On Thu, 24 Aug 2000 12:15:23 GMT, "HPS" wrote:

>I have a GL-1 and am thinking about adding a VX2000 to shoot 2 camera
>weddings. I like the 20X zoom of the GL-1 but the sound at loud wedding
>receptions is BAD...bottoms out even with the mic attenuator on. And when
>shooting from a tripod and using auto focus, aiming at a stationary subject
>(like a reader) the focus "hunts" (not all the time but enough to be
>annoying). If it weren't for these drawbacks I'd get another GL-1. I've
>heard a few good things about the VX2000 (any one suggest web sites to check
>out?). I don't have the $ to go with the Sony150.

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
has frame grabs and reviews of several Mini-DV camcorders,
including the two you mention...

>The main questions:
>
>1. Will the image on the VX2000 match up well with the GL-1?

The GL-1 will look a bit warmer in daylight (though the
custom controls of the VX-2000 allow you to warm up its
picture - probably enough for a reasonable color match). In tungsten light the GL-1 is rather orange, with the VX-2000
cooler - I doubt you can get a good match here without
using the TWB presets and filtering. I suspect, though, that
the smoother, sharper, better color-balanced picture of the
VX-2000 will soon have you moving toward a second
VX-2000 to replace the GL-1...;-)

>2. Is the "hiss" problem fixed?

I suspect the hiss problem may never have existed - the
audio control range is wide, and it is easy to set
monitor/play levels for high perceived noise levels...
In normal use, my two VX-2000s are very quiet. With
external mics, though, you will generally need to
switch to manual audio control or get a mic pad to
avoid excessive limiting with most mics (more on my
web page) - but with a pair of MKE-300 mics on a moderate
pad, I get excellent sound. The built-in mic is also
excellent, but with a very different tonal balance
compared with the rather bottom-heavy and nasal sound
on the GL-1 I tried.

>3. How is the VX2000 sound quality in loud environments?

In auto with the built-in mic, it is unusually good - but
in most situations you may find a need to boost the
auto-level sound some in editing, since it tends to be
lower than average.

>4. Is the VX2000 really better than the GL-1 in low light?

Yes. The GL-1 is at its best compared with other
camcorders in moderately low light (good room-light
levels) due to its good lens and gain limitation
to +12db , but for ultimate low-light range and
image quality in low light, the VX-2000 is better
than other "pro-sumer" camcorders (it is still fairly
good at +18db, has available shutter speeds below
1/60th, and the lens is excellent wide-open - you
can shoot good video in low light, and shoot useable
video in levels below what you can see in...).

>I found a source where the price is: GL-1 = $2030 VX2000 = $2303

If the prices are "real" (not boosted by selling you
accessories that are normally included, or by charging
horrendous amounts for shipping, let us know where...;-)
Those prices look too low...