Now this is what to pull the trigger on: Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason Foster
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Jason Foster

Yeah, expensive (for most, including me) but this is the way to go IMO:
Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder
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$4k + extra protection plan + accessories.

But solid state AVCHD that can do HD & SD (sim.). 1.5 LUX (claimed of course), 24p, XLRs, etc. is certainly a nice set of features. It's still CMOS, which is one thing I really don't like, but doesn't bother most (it's not the greatest in snow).

B&H Link: here
 
Nice camera, but I'd rather spend the 650 I just spent on a camera that takes just as good of footage. 99% of us can't afford a 4grand price tag.
 
How many chasers shoot in 24p, use XLRs, or need those fancy smansy options? I'd consider that a waste of money for 99% of chasers unless you're producing a professional documentary.
 
For most, yes....a waste of money. I know many don't consider themselve professional film makers and like producing full productions.

The smaller cameras are much more appropriate for budgets and such...but if anyone wants to be really serious about making a good production and having top notch video, this camera will make the difference. It all depends on your goals.

I like the camera because there is SOOOO much more do to with it than just chase footage. That's why I like the 24p...which I don't think anyone shoots in currently for storm chasing (but I could be wrong).
 
Well, I suppose if one has a great deal with a local TV affiliate station that is linked to a national network and one happens to get exclusive footage of a noteworthy historical weather event - then it just might pay for itself the first time around. If not; then having a rich relative to pay for it might make it possible to purchase. In any event, it surely does have all the required features and accoutrements to make fine videos. $4k seems a bit steep; but I'm sure that many TV stations use it or something better - if possible. Now - all one would need is a great storm or three to catch this year and capture it.

The season is about to start.
Can y'all feel the anticipation on this forum?
I can.
I am counting the days until the end of April - so I can get out to The Plains...
 
I'm thinking of buying something similar to the NX5U, probably the HMC150 or anything between 3000-3500$. For storm chasing movies, this is the way to go, I agree. But why the NX5 over the HMC150 or others ?

Also, make sure your NX5u doesn't have a backfocus problem.
 
A.Theunissen said:
I'm thinking of buying something similar to the NX5U, probably the HMC150 or anything between 3000-3500$. For storm chasing movies, this is the way to go, I agree. But why the NX5 over the HMC150 or others ?

Also, make sure your NX5u doesn't have a backfocus problem.
Click to expand...

Sony has over the Panny:
-better low light
-greater zoom
-onboard flash media (opt.)
-slightly lower power consumption (w/out flash)

The panny does have CCDs though, which as mentioned is a big deal...but so is low light. I would likely rent both (or others) before actually purchasing either or something else.

Granted, I'm also no pro, so there maybe very specific items that I'm not aware of that this camera does or doesn't do which make it better or worse. But I figured if anything, there are a few folks here that might know. Like I didn't know about any back focus issues.
 
I had my hands on one a guy had at the convention. It was so new in fact his serial number on the camera was like "58" or something like that.

I had my eye on a used Panny P2 like the one I use sometimes from the TV station. Even used those things are 5 grand. (It is awesome in low light btw) P2 cards are damn pricey though.

This new Sony is the most impressive camera I have ever seen at that price point and I want one so bad I can taste it. I mostly definitely will be getting one in the near future!
 
This is by far the most powerful camera that I have ever had the good fortune to operate, you will not be disapointed in it's numerous useful applications to storm chasing.

Ever had a clip of a storm or Tornado and you just couldn't figure out where it was shot? Well, this has built in GPS so that when you upload the file it opens a google map showing you where you started recording.

And if you hate tapes and love 1920X1080, then your in business... the NX5U can shoot to a 128 GB flash unit (FMU) that allows for 11 hours of full HD recording.

The serial on ours is #24.
 
Terrence Cook said:
This is by far the most powerful camera that I have ever had the good fortune to operate, you will not be disapointed in it's numerous useful applications to storm chasing.

Ever had a clip of a storm or Tornado and you just couldn't figure out where it was shot? Well, this has built in GPS so that when you upload the file it opens a google map showing you where you started recording.

And if you hate tapes and love 1920X1080, then your in business... the NX5U can shoot to a 128 GB flash unit (FMU) that allows for 11 hours of full HD recording.

The serial on ours is #24.
Click to expand...

Geez....I thought they were actually released yet...perhaps only a limited number are out there. I don't thing B&H has them...at least not in stock...as there is a waiting list.
 
This camera was available in Late January

B&H has been shipping the cameras as fast as they arrive. The FMU rebate was just extended to end of April as well.
 
FYI I am just 12 hours away from ordering one of these NX5's here in the UK. (£3,600)

The deal clinch for me was the inbuilt GPS that logs time and position of the clips - a great bonus for me who seems to forget? quite where I was when I shot the footage.
 
Full-raster 1920 x 1080 video is another, including the option of recording 720/60p video as well as 60i, 30p and 24p.
Click to expand...
Interesting it lists the 720/60p but no 1080/60p. Mostly interesting as I just wonder about the whole 60p thing in general. Given mostly no TV will even display that yet. The panny I just got will do 1080/60p but so far I've really just ignored that ability and stuck with 60i. Seems a pricey beast like that should do 1080/60p if the now less than $800 Panasonic TM700 will. Then again they are also apparently recording at a lot higher bitrate in their AVCHD files(or not, now that I see the 4 rates listed). And yeah, 60p still makes me scratch my head on usefulness down the road.

Precise location gps deal to me seems like a big waste/gimmick. I think of it much like I now do reciting the time and location on my own videos. I still catch myself doing that and am like, when have I ever needed to recall that? Never. It's overwhelmingly pointless when I think about it, but yeah I still do "just in case". If it was for some scientific use working with a DOW truck or something then yeah.

One also has to wonder about these full frame DSLR vid cam deals, where they are doing the same thing as they have with video in DSLR's but placing it in a more friendly video camera type body. Talk about bigger sensor.
 
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Progressive recordings are simply superior to Interlaced recordings.
Video explanations: http://www.5min.com/Video/Interlaced-vs-Progressive-34698676 & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7axx27eYkU

I had to do some shopping for a videocam for my workplace, but while I was doing it I was thinking about a camera ideal for chasers. This one was outside the budget that I was given but looks like its got "WIN" written all over it:

Panasonic HDC-TM350 Media Camcorder Limited Edition.

Lots of semi-pro features: 3 CMOS sensor, Leica optics, superb low-light performance (1.6 lux), wider-angle than many videocams (except Sony), manual focus ring, an electronic viewfinder (EVF), a hot shoe and a mic terminal, plus it records to flash media (no moving parts). 100% 5-star ratings on Amazon (5) and another rave review here.
 
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