Oh Ken, you hit the nail on the head! I probably spend more time thinking about equipment than anything else because there are just so many great options to us out there. It is a great time to be a video guy!

I am jealous of you guys who live close enough to attend these things, though i have made a friend on here who lives a few hours away that is willing to give me a tour of his FX1000. Didn't I see on here that B&H was launching an airship...old thread and it was a spoof but that would be great. The airfield in Lexington is one of he few that can refuel those things. I think I will just have to plan a vacation trip to NY so i can spend a couple days in the B&H store...

Ken, thanks for your firsthand account I can't wait to see these models in action...can you post links to any of your test shots?

Bryan, I haven't uploaded the FX1000 shots anywhere, but let me see what I can do.

C'mon guys. You come down to breakfast to find your mother has been out and bought you a big cardboard box full of glinty new camcorder. She hadn't a clue what to get you - only told the salesman that you wanted hi-def (whatever that means) and that your old camera was called something like a PD170 - is that right?

So you open the box, and out spills a Panasonic, Sony, Canon ... any model, long as it's black. And you know what? It doesn't matter what comes out of the box - it doesn't matter two hoots. The minutiae we're talking about here - the extra stop, the extra millimetres, the tape or solid state, the 24p, the 1440 vs 1920, the cine-gamma black-stretch histogram-zebras - all are but tiny details in the great big scheme of things.

And you know what that is, don't you? Of course you do - it's about making movies. It's not about the pretty insignificant details we obsess about constantly, it's about getting off your bum and getting out there and shooting, shooting, shooting.

There isn't a bad camera out there, not one. There's a lot of bad filmmakers out there, and that's probably because they sit at home polishing their knobs and buttons rather than doing what must be done. You only get good at what you do good people, and if what you do is to discuss camcorder differences all day, that's all you'll be good at.

Choose a camcorder blindfolded, then go work it hard. You'll find they all bring home the goods, all have miraculous powers to capture images and sounds in impossible situations. It's very often we, the camera operators, that are lacking.

tom.

Tom, I agree with what you're saying, but in my case the decision between adding another 1/2lb of weight vs. the occasional convenience of recording to a card is a tough one.

I don't think there is any substantive difference between these two cams (Z5 & 1000) in terms of their ability to shoot great video that would keep me up at night at all and in that respect I agree with you 100%. Either one is a great choice. I have no intention of shooting in 24p, so all of that which surrounds 24p recording is irrelevant to me. But weighing (no pun intended) the pros & cons of weight vs a convenient method of recording to a CF card has nothing to do with the cam's ability to shoot great video. Yes, you can use the CF recorder with almost any cam, but it's undeniably more convenient to use the Z5 for that purpose.

If I shot primarily on a tripod or monopod, it would make the decision much easier. But the fact is I handhold the vast majority of times and it's only during interviews, that I have the luxury of a tripod. My shooting often involves getting into awkward angles, stooping etc., so weight is really an issue.

As I said, decisions decisions. My friend will be picking up the Z5, so that should give me the opportunity to play with it and see how that extra 1/2lb measures up.

Tom, I agree with you in theory but since I live or die by my trade and there is no "mom" going to come downstairs tomorrow with a shiny new cam, these are big decisions for me.

Ask any construction worker, there is a huge difference between a 5 pound sledge hammer and a 20 pound sledge hammer. Both are sledge hammers and you can do demo with either, but with one the sledge works with you improving your force with it's weight, the other works against you wearing you out.

I think the same is true with a camera. The right camera can allow you to perfect your art because it compliments your shooting, the wrong camera can make your shooting and editing an uphill battle. They both capture images and sound but are very different. If this were not true, why would SONY, JVC, and panasonic be working so hard to improve their products.

I would say that the best camera in the world in novice hands would not provide as good a result as consumer cam in a pro's hands. The camera is an extension of the artist, which is why the brushes are so expensive...

#1) I think you should pickup a gym membership and bulk up a bit and the 1/2 lb weight difference will feel like a 2lb weight loss with your new muscles.

#2) If you're buddy is going to have one, that would seem all the more reason for you to have one. If you ever shot a project that neeeded 2 cameras, they'd match. I realize the FX1000 and the Z5 would probably work as well, but if you're really 50/50, I would think something like this would push you over the edge..

Jon

Jon, have you done much hand held work? A 1/2lb, as small as it seems, can make a difference when hand holding over long periods. However, with that said, after some investigation, it seems that it's not actually 1/2lb. With Sony it's very hard at times to interpret specs. It seems that the mike was factored into the weight, so the actual weight sans mike, might be something like 3 ounces.

Yes Ken, I have and I 100% understand where you are coming from. My comment was mostly tongue and cheek but you have to admit there is some legitimacy to it. At times when I've been in better physical shape, lugging around cameras and equipment has definately seemed less stressful and tiresome than the times I've been kind of out of shape. I obviously have no idea what type of physical shape you are in, but I really do believe that being in good physical form and shape actually makes handling our equipment easier...

Jon

Ok, i know several B & H reps are on here and I can't help but wonder if they didn't see this board because number 1 item in this months email newsletter (just arrived in my inbox) is a comparison of the FX1000 and Z5U. Thank you B&H for sending this out. Here is the link, in case you don't get it and are interested in the review.
Stepping Up with Sony's HVR-Z5U | B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

That was a good write up, thanks Bryan. However, I think one of the most important differences wasn't mentioned, external device control.

You can use the CF recorder on either the 1000, or the 5U, but it's only the 5U that enables the CF recorder to synch up with the Rec start/stop button. If you are seriously considering using that device, this can make all the difference in the world.