Camera Choices

[Noah Kadner]

Sony EX1, EX3.
Panasonic HVX200, HPX170 or HMC150.

Or Canon EOS 5DMarkII. Or wait until maybe this coming Fall and get a Scarlet.

-Noah

Writing RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color.
Now featuring the Lens Adapter Guidebook, Sony EX1 Guidebook,
DVD Studio Pro and How to Light Interviews.
https://www.callboxlive.com

[Steve Wargo]

The new JVC camera is the answer to what you’re looking for. See it at

https://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101851

For sports, you MUST have a shoulder mount camera. Those little hand held cameras are great for about 5 minutes. You need something that will rest on your shoulder and give you rock solid steady shots, that is if you can pull it off. Most shooters suck at hand held.

I have a rig that is a belt and a post that goes up to a mount that the camera sits on.

I have one made by Tiffen https://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=davissanford&itemnum=SSPROSI2

and another made by

Peter Lisand https://www.peterlisand.com/LCS.htm — You’ll want option 3.

Do not get a small camera and then a shoulder mount kit and then a bunch of crappy add-ons. Get a shoulder mount camera and a stabilizer like a professional camera owner, not a filmmaker wannabe.

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 .

[Craig Seeman]

There’s the CCD vs CMOS battle as well as 1/3″ vs 1/2″ chips. If DOF control is not important than the HM-700 might be the way to go.

You might want to look carefully at overcranking also if that’s important. Apparently the HM-700 does not record at the hight data rates the EX can even though it does overcrank.

There are apparently some good shoulder mounts for the EX series (and some crappy ones as well) but there seems to be no viable way to try before you buy.

[Chuck Farace]

Thanks, I have considered the new JVC, but I haven’t read too many positive posts on their Camera. I do prefer shoulder mount and attempted to purchase a reasonably priced used Panasonic HPX 500. A good amount of my work is on tripod but I do a fair amount of hand held too. I am decent w/hand held and have used a Canon XL for years.

[Chuck Farace]

Like I said previously, I haven’t heard much on the new JVC, I did find some reviewers suggest going with the Canon 14X lens over the Fujion 17X. I did rent the Sony EX1 last fall and did find it uncomfortable hand held. I do tripod mount and hand held too. What shoulder mounts are any good? Great images, had some rolling shutter when in 1080i. I found conversion to SD in FCP long. Maybe there is a better way to convert it now.

[Craig Seeman]

[Chuck Farace] “What shoulder mounts are any good?”
I don’t know but
https://www.redrockmicro.com/microShoulderMount/index.html
https://www.vortexmedia.com/SB_VSB1.html
https://www.antonbauer.com/Products/StasisFlex
https://www.dvtec.tv/id27.html
https://www.zacuto.com/ and pic https://philipbloom.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hvxnewsmanlg.jpg
https://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=cvp_shoulder_mount
https://varizoom.com/products/supports/vzdvmediarig.html

[Chuck Farace] “Great images, had some rolling shutter when in 1080i”
The shooting mode is not the cause of rolling shutter, it’s fast camera movement or full frame light flashes.

[Chuck Farace] “I found conversion to SD in FCP long.”
Doesn’t mean anything without specs and workflow.

[Chuck Farace]

Thanks for the response and links. I have heard conflicting information as to the rolling shutter. My original understanding was it was a side effect of CMOS sensors. But I have read some recent posts on here where guys said when they shot progressive it wasn’t an issue. I shoot sports so there will be quick movement. Another wish for sports is a longer lens, but most of the up to $8000 cameras from Panny and Sony are 13X or 14X lens. I have been reluctant to get involved with Canon and HDV even though they include 20X lenses. I realize there has to be some compromise vs budget while purchasing a camera that is reliable and produces good images and won’t become a obsolete too quickly. I keep finding the most endorsements for the EX series.

[Craig Seeman]

[Chuck Farace] “My original understanding was it was a side effect of CMOS sensors. But I have read some recent posts on here where guys said when they shot progressive it wasn’t an issue.”
Your first point is the correct one. Rolling shutter has to do how the chip is scanned and updated. Generally it’s most impacted by the speed at which you move the camera. People can shoot from 24p to 60i without issue.

For sports though 1080i60 or 720p60 will give you best temporal motion. That’s not about rolling shutter, it’s about avoiding motion judder which is not specific to EX.

When tracking a fast moving subject (race car, futbol player, etc) the subject will be fine but the background might skew a bit. That’s FAST moving though. Most people aren’t bothered by it at all though. Some feel it ads a subconscious dynamism to the shot. That it’s different than CCD does not make it bad at all.

[Steve Wargo]

the new Red Rock rig is really nice.

We own 2 EX-1s and I love them. And the EX-3 is even more functional and easy to use. But, if I were going to spend a lot of time with a camera on my shoulder, I would buy a shoulder mount camera. But, quite frankly, I would go with Sony XDCAM. That BluRay technology is the cat’s ass, for now.

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 .

[Chuck Farace]

Thanks Steve for the info. I would like a shoulder mount but how decent is the new JVC? I know the new HPX300 from Panasonic was a big disappointment. Everyone agrees the EX produces great images just a shame they didn’t do a better job with the ergonomics. My only other thought was to go and purchase a used Canon XHA1 for $2300 or so or Sony Z1U and wait it out and see what comes out over the next year. I have to get something within the next couple of months.