Help buying new camera: T2i vs. HVX (or similar) +k

D

DG.3

Member
YES, I realise these are two very differant cameras. YES, I realise they vary greatly in price.

I am currently looking to upgrade from my Olympis EP2. I want something with 1080p, bigger dynamic range, 60fps in HD, better low light performance, zebra bars, nd filter. I was originally thinking about saving up and buying a used HD camcorder, but doing more research I started to consider HDSLRs as well. If I bought a DSLR, I would go with a canon so I could get magic lantern and cinestyles, and would most likely get a refurbished T2i body (T3i not worth the money, not shooting a ton of pictures so I dont think 60D is worth the extra money) and get a good kit lens, and maybe an older fast manuel prime. I am planning on keeping my EP2 for travelling and photos, so size and portability isnt a huge deal, as well as photography.

And as far as audio goes, will there be a huge differance between an HVX (or similar camcorders) built in audio, vs. say.. a rode videomic pro mounted on a T2i

Another note, not too interested in getting a steadycam or glide cam, so dont say get a T2i and use the extra money for those.

Not sure how much sense all of that made, but I guess the descision I have to make is whether I want to go the DSLR route or the Camcorder route.

Any advice would be very helpful, thanks NS!

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?

-If I bought the T2i, $1000ish now, another $500-1000 in 6 months-ish hopefully. HVX: $1-2000 now, not more for awhile. Basically I would get the T2i body+good kit lens+ND filter+rode videomic (most likely) vs. just the HVX.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

-I currently own an Olympus Pen EP-2 (Micro 4/3), I know this camera very well. Also used friends's DSLRs a little bit, as well as an old panasonic 3CCD MiniDV consumer camcorder for years, and spending a week using a DVX (I think?) daily.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

-Fluid Head tripod, DIY shoulder rig and boom pole w/ shock mount.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

-Mostly movies and short films, not much skiing.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

-I will be doing all the filming.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

-Followcam or tripod, but filming skiing is not the priority.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.

-iMac from about 5 years age, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB memory 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. (I dont know what any of those numbers mean I just copyed and pasted.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

-FCP 7: 8, After Effects: 4, Magic Bullet Looks: 3

1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR? Yes.

2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS? Some.

3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS? I know about Rolling Shutter, lack of functions like zebra bars, bad built-in mic.

4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses? Yes

5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming? Doesnt matter

Thanks guys!
 
Well if you are going to be shooting mostly movies and such I would probably go with the t2i. This will give you much more options for lens and different looks from those. However, keep in mind when you plug a mic into the t2i it doesnt have audio controls like the hvx. I have both a hvx and t2i and I truly prefer the hvx for most things, but when it comes to shooting lifestyle and real life stuff the t2i is great on a good tripod. I also have a rode ntg-2 which i have used on both...I love it on my hvx because i have audio controls, can see my levels and what not...its great...on the t2i it just didnt seem that great when using an xlr to 3.5 cord...So I guess if you are looking for something that gives you more audio type control id say hvx, but the t2i will work well with all the lens opportunity. Just my 2cents
 
If you download ML onto the t2i, you will get audio controls and levels like you were talking about
 
The hvx is better "video" camera. The t2i is very limited and even with the Magic Lantern hack, it is still very limited. The HVX has a highly superior codec (dvcprohd which is 422 color space, 70-100mbps) while the t2i is 420 h.264 bullshit codec (worst out). With the HVX you can really produce the image you want color/quality wise but the t2i will have higher resolution/look sharper/true 1080p HD. If you want a "video" camera, get the hvx but if you want better DOF control, more resolution and true 1080p image, the t2i has that.

Each camera serves its purpose and for some situations, the hvx is better and in some situations the t2i is better. If you know what you're doing, you can make the t2i look "as good" as an hvx image can look, you just have to be careful. I think maybe a video camera might suit you well but an HDDSLR might also suit you well too. The t2i is so small and compact while the hvx is big and bulky, so thats nice too. The HDDSLR have really taken down the HD video camera market and for a good reason, they produce a great image. But, people are sacrificing alot/using other methods to make up for it and it working.

They're both gonna be around the same amount of money, so that's not the issue here. But, you might find yourself wanting more with a t2i, more lenses, more accesories, etc that you might not get with an hvx.

