Using SD or HD Cams: Poll

Stephen Claus · March 21st, 2007, 08:43 PM

Last year I used an FX1 and an HC1. This year I'll be using the FX1 and a Canon XHA1.

I bought the FX1 about a year ago because it seemed like the best bang for the buck. I convinced my mother-in-law to buy the HC1 and our church to buy the XHA1. I get to borrow them just about whenever I want. Much cheaper than owning or renting!

I felt that, compared to the PD170, for example, the slightly higher price and slightly lower low-light performance of the FX1 was a small price to pay for all the current and future benefits of HD. I was afraid of buying something that might be obsolete and worthless in a couple of years. I was coming from a 7 lux single chip SD Sony, so the 3 lux rating of the FX1 was a huge improvement to me!

The FX1 is starting to look a little obsolete now, because it doesn't shoot progressive!

Peter Jefferson · March 21st, 2007, 09:36 PM

to be honest, low light performance isnt the be all and end all

IMO colour saturation and gradation accuracy far exceeds the need to see in the dark

Art Willig · March 21st, 2007, 11:16 PM

HDV in the sun...ahh...so nice
Sony HC5

Jack D. Hubbard · March 21st, 2007, 11:58 PM

I've been using the Z1 since June '05 with an FX1 as a spare. Replaced it with an A1 last year to save weight.

Bob Harotunian · March 22nd, 2007, 10:11 AM

We're currently using a pair of PD-170s for mostly wedding work. I think we'll get introduced to HD by purchasing an HV20 very soon. No plans to upgrade until 2008. BTW, if PD-170s had native 16.9, HD upgrade would be much later.

Peter Jefferson · March 22nd, 2007, 10:47 AM

bob you could always save afew thousand bux by going for a Centruy Optics 16:9 adapter..

Nicholas Valentine · March 22nd, 2007, 10:51 AM

I use two Canon XL2s (which I'm very hapy with) and will be acquiring a third next month. I'll eventually go to HD, but my area is very slow when it comes to people adopting new technology. Some people still want VHS, so HD is a loooong ways away in my area. Plus I need to pay off the XL2s first.

Chris Gorman · March 23rd, 2007, 01:55 AM

I shoot with a Sony Z1U but deliver in sd for now. My other camera is a VX1000, so I really was due for a new camera. Nice to now have a camera that can do both sd and hdv for this transitional time. For sd delivery, shooting hdv looks very good, and I have the advantage of having the hdv available in case I get any requests. However, I always hire a 2nd camera person with gear, so I'm hoping there will be shooters available for me to hire with Z1Us or matching, for any brides requesting hdv.

The obstacle now is waiting to see if anyone will be able to play a HD or BluRay DVD-R. Meantime, I can at least get used to working with my Z1 and all it's capabilities, and gradually add on whatever I'll need to add to my editing and delivery workflow.

Saxon Bashford · March 23rd, 2007, 02:20 PM

I'm currently using my trusty PDX 10, shooting 16:9, and hoping to buy a Z1 or V1 soon. Even so, I imagine I'll be delivering SD for a little while yet.

March 21st, 2007, 11:16 PM	#48
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	where's the poll? HDV in the sun...ahh...so nice Sony HC5

March 21st, 2007, 11:58 PM	#49
Jack D. Hubbard Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Menlo Park, CA Posts: 342	Hd I've been using the Z1 since June '05 with an FX1 as a spare. Replaced it with an A1 last year to save weight.

March 23rd, 2007, 01:55 AM	#53
Chris Gorman Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: oceanside, california, u.s.a. Posts: 115	using hdv I shoot with a Sony Z1U but deliver in sd for now. My other camera is a VX1000, so I really was due for a new camera. Nice to now have a camera that can do both sd and hdv for this transitional time. For sd delivery, shooting hdv looks very good, and I have the advantage of having the hdv available in case I get any requests. However, I always hire a 2nd camera person with gear, so I'm hoping there will be shooters available for me to hire with Z1Us or matching, for any brides requesting hdv. The obstacle now is waiting to see if anyone will be able to play a HD or BluRay DVD-R. Meantime, I can at least get used to working with my Z1 and all it's capabilities, and gradually add on whatever I'll need to add to my editing and delivery workflow. __________________ List My Threads

March 23rd, 2007, 02:20 PM	#54
Saxon Bashford New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 7	Saxon Bashford I'm currently using my trusty PDX 10, shooting 16:9, and hoping to buy a Z1 or V1 soon. Even so, I imagine I'll be delivering SD for a little while yet.

March 21st, 2007, 08:43 PM	#46
Stephen Claus Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 66	Last year I used an FX1 and an HC1. This year I'll be using the FX1 and a Canon XHA1. I bought the FX1 about a year ago because it seemed like the best bang for the buck. I convinced my mother-in-law to buy the HC1 and our church to buy the XHA1. I get to borrow them just about whenever I want. Much cheaper than owning or renting! I felt that, compared to the PD170, for example, the slightly higher price and slightly lower low-light performance of the FX1 was a small price to pay for all the current and future benefits of HD. I was afraid of buying something that might be obsolete and worthless in a couple of years. I was coming from a 7 lux single chip SD Sony, so the 3 lux rating of the FX1 was a huge improvement to me! The FX1 is starting to look a little obsolete now, because it doesn't shoot progressive!

March 21st, 2007, 09:36 PM	#47
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	to be honest, low light performance isnt the be all and end all IMO colour saturation and gradation accuracy far exceeds the need to see in the dark

March 22nd, 2007, 10:11 AM	#50
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	We're currently using a pair of PD-170s for mostly wedding work. I think we'll get introduced to HD by purchasing an HV20 very soon. No plans to upgrade until 2008. BTW, if PD-170s had native 16.9, HD upgrade would be much later.

March 22nd, 2007, 10:47 AM	#51
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	bob you could always save afew thousand bux by going for a Centruy Optics 16:9 adapter..

March 22nd, 2007, 10:51 AM	#52
Nicholas Valentine Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northwestern/Central, PA Posts: 62	I use two Canon XL2s (which I'm very hapy with) and will be acquiring a third next month. I'll eventually go to HD, but my area is very slow when it comes to people adopting new technology. Some people still want VHS, so HD is a loooong ways away in my area. Plus I need to pay off the XL2s first.