Sony, Canon, JVC ????????? at DVinfo.net

Mike Hockett · January 4th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Ok here is my delima, I currently have two GL2's and one JVC GY-DV5100. I have started doing some weddings and commercial work, but the JVC is a tad big (great picture though).

And to be quit honest more than I really need. I have contimplated on selling the JVC and getting two HD cameras for what I paid for the JVC. Or getting rid of all the cameras and going with Sony's HVR-Z1U or sticking with the SD format and getting the DSR-PD170.

I have used the VX-2100 and the low light functions are alot better that the GL2's. But nothing can beat the JVC as far as I have seen. I want something small that will perform great in lowlight and have a great picture during the day.

What should I do, keep what I got. Or scrap it all and get Sony's.

Don Bloom · January 4th, 2009, 05:50 PM

apples and oranges.
you're right the GL2 especially in low light can't even come close to comparing to the 170 or the 5100-and since I have owned both 150s, 170s, 250s and JVC5000s here's my take.
You can't compare the 5100 with it's 12" chips to any 1/3 inch chip camera. In therory at least. I used to use my 5000 and 150 together and while getting a color match required some effort (well a lot actually) the 150 blew the 5000 away in low light wedding receptions. And of course was quite a bit easier to use from a standpoint of sheer weight. Hey, I use Hytron 120s which at 5.5lbs plus the camera, light and wireless receiver all came in around 22 pounds-I went to Dionic 90s and the weight came way down but was still a bit of an issue. Anyway, the 5100 is a better camera than the 500 I had, better DSP (firmware from JVC) better colors sharper look and 3 XLRs. If it were me, I'd sell it all and get a couple of Sonys-the 170s if HD(V) isn't a big issue for you andif it is thenlook at the Z5/FX1000 combination- unless you have a NEED for a full sized camera in that case look at the S270 and if you HAVE to have interchangable lens then the Z7/S270 combo could work. There are lots of other combinations out there from JVC and Sony. Right now I disagree with a lot of folks about the HD situation in the wedding industry. My experience says solid steady footage, sharp in focus, good color and really good audio is what people want, and IF we happen to get an award winner, great but most weddings aren't-they're weddings most all the same and I haven't seen (talked to actually) too many people interested in HD YET.
Manybe it's just my clients maybe it's just me but for now I'll stick with SD and my 150/170 combo.
YMMV
Don

Steve Wolla · January 5th, 2009, 01:15 AM

What type of commercial work are you doing? I know there may be some instances where having a larger cam impresses the client, even if it is not really necessary technically.

Mike Hockett · January 5th, 2009, 05:53 PM

The commercial work that I have done so far, involves building video for some Chamber of Commerce websites, mostly all web based video's. I work a full time job outside of the video industry and I am trying to get something going in my area.

I haven't had time to market different types of commercial work.

Thanks for the input.

Alex Humphrey · February 17th, 2009, 07:52 PM

I'll chime in here agreeing with Don. For weddings color, sharpness and of course the abilities of the operator is more important than being on HD, that you can't really deliver to them on a decent budget anyway.

The HD cameras 1/3 all brands are bad for low light. Some are worse than others. The Sony 1/2" XdCAm-EX might be a nice one though. I hear nothing but good things about it.

In my world I dumped my sony 3 chips DV-Cams and picked up a JVC HD110 and haven't looked back since. I also haven't done wedding parties since either. Not that I mind not doing weddings either.

My JVC low light is unimpressive and the electronic gain isn't great either. The mild gain +9 and below is nice. However the JVC HD100/200 series cameras have a lot better low light capable in SD mode (wide screen included) than they do in HD mode. Maybe think about a good HD camera, but weddings shoot anamorphic SD?

If I were doing weddings I would shoot my camera 1280x720 1/3 chips that over sample for SD (gaining 2 stops?) and shoot widescreen (my preference 24p because I'm just that way) so it will play well on their new HDTV.

