A New Toy - Video

[ErnestM]

[pic]http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/MoreImages/HDRHC1_4.jpg[/pic]
[b][small]Sony HDR-HC1[/small][/b]

While the Sony HDR-FX1 is fantastic for most things, it is way to bulky for in car shooting and other stuff (packing to travel, etc). Since I have already invested in the software for HD, I thought I would take the plunge for the FX1's baby brother.

I will report back as to whether or not it is worth the $1700 US...

ErnestM

[mikef]

Funnily enough I was wondering about the FX1 / Z1U in-car. The camera fits my windscreen mount, but is heavy enough to become a dangerous flying object on bends

I've also found that the auto settings don't deal too well with high-speed subject motion and I need to lock down the frame rate, etc. Have you taken any successful HDV 1080i in-car, and if so on what settings?

[ErnestM]

The wife is my in-car videographer. We tried a trial run with the FX1 (car show and rally coming up in October) and it was no go. It is too big and unwieldy to actually get anything other than straight forward and the side windows are too close in the Esprit for movement.

On pure autofocus it seems to do ok (haven't taught her the art of manual focus, yet).

The HC1 should be perfect, however. It is just marginally longer than the old DCR-PC115e. It also is more comfortable to hold with the controls placed more naturally.

So I will use the FX1 whilst perusing around the actual show on foot and the HC1 for in car footage. I might even hook up the old 115e for alternate/stationary views out the back or side windows as I do have a few mounts...


ErnestM