fx7 returning...lower price at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony HDV and DV Camera Systems > Sony HVR-V1 / HDR-FX7

Sony HVR-V1 / HDR-FX7
Pro and consumer versions of this Sony 3-CMOS HDV camcorder.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 10th, 2008, 07:15 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 80
fx7 returning...lower price

fx1000 replacing fx1 ... $3199

fx7 is going to be reintroduced at lower price $1999
Matthew Harris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 13th, 2008, 09:50 AM   #2
New Boot
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 23
What a Bargain!

Oh Man! What a bargain!

I'm drooling over the upcoming Panasonic AG-HMC150 and the newly-announced Sony HDR-FX1000 and HVR-Z5U. But I must add this new FX7 to my short-list!

The compromises are 1/4" CMOS devices instead of 1/3" ones, miniDV tapes instead of tapeless, and stereo mini instead of XLR.

But for only $2000 (with a 20x lens and HDMI), it'll be hard to pass it up!
Dwain Elliott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 15th, 2008, 03:37 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wescosville, PA
Posts: 90
I can't wait! I will deff look in to picking one of these up.
Chris Leffler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 15th, 2008, 03:55 PM   #4
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS
Posts: 1,080
Which one Chris? The FX7 or the FX1000??

Stelios
__________________
My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com
"I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis
Stelios Christofides is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 15th, 2008, 05:53 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wescosville, PA
Posts: 90
I am looking at an FX7.
Chris Leffler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 16th, 2008, 11:54 AM   #6
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,425
For those who shoot weddings, the FX7 is virtually worthless, FWIW. I run three or four cameras at weddings almost weekly and the low light ability is very poor. I run the FX7 as a back up camera only, and I rarely use the footage. Outdoors it is fair, but way too soft. Keep in mind they dropped the price so low for a reason. Additionally they will be nearly impossible to sell for a decent price used.

If the lighting is not just right, the footage from the FX7 is definitely unsatifactory.
Jeff Harper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 16th, 2008, 12:03 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wescosville, PA
Posts: 90
I mainly film paintball outdoors. In the few instances that I need to film indoors I might just try and pick up a used A1, instead of the FX7. I just don't trust buying used sometimes. O well.
Chris Leffler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 16th, 2008, 12:15 PM   #8
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,425
You mean you would buy two cameras, for about $4500 or more, instead of one like the fx1000 that's better than both of them? The FX1000 is the direct HD replacement for the VX2100, and I don't even have to see the camera or use it to know it will totally rule for it's price range. This is the camera event videographers have been waiting for.
Jeff Harper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 04:01 AM   #9
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Beersheba, Israel
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Harper View Post
For those who shoot weddings, the FX7 is virtually worthless, FWIW. I run three or four cameras at weddings almost weekly and the low light ability is very poor. I run the FX7 as a back up camera only, and I rarely use the footage. Outdoors it is fair, but way too soft. Keep in mind they dropped the price so low for a reason. Additionally they will be nearly impossible to sell for a decent price used.

If the lighting is not just right, the footage from the FX7 is definitely unsatifactory.
Please do not generalize your unsatisfactory experience with the FX7. I know many people (myself including) who are more than happy using the camera in different situations (indoor including). Search for example this forum for “low light” OR "indoor” AND “the V1” key words (V1 is the virtual twin of the FX7 which has the same firmware) and you will find many tips how to make the best video with the FX7.

The FX7’s price has been lowered not because of its faulty quality. Look again at the V1 price tag -- it’s the same as before. Such low price is completely due to Sony's marketing strategy. They are clearing out the space for the new cameras...
Arkady Bolotin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 05:41 AM   #10
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: England
Posts: 444
One thing that can not be said of the FX-7 is that footage is soft, [another site] gave it more resolution than the canon A1.
Martyn Hull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 05:53 AM   #11
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: beijing/mississauga
Posts: 123
Wow, this really is a bargain! Definitely a feasible option for the low-budget videographer.
Colin Zhang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 05:55 AM   #12
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,425
Arkady, I will share my unbiased opinion if I choose, thank you. I am a professional videographer, and the opinions I hold on the FX7 are shared by vitually all professional videographers I know. The FX7 has 1/4 inch CMOS chips which I find to be worthless over 50% or more of the time. There are situations the camera can be fine, but it is so limited I find it to be the single biggest wasted of money I have ever spent.
Jeff Harper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 05:58 AM   #13
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: beijing/mississauga
Posts: 123
What situations are you referring to here? This may be a good camera for those who do not need to film in low light. Also, do you share the same opinion about the V1? Just wondering...
Colin Zhang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 06:28 AM   #14
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,425
The FX7 is a fine camera IF IT MEETS YOUR NEEDS. As a wedding and corporate videographer, it doesn't meet mine. I bought mine used from a company that shoots hundreds of events a year, they had three of them. They bought it strictly for the 20x Zoom, and because the Z1 seemed to expensive. They sold me one, and the other two they have are only used for interviews, and are only usable with the use of an onboard light. Other than that, their FX7s sit on the shelf. Same for their FX1.

Saying the FX7 has better resolution than the A1 is not saying much. I don't own the A1, but it doesn't even have a lux rating, so enough said.

Colin, FX7 and V1 have to small chips to be useful for me or my friends in the business.

The V1? Same chips, same poor low-light performance.

Marty, you said the FX7 is NOT too soft because "you read about it on [another site]". Try owning the camera, and then comparing it to a better camera.

If you are a hobbyist, the FX7 may be fine for you.

Please note while I cannot afford the EX1, that is what most of my competitors that can afford it are buying. So I am coming at this from the point of view who makes a living with his camera, and as someone whose competitors are shooting with Z1s and EX1s.

The Z1 is better by far in low light than the FX7 and A1 combined, and I still find it unsatisfactory. I cut my teeth shooting weddings with the VX2100 and until I find something that rivals that camera (I suspect the FX1000 is going to be that camera) other than the EX1 there just isn't much out there. But since it costs $9K to outfit an EX1, I'm waiting for the HD version of the VX2100.

The FX7 might be fine for shooting paintball, etc. The main thing is if you don't need detail shots, you should be fine.

Last edited by Jeff Harper; September 17th, 2008 at 10:25 AM.
Jeff Harper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 17th, 2008, 08:31 AM   #15
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 640
Jeff, I agree that all should be allowed to express their opinions. I am curious, what camera do you own? In case you are curious about me, I own a Sony BetaCamSP, a VX2100 and a Sony V1.
Greg Laves is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony HDV and DV Camera Systems > Sony HVR-V1 / HDR-FX7

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:12 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network