Thinking of getting an FX7
 

Right now I mostly shoot family stuff and lots of macro with my HDR-HC3. I need a camera with manual focus like a ring and apature control for macro stuff. Would the FX7 be a good upgrade for me and will the picture quality be better than my HC3?

Also is slow motion feature on the fx7 better quality than the HC3?

THanks Joey

FX7 is the best value for money Prosumer camcorder. It was voted the best Prosumer Camcorder. Read here:
http://www.videomaker.com/article/12964/
http://www.photokina-show.com/0283/s...fx7ecamcorder/
and here.
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/1010...x7e_camcorder/



Stelios

Hey Joey,
I have both the FX1 and a FX7. I got the FX7 for my assistant as he loves the light feel and loves the control and form factor. For him it's been his best upgrade. For me it was step back from the FX1. The point is if you never know what your missing you'll be very happy and will push the cam to it's limits. For me it was less sensitive than the FX1. They matched at the FX1 at 0db and the FX7 at 9db. It's a challenge but my guy is loving the cam and his performance shows it. The cam is a great cam, and if you need it for lower light work use a light. It makes great fill also using a light. The quality will be very nice, not sure in comparison to the hc3 but it's very close to the fx1, a lil sharper.

Monday

Thanks Guys , Im going to go to a sony style store and check it out. I just founfd out they have them there. It sounds like the camera I need for the price.

Joey

I went and checked it out yesterday at the sony store and I was blown away. I got to play with in the store which was not that bright and turned down the gain to 0 in it was so noise free it was ridiculas .

I still have a few quetions
Can I do full manual with this camera - Gain - Aperture- Shutter speed ?

Can I do partial Manual like set the gain and aperture and let the camera adjust shutterspeed ?

The guy at the store was said something about if you adjust the aperture it switches to gain ?

Does it have Night shot ?

Does the superslo-mo feature have poor quality ?

If anyone can answer these questions it would be very helpful.

Joey, the answer to pretty well all your questions is "yes."

Aperture adjustment can switch to increase gain if you run out of aperture, but you decide if it does or not.
Slo mo is pretty weak, IMO
You can use full or partial manuals.

Thanks Douglas. That was what I needed.

I doubt that it has night shot. The V1 does not and they are the same optically. Heck, I don't even know if CMOS picks up infra-red. Anyway, night shot is not that useful. I'd rather switch to 15db of gain and a slow shutter speed than go into night shot on any camera.

Hello all, sorry to chime in, but I noticed this discussion and am looking at the FX7 for what it does indeed offer. It is a bit above my price point.. Actually, alot, but I think for what I wish to use it for and the ability to learn a good prosumer camera, It may fit the bill. Just a bit more saving. But I also am looking at the older JVC HD1 because its dirt cheap now.. I know there probably is no comparison, but I want to break into more controls on a camera and out of the consumer look of my video as far as my old TRV 19 is concerned.

Any help is greatly appreciated...

"But I also am looking at the older JVC HD1 because its dirt cheap now."

Let's just say there isn't much buzz about that camera. Look around these forums and see how much support there is for other cameras. That shouldn't be your only criteria, but it tells you something. On the other hand, price also shouldn't be your only consideration. The FX7 seems to be a fine camera and I would think about waiting until you can afford the best. JVC makes some excellent cameras, but the HD110 is much more expensive.

I took a deep breath then pulled the trigger on a V1. I certainly could have gotten away with the FX7 for what I use it for.

Anyway, I have a HC3 and a V1. I like both cameras a lot for what they do and the overall quality of the video they shoot. I don't regret spending the extra $$ on the V1 one bit. I used both at a wedding a couple weeks ago and it was easy to get the color balance between them close enough that they looked great on the screen when held up side-by-side. I used the HC3 as a closeup insert shot since it was so small I was able to hide it behind the minister in some greenery.

Not knowing you application makes it a bit harder to offer advice but for general shooting my opinion is the FX7 is a wonderful camera for that purpose.

I actually like the light response of the CMOS sensors with its expanded dynamic range and no smear. In low light they aren't quite as good as CCD but not horrible either.

Chris

Chris thanks for the feedback.
I shoot stage events and wedding as well.
I am looking into getting an FX7 and or V1U as well. When you say the low light isn't horrible, are you shooting the V1 in full manual mode (shutter speed, iris, gain) and keeping your gain around 0-6 db and riding the iris and shutter speed?

Just curious what a real world test would be using all manual control (NO AUTO at all).

Also is there a major difference in the V1 and FX7, besides built in XLR and some additional custom preset options (do they shoot the same video in essence)?

From what I've read its inputs and 'tweaking' options where the V1 has the edge over the FX7. I've not had the oppurtunity to play with both at the same time.

I have used the camera in MANUAL and I've had very good results in using it in AUTO with the AE over-ride enabled. I find this is works very well (and subtle) to overcome strong backlighting, dark areas, etc while letting the camera still make adjustments to help you. This has become my preferred mode over straight MANUAL.

Running the cam at +6 gain is great. When you go to +9 it is OK. At +12 its fair and depending on how critical your audience is, its kinda touchy if its acceptable. Adjusting the knee point certainly helps mask noise in the dark areas (only available on the V1 and not the FX7). For a wedding where the viewer knows how dark it was during the reception, its likely going to be fine.

