VX2100 questions - Page 4 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 VX2100 / PD170 / PDX10 Companion

Sony VX2100 / PD170 / PDX10 Companion
Topics also include Sony's TRV950, VX2000, PD150 & DSR250 family.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 29th, 2005, 10:00 AM   #46
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Billericay, England UK
Posts: 4,711
Technically, the best quality movie footage is obtained by:

1) turning off the OIS
2) using a rock solid tripod using the remote control
3) shooting in slightly overcast conditions
4) removing any filters and converter lenses
5) using the default shutter speed of 1/50th sec (PAL)
and 6) shooting at an aperture no smaller than f/5.6

Oh, and having a clean front element, tape path and good quality tape.

I also find my VX's zoom is better at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle.

Premiere 6 doesn't have an MPEG2 encoder, so export back to tape - it's the best storage method there is.

tom.
Tom Hardwick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 12th, 2005, 06:37 PM   #47
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
VX2100 questions

Hey all. I am considering getting the VX2100. Can you use any kind of filters on it? I've never used filters for a camcorder, but like the red type filters for SLR cameras and wondered if they'd work. Also, how does anyone like the 2100? Is there lots of freedom with the manual controls? I now have a TRV18 and want something better. Will the difference be that much better? Thanks in advance.
Justin Scroggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 12th, 2005, 07:12 PM   #48
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 11,787
I have a VX-2000 which is the previous model. It's a nice camcorder, but only if you want to work in the 4:3 aspect ratio. It has a setting that lets you shoot in anamorphic 16:9 however the results are low resolution as it has to crop the 4:3 image to get the correct proportions. Therefore I almost never use my VX-2000 anymore. However if this isn't an issue for you then I'm sure you'll be happy.

You can control the iris and shutter speed manually, although there is one "gotcha." If you change shutter speeds the iris will automatically reset itself, but afterwards you can take manual control of the iris. So the trick is to be sure to set your shutter speed before adjusting the iris.

Of course you can use filters! If you want to experiment with a lot of different ones you could get the Cokin "P series" filter holder. This lets you drop square glass filters into a plastic carrier:

http://www.cokin.com/ico1-p1.html

However if you want to work with filters it's a good idea to view the results on a production monitor since the little camera LCD screen isn't high resolution enough to reveal potential problems. Another approach would be to shoot without filters and create your effect in post using software.

I'm not familiar with the TRV-18, but since the VX-2100 has three 1/3" CCD's I suspect it will provide a much nicer image.

Now if you want to shoot in the 16:9 widescreen format and like the Sony cameras you could look at the HC-1000 and PDX-10 for standard definition, or the HDR-FX1, HVR-Z1, HDR-HC1 and HVR-A1 for both standard and high definition.
Boyd Ostroff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 13th, 2005, 07:45 AM   #49
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
4:3 and 16:9 are not important to me at all. I'm just wanting something that's much better video quality than my 18 (which works for now). I have 2 questions.
1) When the camera shuts off at the 5 minute mark with no use, when you power back up, does it resume at the settings you had it at (meaning the shutter speed and aperature)?
2) With the Beachtek adaptor, can you run 2 mics into it, and adjust their volumes separately on the adaptor so one would record in quieter?
Justin Scroggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 13th, 2005, 08:55 AM   #50
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 11,787
How can 4:3 and 16:9 not be important to you at all? In order to pick the right camera you need to know which format you will primarily use.

1. I think so, but haven't used it in awhile so not 100% sure. The usual trick is to press the still photo button to wake it up. If you switch the power on and off I think your settings will be lost.

2. Yes. I have a DXA4 which has 2 XLR connectors and two volume controls. You can control each channel separately, however when the Beachtek is in use you can't use the camera's built-in microphone. Also, the volume controls on the Beachtek are just to set a level, not to use as a mixer. They move in clicks, and the instructions warn they aren't intended to fade a microphone in and out.
Boyd Ostroff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 14th, 2005, 08:49 AM   #51
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Estonia
Posts: 214
I have VX2100 and it's an awesome camera with beautiful picture. I still mostly shoot in 4:3, but when it's absolutely necessary to film widescreen, then the camera will do it. I know it crops the top and bottom, but once filming your video, the lost will not be that noticeable. I even filmed a DVD project once in widescreen with PD150 and the results were just fine when I watched the footage.

In my opinion it's quite ok to buy a 4:3 ratio camera today for professional production, because even if broadcast is slowly switching over to 16:9, most will still have to wait at least a few years until they can broadcast in true widescreen, because as far as I know widescreen picture would be stretched just like when watching the video from your camera in standard ratio TV set and it would take quite a while until most of the people buy 16:9 TVs. I've heard that Finland televisions are planning to go widescreen in 2007 and here they haven't said anything at all yet.

If talking about HD then I would wait for the next family of Sony cams, I'm quite sure they will have many improvements.
Georg Liigand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 14th, 2005, 09:32 AM   #52
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Thanks for all your replys! I am pretty sure I will go with the 2100. This would be my 4th Sony camcorder, and I do like their products. I say that widescreen is not important because most of our stuff goes onto the internet, and none of us (except me) own a widescreen tv. Plus this is a hobby for me, not a living. I also don't want to wait for HD because my video editor (a Casablance Avio / stand alone unit) does not edit HD. Min DV is more than fine for us. One of my concerns was the size of the VX. It comes in at 15 1/2" long.
Justin Scroggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 14th, 2005, 08:34 PM   #53
Fred Retread
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,227
Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin Scroggs
...One of my concerns was the size of the VX. It comes in at 15 1/2" long.
Then you might want to consider the Canon GL2. It's smaller and lighter, has a better zoom and better audio features. I own both, but I consider the GL2 to be a better value ($1750 after rebate, vs. $2400 for the VX2100).

The VX2100 gives slightly crisper video, but for some (like myself) this is not always desireable--a matter of taste. The GL2's footage is sharp, but somehow softer and warmer. The Sony is sturdier and certainly impressive looking, and, of course is the king of low light cams in the price range affordable by most mortals.

For a wedding or documentary, or for very dim lighting, I'd be inclined to use the VX2100. For most anything else I grab the GL2.
__________________
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge
"My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me
David Ennis 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 VX2100 / PD170 / PDX10 Companion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:29 PM.


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