Sony HDR-FX7 / HVR-V1

Dean, B&H used to sell both NTSC and PAL versions of cameras. Certainly they did in the VX2000/PD150 days. So they may well carry the PAL version of the V1. If they don't already then it might be worth emailing them to see if they plan to.

Steve, there seem to 2 main issues...

Firstly if you have any XLR microphones that you use for topside work, then you'd need the V1. This is why I got a Z1 instead of an FX1.

Secondly do you want to shoot progressive? If you got the V1 would you actually shoot in the 24p or 30p mode or would you just carry on in 60i? It's a tricky one.

Also I was just reading on another forum that if you buy the prosumer versions (FX7), the Sony store will sell you an extended warranty that even covers accidental damage, and even if you buy the camera from a different retailer. Sounds good to me! Apparently such warranty is not available for pro series cameras (V1, Z1). I haven't checked this out personally, just read a comment from someone on www.DVinfo.net

Good feature comparison here:

http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/articles..._comparison.htm

HVR-V1E is 25P/50i only.

BH usually sells PAL versions at MSRP. Then you add 8.38% sales tax on top. Thus Dean also consider Switzerland to avoid VAT. Also Asia, esp SEA.

The Extended Warranty with ADH has this caveat:

Accidental Damage from Handling Protection (ADH) plans offer the same benefits as the Service Plans and Replacement Plans, and will repair or replace eligible parts in your Sony product when it malfunctions due to breakdowns that occur from handling the product under normal operating conditions.

Now what is "normal operating conditions"? It is also only available for the US market.

BH usually sells PAL versions at MSRP. Then you add 8.38% sales tax on top. Thus Dean also consider Switzerland to avoid VAT. Also Asia, esp SEA.

It's not just the VAT Drew. Most items at the moment (current conversion rate around $2=£1) are litterally half price in the US as compared to UK. I've just recently bought a couple of photography bits a pieces from the US standing me in around $1200 (£600). In the UK the exact same items would have cost me £1400 ($2800).

We have a saying over here 'rip off Britian', this time it's really gone crazy.

Cheers, Simon

Simon I understand that. Many of my friends in france can't be bothered to go to the US for equipment. They buy in Switzerland, Geneva to be exact. Geneva has lower import taxes than the EU for Japanese goods.

And it's really not the strength of £ but the $ going down the toilet.

Not completely off topic, but due to this forum and thread I just ordered the HDR-FX7 for my husband for Christmas - Thank you! I have spent the better of two weeks researching and trying to make a decision and it seemed like the more research I did the more confused I got and more timid on making a selection (and that is so not me!) I look forward to the reviews on the housings for this camera - hopefully just in time to get him one for his birthday in January.

The irony of the gift is I bought myself a Sony DCR-TRV20 and an Ikelite housing since he was into the Sea&Sea Pro taking stills. I thnk I got to use the video twice.

You might have to wait a bit for the housings. Light and Motion is planning an FX-7 housing for April and I am not sure when the others will also have them. Also not aware of anyone having a housing for the V1-U yet.

Also, while B& H is an excellent place to buy, Berger Brothers is also an honest outfit. I hooked them up with Mark in Palua and they did fine by him. If I can help any of you from out of the States, let me know and I would be happy to do the calling and arranging for you. Wish he would give me a commission tho.;-)

Steve B)

You might have to wait a bit for the housings. Light and Motion is planning an FX-7 housing for April and I am not sure when the others will also have them. Also not aware of anyone having a housing for the V1-U yet.

Also, while B& H is an excellent place to buy, Berger Brothers is also an honest outfit. I hooked them up with Mark in Palua and they did fine by him. If I can help any of you from out of the States, let me know and I would be happy to do the calling and arranging for you. Wish he would give me a commission tho.;-)

Steve B)

I am assuming the V1U housing would be the same as the FX7?

I am confused why anyone would house the FX7 instead of the V1U.

I seem to understand the FX7 has no progressive modes and worse lowlight than the FX1, so the only benefit is it is slightly smaller?

Also, the viewfinder seems to be placed in a more annoying place on the FX7/V1U for underwater usage.

Am I missing something?

Housings for the FX7/V1 will start popping up end Jan/feb. Aquavideo already had a full prototype at DEMA. Amphibico also promises Mar/Apr delivery. I'm not sure about Gates but I'd think they'd have it earlier.

Franztini, your husband is a lucky man. All I'll get this year is a lousy sweater from my gf.

LimeyX

The FX7 CMOS sensor also has less vertical smearing and better resolution vs the FX1. And with that 20X lens, it should make for a great macro camera as well. I haven't tested it with the available diopters yet... but I'll wait for my V1 to do that.

"Smearing"? That's a new one for me. Care to expand Drew?

Vertical smearing is a phenomenon where a CCD sensor cannot process an image with a strong light source. I could go into how it happens but it's easier to google that than have me explain it. Basically it's not a big deal if you don't shoot other divers or strong light sources like dive lights, sun etc. The vertical lines do occur and remove detail.

CMOS sensors are inherently less prone to smearing.

A good experiment is to go to a night scene and shoot lots of head lights of cars. At each headlight you'll see vertical lines shooting out the top and bottom of the light source. That's smearing.

Vertical smearing is a phenomenon where a CCD sensor cannot process an image with a strong light source. I could go into how it happens but it's easier to google that than have me explain it. Basically it's not a big deal if you don't shoot other divers or strong light sources like dive lights, sun etc. The vertical lines do occur and remove detail.

