Comments

CClub wrote on 2/4/2010, 2:26 PM
I sold my two Sony VX2000's a few years back and don't regret it for a second. I'm not sure after all the controls you had on the VX2000's you'll be happy downsizing to the HV40. Not that the HV40 is a bad camera by any means. But when I changed over, I bought a Sony V1U and a Canon HV20. Love them both, but the smaller Canon's have nowhere near the capability of the prosumer Sony's. Have you taken a look at some of the newer Sony's such as the one discussed in this http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=693727Posting[/link]?
John_Cline wrote on 2/4/2010, 3:29 PM
If you depend on the legendary low-light performance of the VX2000 then you won't be satisfied at all with the V1U. The VX2000 can virtually see in the dark, the V1u needs an abundance of light. I own a V1u and given enough light, it looks great.

I did a comparison between a PD150 (the pro version of the VX2000) and a V1u. Under the less-than-ideal lighting conditions at a conference I was recording, the PD150 was at f3.4 @ 0db gain which was noise-free and looked great, the V1u required f2.8 @ +12db of gain and was incredibly noisy. Of course, the V1u was HD and the PD150 was SD.

The recently announced HDR-AX2000 looks like a reasonable replacement for your VX2000.

Sony HDR-AX2000 Info
CClub wrote on 2/4/2010, 6:06 PM
John,
Having had both the VX2000 and now the V1U, I totally agree. With just the right lighting, the V1U's can do amazing things, but I would never recommend purchasing a V1U now with the new Sony's and their HD vs HDV and especially the low light improvements. My only recommendation above was to move on from the VX2000's.
DGates wrote on 2/4/2010, 10:15 PM
Sounds like they just want to get into HD, and that's a really affordable way to do it. Low light is just one factor. I've seen a guy who posts on Vimeo who uses the older HV20. Even with the limited manual controls, he's a true artist with that camera.
Randini wrote on 2/8/2010, 4:45 AM
Thank you everyone for the great info. After further review I want to go higher on the quality level. I love to go with Sony because of my relationships with them.
That Sony HDR-AX2000 looks perfect but it is also $3,500. Then I see the Sony Hd1000u that I can get for $1500. Do you think $,2000 more is worth it? I'm mostly just creating web stuff and periodically film some music videos.

NOTE: I now have 2 Sony VX2000 for sale if anyone is interested. Great condition.
I really want to make this HD move.
farss wrote on 2/8/2010, 5:10 AM
"Then I see the Sony Hd1000u that I can get for $1500"

That camera is only the HC7 in a big empty plastic box. They can be quite usefull as they have both composite and component outputs on RCA connectors and they might fool clients into thinking you're a pro because you've got a big camera.

Aside from the output connections it gives you nothing that you cannot get with the cheaper and smaller HC5/7/9.

You haven't stated if low light perfromance is an issue for you or not. If it is and you want to go HD then the cheapest camera I can honestly say matches the VX2000 is the PMW 350, it really sucks in light. Of course it is 4 times the price of what the VX2000 cost when it was released but then again you want 4 times the number of pixels it kind of makes sense.

Bob.

Randini wrote on 2/8/2010, 8:14 PM
WOW that PMW 350 looks superb and its specs are excellent. 17 grand though. I am sure it is worth every dollar. Having a good quality camera is like having a gym membership it is worth every dollar if you use it.

Low light can be an issue but for the most part I am using two 1200 watt lights.

Thank you for the heads up on this magnificent machinery.