Questions about the Canon HV30 Video camera..?

Question

I am seriously considering buying this camera. I have a budget because I am also a Photographer and musician so all of my money is already spent else where.

I would love a big camera the size of the GL2 with quality of a xha1 but what attracts me to the HV30 is the price of course, and the 24p mode.

I don't like the fact that it is small but I'm sure there is a grip I can add to it to add a bit of bulk.

My question is... is this camera a good long term purchase? To more experienced film makers/editors out there. Will I be able to get a lot out of it? I do want to make short films. Ofcourse editing is a big part too. Is this compatible with Mac and final cut pro?

I want quality mostly but I also like that I can add an external mic. I have lights that I can use and editing software. Should this be enough to get me started?

also may i have links to an affordable steadycam or grip for the HV30 so it could be easier to hold (not hand held).

thanks in advance.

Answer 1

A couple of years ago I got a Sony HDR-HC1. It has served me well.

I just got a HDR-FX1. It is a HUGE improvement.

On the HV30:

Yes, there is a grip on the right side of the camcorder - buy you would be wise to use a tripod or other stabilizer, rather than handheld.

Yes, video is imported over firewire from the camcorder's DV port to your Mac's firewire400 port. You will meed to buy a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable as none comes in the box. You will need to install the Apple Intermediate codec as it is not included in the stock configuration from Apple - it is on the system disc and you just do a custom install. Yes, FinalCutPro and the HV30 get along fine after that.

If you are a musician, you have mics with XLR connectors. In order to use them (or any other good mics), you need an XLR adapter. BeachTek and juicedLink (I have both) are good - be sure it has pre-amps. I use an Audio Technica AT-825 or NRG SA-568... or Shure wireless lavs depending on the audio requirement of the shoot or clip.

It depends what sort of stuff you'll be doing... but the SpiderBrace works pretty well for what it is.

Answer 2

I know the feeling... I've bought one still camera, two guitars, and a big FX unit since the last time I looked at upgrading video gear. But I do love shooting video, too.

I think the HV30 is a great choice. I have a Sony HVR-A1 and a Canon HV10... the HV10 delivers surprisingly good video compared to much more expensive camcorders, and I'll bet Canon's latest do just as well. HD isn't quite the same story between low and and high end as it was with standard def (and even that was changing... Canon had at least one single-chip SD camera that was nearly at the level of their three-chippers).

My Sony is relatively small... not as small as the HV30, but not the "full" size of the GL2 or XHA1. And it works fine. Most of the time, I have it on a tripod anyway, and when I don't, the smaller size actually works in your favor.

What you tend to give up is easy access to controls. For example, there's one lens ring... it can be focus or zoom, but not both. Many of the buttons and levels on a GL2 have to put on the Sony's touch-screen.

I think you'll be happy with the HV30. HDV is mature tech these days, the video quality is excellent (AVCHD is getting there, but it's not quite as good). You don't get XLRs with the HV30 (I'm not any fan of in-camera mics), but if you're doing music, you probably don't use camcorder audio anyway (over the years, I've used MiniDisc, PC recording through a Tascam USB interface, and recently, a Tascam DR-1 flash recorder), so it may not even be an issue. But if you need to hook in XLRs, there are little 3.5mm to XLR adaptors. Or you get a little field mixer, and run multiple mics (I have an 8-channel mic mixer I've used for recording occasionally, though you need AC for it).

HDV is old hat for editing on a PC or Mac. The latest PC applications handle HDV as easily as DV was a few years ago -- fast editing, full speed previews, "smart" recompression. Before that, we had work-arounds, like "intermediate" CODECs such as CineForm. I know Apple has their own intermediate CODEC, I don't know if FCP handles full speed HDV, but either way, they have a fully functional HDV toolchain using FCP on the Mac.

I never found the smaller camera that hard to hold, but yeah, you can add grips and steadying devices, and there are a number of these intended specifically for smaller cameras. I'll admit my Canon HV10 looks ridiculous on a tripod (I bought this ultra-small HDV model for a backpacking trip last summer... I wasn't going to take the Sony, both due to size and the potential for damage), but my videos look good, so who cares. But it worked pretty well on a hiking stick that had a tripod s***w on it... though they should have used loc-tite on the tripod-mount screws.

If you're nervous about the size, you should get some time in a camera store and really handle it.