I keep nearly buying a new HD camcorder - as in almost about to press the 'pay' button, but then something sidetracks me, and I don't. Panasonic 301, then the 371, and now - after seeing one being used I'm looking at the GY-HM750E. Proper reviews seem almost absent, and to confuse things even more, there are a few different versions, but the 750 seems to have the features I need, plus a few handy one that could be useful. The only snag seems to be the only review type comment is by people who sell them, so while helpful, they're not exactly going to highlight the bad points.
I'm hoping that somebody may have some useful comments that might help me make my mind up. My real problem is simply justification. It would get plenty of use, but virtually all my projects are still done in SD, on to DVD - and not one client has yet asked for HD. I did one project using a 'borrowed' HD cam, and used it on a regular client's production and didn't mention it - and I got no comment back at all. The SD kit is all paid for, and owes me very little. I'm not bothered by 1/3" equipment, Gary sent me some content from his Panasonic when I was dithering last year, and it looked good to me - certainly a step up from my JVC 500 and 5000s I have (and the Betacams still sitting in the store).
The only thing important for me is good images in theatre lighting - 70% of my work is on stage, and has very saturated colour - the rest is outdoor - as in football and greenscreen talking heads - so if anyone has yes or no comments that fit what I do, I'd appreciate them.
The choice is really down to new camera or new van. Another 60,000 miles might be possible - so hence why I'm perched on the fence again.
How reliable is the van?
A new camera is no good on the hard shoulder of a motorway (for most people).
Is your current camera kit reliable?
Caution is key these days - our clients are treading carefully and so are we.
Hi Paul I rarely do SD but did the Celtic match last week with my HPX371 being used as an SD ENG camera, I set it to record DVCPro 50 50i with some BBC SD settings and was very impressed with the results as it was very much digi beta look.
My only worry about the JVC cameras is that no one seems to use them very much so I would be more happy to invest in a camera that is more commonplace in the market, it looks a good spec camera but I would be worried about HDSC cards and the fact that no one seems to be generally buying it as they didn't with the 100 or the 200.
As you know some of my P2 cameras are now well over two years old and are now BBC approved for HD as well as SD and are all still under the original warranty, sony and JVC have had several new models out in that time so it may be worth looking at the HPX301 again as they can be had for good money second hand.
Have a look at this clip and even though it is i-fone quality at 1mbs from the DVCPro 50 it still looks pretty damn good for colour and contrast ratio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66oTdtBrAxE
It also has one of those cheap chinese panasonic mics on it for effects.
My only worry about the JVC cameras is that no one seems to use them very much so I would be more happy to invest in a camera that is more commonplace in the market, it looks a good spec camera but I would be worried about HDSC cards and the fact that no one seems to be generally buying it as they didn't with the 100 or the 200.
Not used a 750, but have used a 250 a few years ago, which belonged to a client. I believe it's a very comparable camera, but the 250 used tape and HDV, the 750 I believe is solid state and the better codec. (All my usage was SD.)
Not sure it's true that nobody is buying them. They seem very popular for some types of work, especially with people who want a studio on a budget, the JVC range have a lot of advantages if you want full connectivity (cue lights, talkbacks, genlock, CCU control etc) but haven't got a broadcasters budget. I think they're also popular in some parts of the world where broadcasters haven't got anything like the budgets of the BBC, Sky, etc as well...... For a lot of people it's highly desirable to have a camera that you can use for location filming, then plug back in to the studio and have something that "feels" like a regular studio camera.
Good points - has to be superb handheld ergonomics as top of list. For that matter, ergonomics full stop. They are the only camera in this price range that handle like a true pro camera, but have the size/weight of something like the EX. As long as you check them before use, I wouldn't worry about SD cards, with all the AVC-HD cameras now about, they are being used (reliably) by thousands of people.
Worst point I found - standard lens has poor wide angle field of view. It equates to 11mm on a 2/3" camera. It is possible to get a wide angle interchangeable lens - but expect to pay for it, there's not anything like the range available for 1/3" that you get for 1/2", let alone 2/3". [SEE EDIT BELOW.]
I'm afraid the 371 doesn't fully answer that criticism, even though it's a lot more expensive. It's standard lens is a bit wider (9mm 2/3" equivalent), but that's still on the tight side nowadays, and the same problems apply to alternative lenses.
(For comparison, the EX is about 8mm equivalent, which is about the tightest I'd really accept nowadays. Typical on a 2/3" camera now is about 7mm, with wide angles going to about 4.5mm)
It doesn't sound as if your need is urgent. At the very least I'd wait and see what happens on November 3rd with the Canon and Red announcements. Even if what comes out of it isn't what you personally want there may be knock-ons to other cameras - such as price cuts.
[EDIT I've just checked the specs and found that they've changed the standard lens spec since the camera I used - it now seems to come with a 4.4mm lens, or 8.8mm 2/3" equivalent. In other words, it now seems to be marginally better than the 371 in this respect, though neither is as good as an EX. I retract my worst reservation about it.]
Thanks for these comments, very useful. Canon seem to be building the hype - I hope it doesn't deflate when people actually see it.
Hi all,
Just to let you know we are running a promo on the GY-HM750E off a FREE 16Gb IPAD2 with every purchase.
Please also remember that our Premium resellers have demo stock and would be happy to organise a loan for you so you can test the camera in your enviroment.
A recent review http://www.jvcpro.eu/jpe/root/bank_objects/Badger_s_GY-HM750_review.pdf
Cheers Kris, appreciated.
Paul
kris
interested in speaking to you
your mobile is on voicemail
john
Thats very odd as I have full signal. I do have a blackberry though.......
Just to confirm 07770 800231 or my office number is 020 8208 6238
thanks kris
j
just sent you a mail kris
thanks
john