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Home: Video University Forums: HDV:
Ready to take the plunge

 
 


k0sov
Novice

Mar 20, 2006, 7:05 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1848 views)
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Ready to take the plunge Can't Post
Hi all, I've been lurking alot more than posting, but I am ready to get more active.

I have been reading just about everything around here and have decided to begin my video career with HDV. I will primarily do weddings, but will also be doing a variety of other things, some paid, some volunteer.

I have a fair amount of experience with Vegas 6, so I will use that for editing, plus Gearshift. Computer wise I've got a Dual core 2.8 with 2 gig ram, 80G system drive and 500G Sata raid.

I plan to buy a A1U to start with. I have to buy everthing to get started, so I can't go for as much camera as I would like. I need to get a tripod, light, wireless mics, batteries, bag, etc. Any recommedations?

My primary question for you experienced HDV users concerns light. It seems to be quite well documented that the current crop of HDVs are not as good in low light as their SD counterparts. In regards to weddings, what do you guys do to supplement light?

BTW, I expect to buy a FX1 in a couple of months after I recover from the initial expenditure.

Thanks for your help,

Craig


krskrewz
Enthusiast


Mar 21, 2006, 12:50 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1838 views)
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Re: [k0sov] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
Welcome aboard and best of luck to you in your video career!

As far as lights go, I use the Sony 10/20W light with the softbox light diffuser. Works out nicely at dimmer receptions from around 10 to 15 feet or so with my FX1s but I have not tried it with my HC1s. If you get the Sony 10/20W light, you'll have to attach it with an arm that you attach to the bottom of the camera for your A1 because the hot shoe on top of the A1/HC1 is that smaller active interface shoe.

Good luck!


k0sov
Novice

Mar 21, 2006, 4:59 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1834 views)
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Re: [krskrewz] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
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If you get the Sony 10/20W light, you'll have to attach it with an arm that you attach to the bottom of the camera for your A1 because the hot shoe on top of the A1/HC1 is that smaller active interface shoe.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! I actually have been looking at that Sony light so the arm advice is very good to know.

Craig


MLiebergot
Veteran


Mar 21, 2006, 6:50 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1828 views)
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Re: [krskrewz] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Welcome aboard and best of luck to you in your video career!

As far as lights go, I use the Sony 10/20W light with the softbox light diffuser. Works out nicely at dimmer receptions from around 10 to 15 feet or so with my FX1s but I have not tried it with my HC1s. If you get the Sony 10/20W light, you'll have to attach it with an arm that you attach to the bottom of the camera for your A1 because the hot shoe on top of the A1/HC1 is that smaller active interface shoe.

Good luck!
Actually the hotshoe that's on top of the A1U is a standard hotshoe and not an active interface hotshoe like teh HC1. This is one advantage to the A1U.
Since the A1U is a bottom loading camera, then make sure taht you get a standoff device to enable yourself to load/unload tape and change the battery.
The best one going can be found here:
dm-accessories.com

Also to start off for weddings, due to low light, you may want to consider starting with the FX1, because of better low light shooting. In good lighting the A1U is fantastic, but when the light drops low, the color saturation realy drops off, as well as more grain is introduced. The A1U is a great #2 Cam (Balcony Cam) or main cam in good lighting (Outdoor events and due to it's small inconsipcuous size, Love story shoots).

The FX1 will work better in dimly lit reception venues and while the picture is dark (which it was when it was shot BTW) you can pop the Gain up to 12DB and not see any grain in teh blacks. Also teh FX1 will have better manual controls for run and gun exposure than the A1U.
Don't get me wrong, the A1U is a great deal right now and a great camera for certain circumstances, just not all. While the FX1 with a Beachtek XLR adapter will be more versitile and less headaches in the long run.
Get an FX1 and do a couple weddings and get yourself an A1 for a 2nd camera.


Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro


krskrewz
Enthusiast


Mar 21, 2006, 11:03 AM

Post #5 of 8 (1799 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
I agree. With Michael.

