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Home: Video University Forums: HDV:
FX1 Accessories and other questions

lmshaft
New User

Mar 27, 2006, 11:42 PM

Post #1 of 12 (2930 views)
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FX1 Accessories and other questions	Can't Post

I'm just now getting back into videography as of late and I'm down to two cameras on my purchase list: the Sony FX1 or the Canon XL2. I will primarily be shooting wedding video with a small possibility of video for law firms.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think are the must-have accessories for the FX1. Right now, I'm planning on getting a hard case, an extra battery or two and a mic.

Regarding audio, what microphone do you normally use with the FX1? The built-in mic or a specific external mic? The Sony mics recommended for the FX1 on Amazon.com received poor reviews, so I was interested in finding out about the quality of the built-in mic audio (compared to $500-$1000 lower end cameras and compared to higher end cameras). Are there any quality wireless mics that do not use XLR plugs that work on the FX1?

I'm also still not clear on what would occur if I recorded with the FX1 in HDV and played back the footage via FireWire to my set-top Panasonic DMR-ES40V DVD burner. Would it just show up as 16x9 video with letterboxing (similar to Conan O'Brien and SNL, which I believe now both shoot in HD but letterbox the picture)?

Does Sony Vegas MovieStudio + DVD Platinum truly handle HDV or do you need one of the more expensive versions of Vegas?

Any opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if these questions have already been asked or if I overlooked the answers in the Stickies. If I don't know what I'm talking about (which is always a possibility), please correct me.

KevinShaw
Veteran

Mar 28, 2006, 1:53 PM

Post #2 of 12 (2882 views)
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Re: [lmshaft] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

First off, I'd say you've identified two good camera choices for this point in time. The XL2 is a safer choice for now if you don't think you'll have clients who care about HD output, but that's likely to change so the FX1 is arguably a more "future proof" investment. Either one would be a fine choice within the limitations of what each can do.

As far as accessories for the FX1, start with the Sony FP-970 battery. This fits nicely on the FX1 and will allow you to shoot for several hours without swapping batteries, which is enough for all of most weddings. Then just keep the original battery charged as an emergency backup and you're good to go.

For professional videography it's generally better not to use any in-camera microphone, as those tend to pick up at least some noise from the camera itself. I use my FX1s with Beachtek XLR adapters which mount on the bottom of the camera, allowing me to attach a shotgun microphone on one channel for ambient sound and a wireless microphone on the other for placing on a groom or other suitable subject. I use a "Mini Rover" bracket to attach the shotgun mic and a "Bracket1" for attaching the wireless receiver. By the time I've got all that on there the darn thing is pretty heavy, but it's still well enough balanced to hand hold for a few minutes.

To get the best video you should invest in a sturdy tripod, preferably in a black finish to be less obtrusive. You'll also need a smooth "fluid pan" head: many videographers use the Bogen 501.

And don't forget to buy an on-camera light for situations where the ambient lighting isn't sufficient, which is a must for shooting HDV in dark settings and nearly as important with the XL2. I'd recommend something like the Bescor AK7 dimmer light kit: I don't use this particular model but I have other Bescor lights I've been happy with.

As far as your standalone DVD burner is concerned, you'll have to test that to see how it works with output from the FX1. You may have to connect via RCA cables and output as letterboxed 4x3 from the FX1 to get that to work.

Vegas Movie Studio might work for HDV editing but is relatively limited in terms of features and will probably be sluggish on anything less than a good dual processor computer. Lots of discussions around here on what editing software to use, plus you can download trial versions and see for youself what you like before you buy.

clock
Veteran

Mar 28, 2006, 3:18 PM

Post #3 of 12 (2876 views)
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Re: [lmshaft] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I'm just now getting back into videography as of late and I'm down to two cameras on my purchase list: the Sony FX1 or the Canon XL2. I will primarily be shooting wedding video with a small possibility of video for law firms.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think are the must-have accessories for the FX1. Right now, I'm planning on getting a hard case, an extra battery or two and a mic.

A good place to start to protect your investment

Regarding audio, what microphone do you normally use with the FX1? The built-in mic or a specific external mic? The Sony mics recommended for the FX1 on Amazon.com received poor reviews, so I was interested in finding out about the quality of the built-in mic audio (compared to $500-$1000 lower end cameras and compared to higher end cameras). Are there any quality wireless mics that do not use XLR plugs that work on the FX1?

