Fx7 vs. HV40
Back in January, I sold my basically brand-new HV40 for the Fx7, because I stupidly thought the fx7 would be much better. After a few months of using the fx7, I'm pretty unhappy with it, I don't like the look of video that sony produces. I'm thinking of now selling my Fx7 in order to buy an HV40 again, because I really miss it. Any suggestions as to whether I should do this or not (yes I know I'm an idiot for selling my hv40 in the first place).
Yeah, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Did you play around with image settings on the Sony? It is easier to get a decent picture out of a consumer cam than prosumer model....
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Yeah, I've messed around with everything, I just still don't like it.
The Sony FX7 only has a 1/4" one megapixel sensor. That means it does an up-rez to create the image and because of the 1/4" it has a harder time with low light. These two items tend to make it soft and grainy at inopportune times.
My choices at the $2k price point would probably be the HMC40 (full raster 1920x1080 sensor and file storage so its sharp, sharp, sharp). Unfortunately its also a 1/4" sensor so low light isn't great and its hard (if not impossible) to control DOF with it.
I like and still use my HV20, but my number one choice would be a used XH-A1 for that price. First, its CCD not CMOS so almost no skew or jello. Second, its a 1/3" sensor with a big lens for good low light characteristics.
Third, it has all the manual controls you could desire, most particularly gain control and picture profiles. Fourth, it has a 20x zoom, not 10x or 12x. That, along with the bigger sensor, helps with DOF control.
The A1 was originally introduced as a pro camera, though it is now considered prosumer. Mastering the controls will force you to learn what to do to master your art much faster than an HV40. (Though you can flip it on full auto and color grade later if you want. The default set up on the A1 is for an image that should be color graded.)
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it!
I'm highly considering the Panasonic HMC40.
If you are looking at the HMC40, also consider the JVC HM100. It is not much more expensive, more solidly built than the HMC, has two card slots, and a (IMHO) much nicer codec.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
The HM100 looks great, unfortunately, I don't have spare money to buy something like that, considering I could only get about $1700 for my fx7.
I like how the HMC140 has 60p though. I've never done anything with 60p before and it seems like it would be perfect for filming skating (I shoot a lot of skateboarding stuff, 60i with a shutter speed of 1/180 looks good usually for me, but does anyone know how that would look in 60p?)
I tried using 30p on the HV40 for filming some skating but the movement looked very fidgety opposed to shooting 60i.
Having owned a FX-7 there was a lot i lked about it[it has 3 1/4 chips] but eventualy even this moderately sized machine got to big for me to lug around,the Canon HV30 i replaced it with gives a better picture without doubt, i prefer the colour, the HVs as sharp without having as much grain, to have as little grain as the HV the FXs sharpness needed turning right down but it was then very soft, of course the FXs much better on cam controls are missed.If you are thinking of going tapeless the Pana TM300 is getting great feadback from owners and reviews.
I have a Sony V1U, which is basically the professional model of the FX7. I also have an HV20. I use them both and their image can be matched easily. Having said that, I will never change the V1U for an HV20 or HV40 for that matter. First, it is easier to shoot with. You have most controls outside, a proper focus and zoom ring, customizable picture via profiles, native progressive shooting (which the FX7 lacks), XLR inputs, and I can go on and on.
I know that the V1U has many more features than the FX7 but they are essentially the same cam. I have many videos shot with it on my Vimeo page. Check them out if you want to. As far as picture quality, my V1U produces a tad better looking footage (to be expected since it is a 3 chip cam). It also has a sharper picture, better low light, more manual controls, etc.
I say its your choice. What exactly don't you like about the FX7 compared to the HV40? Progressive shooting? Image quality?
Yeah, progressive shooting is something I want. The image quality on the fx7 doesn't seem as good as that on the hv40. I have played around with the manual features on the fx7 (some of which I don't know what they do). I guess I just liked the ease of use of the hv40.
No offense meant, but this seems to be your main problem. If you get better images out of an HV, then don't bother with getting a "pro" camera.Originally Posted by condoskateboard
There was once a very nice video blog series from Digital Juice. Their motto was "don't let technology get in the way of your creativity". By all means, go with an HV and be happy.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Haha, well I promise I'm not stupid or anything, I was just being honest saying that I don't know how everything worked exactly.
But I've been looking at the panasonic tm700 as well, it sounds PERFECT for me, anyone know anything about it?
I had a JVC HD1 that I didn't like (except for the cool rotating grip), and a HV30 that I do like. I fell into a deal on a new FX7 and bought it knowing that if I didn't like it I could easily sell it for a nice profit. Then I started using it and really liked it. I happily sold the HD1.
The FX7 is my favorite video cam (I have a Panny GH1, too). The controls and handling of it are pretty intuitive to me and it works quite well. I like the size, weight, and looks of it, too. I have a few seriously long life batteries for it. Just wish it didn't use tape -- mostly when I'm loading the tapes into the computer. Then, tape is a cheap backup.
If you don't like it, sell it and get something you do like. A buddy still has and uses a HD1 and loves it. Thinks I was crazy for selling mine. We all have different needs, wants and taste. $1700 isn't a bad price assuming you paid under $2,000 for it in January. Cheaper than having paid to rent one for this long.
Good luck!
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.I have no loyalties to anything I have to pay for!
My comment was unrelated to stupidity. A camera is a tool - just like a hammer. You take the one that is easiest to use for you.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
You can buy the HV40 right now at B&H for about $650 at B&H. I like my HV40 for it's compactness, but I curse it for lack of external controls (like your VX7) and lack of audio controls. But OTOH, for a high-end consumer cam, it has way more manual controls that other cams in it's class, so I guess I can't blame it too much. It's a great tool to have in the arsenal when a compact cam is the 'right' fit.
Mark G
you asked about the TM700 thats the pana i meant and certainly worth thinking about if you plan going tpeless,
as to the FX/HVs PQ the more i use my HV30 the more i like the picture,its a no contest compared to the 2 FX-7s i owned, the first was exchanged, one thing i loved on that cam was the 20X lens.
I ended up buying the panasonic tm700 and an HV30. =)
Maybe you can post some native 1080 60p footage on Vimeo especially ones that has some action in it. In your case, skateboarding.
My Vimeo videos: http://vimeo.com/pauloteixeira
My Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34711960@N06/
Will do. My macbook has quite a hard time even playing the 60p footage, but I should be getting a new macbook pro sometime soon.
I would skip the HV40 and go tapless. I got an HG10 for $369 on eBay. With the money you save you can buy one of Twoneil's 35mm adapters, a lens, the Beachtek adapter so you can use an XLR microphone and control the audio and extra batteries. I assume you have a tripod and such. I'm on the battery hunt now. I had an HV20 and sold my DVX100 to get it, then sold my HV20 to go tapeless. I love the HG10's image.
-Nate
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