544 gram 1080 HD Video cam!

[furyphoto]

I think a couple of people have mentioned it, but here is a link to Canon's new HV20 HD cam. It also shoots 24p (24 frames/second) like the movies, so in theory it could be output to motion picture film!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481076-REG/Canon_2059B001_VIXIA_HV20_2_96MP_CMOS.html

$799, and it weighs 544 grams or 1.2lbs (probably without the battery) but easily liftable by a 550-600 size ship.

I don't know much about video, but a Pro Videographer friend of mine just got one, and wants me to fly for him. We will probably be doing some test shooting soon.

Just thought people might want to check it out.
-A

[r40734]

I think a couple of people have mentioned it, but here is a link to Canon's new HV20 HD cam. It also shoots 24p (24 frames/second) like the movies, so in theory it could be output to motion picture film!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481076-REG/Canon_2059B001_VIXIA_HV20_2_96MP_CMOS.html

$799, and it weighs 544 grams or 1.2lbs (probably without the battery) but easily liftable by a 550-600 size ship.

I don't know much about video, but a Pro Videographer friend of mine just got one, and wants me to fly for him. We will probably be doing some test shooting soon.

Just thought people might want to check it out.
-A

The HV20 has been out for quite a while. I picked mine up over a year ago. It's been out long enough that Canon already has a new HD cam replacing it; the HV30. Both are similar in weight, and the spec of 1.2lbs is without the battery and lens. Fairly decent HD cam in brood daylight. Not so good in dim light or at night. Also not so good at falling out of the window of my car at 165mph.

[bullaculla]

Not so good in dim light or at night. Also not so good at falling out of the window of my car at 165mph.

:shock:
I'm trying to get a HV30 or an HC5 soon.

[r40734]

I liked the HV20, but I'm undecided if I will replace it with the HV30 or something else. I hear they never improved the low light issues. Flash memory is getting much better, too, so maybe a format change for me...

[staale]

My Sony HDR-CX6 is just 370 grams, and it's a 1080 HD cam...

[r40734]

I looked at the Sony HDR-CX7 a few weeks ago, which is basically the same thing as the CX6. It listed a weight of 450 grams WITH the battery. It took a little research to come up with a dry weight, which is, as you said, 370g. That's within a few grams of the Canon HF10 and HF100, so weight was a wash.

I really like any Carl Zeiss lens, so it was +1 for the Sony, but I've never heard anything bad about Canon lenses, so...

This went on for quite a while; back and forth, back and forth (with a couple of other brand names mixed in there, too).

It is finally coming down to accessories. I already have a bunch of extras I bought for my HV20 that I can use on the HF10, so that is probably the way I will go.

Now I just need to improve the security of the mount in my car. Too bad that recording didn't survive it's journey :(.

[jascamera]

I would skid the HV20 for aerial purpose. I have spent 2 month to get it working, but still not very reliable, every now and then video is not good, if it's a windy day, if you fly too hard. I am sure can be don't but it's not the most reliable result producing video camera. If you do a search in runryder, everyone have the same opinion. On the other hand, sony HC5 is just so much easier to tune. I get good everytime, tracking off a bit, windy days, result is just much more reliable.

[bullaculla]

I just won 2 HC5s on Ebay :D cant wait to get um in the air!

[meflyjeep]

Canon builds great gear ... don't overlook the new Sony HDR-SR11 and 12 models ... some do not like the HDD, but my experience has shown the HDD has better mtbf than tape drives.... it is spendy at the moment, but prices will fall. The auction site has had some go for the same price range as the above cams.

[d-bledsoe]

The only problem with HDD based camcorders and its a biggy, is that if your mount is not isolated from the vibration from your helicopter you will have read/write failures. You will do a great shoot, come down and your data will be corrupt. Now dont think just because maybe you fly electric that you wont have this problem. Electrics vibrate as well just on a difference frequency.

For the time being i think the best route for HD cameras attached to helicopters are film based cameras.

[vrwired]

The HV20 can do well in low light if you use the "lock exposure trick".
I have been able to shoot in low light indoors and out, and practically remove all the grain from to much gain being added automatically.

the trick works really well... If you have not tried it with the HV20 yet.. give it a shot.
The easieest way is to find a repeatable white light source like a white screen on a phone or something similar.

Heres more info on locking exposure on the HV20. If you have an HV20 its at least a good read.

http://dvxuser.com/jason/hv20/

[steve28]

just a question from sombody that knows nothing , how do you access the camera controls from the ground , is there a remote that the camera comes with that operates at huge distances or do you guys make your own somhow ?

[franky92]

which HD cam would be liftable by a 450 ship?

[d-bledsoe]

This would work.
http://www.aiptek.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=R-AHDB&Store_Code=AS

[KarbonBird]

I am very happy with the HC-5 after having it for a week or so.

Here is some sample footage shot yesterday (in low light so it struggled a bit with focus at times).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHI6xfUhHEo&fmt=18

[bullaculla]

Nice Karbon :) I haven't really flown with mine yet :( weather has been bad. But I have been playing with it and its a nice camera. I'm still having problems with editing tho...