January 4th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#1
Mike Hockett Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mt. Vernon, Illinois Posts: 46	Sony, Canon, JVC ????????? Ok here is my delima, I currently have two GL2's and one JVC GY-DV5100. I have started doing some weddings and commercial work, but the JVC is a tad big (great picture though). And to be quit honest more than I really need. I have contimplated on selling the JVC and getting two HD cameras for what I paid for the JVC. Or getting rid of all the cameras and going with Sony's HVR-Z1U or sticking with the SD format and getting the DSR-PD170. I have used the VX-2100 and the low light functions are alot better that the GL2's. But nothing can beat the JVC as far as I have seen. I want something small that will perform great in lowlight and have a great picture during the day. What should I do, keep what I got. Or scrap it all and get Sony's.

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January 4th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	apples and oranges. you're right the GL2 especially in low light can't even come close to comparing to the 170 or the 5100-and since I have owned both 150s, 170s, 250s and JVC5000s here's my take. You can't compare the 5100 with it's 12" chips to any 1/3 inch chip camera. In therory at least. I used to use my 5000 and 150 together and while getting a color match required some effort (well a lot actually) the 150 blew the 5000 away in low light wedding receptions. And of course was quite a bit easier to use from a standpoint of sheer weight. Hey, I use Hytron 120s which at 5.5lbs plus the camera, light and wireless receiver all came in around 22 pounds-I went to Dionic 90s and the weight came way down but was still a bit of an issue. Anyway, the 5100 is a better camera than the 500 I had, better DSP (firmware from JVC) better colors sharper look and 3 XLRs. If it were me, I'd sell it all and get a couple of Sonys-the 170s if HD(V) isn't a big issue for you andif it is thenlook at the Z5/FX1000 combination- unless you have a NEED for a full sized camera in that case look at the S270 and if you HAVE to have interchangable lens then the Z7/S270 combo could work. There are lots of other combinations out there from JVC and Sony. Right now I disagree with a lot of folks about the HD situation in the wedding industry. My experience says solid steady footage, sharp in focus, good color and really good audio is what people want, and IF we happen to get an award winner, great but most weddings aren't-they're weddings most all the same and I haven't seen (talked to actually) too many people interested in HD YET. Manybe it's just my clients maybe it's just me but for now I'll stick with SD and my 150/170 combo. YMMV Don

January 5th, 2009, 01:15 AM	#3
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	What type of commercial work are you doing? I know there may be some instances where having a larger cam impresses the client, even if it is not really necessary technically.

January 5th, 2009, 05:53 PM	#4
Mike Hockett Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mt. Vernon, Illinois Posts: 46	The commercial work that I have done so far, involves building video for some Chamber of Commerce websites, mostly all web based video's. I work a full time job outside of the video industry and I am trying to get something going in my area. I haven't had time to market different types of commercial work. Thanks for the input.

February 17th, 2009, 07:52 PM	#5
Alex Humphrey Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: california North and South Posts: 642	I'll chime in here agreeing with Don. For weddings color, sharpness and of course the abilities of the operator is more important than being on HD, that you can't really deliver to them on a decent budget anyway. The HD cameras 1/3 all brands are bad for low light. Some are worse than others. The Sony 1/2" XdCAm-EX might be a nice one though. I hear nothing but good things about it. In my world I dumped my sony 3 chips DV-Cams and picked up a JVC HD110 and haven't looked back since. I also haven't done wedding parties since either. Not that I mind not doing weddings either. My JVC low light is unimpressive and the electronic gain isn't great either. The mild gain +9 and below is nice. However the JVC HD100/200 series cameras have a lot better low light capable in SD mode (wide screen included) than they do in HD mode. Maybe think about a good HD camera, but weddings shoot anamorphic SD? If I were doing weddings I would shoot my camera 1280x720 1/3 chips that over sample for SD (gaining 2 stops?) and shoot widescreen (my preference 24p because I'm just that way) so it will play well on their new HDTV.