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Opinion – Best low-end professional camera
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I’d recommend the HPX170. I think the HPX250 will be a bit out of the price range with a 6000 price tag (i think). It won’t take long for you to go over budget with that camera. So I personally think the HPX170 would be perfect – not too expensive, leaves you with cash to buy 64GB P2 cards and batteries, records DVCProHD, SDI output if needed.
I wouldn’t recommend the AF-100. Sure, shallow DoF is nice, but not when you don’t have a monitor, or a camera assistant to pull focus, or aren’t working in a controlled situation. Personally, I’m sick of seeing videos filled with pointless rack focuses and a never ending search for focus. Sheesh.
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
We just ordered five of these https://philipbloom.net/2010/04/10/video-review-of-new-panasonic-hpx-370371/
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“…Sure, shallow DoF is nice, but not when you don’t have a monitor, or a camera assistant to pull focus…”
Actually, the AF100 is pretty easy to focus with the provided LCD and peaking features… a lot easier than the HPX500 with the histogram. I normally use a 7 inch monitor, but I have used the camera without an external LCD and have not had issues. If focus is an issue, there’s no rule that says you have to shoot wide open with a telephoto lens. 🙂
“..Personally, I’m sick of seeing videos filled with pointless rack focuses and a never ending search for focus. Sheesh…”
Not really camera’s fault though, is it? 🙂
Shawn
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They are for our sports truck, so we will be using every mm of that zoom. 😉 They were just under $7,000 for the package with a 17x Fuji lens.
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[Shawn Miller] “Not really camera’s fault though, is it? :-)”
Nope and that’s not what I was suggesting. It takes time and money to skillfully work with shallow DoF, in my opinion. Although, I suppose I shouldn’t assume the original poster isn’t willing to spend that time and money.
If you say the AF-100’s LCD is fine for focusing, though, I”ll have to take your word for it 🙂
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com -
[Shawn Miller] “Actually, the AF100 is pretty easy to focus with the provided LCD and peaking features… a lot easier than the HPX500 with the histogram”
DOF is beautiful but in real life is a pain.
Or you control everything (action, light) and you have the team and TIME to get what you want, or you may end up with a bunch of beautiful shot that you won’t be able to put together.
Before buying a camera, think about the kind of work and the conditions in which you work.
Being able to get better picture doesn’t make sense when you miss the best shoots.
rafael -
I was just in the same spot looking at gear for work. We were looking in the same price range, and have the same concerns as far as media are concerned. After a few days of research I landed at 2 Canon XF300s, a Canon XF100, and a GoPro as a crash camera. 4:2:2 50Mbps recording is a major attraction to the Canon XF line, and with the price and reliability of CF cards it was difficult to agree to anything else.
The other cameras that had my attention were the Panasonic HMC-150, the JVC HM700 series, and the Sony 7ZU. Here were my list of strong points the Canon had over those models:
HMC150 – The Canon does not record AVCHD, and has double the bitrate. The Canon (300) also has a lot more lens than the HMC150
HPX170 – P2 cards are expensive, and the same lens as the HMC150. I’m quite familiar with it, and while it isn’t bad, it leaves quite a bit to be desired.
HPX370 – More than we were willing to pay, and more bulk than we want to travel with.
HM700 – Much like P2 cards add dramatically to the cost of Panasonic cameras, the batteries added to the cost of the HM700. Again, more bulk than we want to travel with. The ProRes422 files are hard to say no to however.
7ZU – When you add the SxS cards the cost goes up quite a bit. -
“Nope and that’s not what I was suggesting. It takes time and money to skillfully work with shallow DoF”
Certainly… I guess that was my vague way of saying that poor shooting skills and lack of restraint by some people, shouldn’t influence the purchasing decision of a this camera. 😉
I think it’s worth keeping in mind that the the AF100’s sensor isn’t as large as most of the DSLR cameras, so DOF isn’t as shallow… that may be one reason it’s so easy to focus (IMO). If you get a chance, I highly recommend getting your hands on one a few hours… you might be surprised at how easy it is to control DOF and focus… or you might completely hate it. Either way, I think it’s worth checking out. 🙂
Shawn
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[Jeff Meyer] “After a few days of research I landed at 2 Canon XF300s, a Canon XF100, and a GoPro as a crash camera. 4:2:2 50Mbps recording is a major attraction to the Canon XF line”
Walter Biscardi had his hands on an XF305, which is basically the 300 with a few more features. His blog post might be of interest
https://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/2010/11/testing-the-canon-xf305-camera/
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
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[Shawn Miller] “poor shooting skills and lack of restraint by some people, shouldn’t influence the purchasing decision of a this camera”
Good point 🙂
Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com
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