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Home: Video University Forums: HDV:
**Low Light Comparison** XH A1, FX1, VX2000

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observerXP
Veteran

Jan 1, 2007, 6:12 AM

Post #1 of 41 (5287 views)
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Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000	Can't Post

Which one do you prefer? Wink

**1/30 sec, 12dB**

XH A1

FX1

VX2000

I'm now relieved about my new purchase. Smile

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

(This post was edited by observerXP on Jan 1, 2007, 6:15 AM)

JC/DV
Veteran

Jan 1, 2007, 7:31 PM

Post #2 of 41 (5226 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

A1 definitely.

BTW, are you going to change your username to observerVISTA? Wink

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.

Christopher
User

Jan 1, 2007, 9:32 PM

Post #3 of 41 (5220 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very impressed with the A1. Thanks for posting these pics! Smile

---
FX1, HC1, iMac G5, Final Cut Studio
The Signal - in theaters October 23, 2007

observerXP
Veteran

Jan 3, 2007, 1:34 PM

Post #4 of 41 (5166 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

A1 definitely.

BTW, are you going to change your username to observerVISTA? Wink

Yeah, I'll do that once I upgrade my OS. Wink

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

eppievojt
User

Jan 4, 2007, 9:05 PM

Post #5 of 41 (5140 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is the aperture the same on these shots? The A1 has a wider lens, right? That could account for some of the difference between the A1 and FX1. A1 has more noticeable gain as well. Still, looks like a very nice cam.

observerXP
Veteran

Jan 5, 2007, 1:34 AM

Post #6 of 41 (5131 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

"Is the aperture the same on these shots?"

Yeah, F1.6 on all 3 cams.

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

Scott S
Veteran

Jan 6, 2007, 8:40 AM

Post #7 of 41 (5102 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi,

My only concern with a matched gain comparison is that all gain is not created equal. I would love see a comparison with the FX1 set to 15db of gain and the XH A1 set to whatever it's highest setting with out grain. My experience is that 15db with the fx1 is very clean so I have no qualms about using it. Lets see how much gain you can get out of the XH A1 before grain is introduced then compare that with the FX1 at 15db to see how they fare against one another in low light.

Just my suggestion.

Thanks for testing what you have so far.

Cheers,
Scott

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 1:01 PM

Post #8 of 41 (4891 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

1/30th... the A1 is cheating! Tongue

How's it look at 1/60th like the other cams?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

observerXP
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 4:04 PM

Post #9 of 41 (4866 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Glenn,

It's F1.6, 1/30 sec. with +12dB on "all 3 cams." Smile

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

(This post was edited by observerXP on Jan 19, 2007, 4:07 PM)

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 4:19 PM

Post #10 of 41 (4863 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

So according to your results the A1 is better in low light than the VX? Crazy

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

observerXP
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 4:30 PM

Post #11 of 41 (4857 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, the A1 is better than the VX2000.

But at "full" telephoto zoom, the VX2000 is better (F2.4 vs. F3.5).

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

videobear
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 5:01 PM

Post #12 of 41 (4850 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

But is that fair? Full telephoto for the VX is 12X, but 20X for the A1.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

observerXP
Veteran

Jan 19, 2007, 8:30 PM

Post #13 of 41 (4839 views)
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Re: [videobear] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, you're right about that. Smile

FX1, DVC30, XH A1, VX2000

Nikon D50, SB-600, Nikkor 18-55, Tamron 28-75
Nikon FM2, Nikkor 50mm F1.4

Daniel
Veteran

Feb 8, 2007, 5:22 AM

Post #14 of 41 (4638 views)
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Re: [Scott S] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Scotts right XP..i have had both the FX and the A1..and the A1 at anything over 12db is unusably grainy...but the FX can go up to 18db with little grain at all.

cnc
User

Feb 12, 2007, 1:48 PM

Post #15 of 41 (4572 views)
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Re: [Daniel] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's such a tricky thing. I really wish there was a clear-cut winner. I shoot with Z1U's and although I'm happy with it for the most part, I do think the VX2000s we used to use were better in low light. I just couldn't handle the limitations of editing in DV.

I like the photo button on the A1 but I've heard the same grain issue that was mentioned.

Does the A1 do 24p? I can't remember. That is the only thing I really with the Z1U had...and no, I'm not happy with cineframe mode... Crazy

Bruce Patterson
Cloud Nine Creative Inc. | Cloud Nine Blog | WedLuxe Magazine

szerangue
Veteran

Feb 13, 2007, 12:06 PM

Post #16 of 41 (4531 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Even though the FX1 is a bit darker, the resolution is better... look at the details... look at the picture frame above the TV... I think the FX1 won out on this comparison
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

videobear
Veteran

Feb 13, 2007, 2:12 PM

Post #17 of 41 (4525 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have to disagree, Shane. I took both the XH-A1 and the FX1 images and added brightness and contrast to maximize visibility of the room, and let the TV image blow out. The A1 required much less processing to reach the same level of brightness, and exhibited much less noise. When both images were processed the same amount, the amount of noise was roughly similar, but the A1's image was much brighter.

Aside from the video noise, resolution seems to be about the same to me. But we can't tell much about that, since the posted images are not full resolution.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

marco
User

Feb 17, 2007, 11:39 AM

Post #18 of 41 (4452 views)
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Re: [observerXP] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Where are the pictures? I would really like to see the comparisons. I'm looking to upgrade my PD150 and two VX2000 but am very very hesitant about the low light issues with the HD cameras. I don't use a light.

Thank You

Jenny & Marco
http://www.canafilms.com

videobear
Veteran

Feb 17, 2007, 1:36 PM

Post #19 of 41 (4445 views)
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Re: [marco] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

See the start of this thread.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

marco
User

Feb 17, 2007, 1:42 PM

Post #20 of 41 (4443 views)
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Re: [videobear] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Under the names of the cameras I see a small box with a question mark in it?????
Am I missing something?

Thanks

Jenny & Marco
http://www.canafilms.com

GmElliott
Veteran

Feb 17, 2007, 1:55 PM

Post #21 of 41 (4441 views)
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Re: [marco] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Am I missing something?

Yes....the pictures. They are gone.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

videobear
Veteran

Feb 17, 2007, 3:49 PM

Post #22 of 41 (4432 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yup. Observer must've moved 'em or taken 'em down.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

renniedj
User

Feb 18, 2007, 6:02 PM

Post #23 of 41 (4390 views)
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Re: [marco] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Then don't go HD, they all require light. The best they currently muster is 4 lux.

Thanks,

David Rennie

Trinity Wedding Video

GmElliott
Veteran

Feb 18, 2007, 7:46 PM

Post #24 of 41 (4388 views)
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Re: [marco] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Oh yeah, you'll most definitely have to use a light unless you want to be pinned at a noisy 18db shooting at 30fps or less. Crazy

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Laura K
Veteran

Feb 25, 2007, 5:20 PM

Post #25 of 41 (4209 views)
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Re: [renniedj] Low Light Comparison XH A1, FX1, VX2000 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Really?

The Z1 has a rating of 2 and the FX1 has a rating of 3
in every ad and information source I can see. The PD170 is
a 1. The 2100 rated at a 1. So...what is the big deal?

The low light discussion is really kinda null and void with HD.
You have to have it pretty dark to get a crappy picture.
Unless you are in the dark, you won't have a problem.
Educate your brides on lighting and you won't have a problem.
If you tell them when it's dark you get dark footage
then they expect it, no problem.

L

"... it seems that if you're passionate about something, it freaks people out. You're considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are." - director Tim Burton

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

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