Second Camera Question at DVinfo.net

Ken Hendrickson · May 25th, 2005, 06:25 PM

I have an old Canon Optura that I was planning on using as a secondary wideshot camera, but I just filmed a graduation for my moms preschool class and used both my GL2 (main cam) and the Optura as a covershot. And it painfully obvious the quality difference between the two. So I decided that I'm going to get a second 3-ccd camera so the difference won't be as painfully obvious, and less CC in post.

I was thinking getting a VX1000 as the secondary camera(as I can get one for under $1k on ebay, is this a decent camera? Or do you have any other suggestions for a decent 3chip that I can get for less then $1k?

Glen Elliott · May 25th, 2005, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Hendrickson

I have an old Canon Optura that I was planning on using as a secondary wideshot camera, but I just filmed a graduation for my moms preschool class and used both my GL2 (main cam) and the Optura as a covershot. And it painfully obvious the quality difference between the two. So I decided that I'm going to get a second 3-ccd camera so the difference won't be as painfully obvious, and less CC in post.

I was thinking getting a VX1000 as the secondary camera(as I can get one for under $1k on ebay, is this a decent camera? Or do you have any other suggestions for a decent 3chip that I can get for less then $1k?

Yeah the lack of light at your venues will only make your 1-chip secondary cam more obvious. With a little bit of tweaking in post it can be improved but it'll never match the quality of a high-quality 3-chip cam. In brightly lit environments, however, they still exhibit differences but are strikingly similar.

I'm sure you can get away with using a VX1000 as a secondary cam. Granted it's always best to match your cams up but not always necessary.

Bob Costa · May 25th, 2005, 11:11 PM

See if you can borrow a camera. See how much work it is to match them up under different circumstances. If this is a business, you may decide the extra hours you save in post is worth the extra money to get a better matching camera. vx1000 not so hot in low light anyway, I am told. But hey Glen is the expert, he's done a million more weddings than me. :)

Ken Hendrickson · May 25th, 2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Elliott

Yeah the lack of light at your venues will only make your 1-chip secondary cam more obvious. With a little bit of tweaking in post it can be improved but it'll never match the quality of a high-quality 3-chip cam. In brightly lit environments, however, they still exhibit differences but are strikingly similar.

I'm sure you can get away with using a VX1000 as a secondary cam. Granted it's always best to match your cams up but not always necessary.

Yea, I'd rather get another GL2, but I don't have the extra money for it quite yet.

Pete Wilie · May 26th, 2005, 11:09 AM

Ken,

Canon and Sony picture color (as determined by factory presets) is quite different. Many people in this forum suggest that it is very difficult to color balance between Canon/Sony cameras in production -- almost always requiring significant color correction in post. I posted a question on this very subject:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=44488

I just switched from a GL2 to a PD170 and I am very happy with the PD170. If you are going to stick with the GL2 (and maybe add another one in the future), then you would be better off finding another Canon. OTOH, if you think you might switch to the Sony PD170 line, then the VX1000 might be a good 2nd camera. But this is just a guess since I have no experience with the VX1000.

HTH.

Michael Dempsey · May 28th, 2005, 10:07 AM

I thought my 2nd camera was mickey mouse until he provided almost equal vid if not better. I was shooting a concert at my church using a Sony trv120 and a trv900. After setting the shutter speed manually on the cheap D8 the quality was very good and the colors were actually very vibrant even in the low and harsh lighting.

Sure the 3 chipper is a better camera but the most important thing is knowing how to use the manual settings on any camera. I've just started playing with the manual controls and it can really make the difference but if ya got the funds, sure get a better 2nd camera.

Ken Hendrickson · May 31st, 2005, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Wilie

Ken,

Canon and Sony picture color (as determined by factory presets) is quite different. Many people in this forum suggest that it is very difficult to color balance between Canon/Sony cameras in production -- almost always requiring significant color correction in post. I posted a question on this very subject:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=44488

I just switched from a GL2 to a PD170 and I am very happy with the PD170. If you are going to stick with the GL2 (and maybe add another one in the future), then you would be better off finding another Canon. OTOH, if you think you might switch to the Sony PD170 line, then the VX1000 might be a good 2nd camera. But this is just a guess since I have no experience with the VX1000.

HTH.

I think I will make due with the camera I have for now until I have enough money to get another GL2. No sense in spending money, just to have to replace it again.

I think I'm going to put that money into a better audio setup as good video with bad audio doesn't cut it.

May 25th, 2005, 06:25 PM	#1
Ken Hendrickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 57	Second Camera Question I have an old Canon Optura that I was planning on using as a secondary wideshot camera, but I just filmed a graduation for my moms preschool class and used both my GL2 (main cam) and the Optura as a covershot. And it painfully obvious the quality difference between the two. So I decided that I'm going to get a second 3-ccd camera so the difference won't be as painfully obvious, and less CC in post. I was thinking getting a VX1000 as the secondary camera(as I can get one for under $1k on ebay, is this a decent camera? Or do you have any other suggestions for a decent 3chip that I can get for less then $1k?

May 25th, 2005, 11:11 PM	#3
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	See if you can borrow a camera. See how much work it is to match them up under different circumstances. If this is a business, you may decide the extra hours you save in post is worth the extra money to get a better matching camera. vx1000 not so hot in low light anyway, I am told. But hey Glen is the expert, he's done a million more weddings than me. :) __________________ You are either growing or dying.

May 28th, 2005, 10:07 AM	#6
Michael Dempsey Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 47	don't knock the secondary camera I thought my 2nd camera was mickey mouse until he provided almost equal vid if not better. I was shooting a concert at my church using a Sony trv120 and a trv900. After setting the shutter speed manually on the cheap D8 the quality was very good and the colors were actually very vibrant even in the low and harsh lighting. Sure the 3 chipper is a better camera but the most important thing is knowing how to use the manual settings on any camera. I've just started playing with the manual controls and it can really make the difference but if ya got the funds, sure get a better 2nd camera.

May 26th, 2005, 11:09 AM	#5
Pete Wilie Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 331	Ken, Canon and Sony picture color (as determined by factory presets) is quite different. Many people in this forum suggest that it is very difficult to color balance between Canon/Sony cameras in production -- almost always requiring significant color correction in post. I posted a question on this very subject: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=44488 I just switched from a GL2 to a PD170 and I am very happy with the PD170. If you are going to stick with the GL2 (and maybe add another one in the future), then you would be better off finding another Canon. OTOH, if you think you might switch to the Sony PD170 line, then the VX1000 might be a good 2nd camera. But this is just a guess since I have no experience with the VX1000. HTH.