Camcorder?

[Dan Robinson]

Since I mentioned Macksville, here are the grabs from that (these are downconverted SD, the only thing I still have on my computer from that day). This looked great on the LCD, then I captured it into the computer:

http://media.stormscenes.com/may52007afx1.jpg
http://media.stormscenes.com/may52007afx2.jpg

Contrast and brightness adjusted in a futile attempt to salvage it:
http://media.stormscenes.com/may52007afx3.jpg
http://media.stormscenes.com/may52007afx4.jpg

Granted, it was starting to get fairly late at the time, but still. My VX2100 would have captured some great images from that event.

Since I've been bashing the FX1, I have to give it props for daytime lightning - which I've been happy with:

http://media.stormscenes.com/towera3.jpg
http://hdweathervideo.com/samples/hd-ohl-110805a2.jpg
http://hdweathervideo.com/samples/hd-ncl-062907a.jpg

 

[Brandon Goforth]

Thanks for the discussion guys! Sadly though after reading everyone's opinion and seeing some examples I'm not sure if I want to bother investing in a new camcorder. I don't want to drop $1,000 for a piece of junk, and there's no way I'm ever going to go all out and spend several thousand for one. I really only plan to use it for chasing anyways, and if they can't get it done in low light, then I don't see the point. I may just stick with still photography for awhile and hope technology improves dramatically in these lower end HD camcorders, but I'm not spending $3,500 just to get decent results.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Contrast and brightness adjusted in a futile attempt to salvage it:
http://media.stormscenes.com/may52007afx3.jpg

Dan,
Here is another attempt at this picture. Maybe a little too much noise, but maybe a little better.

 

[Bill Hark]

From Shane

A friend of mine uses the HV20 and I was impressed enough by its performance to plan an upgrade to one myself in 2009. One thing I keep noticing in these camcorder posts are people always concerned with low-light performance. Why are so many of you concerned with shooting at dusk or night? I only do that when I have no choice; for 90% of my normal shooting situations, it's still day time. From what I've seen the HV20 does as well as any vidcam during diurnal conditions. I haven't seen any HV20 footage shot at night.

I use the HV20 as a dashcam and I have gotten decent results. It is not as good in low light as the VX-2100 but for many situations it provides a decent image. I find it comparable to my old TRV-900. The HV20 does have an infinity focus button. I like it better than the HV30 when I compared both in a video store. There is another focus mode on the HV30 infinity button that can be accidentally turned on. The lens it not that wide and I do recommend a wide-angle attachment.

Yes, there is improvement in low light when jumping up to the FX1 and Z1 (still not as good as the VX-2100) but the extra expense may not be worth it. I use the Z1 and I am very happy with it but it was quite expensive. I bought a used one. I don't think I could justify buying a new one. The decision to buy a video camera especially an HD one should be considered very carefully. It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of more expensive camcorders and go beyond one's means.

I think for most chasers who want to go HD, the HV20 is a very good and economical choice. It also can easily save still images on a memory card and can output HDMI or a downconverted SD signal. Just know it's limitations.

May 23, 2008 HV20 still south of Quinter
http://www.harkphoto.com/052308wedge1.jpg

Bill Hark

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

From Shane


I use the HV20 as a dashcam and I have gotten decent results. It is not as good in low light as the VX-2100 but for many situations it provides a decent image. I find it comparable to my old TRV-900.

Roger Hill used to shoot with that camera, and I was always amazed by the quality of his footage with it. I'm completely the other direction with the footage from my HV20. I don't see how they could be comparable.

 

[scott r currens]

VX2100 vs. FX1
I have been fortunate enough to have chased with both the VX2100 and the FX1. Throughout the 2006 chase season I had both cameras and was able to do side buy side comparisons.

Lighting condition (LC):
1. Direct sunlight
2. Few clouds
3. Partial obscured sun
4. Few breaks in cloud cover
5. Overcast
6. Under a dark cloud base/in core
7. Twilight
8. Moonlight/city lights
9. Night time w/o moon
10. Complete darkness

The VX2100 produces an excellent clean SD images in LC 1-6. Starting at LC 7 you can see a slight increase in noise. At LC 8 the noise becomes noticeable to the average viewer. At LC 9 the image is very dark and noisy but you can still make out features. LC 10 is complete darkness so you can’t see anything.

The FX1 produces excellent clean HD (1440x1080i) quality images in LC 1-4. Slight reduction in image quality at LC 5 although image is still superior to that of the VX2100. Starting at LC 6 its HD image quality is reduced by noise to the point that it is basically the same quality as the SD VX2100 image. At HC 7 any thoughts of HD footage are out the window, you can still get decent images but the VX2100 slightly does better. At LC 8 the images are very dark and noisy. At LC 9-10 the image is completely black. I should mention that you can still get very good tornado and structure still frames in HC 7-10 when you have lightning illuminating the subject. Those lightning illuminated images blow away anything you get from the VX2100 under the same conditions.

It is clear that the FX1 does not produce HD quality images throughout the LC range. That being said I do think it produces similar or higher quality images that the VX2100 under most condition with the exception of except extreme low-light. It would be great if there was an HD camcorder that could produce HD quality images in LC 6-8 for under $7000 but that isn’t happening yet.

 

[Brandon Goforth]

Has anyone ordered from this site before?
http://www.thecameraprofessionals.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=91945&gclid=CPHE8_21mpUCFQpjnAod7m9nfg

Those prices are ridiculous, and really quite hard to believe.

 

[David Wolfson]

... in other threads, but this link is worth a repeat here, or even a "sticky"....
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/TheCameraProfessionals

Their user rating is a "stellar" 0.40 out of 10!

 

[Brandon Goforth]

... in other threads, but this link is worth a repeat here, or even a "sticky"....
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/TheCameraProfessionals

Their user rating is a "stellar" 0.40 out of 10!

Thanks for posting this David. With those prices something has got to be up. I'll stick with B&H. With everyone around here always looking to upgrade equipment, this is definitely useful information.