OT: Whos using an HV-20/30/40 as a "B" cam??

Brad C. wrote on 3/7/2009, 2:20 AM

I know the HV's aren't exactly "professional" cams by any means, but I hear a lot of people using them for B cams in certain situations.

My main questions though are these....

-If you are using an HV for your B cam, then what are you using for an A cam?
-Is it matching up decently with little color matching/correcting in post?

I've mentioned a few times that I'm in the market for a new cam. Possibly up to the $3,500 range or so. My photography parter has an HV30 so it would be my B cam and I'm looking for something to match up pretty well with it without getting another HV. I want something higher end with more features. I still don't know which way I'm going as far as solid state or tape so all recommendations are welcome.

Comments

CClub wrote on 3/7/2009, 6:35 PM

I use an HV20 as a B cam. My primary camera is a Sony V1U, and I specifically purchased them together because of the 24p option via Cineform Neo software (now Cineform Scene). Regarding color correcting: If I'm taping an interview where I set up 3-4 point lighting just right, then the HV20 does pretty well, or if I'm taping outside on a sunny day, likewise. The HV20 is initially much blander, but then I use the VASST Reelpaks in post to match up the color correction. If I use primarily the V1U and the HV20 for occasional clips and camera transitions, it's hard for the non-techie to tell the difference, actually. If the taping environment is low lighting or something that I can't control, forget it; I end up renting additional V1U's. That's where I find that the lower end camcorders struggle: in less than perfect lighting situations, you don't have nearly the manual controls to adjust, and you don't have the power of the 3 chip camcorders.

There are many more informed people here than I, but for my 2 cents, if you're looking for a camcorder to move into the future and last a few years, I wouldn't recommend going with HDV, if you have a choice. I'm actually planning on upgrading to an EX1 and a B camcorder that captures to full HD (1920 x 1080). If you don't want to spend that level of money, perhaps looking at the new JVC mentioned in this post http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=640884Here. [/link], and then picking up your own B cam like one of the new one chip http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-SR11-Definition-Camcorder-Stabilized/dp/B00123XZNI/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1236479791&sr=8-3Sony's[/link] for about a grand or so.