Here are the two options I see.

1. HVX200a (try to get the "a" vs the "p")

2. t2i with some lenses (17-50, 70-200, 50 1.4 85 1.8 etc) zoom or tascam audio recorder.

then with both, get a nice shotgun mic and some wireless lav mics when you have more money.

Hope that helps, ask away if you have more questions.
 
The 200A is identical in all ways except the chip block. The new chips make it 1/2 stop more sensitive, with much lower noise, less smear, and better color reproduction.
 
Thanks so much for the help guys, youve really cleared up alot of things for me. +k to everyone! Just a couple questions...

Jwenz: What things do you prefer the HVX for?

eheath: When talking about the codecs, are you mainly talking about the colour/dynamic range? and when you say true 1080p, you mean vs. the 1080i of the HVX correct? So with the t2i I get a higher resolution, but with the HVX I get a wider dynamic range and more colour information (because of the codec), and therefore much more creative freedom when colour correcting/grading in post? And how much closer would Cinestyles bring the t2i to the HVX?

Also, how would the built in mic on the HVX compare to, say, the t2i w/ rode VMP (with the +20db function and lowered t2i mic input)?
 
Not exactly dynamic range, but color depth and the flexibility of your footage when you're color grading. AKA just really good color and control. The HVX isn't 1080i, its just not a true 1080p sensor. 720p is true but it uprezes to 1080p, this is because the hvx is old as fuck. There is definitely a noticeable difference with resolution and the hvx image will be a little noiser than the t2i, but some like that.

using cinestyles with the t2i doesnt just automatically make it better, its just a flat image to color grade. its not gonna make it "closer" to the hvx. theyre very different cameras, with very different strengths.

As for audio, HVX audio is uncompressed while the t2i will still have shitty audio even if you have a mic on it. if you go the t2i route, id suggest an audio recorder.
 
I don't have time for my full opinion and advice right now but I'd like to say a few things.

-The t2i with MagicLantern and my Rode VideoMicPro+Windscreen SHITS all over my audio when I had just a bare HPX.

-The t2i and the HPX/HVX are both upconverting to 1080p in some form. The t2i doesn't output true 1080p despite the massive sensor and the HPX/HVX up converts the 1080p footage because the sensor isn't 1080p.

-Color grading was far easier with the 4:2:2 color space. Despite this, I much prefer the image out of a DSLR (when done right.)

This is comparing apple to oranges. One camera is a run and gun camera that "gets the shot" (HVX/HPX) and the other is better suited for narrative/creative storytelling and filmmaking.

For skiing ONLY? HMC150 or HVX100a......

If you plan on shooting other shit and like the look of a larger sensor then a GH2/t2i/5d or another interchangeable lens camera such as the FS100 or BMC is the right route.

 
The HVX is 1080p uprezzed from a 720p sensor. The t2i is 1080p line skipped down from an 18mp sensor.

Both cameras resolve roughly 700 lines of sensor resolution. The difference is that the HVX is softer and has no moiré due to upscaling, and the t2i is sharper but has horrible moiré due to poor line skipping algorithms.

If you want a camera that is essentially the best of both, get a GH2. In my experience the codec holds up just as well in post as any low-end p2 camera (only if hacked). It has more resolution than both cameras; roughly 900 lines (like the amazingly sharp Sony EX1/EX3). Images can be sharp without any moiré whatsoever. You also have an excellent choice of glass to choose from, despite what Canon fanboys will tell you. There's also an EX. TELE mode which doubles your telephoto reach and works amazingly well - great for skiing. Did I mention they cost $600 new?
 
To op, I prefer my hvx for filming follows glidecam I suppose and anything I cant currently do with my single 50mm lens I have for my t2i. It is great for audio control and interviews along with a t2i for close ups and such. I just did a shoot like that were we used the audio from my hvx with rode ntg2 and a t2i focused on two people to use footage from. It was quite cool and despite the terrible background noise we were dealing with hvx worked really well. I just love the feel of a camera for filming some reason, despite how fun and small my t2i is...I just like them both...so do that ha
 
If you are still interested in buying a used hvx send me a message. I can hook you up with a solid deal.
 
If you are still interested in buying a used hvx send me a message. I can hook you up with a solid deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top