Is the GS400 right for me? Other options? at DVinfo.net

Tyler Walton · April 4th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Hello DVinfoers!

Thank for being a part of this forum, there is a wealth of info here. I've been able to to learn a lot.

I'm working with a small team to shoot an indoor how-to documentary.

I've chosen the GS400 as the ideal camera because it matched our requirements of having:
3-ccd's
good 16:9
good value

Unforuntaly, the GS400 is a tad rare now. Considering our needs for solid 16:9, what other Cameras should I look at?

Thank you,
Tyler

Emre Safak · April 4th, 2006, 08:42 PM

You might want to look into some lighting if you are going to shoot indoors. It will make a big difference.

Tyler Walton · April 4th, 2006, 08:46 PM

Definatly, we'll be using lighting equipment and setting up our shots.

Tyler Walton · April 4th, 2006, 08:56 PM

Definatly, we'll be using lighting equipment and setting up our shots.
We will be using manual aperature and the gs400 was perfect in this regard with the control ring. I see the GS500 has manual aperature via touchscreen.
Has anybody used the gs500 and manual aperature, opinions?

Robert Kirkpatrick · April 4th, 2006, 09:07 PM

The GS400 is pretty sweet -- I love mine -- but lowlight was a pain. But for the price, there aren't any really good low light cameras around. I would also suggest looking at the PDX-10. It has a good 16:9 and is 3-CCD. However, the reason I chose the GS400 over the PDX-10 is because it had frame mode, and the PDX-10 does not.

Tyler Walton · April 6th, 2006, 06:56 PM

Wow thanks, the PDX10 is certainly an option.

I see that on the PDX10 manual iris is configured it via menu, same as on the GS500.
I also notice that the CCD's are smaller to the GS500. I'd imagine the GS500 would have better exposure abilities and less noise then the PDX10.

The question then arises, if I can't get a GS400, do I want a GS500 or a PDX10?
The XLR on the PDX10 isn't necessary (though it is nice) as we could record audio onto a separate device.

Tony Tibbetts · April 6th, 2006, 07:30 PM

They're selling the GS500 at newegg.com for $750 right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830180053

not as many external controls but basically the same with no headphone jack, but it does have a true 19X9 lcd.

April 4th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#1
Tyler Walton New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	Is the GS400 right for me? Other options? Hello DVinfoers! Thank for being a part of this forum, there is a wealth of info here. I've been able to to learn a lot. I'm working with a small team to shoot an indoor how-to documentary. I've chosen the GS400 as the ideal camera because it matched our requirements of having: 3-ccd's good 16:9 good value Unforuntaly, the GS400 is a tad rare now. Considering our needs for solid 16:9, what other Cameras should I look at? Thank you, Tyler

April 6th, 2006, 06:56 PM	#6
Tyler Walton New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	Wow thanks, the PDX10 is certainly an option. I see that on the PDX10 manual iris is configured it via menu, same as on the GS500. I also notice that the CCD's are smaller to the GS500. I'd imagine the GS500 would have better exposure abilities and less noise then the PDX10. The question then arises, if I can't get a GS400, do I want a GS500 or a PDX10? The XLR on the PDX10 isn't necessary (though it is nice) as we could record audio onto a separate device. Last edited by Tyler Walton; April 7th, 2006 at 10:37 AM.

April 4th, 2006, 08:42 PM	#2
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	You might want to look into some lighting if you are going to shoot indoors. It will make a big difference.

April 4th, 2006, 08:46 PM	#3
Tyler Walton New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	Definatly, we'll be using lighting equipment and setting up our shots.

April 4th, 2006, 08:56 PM	#4
Tyler Walton New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	Definatly, we'll be using lighting equipment and setting up our shots. We will be using manual aperature and the gs400 was perfect in this regard with the control ring. I see the GS500 has manual aperature via touchscreen. Has anybody used the gs500 and manual aperature, opinions?

April 4th, 2006, 09:07 PM	#5
Robert Kirkpatrick Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 199	The GS400 is pretty sweet -- I love mine -- but lowlight was a pain. But for the price, there aren't any really good low light cameras around. I would also suggest looking at the PDX-10. It has a good 16:9 and is 3-CCD. However, the reason I chose the GS400 over the PDX-10 is because it had frame mode, and the PDX-10 does not.

April 6th, 2006, 07:30 PM	#7
Tony Tibbetts Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 385	They're selling the GS500 at newegg.com for $750 right now. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830180053 not as many external controls but basically the same with no headphone jack, but it does have a true 19X9 lcd.