CMOS sensors are inherently less prone to smearing.

A good experiment is to go to a night scene and shoot lots of head lights of cars. At each headlight you'll see vertical lines shooting out the top and bottom of the light source. That's smearing.

Interesting. I might be seeing a little of that on the FX1 when shooting toward the sun.

Still, I am not sure why you would get the FX7. Either Z1U/FX1 or V1, right? The FX7 seems like a bit of a lame duck.

If better resolution, better latitude and smaller form factor doesn't bite you, then you're right.

If better resolution, better latitude and smaller form factor doesn't bite you, then you're right.

I guess I would have to see the footage, but my understanding was it was not so good in lowlight, and for the water I am shooting in, low-light performance seems important.

Size I can understand as the FX1 is definitely not that mobile especially in these days of TSA regulations.

due to this forum and thread I just ordered the HDR-FX7 for my husband for Christmas -

D'oh!!! i need a wife like you!!!

er....

hold it...

Who just said that?!?! :glare:

I am single and proud.... B)

Congrats on the new purchase! your husband will be very happy and welcome to wetpixel, feel free to post any questions you have

If you read the comparisons in Sony HDV info forums you will see there is not much difference in the low light capabilities of the FX1 and the V1..A little, but with the new gadgetry on the V1 / FX7 its questionable to whether the extra 1-2lux is worthy.

Also with the progressive scan, etc..and being smaller I think the V1 is the way to go..Unless you've bought a Fx1 then you might be feeling a bit peeved.. But then again what about the FX2 / Z2U its all coming up again...

Dive safe

Dean(A1 owners revenge)B

I'd never thought about purchasing from Switzerland, I always thought that it was very expensive over there, but I'll check it out so thanks for the tip.

As for the FX7/V1 I'm waiting to see just how big the housings are before I make a decision. Although I was really excited at first, my gut feeling now is that they will still be a bit on the large side (for me) for travelling with and at the moment I can't really justify purchasing one just for UK waters.

Ideally I'd love an A1 upgrade with better low light capabilities.

Can you hear me SONY ???? !!!!!

Cheers, Simon

If you read the comparisons in Sony HDV info forums you will see there is not much difference in the low light capabilities of the FX1 and the V1..A little, but with the new gadgetry on the V1 / FX7 its questionable to whether the extra 1-2lux is worthy.

 

Also with the progressive scan, etc..and being smaller I think the V1 is the way to go..Unless you've bought a Fx1 then you might be feeling a bit peeved.. But then again what about the FX2 / Z2U its all coming up again...

 

Dive safe

 

Dean(A1 owners revenge)B

Actually, I am really happy with the FX1 (and I think the placement of the LCD on the V1U/FX7 might be problematic for housing guys to allow access to the LCD)

My only point was, the V1U has progressive mode, so it has a clear benefit over the FX1 if you want progressive scan. The FX7 as far as I understand does not have progressive, so it really seems like either get a FX1/Z1U or V1U but why the FX7?

That was all.

I am eagerly looking fwd to seeing U/W footage from V1U and FX7

LimeyX

The FX1 has lower resolution, less chroma & color latitude, more smearing, shorter lens, bigger and heavier. The FX7 even has a neat 3x slomo lower res rec record feature. The Fx7 is only 1-1.5 stops slower than the FX1. You're in CA, and I have shot in CA waters with DV cameras with 7 lux (such as the PD100) with no problems for years. I've also shot with the PD170 (the lowlight king at 2 lux) and seriously, the differences had little to do with the light level.

However if you use features like the CF24 or CF30, then the FX1 is the better choice, the FX7 doesn't have those features.

As for the LCD on top vs on the side, it's nice to have a cheaper solution for a monitor. But if you have to look down to see the LCD, your movement is more restricted. It does not replace the VF and monitor solution. Plus if you forget to cover it up in strong sunlight, it'll take awhile to recover from the exposure. LCD and direct sunlight don't mix.

Every setup has pros and cons and obviously workarounds have to be found. Shooting straight into the dark abyss at depth(either shooting down or anywhere but up) will create noise, even for the best lowlight cameras. It's just too dark esp if with a red filter. To get the best looking stuff, one has to play with the available light or light it themselves.

Limey, are you sure you even want to shoot in progressive mode? Just because it is there doesn't make it necessarily desirable. Think, it is rolling at a slower speed producing this 'film look' that seems to be so important to many. But for underwater shooters, film look equates to a softer image, not as sharp and with greater chance for artifacts. Is that really what an underwater shooter wants? I also have concerns as to whether I should get the FX-7 or V1-U but it is not because of the progressive ability of the V1. I have a brand new A1-U with an equally new Gates housing I will be selling as soon as I can make up my mind but it is not because I miss having a progressive feature.

I doubt if the housings will be the same for either of the new cams. The FX-7 has the standard built in mic while the V1 only has the XlR mic. If the housing manufacturers decide to build the V1-U to allow the mic then you can expect it to be considerably larger than the housing for the FX-7. The V1-U has a naturally larger footprint. I just wish I hadn't sold my L series batteries to Mark in Palua as now I will have to buy new ones all over again.

Steve B)

Steve, you really think they will make 2 different housings for the V1 and FX7 ? Except for the audio and progressive aren't they basically the same ? I wouldn't think audio would be important for us.

I'm more interested to see how the new housings compare to the old VX2000. The FX7/V1 are very similar in size and shape. I'm expecting the typical control set, but hope they include a flip diopter. The 20x zoom is awesome.