If you can possibly do so, save up a little more for the FX1 if you can because, as it is well known and based off of my own experiences, in low light the HC1 has a really tough time. I started off my 'career' with an HC1 and worked on a day/afternoon wedding. The ceremony was fine and the reception did 'ok' because the doors to the reception hall were left open so there was alot of light coming in. I figured that since the HC1 did great with alot of light and did at least 'ok' at the reception that I could slide with HC1s as my main cameras and so I picked up a 2nd HC1. I worked a couple more day/afternoon weddings and the results were fine and even picked up a FX1. I picked up the FX1 not because I felt the HC1s lacked but I just wanted to make the FX1 my main camera with my HC1s as backups. I guess at the time I knew that the day would come where i'd be shooting low light and so I wanted the FX1 just in case. Well as soon as I hit my first afternoon/evening event, I was so dissapointed with the results of the low light footage of the HC1s that I picked up a second FX1. My set up now is 2 FX1s and 1 HC1 as a backup. The 2nd HC1 is pretty much a vacation cam / family cam since it'll be pretty tough selling it for anywhere close to what the retail price I picked it up at. But yea it was a pretty hefty investment seeing as that I have the 2 HC1 and 2 FX1s. Looking back, I would have been fine if I just saved up a little from the start and went for the FX1s instead of getting the HC1s first. For my past most recent events, the FX1s have been in use while the backup HC1 has pretty much sat on the bench.

If your situation still does not allow you to pick up an FX1 and you go for the HC1, keep in mind that when you do use the light (if you go for the 10/20W) not to venture off more than 10 feet or so from what you're shooting otherwise the light has little affect. If you shoot mostly late morning/afternoon weddings, you should for the most part be ok. Plan your angles and shots carefully with dimly lit church's (since you most likely will not be allowed to use a light). If you attend the ceremony rehearsals, bring along the HC1 and do some recording (or even standby shooting). See which angles work for you with the given light.

good luck!


In Reply To

Also to start off for weddings, due to low light, you may want to consider starting with the FX1, because of better low light shooting. In good lighting the A1U is fantastic, but when the light drops low, the color saturation realy drops off, as well as more grain is introduced. The A1U is a great #2 Cam (Balcony Cam) or main cam in good lighting (Outdoor events and due to it's small inconsipcuous size, Love story shoots).

The FX1 will work better in dimly lit reception venues and while the picture is dark (which it was when it was shot BTW) you can pop the Gain up to 12DB and not see any grain in teh blacks. Also teh FX1 will have better manual controls for run and gun exposure than the A1U.
Don't get me wrong, the A1U is a great deal right now and a great camera for certain circumstances, just not all. While the FX1 with a Beachtek XLR adapter will be more versitile and less headaches in the long run.
Get an FX1 and do a couple weddings and get yourself an A1 for a 2nd camera.


KevinShaw
Veteran

Mar 21, 2006, 5:50 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1769 views)
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Re: [k0sov] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
I just got an HC1 as a backup for my FX1, and my initial impression is that the image quality of the HC1 has noticeable issues compared to the FX1. In good lighting it's mostly okay, but I wouldn't want to count on it as a primary camera for a wedding. If money is that tight you might be better off starting with something like a VX2100 or used VX2000, then upgrade to HDV when you can afford the FX1. My two cents...


k0sov
Novice

Mar 21, 2006, 5:54 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1769 views)
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Re: [krskrewz] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys!

krs, I am planning to buy an A1U, not the HC1. Does that change your opinion? Or does the HC1 and A1U use the same sensor and therefore the low light capability?

You guys are making too much sense. I have been concerned about low light. It's really the only thing that has kept me debating between HDV and sd until now. My first wedding isn't until May, so I'll have some time to buy some of the other accessories before then. Hmmmmmm, decisions, decisions.

Thanks again,

Craig


MLiebergot
Veteran


Mar 21, 2006, 6:12 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1768 views)
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Re: [k0sov] Ready to take the plunge [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys!

krs, I am planning to buy an A1U, not the HC1. Does that change your opinion? Or does the HC1 and A1U use the same sensor and therefore the low light capability?

You guys are making too much sense. I have been concerned about low light. It's really the only thing that has kept me debating between HDV and sd until now. My first wedding isn't until May, so I'll have some time to buy some of the other accessories before then. Hmmmmmm, decisions, decisions.

Thanks again,

Craig
The A1U and HC1 share the same sensor, so low light will be the same. The A1U has additional features like black stretch, additional setting button, gamma graph, built in xlr, and more. There's no need for propriatary accessories like the HC1 (special sony light, mic etc. needed for hot shoe for HC1).
The A1 is a better bargain right now with the rebate, even with the price drop in the HC1 right now.

However, with all of that being said, the FX1 would still be a better first (main) camera. With the A1 being a fantastic 2nd or stealth cam.

Michael

Cameras: (3) Sony FX1, Canon HV20
Audio: Marantz PMD620, Edirol R44, ZoomH4N, ZoomH2, Sennhesier G2
Mics: Rode NT5, Rode NT3, Rode M3, Rode NTG2, Shure SM57, AT822
Software: Sony Vegas, Final Cut Studio
Computer: MAC BABY! MacPro, MacBook Pro