We are currently using 2  Cannon XL2.   We are considering renting 2 HD camcorders for a possible low lighting event.   Suggestions please?  I will be editing in Liquid. I would like to import via miniDv tapes if possible.

I think the best options for the money are Sony's Z1 or Canon's XHA1.

As much as I admire the Sony Z1 / FX1 (I use one of each), they are not great for really low light work.  I usually have to push the footage in post production, which of course adds noise.

I have to disagree for the Z1. I have seen from a doc I am doing at HDV for a prefecture here, some samples that I could take only by PD170 with which I am shooting the show at TV.

But of course this is my understanding. Even if we pushed the gain we saw no bad grain. Z1 isn't in par with a PD170 in low light but is better than my HV30 which claims that it is at 3 lux.

While at bright light HV30 is directly comparable with the Z1 at low light Z1 is better. So let me say that Z1 for an HDV camera is very good in low light and a lot better than V1.

Thanks for comparing the Sony Z1  to the PD170 ...     The Z1 is only rated for 2 Lux while the PD170  is rated at 1 Lux.   So is makes sense that the PD170 is little better for low light.

SussexJohn--   Which HD camcorder do you believe to have an edge over the Sony Z1  for low light situations?

 

Thanks both of you.

I can't suggest anything else, as my experience is limited.  My Sony vx1000 is better than the Z1.  My Sony HC3 is also better (that's HDV too).  I get OK results with the Z1 in low light, but wish for better.  Maybe that's just human nature. 

In most other respects the Z1 is an excellent camera. 

John I suspect that something isn't ok with your Z1. If you say that VX1000 has better low light as this camera was really a 4 lux camera.

If you can get your hands on an EX1 or Z7, nothing is better in low light.  EX1 is better than PD-170 and the Z7 I hear is as good.

George; its probably my memory combined with a desire for better results than when I used the VX1000 (a fine camera).  I've not compared the results. 

Don't get me wrong, the Z1 works fine - just want more!! 

Of course John.

We are not argue here.

You will be one of the last people I will argue around here.

An EX1 like the firend propose would be awesome if anyone could afford the way it is working and the money spent on it.

EX1 is at top of my list. The images I have seen from it are really outstanding. And I have cut them quite well with Liquid. 

Ex1 goes to 0.12 lux as they say and I have heard of people using it. 

Likewise George.  I'd love a couple of EX1s, but won't be able to justify the change for a long time yet.

And there are people that I ahe to seriously fight with, the next few days or months, because I really hate the hypocrisy.

They may kick me out of here but I can't listen to some people talking like experts when in reality they can't even set a proper shoulder to shoulder scene. 

I really love the GYHD-110 but have rated the ASA of the camera at 350 its not very fast for Low Light. So how low light do you mean? Personally I really prefer the Progressive images to the  interlaced stuff.

Brad if you see the EX1 at low light I think you will be amazed.

But at good light also the images it can produce are extraordinary at least. 

If you are going to rent I would suggest the EX1. If you record in HDV mode you can stream video onto a hard drive recorder via firewire. No tapes and no problems with limited recording time of the SxS cards. As others have said, super in low light.

 

George, you are not the first person to say this to me. I'm sure the EX1 is really awesome, after all, it's a SONY.  :-)