I would seriously consider a Beachtek adapter to allow you to use the more pro mic's. The Audio Technica AT897 or Sennheiser ME66 are good options to start with. Another one to consider is the Rode which doesn't need an adapter.

I'm also still not clear on what would occur if I recorded with the FX1 in HDV and played back the footage via FireWire to my set-top Panasonic DMR-ES40V DVD burner. Would it just show up as 16x9 video with letterboxing (similar to Conan O'Brien and SNL, which I believe now both shoot in HD but letterbox the picture)?

Does Sony Vegas MovieStudio + DVD Platinum truly handle HDV or do you need one of the more expensive versions of Vegas?

If you are going for the FX1, spend the extra few $$ and go for the full version of Vegas. VMS doesn't allow you to change encoding settings for Mpeg2 - which is what you would use for DVD delivery.

Any opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if these questions have already been asked or if I overlooked the answers in the Stickies. If I don't know what I'm talking about (which is always a possibility), please correct me.

Cheers

Jeremy

SUCCESS comes before WORK only in the dictionary

rmw
Novice

Mar 28, 2006, 7:34 PM

Post #4 of 12 (2854 views)
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Re: [lmshaft] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you want to replace the onboard mic with an on-camera shotgun mic, without using an XLR adapter, you might want to look at the Rode VideoMic. To playback an HDV recording made with your FX1, to record it onto DVD with a DVD recorder (with firewire input), you would need to set the camera to downconvert the signal to DV to send out the firewire. If the DVD is recorded correctly and played back correctly, it will display on the full screen of a widescreen television and letterboxed on a standard 4:3 television.

Robert M Wright

lmshaft
New User

Mar 28, 2006, 8:47 PM

Post #5 of 12 (2843 views)
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Re: [rmw] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for all of the feedback. These are definitely the types of opinions and suggestions I was interested in hearing. Much appreciated! I'll have to start looking up some of the accessories mentioned and see if I can find some money to make all of the purchases.

Lou Bruno
User

Mar 31, 2006, 10:15 PM

Post #6 of 12 (2734 views)
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Re: [lmshaft] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

In regards to a microphone, I purchased the new RODE VIDEOMIC....it is awesome!!!! And not that expensive.

LOU BRUNO

relanusa
Novice

Apr 5, 2006, 11:39 AM

Post #7 of 12 (2687 views)
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Re: [Lou Bruno] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not to hijack the thread but I am in the market for a new boom mic and was using the sennheiser mke300. I need something better and in your opinion is the Rode VideoMic better that the sennheiser or are there any other options?

Thanks

Lou Bruno
User

Apr 5, 2006, 1:05 PM

Post #8 of 12 (2680 views)
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Re: [relanusa] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

No it is not. But for the money, it is excellent. It has a mini stereo jack but it is MONO.

videobear
Veteran

Apr 5, 2006, 1:07 PM

Post #9 of 12 (2679 views)
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Re: [Lou Bruno] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Most microphones are mono, including both the Rode and the Sennheiser.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

chriswatson
Veteran

Apr 7, 2006, 2:24 PM

Post #10 of 12 (2604 views)
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Re: [lmshaft] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just picked up a Spiderbrace 2 for my FX1. Will give you a rundown on how it performed after my wedding tommorow.

Chris Watson
Watson Videography

David L
User

Apr 7, 2006, 5:49 PM

Post #11 of 12 (2588 views)
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Re: [chriswatson] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Chris: why did you buy that model instead of the SpiderBrace minirig?

chriswatson
Veteran

Apr 9, 2006, 2:54 AM

Post #12 of 12 (2551 views)
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Re: [David L] FX1 Accessories and other questions [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well I like the idea of two handles in the front and the ability to set it down when I needed to. The pic on the site looks like it only has two arms instead of three. Anyway, I used the thing tonight and it worked really well. It really needs a lens controller like a varizoom to be perfect but I was able to access manual controls with not too much trouble while keeping the camera steady. Over-all I was happy with the product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a shoulder brace for the FX1 which is really needed for a cam like this.

Chris Watson
Watson Videography
www.dynamovideo.com