Just Bought Two Sony V1U's

[notlad]

My fascination and amazement with the HD quality from my HV20 finally motivated me to put my years of video production experience in my past to use.

After months of research I have bit the bullet and stated putting together a part time Wedding Videography business to do on weekends.

I have just purchased $11,000 worth of equipment for this venture with more than half of that being dedicated to the purchase of two 3 chip HDV cameras, the Sony HVR V1U.

I am still loving my Canon HV20 though and it will remain as part of my arsenal as a possible second cam on a stabilizer for receptions and most definitely for my personal videotaping of vacatoins, etc.

After a few months with the HV20 my conclusions are that it is an amazing piece of equipment for the money. Other than being a single chip camera and having no LANC control if one has the time and patience there are enough adjustments in the menu for everybody from the casual home videographer to the aspiring student filmmaker.

I am looking forward to actual buttons on the camera for some of these controls as the menu system for changing settings seems cumbersome and not very intuitive to an old geezer like myself! What I would have given to have had a camera like this when I was young!

[mbwkrause]

What made you decide against the A1?

[notlad]

I assume you mean the Canon XHA1 and not the single chip Sony A1?

The main reason was the HDMI output on the Sony. I believe over the next year or two we will see further developments along the lines of the Black Magic card that will make having that HDMI output very important.

I was also told by a Sony factory rep at a recent exhibit that the new Memory Recording Unit that attaches to the new Z7 and records HDV onto CF cards will be sold serperately for use with the V1U and other Sony cameras with firewire.

It also seemed from my research that most people find the Sony's controls easier and more intuitive.

Last but not least in my research it seemed like the build quality of the Sony's is better, that they are more durable.

Having said all of that if the Canon had the HDMI outputs I probably would have bought two of them instead because of the 1/3 vs 1/4 sensors.

Price between them was almost a wash. In the past I believe the Sony was higher but now I actually paid (after the rebate was considered) about $150 less for each V1U than I would have the XHA1.

[mbwkrause]

Yup, I meant the Canon XH-A1. Interesting thinking, thanks. The Sony recording unit for the Z7 works with the Canon too, btw.

[notlad]

I think they are both great cameras for the money. What I really wanted was the Sony Z7 with the 1/3 sensors and MRU along with the tape mechanism but it cost almost double what I paid for the V1U and out of my budget.

I think if Canon didn't want such a premium for the XHG1 that would have been a good choice for me. I would have paid $500 more than for the Sony V1U for it but not $2000+

[markone]

Notlad: I own a Sony V1-U, and the picture quality is stuning, the menu is deep and the settings are numerous, you can dial in any look you want... however the low light capability is not stellar, a dark reception or a low light wedding might give you problems.. I use mine in controled lighting conditions, 250w, 500w and 1K lights with softboxes and it looks great, but a run and gun wedding with a small on camera light might not give you the best results.

Mark Carey
www.markoneHD.com

[notlad]

Mark,

I agree with your assessment. I had to make some compromises and within my budget I felt like this was the best camera duo I could do.

If my new part time biz is successful then there is a good chance that in a year or so I might be able to upgrade to the Sony Z7 or the new Panny HMC-150 if it turns out to have good low light capability. I got the two V1's for about what one Z7 would have cost but I was pleasantly surprised to see that at the NAB going on now they have announced that the Panny HMC-150 will be in the $4500 list range which means a lower street price. At around 23 mbs it is the first AVCHD prosumer camera that has caused me serious interest.