1s and an A1: the A1 is significantly worse in low light - almost unusable. 7 lux, compared to 3 lux, according to Sony's spec, and the Z1 footage can be pushed much more in camera and in post, and still look reasonable. Oh, for an HDV camera with the PD-170's performance (1 lux)! __________________ Martin at HeadSpin HD on Blu-ray

December 7th, 2006, 10:40 AM	#7
Jeff DeMaagd Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA Posts: 202	I do know people that use them for weddings. This guy uses the HC1 variant to shoot weddings, check out the clips: http://jcdv.com/demos.htm

December 8th, 2006, 09:12 PM	#10
Tom Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 82	light panel

December 21st, 2006, 02:07 PM	#15
Christopher Thomas New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 17	I agree with everyone else regarding the HC1. I use the camera as a backup to my FX1, and the image is excellent for daylight ceremonies or very well-lit rooms. But in a dimly-lit church or reception hall, it is almost worthless without an on-camera light. (With the identical conditions, I get great footage in full manual with the FX1.) With a light in these dimly-lit situations, the HC1 footage is great. I got a deal on a clearance HC1 ($1,250.00), but for the cost of the A1U, I would spend a little extra and get another FX1. They're right around $3k right now with the recent releases of the FX7 and V1U. Hope this helps!