Topic: Any Sony XDCam users?

[Kevin]

?

[beatkilla]

Not yet...too expensive.Try at dvinfo.net

[Kevin]

thanks for the link.  I had some questions a few days ago, but have spent some time with the camera and figured them out. 

[wilsonedits]

Not yet...too expensive.Try at dvinfo.net

or just most people are panasonic users

[Kevin]

i wish we were, sony always has to have a unique cable, or, with this camera, a different codec that needs a sony program to import the video + plug ins to view what u record

[gearscout]

I got my hands on one.  It's HD only -- which means you either deliver the product in HD or have to down-convert to SD.

It's NOT well balanced for handheld shooting.  The design means you have to hold the entire 6 pound + camera straight in front of you. You're going to get tired and you'll soon start getting camera shake.  Monopods or shoulder braces will help, for sure.  This is a heavy camera -- much heavier than the Z1.  That's both good and bad.  There's no putting it on your shoulder.  The review listed below talks about how well balanced it is -- on a Sachtler tripod.  These are three CMOS 1/2" sensors and being that size, the glass has to "grow" to go with it.

Wait and see, there will be all kinds of camera steadying products to go with this one.

The technology is fantastic.  Imagine shooting 90 minutes and going straight to edit, no fire wire video import.  You've saved an hour an a half right there.  32GB cards (it will hold 2) are on their way.

Here's a good write up on the Digital Journalist:

http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0711/camera-corner-the-sony-xd-cam-tapeless-camcorder.html

[Kevin]

thanks for the info
I have been shooting with 2 of these for a few weeks with some good results.  Again my only complaint is Sonys unique codec that requires the xdcam viewer and import tool.  My macpro transfer data off the card onto an external drive at anywhere from 3x to 9x, significantly faster than tape.  Although the ideal solution, which we will have down the road, will be capture cards on the computer where capturing will be direct thus eliminating transfer time altogether.

[cabbage]

I rented 3 Sony XDCAM EX1's for the Local H residency last week.  They are fantastic.  The workflow is fantastic.  XDCAM Transfer.app flies when transcoding and importing into Final Cut Pro.  Check out Sports Bar here.

http://www.vimeo.com/1006895

[beatkilla]

Looks great! Do you recall your iris and exposure settings for this gig.