On Sun, 17 Jun 2001 03:37:11 GMT, Gary Eickmeier
>I am interested in the Sony VX2000 as my entree into digital shooting.
>I have read some pretty good reviews on it and the price is doable.
>Just a couple of questions for anyone who has one -
>
>Do these mini-DV cameras (and especially this one) give broadcast
>quality images comparable to Betacam SP or something? How does the
>quality change in the LP mode? From what I have seen, the tapes are
>mostly 60 minutes in length, and the only way I could get longer
>times, as for weddings or special events, would be to run it at the LP
>speed. Being digital, how would this change the image quality?
>
>Is the color viewfinder fine enough resolution for perfect focusing?
>At least as good, or better than, the black & white viewfinder in my
>Panasonic AG-456?
>
>What's the hot setup for a shoulder brace?
("Joe The Video Pro":
Well,
The VX2000 is NOT a replacement for a Betasp rig.
If you were to compare wide shots from say even a
BVP7 (an older spcapable rig) and a VX2000, you'd see
that the 7 resolves a higher resolution, more broadcast quality picture.
That said, however, the vx2000 is a GREAT little camera!
I had a XL-1 and it SUCKED (sorry chris hurd)
I swapped it for a VX2000 and I've never been happier!!!
The viewfinder, although it's color which I don't like,
is definitely very usable and it blows away that of an
ag456. You'll find yourself using the flipout monitor.
The lowlight capabilities of the 2k are also excellent and far superior to
most sony broadcast rigs.
I've shot several professional productions with my vx2000, (seminars and
training sessions) and I even
had to bump into LP and it looked great. My only complaint is getting used
to the zoom rocker -- which
takes practice to do smooth zooms with, but damn,
for the price the vx2000 SMOKES.
It's a great intro cam into prosumer video. It's only
drawback is: It doesn't LOOK as cool as a professional
rig.--- JOE)
I agree with Jt.VP, above...
I own two VX-2000s, and they are quite amazing,
but they are not without limitations relative to
VERY expensive, VERY large/heavy gear. In answer to
your questions, the image is "BQ", but not ultimate
in video quality; the quality does not change in LP
mode (but dropout rate goes from extremely low to
VERY low...); the color finder is OK for focus (and
the large eyecup helps - though I punched four small
holes in it at the lower edge to reduce fogging), but
the VX-2000 AF is so good, I have stopped trying to
better it with MF (the VX-2000 AF is REALLY good!);
I have not found a practical shoulder brace for the
VX-2000 (it is so light that there is not enough
downward pressure on the brace to hold it on my
shoulder - a belt pod, with side handle added, works
better). For an under-$2500 camcorder, the VX-2000 is
just plain the best in terms of image quality - and
you must spend many times that to improve on the
picture. The VX-2000 is not without some awkward
audio issues, though, and you may want to consider
the similar PD150 if you will be doing much pro
work and using external mics, though this one will
not shoot in LP mode. If you need long recording
times, the similar (but shoulder-mount) PD250
should be considered, since it will record 3 hours
on DVCam tapes (virtually the same format as
Mini-DV). The VX-2000 is an excellent, relatively
inexpensive small and light camcorder, but it's
not all "gravey". ;-) See my review, linked at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm