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Outgrown the HVX-200
We shoot a lot of green-screen footage originally using a Digital Betacam camera. With a limited budget and a pressing need to move to HD (for various reasons) we purchased the HVX. Unfortunately it has been a bit of a disappointment for keying which is understandable due to the limitations of a sub-$8000 HD camera. I know many here have glowing reports of the HVX, even for chroma-key work, but for us the end results aren’t meeting expectations.
That said, what are suggestions for a camera that will be used as the primary HD studio camera, with very low video noise to be used mostly for keying in the $20k – $30k range? I don’t want to open a debate on what’s the “best” camera or the merits and problems of the HVX. I’m just looking for opinions from those of you with experience with using higher-end HD cameras. Thanks all!
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6 Replies
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Can you give us a few more details on what your big picture is? Do you need to go to tape or can you cable to a computer?
The Sony EX-1 ($6500) has a full raster 1/2″ chipset and has an HD-SDI port to run straight to a computer. You can save the files you want and can the rest and store the originals.
The Iconix is $16k and gets high marks from the reviewers.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1. -
We do not own any HD decks and would like to remain a tapeless HD facility unless the camera we choose dictates otherwise. All of the video we create is posted through Final Cut or After Effects CS3.
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I mentioned the EX-1. It throws 1920×1080 HD out of the SDI port. It DOES NOT push 24P out of that port though, without pulldown inserted.
If that is too light, look at the ICONIX camera head. Lenses are limited but the camera portion is quite impressive. https://www.iconixvideo.com/index.html
Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1. -
If you have to stay tapeless you might want to look at the Panasonic HPX 2000 or Red.
Rick Amundson
Producer/Director/DP
Screenscape Studios
Bravo Romeo Entertainment
http://www.screenscapestudios.com
http://www.bravoromeo.com
http://www.indeliblemovie.com -
It sounds to me that you need better people who know how to key, and can do it better than your average joe. I can key, using AE and FC but when people who do only that have done it for jobs Ive had, big difference…
Great keying, depends on precise, lighting, exposure, shooting. Yes the best color rendition, 4:2:2, or 4:4:4 even better. But aside from the HVX, xdcams, HDcams, beta, varis etc..sonys, panasonic, Red etc… it all boils down to returning to the basics. Precise lighting, accurate exposures, and right shooting.The DVCPRO HD format, does very well, yes the bigger chips etc, will perform better. So Sony HDcams, and Panasonic HD, and the venerable Varis can do better. But you will spend 80-100k between the camera’s lenses, not to mention decks etc.. Unless of course you rent. Just my thought, I dont know everything definately, but do know, that there is no substitute for the basics..
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$ 30K doesn’t get much in the Red marketplace unless you buy into that pathetic $ 17.5k number that they are trying to sell.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1 HD .
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