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Home: Inactive Forums: Underwater Video:
Wanted - Your opinion on cameras

X-Kelly_K
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Mar 20, 2004, 11:06 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1591 views)
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Wanted - Your opinion on cameras	Can't Post

Greetings all,
I've been shooting lots on my Hi8 w/Ikelite housing and want to make the leap to a 3 CCD Camera. I've been researching but I would like the opinion of those with more experience than I. My goal is to do instructional dive video and put a dive show on our local cable channel.
I'm leaning towards finding a used VX1000 but is it better to make the leap to the VX2000? Or is the TRV 950 a better choice? A buddy of mine likes the Canon GL2 and says it's the way to go.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Cheers!

X-Kent_Cedola
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Mar 20, 2004, 10:16 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1590 views)
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Re: Wanted - Your opinion on cameras	Can't Post

Sort of like asking about the "best" car to buy, it really depends on a number of factors.
I just completed my own research on an UW video setup and decided to go with the Sony VX-2100 due to its low light abilities (1 lux with 1/3" CCDs). I dive up in the North West and light is a big issue. The GL2 is 6 lux with smaller 1/4" CCDs.
The Sony TRV-950 is smaller and cheaper than the VX-2100 or GL2. If cost and/or size is an issue for you.
Would be worth reading http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/bhshootoff_3chip_group.htm
- Kent

: Greetings all,
: I've been shooting lots on my Hi8 w/Ikelite housing and want to make the leap to a 3 CCD Camera. I've been researching but I would like the opinion of those with more experience than I. My goal is to do instructional dive video and put a dive show on our local cable channel.
: I'm leaning towards finding a used VX1000 but is it better to make the leap to the VX2000? Or is the TRV 950 a better choice? A buddy of mine likes the Canon GL2 and says it's the way to go.
: Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Cheers!

X-Ray_Izumi
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Mar 23, 2004, 4:20 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1591 views)
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Re: Wanted - Your opinion on cameras [In reply to]	Can't Post

You might want to consider going HiDef. Panasonic and JVC both have consumer models out right now in the $3000 range. Even better, wait for NAB next month and take a look at the new Sony HiDef models. If you will ever want to sell your footage, then HiDef is really the way to go.
You may not think hi def is up to speed yet, but you'd be wrong - it's here now and will blow everything else out of the water within two years, just like DVD did.
Ray
: Greetings all,
: I've been shooting lots on my Hi8 w/Ikelite housing and want to make the leap to a 3 CCD Camera. I've been researching but I would like the opinion of those with more experience than I. My goal is to do instructional dive video and put a dive show on our local cable channel.
: I'm leaning towards finding a used VX1000 but is it better to make the leap to the VX2000? Or is the TRV 950 a better choice? A buddy of mine likes the Canon GL2 and says it's the way to go.
: Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Cheers!

X-scubadrew
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Mar 24, 2004, 2:18 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1590 views)
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Pana HDV? Which model? When did they release it? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ray
When did Pana release a HDV consumer model? Any specs?

X-Ray_Izumi
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Mar 26, 2004, 2:12 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1591 views)
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Re: Pana HDV? Which model? When did they release it? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here's a little from dv.com. If you do a web search you'll find tons of info on this camera.
Pros: High-quality pictures and very clean audio. Good lens with decent wide-angle view. Highly tweakable configuration and image rendering. True progressive 24p and 30p capture. Focus and zoom readouts. Synchro-scan. Control of external recorders.
Cons: Zoom ring too sensitive for slow zooms and smooth eases. No gain-up in progressive modes. High chroma noise in high-gain shooting. Subtle saturation patterning.
Bottom Line The Panasonic AG-DVX100 gives other cameras in its class a run for their money even before you consider that it offers true 24p. This groundbreaking camera opens new vistas for production like nothing else since the Sony DCR-VX1000 and the Canon XL1.
: Ray
: When did Pana release a HDV consumer model? Any specs?

X-Kent_Cedola
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Mar 26, 2004, 4:17 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1591 views)
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Re: Pana HDV? Which model? When did they release it? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The AG-DVX100 is not HD. A quote from a review on http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/panasonic_agdvx100_camcorder_review.htm
"Now let's talk 16:9. I heard this cam had 16:9 native CCDs but that was a rumor. It doesn't. It's simply the same special effect used by many lowend cams to get the appearance of Widescreen 16:9. To get this effect you simple select "Letterbox" mode. This is in the menu functions. The quality of the image you get is still impressive. If you want real 16:9 you have to add an adapter. I'd probably use the fake mode because I'm not going to film but it's up to you."

: Here's a little from dv.com. If you do a web search you'll find tons of info on this camera.
: Pros: High-quality pictures and very clean audio. Good lens with decent wide-angle view. Highly tweakable configuration and image rendering. True progressive 24p and 30p capture. Focus and zoom readouts. Synchro-scan. Control of external recorders.
: Cons: Zoom ring too sensitive for slow zooms and smooth eases. No gain-up in progressive modes. High chroma noise in high-gain shooting. Subtle saturation patterning.
: Bottom Line The Panasonic AG-DVX100 gives other cameras in its class a run for their money even before you consider that it offers true 24p. This groundbreaking camera opens new vistas for production like nothing else since the Sony DCR-VX1000 and the Canon XL1.
: : Ray
: : When did Pana release a HDV consumer model? Any specs?

X-scubadrew
Imported Account

Mar 26, 2004, 7:29 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1590 views)
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Ah ok just prog scan DV...whew+ [In reply to]	Can't Post

The DVX100/a (which I had for awhile) shoots progressive scan DV at 24fps and
29.97fps or 480P, not HiDef Vid at 720P,1080i and 1080P. It is also still a 4:3(5:4
PAL) aspect ratio standard definition camera.
It's a nice rig with good color and saturation with a very slight softer pic than Sony.
However only the SeaLux housing is worth mentioning for u/w housings u/w and
there's no real superWA lens available. There's no lanc so basic features only. The
low light is good and with prog scan, macro with light jumps out alive! But you can
do that in post with similar results with Magic Bullet (a de-interlacer) and a fast
computer.
I threw it out as a topside camera based on the fact that you had no gain control in
prog scan and 24P is achievable by shooting PAL at 25fps and color converting and
dropping 1 frame, you get 24P with the low light ability of the PD170. 24P is also
useless unless you are doing a transfer to film or trying to achieve a film look on
video to DVD etc. There's still be a 3:2 effect when played on SD tv which cannot
handle 24P.

X-scubadrew
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Mar 26, 2004, 7:45 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1590 views)
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Electronic 16:9 anamorphic is still only barely acceptable+ [In reply to]	Can't Post

The loss of vertical resolution is quite noticeable. 16:9 is not about transferring to
film but Robin(the reviewer) probably doesn't understand that 16:9 HDTV is going to
be the broadcast norm in a few more years.
I'll wait for the Sony HDV or a camera with native 16:9 CCDs. Not sure if HDV is still
the way to go with the editing problems of interframe video. Hopefully someone has
an elegant solution that does not force you to have to go to DVHS.