OT: What 3ccd prosumer cams are good in low light?

emmo2002 wrote on 7/19/2004, 7:11 AM
I have been doing some weddings lately, but have had little or no luck working the receptions when the hall turns down the lights for dancing.

My question is there a good prosumer cam that works really well in low light?
I prefer not to use extrenal lights as I feel it scares the guest from being natural.

Any ideas?
Emmo

Comments

RalphM wrote on 7/19/2004, 7:27 AM
The Sony VX2100 / PD170 cousins are very good in low light. As with all camcorders, you will encounter increased video noise as light levels dim and the camera raises video gain to compensate.
GmElliott wrote on 7/19/2004, 7:57 AM
Nothing beats the PD-170 and VX2100. I've used cams ranging from DVX100's to GL-1's to XL-1s's, etc....nothing has performed as well for wedding videography than my PD-170. I recently picked up a VX2100 for a second cam.
Maestro wrote on 7/19/2004, 9:06 AM
JVC GY-DV-5000. Unless you want to consider that above the prosumer level. Awesome low-light capabilities.
johnmeyer wrote on 7/19/2004, 11:21 AM
See this thread, and make sure to click on the links to see reviews of lux sensitivity. The Sony VX2100 and the similar PD series already mentioned are usually considered the best of the 3-chip prosumer products.

1 chip vs. 3 chips
riredale wrote on 7/20/2004, 8:09 AM
Just got back from Austria, and used my VX2000 taping the choir kids in the salt mines. I was amazed by just how sensitive the camera was. I augmented it a bit by using the 1/30th second shutter speed rather than the default 1/60th.

The last night we had a "Mozart Dinner," complete with fine food and some excellent singers. Last year my little single-chip Sony TRV8 camera was used, and the image was very grainy in the low light environment. This time, there was almost no difference between the scene and one that was well-lit. The camera is remarkable.
tailgait wrote on 7/20/2004, 8:32 AM
The Sony DSR PD-170 is the hands up winner! 1 lux which is as sharp and clean as any regular shooting phases. No question about it.
farss wrote on 7/20/2004, 8:36 AM
I'd agree, for a general purpose camera you cannot go past the PD170 or if you haven't got the bucks the 2100. Design is pretty dated and certainly not the camera for serious 'filming' but for event videographers nothing else comes close without spending a lot more bucks and having a much bigger kit to lug around.
Although the DVC 30 looks promising, don't know how it goes in low light though, still you seem to get a lot for your money....