B camera?
 

hello.

Hey, I was wondering.... what will you recommend for a B camera to go with a HPX170? B meaning cheaper yet good match.

(this will be my first HD purchase)

mostly for weddings, events and what not.

Thanks a lot.

Osmany Tellez

There isn't anything else on the market shooting the same codec/color space or that would give you the professional camera controls and audio options you'll need for weddings. Get another 170 or buy a used HVX200. Beware: the HVX200 does not have the same color-response that the 170 does; if you want a "B" camera that will be an exact color match then only another 170 or an HVX200-A will fit. Otherwise you'll have to do color correction in post to get them to match-up.

ummmm
 

Thanks a lot Robert.

This is what I was afraid of. two 170 will be way too much $$$$ (adding P2 and firestore cost). I can only afford a good HD camera and a cheap HD camera for now....even if they don't match perfectly but as close as possible will be good too. Is there anything cheap that will come close? it doesn't have to have all controls we might find in more expensive cameras...it'll be a B camera...to support my A camera.

I'm really trying hard to go with DVCPRO HD...the next solution will be the HMC150...I know is LONG GOP AVCHD....but I think it'll be easier to match the 150 with a cheaper AVCHD camera...what do you think?

Love this forum.

Thanks to everyone.

Osmany Tellez

You can do something artistic with the B cam and get a Panasonic SD-9 and shoot 1080/24p

David's suggestion is a good one; you could also get the pro-sumer version of that camera the HSC1U and get even better image and color reproduction making it an even closer match to the 170.

The HSC1U is limited to 13Mbps while the SD9 will go at least to 17Mbps. Also it will shoot 1080/24p without pulldown.

But it also has 1/6-inch sensors while the HSC1U has 1/4-inch sensors.

Or the HMC150, which looks to be largely the identical same camera to the HPX170 (at least physically), and with the same imagers, but recording onto cheap SD memory cards. Might be the ultimate B-camera to an HPX170. Won't be "cheap" though, probably will be around $4000.

I wish
 

Hi Barry.

I wish I could take the 150 as my B camera but I'm afraid I'm blow all my money on the 170+P2. Even if I could make it to the 150 I will have to also update my PPC G5 2.0 Dual core to be able to work with AVCHD. BUt Maybe...

Thanks

Panasonic and Sony?
 

Hi all.
My A camera will be an HVX 200A and as B camera I could have loaned a Sony HVR V1U.

Do you think they can match ?
Which frame rate to use ?

Luigi,

You're going to have a hard time matching those two cameras; they shoot different color spaces and the Sony is an interlaced-only chipset, not progressive. I'd suggest either renting another 200A or the original 200.