HV20 better image than A1

[Michael Hackney]

I've read plenty of posts in lots of forums that say the image on the HV20 is better than that of it's older Pro sumer brothers. The only gripe people have is the lack of manual controls. However if the HV20 really does look sharper and cleaner, then I'm gonna say to hell with the much more expensive brothers, get a black magic card in the future and just stock up on a couple of HV20's. I mean after setting it up with a nice rig including something like a Brevis, this baby rocks. I mean paying 4-8k for other cams is too much, when I can get an HV20 with 35mm support and a full setup to boot.

[24Peter]

I've read plenty of posts in lots of forums that say the image on the HV20 is better than that of it's older Pro sumer brothers. The only gripe people have is the lack of manual controls. However if the HV20 really does look sharper and cleaner, then I'm gonna say to hell with the much more expensive brothers, get a black magic card in the future and just stock up on a couple of HV20's. I mean after setting it up with a nice rig including something like a Brevis, this baby rocks. I mean paying 4-8k for other cams is too much, when I can get an HV20 with 35mm support and a full setup to boot.

Well I was all about the Canon XH-A1 before the HV20 came out. Now it's not even on my radar. (I'd buy a second HV20 and a 35mm adapter first as you describe.) For me the only remaining sticking point is 24p editing/pulldown removal with the HV20. Once that's solved I'm in HV20 heaven (stay tuned for an update from me about contacting Canon on the flag issue later today or tomorrow.) (BTW - the 24F files from the A1 are output via firewire at 23.97 so there's no pulldown to remove.)

If I was doing more higher-end work for pay, then I might consider the A1 since full manual controls are essential for such work. But right now for my needs, the HV20 fits the bill.

[meni]

you'd still be missing the LANC, which means you can't sync. timecodes.

In addition, I assume that the poor build quality might also reflect on the tape transport and heads durability.

It's a great consumer camera - no doubt. But I wouldn't use it for the pro. market as it's got durability demands that the HV20 can't meet.

* See Nikon D80 vs. D200 for an example.

As for manual controls, when you got control over exposure (compensation and lock) in conjunction with the aparture and shutter priority, what else do you need ? (as for gain - assuming you wouldn't shoot under or over exposed films, you'd probably use the same gain as the camera automatically sets for you) = choose slow enough shutter speeds, and the camera will set it's gain lower.

[Pom16/10e]

the durability issue is easily solved : if it's broken, buy another !-)

[meni]

in that case, keep it in mind that it's a $2K camera, as per Merphy's law, it'll get broken just when you need it. Hopefully, your backup HV20 will be with you and not at home :)

[sajid]

$2k? Less than $1k...

As far as Murphys law is concerned, ive been using a TRV-17E for over 4 years, and it hasnt broken down once any time I've needed it. Considering this is double the price, I wouldnt think its a plastic toy either.