Ok dudes, i need your advise.

I'm currently producing a short film (15 min). It will be shot in a single shot with a glidecam, and will take a day to shoot.

I need something with an LCD screen.

I have the following options:

-a Canon XL1(3CCD)
-a Sony DSR-PD150P(3CCD)
-or a JVC GR-DVL320(3CCD)

What do you recomend to use.

The XL1 has NO, repeat NO LCD screen.


You want a GL1.

Okay, if you are strictly limited to these cameras, I'd definately choose the pd-150. It's better than the xl1(no s?) out of the box and has xlr inputs if your using those types of mics. The JVC camcorder you mentioned is like under $500, why would that even be an option against the pd-150 or xl1? The pd-150 is also more manuverable and your steadicam might not work with the xl1 because of its size.

But is someone giving you any one of these for free, or are you renting them or what? Price would also make a difference in choosing the right one.

No doubt, no question the PD is thre one you want.

Why do you need an LCD screen?

Just convience or ..?

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

PD-150

quote:

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Originally posted by Irony is a Dead Scene:
Why do you need an LCD screen?

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Probablly for steady-cam operation.

I concur that the PD-150 is your best option (I had one on a mock steady-cam rig all last weekend).

Nota "Doesn't like the real Mini-DV steadycams" Mono

Definitely the PD-150.

"Don't breathe or I'll kill you!"

My friend, the XL1 quality is going to be much better than the PD-150. If you are facing an issue with the monitor for the glidecam, (I am assuming you are not using the Gold series. I personaly own one, and they come with a monitor) then I would suggest rigging a small monitor to the XL1. XL1 is the closest thing to atleast "digi-beta" quality your going to get. Not only that, due to its great compression and gama ratio's it will be a much better look that the PD-150. Don't think that because the PD-150 has a fold out display its better, cause its not. If you can't rig a monitor, use the GL1, its picture is much better than the PD-150

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

Yep, PD-150. It has LCD, XL1 does not. Although i have to disagree with the whole "Its better out of the box then the XL1" comment.

The XL1 is a great cam out of the box, especially since it has a nicer lens then the PD-150. Although, Like I said, for what your doing I would go with the PD.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans

Kris Kimlin-
"If you can't rig a monitor, use the GL1, its picture is much better than the PD-150"

I don't know how you'd come up with a statement like this, not even the pd-100 is worse than the gl1. Now the gl2 is as good as the xl1 for sure (trust me), but when you configure the xl1 or xl1s with better glass, the cam is fully pro and in some ways much better.

Tizzy, I respect your opinion, but I truly think the pd-150 offers a better picture quality than especially the xl1, without any further lenses. The pd-150 was actually Sony's answare to the xl1.

On another note I just came back from 28 days later. Shot on the xl1, not s and i'm not even sure if they used an anamorpic lens. But the quality was from great to horrible on some shots. I'd recomend seeing it just to know what this and other dv cameras can hold on to, and what kind of stuff it can lose grip on.

I was thinking the PD in the first place, but i thought i'd see what u guys thought. If i could afford an external monitor i would be using the xl1 but life goes on i guess. so thanks again

quote:

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Originally posted by Kris Kimlin:
XL1 is the closest thing to atleast "digi-beta" quality your going to get.

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That's confusing. DigiBeta is a format. DV is a format. All DV cameras record to the same format which is never closer, nor further from Digibeta. Digibeta cameras only come in the professional variety with excellent CCD's and usually come equipped with good lenses if that's what you mean. However, Digibeta is a Sony proprietary format and while the PD-150's CCD's are of a different type they should (And in my opionion DO) more closely resemble the look of a Digibeta camera than the Xl-1. Maybe the Ikegami models look more like the Xl-1.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kris Kimlin:
Not only that, due to its great compression and gama ratio's it will be a much better look that the PD-150.

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All these cameras should use the same DV compression. I do agree that the Xl series seems to have about 1/2 stop more exposure latitude, but that's not an enormous advantage (The PD get's ~3 1/2 stops). The interchangeable lense feature on the Xl series is nice, but the stock lens isn't as good as the PD's IMO, although neither are great. The canmera's do have different looks. Color on the PD seems to pop a little more which is why I chose it for my latest music video (Coming soon, shameless plug ).

Nota "DVX-100 beats 'em both" Mono

from what i know of the PD150 it can record in both DVCAM and Mini DV onto mini DV tapes (the DVCAM uses more tape, reducing the length of a standard(pal) tape to 40min from 60)

The PD-150 does record in DV or DVCam. Both use the same image codecs, but DVCam has an extra audio track and is less susceptible to dropouts because of its quicker tape speed (Which is, obviously, also why it burns through tape faster). DVCam is also less susceptible to audio slippage (Which I've only encountered once with MiniDV and is easily fixed).

Nota "Vs. NotaCAM" Mono