I at present have a Sony PC110 in a closed screen Gates with the very nice Fathom SWP25 lens. Trying to decide if I should gor for a Sony HC3 in a Light and Motion or a Gates so I can use the lens I already have. Anyone use a Sony HC3 with either of these? I have read some issues with low light performance and some don't seem to rate the L&M wide angle lens. My budget would stretch to the housing but not lights yet. Or should I wait to see what the market brings and in the meantime just get some lights for my current set up. The fingertip controls of L&M appeal but the Gates Fathom lens is very good.
Any advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard
does your Fathom fit the HC7 housing from Gates? It is a newer model than the HC3 and i know you can access the MWB on it. Not sure if you can on the HC3, but i don't know for sure.
Hi Mike,
I think it fits the HC7 housing too. I think the HC3 Gates can have MWB retro fitted. I have read the HC3 has better low light performance than the HC7. Have you used either?
Thanks.
I think it fits the HC7 housing too. I think the HC3 Gates can have MWB retro fitted. I have read the HC3 has better low light performance than the HC7. Have you used either?
The SWP25 does fit the Gates HC7 and you are correct, the Gates HC3 can also be fitted with the White Balance control.
I have used both the HC3 and the HC7. The HC7 seems to be a little better in terms of low light performance and now that the HC9 is released (not shipping yet), you should be able to get a pretty good price on the HC7 camcorder. The HC7's autofocus is also much smoother than the HC3.
The SWP25 is, IMHO, definitely the best wide angle port available right now. I would definitely not want to lose the capability of that port in an "upgrade".
I have used both the HC3 and the HC7. The HC7 seems to be a little better in terms of low light performance and now that the HC9 is released (not shipping yet), you should be able to get a pretty good price on the HC7 camcorder. The HC7's autofocus is also much smoother than the HC3.
Interesting to hear from someone who has shot both, the HC7 seemed to have gotten the rap as being a poorer performer than the HC3 in lower light and I shied away from it. Also I had not heard about the HC7 being smoother. Nice to know.
Interesting to hear from someone who has shot both, the HC7 seemed to have gotten the rap as being a poorer performer than the HC3 in lower light and I shied away from it. Also I had not heard about the HC7 being smoother. Nice to know.
I got lucky with these. My wife wanted the HC3 so then when the HC7 came out, I talked her into the "upgrade".
The HC7's autofocus does a lot less "hunting". I don't normally shoot in autofocus, but when I do, its nice to have a camera that does a decent job with it.
I love the fact that you up sold your wife... did it come out of the joint bank account????
I got lucky with these. My wife wanted the HC3 so then when the HC7 came out, I talked her into the "upgrade".
Always a good move, I have my wife doing the same thing, only she is catching up real quick in getting used to my older rigs, the extra arms and strobes and she has her eyes on my dSLR Rig now which is about 9 months old. Oh well, I guess I have to upgrade.
my wife Oh well, I guess I have to upgrade.
Careful, the new one will probably spend more than the old one..
I love the fact that you up sold your wife... did it come out of the joint bank account????
Of course not, the joint account is for things she buys.
The bad part is now she thinks she needs the new Rebel XSi. In that case, I end up with the hand me downs.
The SWP25 is, IMHO, definitely the best wide angle port available right now. I would definitely not want to lose the capability of that port in an "upgrade".
I couldn't agree more - whats the point of shooting HD if you aren't using the best possible optics in front of the camera. The SWP25 is awesome and worth every penny. It makes poor vis look good and the zoom through capability make it a great allrounder for everything from whales to nudibranchs. I am sure the L&M housing is easy to use but once you get your hands used to the controls on any manual housing, they become second nature and they are almost fail proof. Stick with the Gates is my advice.
Careful, the new one will probably spend more than the old one..
Very good point. Not only that she makes room in her carry-on for the bits and pieces I cannot carry.
