Need Reassuring Words for CX560 Purchase

I am upgrading the SONY TRV30 I have had for a decade. I have felt that the camera has been limiting the quality of my footage for several trips.

I'm looking at the Sony CX560 and an L&M Bluefin (Standard). This seems to be a fairly popular pairing, though I'm not sure if the 560 is really just a new version of the 550?

I have a few questions I would love to get input on.

[1] I can't quite ascertain if it is compatible. It has been a long time since I purchased my olde Dolphin Pro housing with a LANC connector.

[2] With my current camera I used lights only rarely - what can I get by with? Or am I entering a whole new world and I'd better get decent lights?

[3] I have been using Final Cut Express 4. I understand there is an intermediate step to working with AVCHD from this camera. Should I be thinking about an upgrade to this new iMoviePlus, I mean Final Cut X when working with the CX560 footage?

Thanks, Scott

Hi;

Please be aware that L&M has NOT been able to make the new Sony cameras compatible with the electronic controls on their handles. From what I hear, they are not going to able able to support them. If you act fairly quickly and pick up a CX550 and order your housing they will continue to build them until those modules are used up - but I don't expect that will last very long.

They are recommending either of the 3 new Canon cameras and will support them.

Jack

Hi;

 

Please be aware that L&M has NOT been able to make the new Sony cameras compatible with the electronic controls on their handles. From what I hear, they are not going to able able to support them. If you act fairly quickly and pick up a CX550 and order your housing they will continue to build them until those modules are used up - but I don't expect that will last very long.

 

They are recommending either of the 3 new Canon cameras and will support them.

 

Jack

That's too bad... That forward compatibility pitch was one of the reason I went for the Sony/L&M combo. Not that I regret it, but that means I am most likely stuck with the same setup until the CX550V dies...

@Scott:

AVCHD is supported by Final Cut Express (using Log & Transfer). Another option is to first convert (without loss, it is just a repackaging) the clips into .mov files using ClipWrap (search the forum). You may want actually to forget about FCE and go for FCP X? Rendering is a bitch with FCE... About 1 min per second of footage on my MBP.

Jack - Thanks for the info. I would have made a huge mistake thinking the CX560 or even the 700 would have worked in the BlueFin.

And uwxplorer - I am thinking about FC-X, mostly I was trying to find out if the time I've spent on the learning curve for FCE would be lost to the sands of time. I understand -X has challenged some FCP veterans with new tricks that aren't always learned willingly. Mostly, I've been trying to scout out this alien idea of working without DV tape.

Mostly, I've been trying to scout out this alien idea of working without DV tape.

DV what ?