Chris

Thanks Chris. That's what I thought in regards to the FX7 and V1.
I can see where the V1 would definitely have the edge over the V1 in low light because of teh gain (crushing the blacks more).
I generally shoot with some sort of on camera lighting for both cameras (either on camera or handheld off axis by assistant) so extreme low light isn't a concern of mine.
I'm going to try to make a trip to my Sony Style store and check out the FX7 for definite hands on experience. I ahve a fellow local association member, who has FX1/Z1/A1U,and V1 cameras. So I'm going to ask him if I might be able to borrow the V1 for a weekend and test it out for yself for some hands on as well.

Thanks for the input and comments. I use Adobe applications and am using the 2.0 versions right now. I also am using a Matrox RT.X2 card with the 2.0 versions of the drivers, and I am pretty sure that I read some of the others use the most current Sony cams with the board, so I don't think that would be an issue to be honest.

Hmmnn, maybe it will drop in price over the next month! LOL Not likely, but there is still hope... I really want something I can take my learning to the next level on, but be able to purcase it over the next month or so. I also read a new article on the V1 which they gave great reviews and good things to say bout it, even in low lighting. To be honest, half of what you guys are talking about as far as knee, and things of that nature, I know nothing about.. That is why I am really wishing to upgrade my cam. From another review I read, they said that it was really good for I am thinking a person like me wanting to go the next step up in cameras, so I will see how much I really can save over the next month and truly try to go with it.

Another question, for a second camera for a friend, for shooting dual cams, would the lower ended Sony HDV's be a good second shot? My friend handles the photos but works a second cam also, so I am looking not only for myself but for her also.... That was another consideration with the JVC as I could purchase two of those, and have identical shots and settings. But if I can possibly get a second less expensive sony which would make great fill, that would be awesome. Any further suggestions? I think I read on this forum in the A1 section that some guys are for example using A1's and then the HV20's as secondary cams.. I would like do do something of that nature.. I also remember "I think" someone mentioning the FX7 and HC3 together... Is this possible? If so, I think we could swing that... I think... he he

I truly from what I have read think I will be much happier with the FX7 over a few years, and learn tremendous things about video... But the second cam is a strong consideration.. Very strong... So I thank you all for your responses and inputs.. I truly do...

D

Im driving myself nuts with this decision. Im looking at either an FX7 for manual control+20x zoom or the hv20 for being able to choose the shutterspeed or aperture at least. I have the HC3 and plan to keep it no matter what I get as a travel/2nd cam .

I shoot for family and personel use mainly but I really want manual control. This is killing me .

Joey the FX7 is a very good camcorder. If you get it you won't regret it. You'll regret it if there's something better that you are looking at and it doesn't meet that expectation. Do you need or want 24p? If so get the HV20. Is 24p of no importance to you? If it's not get the FX7. You'll be very happy with it. If you plan on doing some pro work, having the bigger cam will help for appearance purpose also.

Monday

You have all these options on the FX7. Why would you think you can't?

Monday, Im leaning toward the FX7 just the price is holding me back as opposed to going with the HV20 and saving money and hoping I will have enough video adjustment. At this point 24p is not even a feature Im looking at.

Steve , I meant I wanted to get an FX7 not that I have one for full manual control .

Thanks Guys

Joey

Wait a few days and see if NAB brings a Sony A1 replacement. More money, but smaller than a FX7 yet bigger than a V20. No need to rush.
Steve

Or take a look at the HC7 - same size and some shared accessories with your HC3 - they've dropped to almost the same as the HV20 street price - competition is GOOOOOOD ;-))

The 7 is a nice step up from the 3 all around and pretty comparable or better than the HC1 (the A1U's dearly departed li'l bro). It's of course the small form factor, but so is the HV20, so worth a look. Because it got panned by CCI (and they got a LOT of things just plain flat out dead wrong...) it's not gotten much attention, but you should at least take a look at it!

The small cams are never going to do everything well, just no room for realistically usable controls... barely room for controls at all! BUT that doesn't mean they can't have more than enough control for most "prosumers" who want to be able to override the "auto" settings.

OH YEAH... try lugging a Z1 on the family vacation... I'll take the small camera PLEASE! Not having "hands on" with an FX7, I don't know how portable it is in practical terms, but the FX1 and Z1 are not casual cameras... and the FX7 and V1 don't look THAT much more petite.

DB>)

I did a shoot with the V1, Z1, and Sony A1 (pro relative of HC1?) and we were able to get a decent match in good light. These cameras are all after the Sony "coolgreen" cameras where the image seemed too cyan compared to the Canon models. Sony has a different look now with all these cameras and most people seem to like it. As long as you are in decent light conditions, you should be able to get within the same ballpark with an FX7 and something like the HC1. They both use CMOS, so that probably makes it easier. The consumer models are at least an f-stop less sensitive, so they won't work in dim lighting as well as the other cameras.

I hear you on the price weighing in. When I first bought a Panasonic DVC80 it was because of the price tag, later became my favorite cam over the Sony VX PD models. I agree with Steve, wait a few more days see what is coming at NAB and make your final decision. Take Care

Monday