I'm torn :) Looking for a camcorder. HDV or AVCHD?

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Yeah I'm torn on that... followed by a Tiffin Steadicam, but the Scarlet is out soon-ish, so I don't know if either is worth getting if I'm just going to do a Scarlet and have different weight & size requirements.

You could consider a Merlin. Unless you are running full sized cameras, can justify the cost of a rig that cost as much as the camera, and use it a lot, a Merlin might work. And it does not require a whole new set of hard cases to move it. I have some clips done with a Glidecam 2000 on my site (I will PM you with a link). The biggest thing about it is that it will take about 20-40 hours of use to get competant with it. You will shoot good stuff in the first hour though.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: Kaido
Yeah I'm torn on that... followed by a Tiffin Steadicam, but the Scarlet is out soon-ish, so I don't know if either is worth getting if I'm just going to do a Scarlet and have different weight & size requirements.

You could consider a Merlin. Unless you are running full sized cameras, can justify the cost of a rig that cost as much as the camera, and use it a lot, a Merlin might work. And it does not require a whole new set of hard cases to move it. I have some clips done with a Glidecam 2000 on my site (I will PM you with a link). The biggest thing about it is that it will take about 20-40 hours of use to get competant with it. You will shoot good stuff in the first hour though.

Yeah, I had the Pilot in mind for my HV20 and my Tiffen training video actually just showed up last week. But it'd be a waste if I end up going with a Scarlet and it doesn't fit, weight-wise. I have a couple projects I'd like to do over the next 2 years, so I'm hoping the Scarlet makes a good debut - I'd love to do an all-digital 3K project 😀

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: randomlinh
isn't there a homemade type EF adapter you can build? I can't remember the name of it for the life of me though.. I reallly considered getting an HV20/30 just to do all that, but realized I don't think I could manage MF on these things, heh

Yeah but the picture quality isn't "perfect" like the Brevis35 is. The Brevis35 is the best 35mm adapter on the market, followed by Redrock and Letus. From there, there are homebrew solutions for-sale, then DIY homebrew solutions. There is a BIG difference in quality between them - they all give the same effect, but with different "consequences" to your picture, such as more light loss, vigenetting, dust (if it's a non-vibrating adapter), wobbly picture, etc.

Cinevate, the makers of the Brevis35, also have a whole bunch of other killer products now, including a dolly, a slider rig, a cage, a follow focus, rails, and a mattebox system. If I had $10 or $15k to drop, it'd all go into Cinevate equipment with a set of their Zeiss prime lenses 😀

yeah, but those "others" cost a whole lot less, heh. I was hoping the entry RED Scarlet would be cheaper, but oh well. Nothing I can't live w/o for a while until I figure out what I want to do, hahaa

Yeah but the whole point is picture quality. Why spend $300 on something that gives you dark edges, dust spots, and a low-lit picture instead of just saving up for the good stuff?

cause it'll work, the samples I've seen don't look that bad for $300. It's not like I'm looking into production values, heh. really just a toy =)

 

[francisA]

Thanks all for the insights. I've been reading and reading till my eyes fell off. In the end, I decided on the the HV30 but ............................
And it's a big but. After a hard-fought fight 😉 the wife likes an SDHC-based camcorder instead. It's mainly going to be hers so she's got a say 🙂 Said that after 3-6months, i'll want to get one anyways {she's partly right} and she doesn't want to increase inventory of tapes 🙁 Oh well ........... Some things you win, most you can't 😉 So we might end up getting the HF100 or maybe the HF11 but am holding back on the latter as it's $130 more, not sure if that's worth the difference.

Bottom line, wife wanted an easy way for her and my kids to view the videos themselves even with me not being around. They can use the bundles software to copy the video files back to any SDHC card and let the HF100 playback via the mini-HDMI. This means I get to buy a new toy too, 1 or 2 1TB storage and possibly a blue-ray burner 🙂

We are going on a 7-night cruise in 2 weeks and was or am hoping to get the camcorder before then. Planning on getting at least 2 16GB sdhc's for 4hrs of FXP shooting (or maybe even 3). Only problem now is how I dump those footages while on-the-go. May need to tag along my laptop and an external HDD or an external USB DL DVD-writer 🙂

I've noted down the other items that I may need to begin with, i.e. filters, bag, batteries/charger (ebay?). May have to get the tripod at a later date but the Velbon looks the business. Too bad my Sennheiser ME66/K6 is a little too big for these new camcorders 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: francisA
Thanks all for the insights. I've been reading and reading till my eyes fell off. In the end, I decided on the the HV30 but ............................
And it's a big but. After a hard-fought fight 😉 the wife likes an SDHC-based camcorder instead. It's mainly going to be hers so she's got a say 🙂 Said that after 3-6months, i'll want to get one anyways {she's partly right} and she doesn't want to increase inventory of tapes 🙁 Oh well ........... Some things you win, most you can't 😉 So we might end up getting the HF100 or maybe the HF11 but am holding back on the latter as it's $130 more, not sure if that's worth the difference.

Bottom line, wife wanted an easy way for her and my kids to view the videos themselves even with me not being around. They can use the bundles software to copy the video files back to any SDHC card and let the HF100 playback via the mini-HDMI. This means I get to buy a new toy too, 1 or 2 1TB storage and possibly a blue-ray burner 🙂

We are going on a 7-night cruise in 2 weeks and was or am hoping to get the camcorder before then. Planning on getting at least 2 16GB sdhc's for 4hrs of FXP shooting (or maybe even 3). Only problem now is how I dump those footages while on-the-go. May need to tag along my laptop and an external HDD or an external USB DL DVD-writer 🙂

I've noted down the other items that I may need to begin with, i.e. filters, bag, batteries/charger (ebay?). May have to get the tripod at a later date but the Velbon looks the business. Too bad my Sennheiser ME66/K6 is a little too big for these new camcorders 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hey, gotta play politics if you want to move your agenda forward 😉

The HF100 is an excellent camera. If you want something a bit simplier for everyone, get the Vado HD. I've been keeping an eye on it as more reviews come out, and it really looks like the best pocket HD cam available. Under $300, not complicated, and has a wide-angle lens. That and a Gorillapod...and you're set! 🙂

If you're going to go with the HF100, get your memory cards, some cheap eBay batteries with the car kit (like $20 or so), and a UV filter at minimum. A Gorillapod goes great with the HF100 as well.

 

[theblackbox]

i just picked up the new hf s10, and gave up my old hv20.

the workflow for 24p isn't that bad, do you use cinema tools?

i really like the new camera, a BIG improvement over the rest of the canon lineup.