I use this as my main cam



my uses are professional, so if it doesn't have XLR inputs, and a manual focus ring, and interchangeable lenses then I dont consider using it, I also use DV tape as a main storage source, HDD or memory cards do not lend themselves to archiving of your material, as easily or cheaply as DV tape. I dont actually use a cam for home movies or casual shooting, I use a still shot SLR for those types of shots.

I've had Sony's for years, switched to canon for the features that I was looking for (and I've had just excellent luck with canon products and my mac's).. IXUS point'n'shoot's, my 350D, my pixma multifunction, and now the HV30...

Canon HV20 / HV30 User Forum - Powered by vBulletin (nice resource for info, and lots of fellow HV20/30 nerds)...

oops, I'm hijacking this thread!

not at all, i find both sony and canon play really well with macs (what doesnt tho'?), i use a canon ixus 860 as my main camera (just bought that too!), the reality is that there is very little between the canon HV30 & the Sony HC9, if the canon had been the cheaper camera i probably would have bought it instead.

the thing is they are both amazing cameras that produce incredible results out of the box compared to other consumer camcorders. when they are both so much better than anything else out there in their form and function then comparing them becomes a bit pointless - just enjoy the results of shooting in HD video in a compact camcorder you can travel with yet they have many features of a great big lump of pro gear like normandy posted a photo of.

Sony 1 - kevinnugent's Visacard Nil.

I sprung for the extended battery as well.

(Oh, and for the record - the JVC Everio series had absolute crap Mac support from memory).


EDIT: MMM...not happy Jan. Got an email waiting for me when I got home from my Sony seller that, contrary to the ad that stated they had 5 in stock now and you could pick up today, it seems there are none to be had and would I like to buy a different model? Refund on it's way back to me.

I emailed your guy, Max, too and he's just got back to my enquiry with "yeah it's online, just order it there". Problem is it's not on their Oz website. It's listed on their NZ web site (at $1480NZD!) though. Waiting on a return email....

It's not easy spending money these days.....

@normandy beautiful camera for sure. like i said, if either the little sony or the hv30 had a focus ring, they would win hands down. but both are amazing cameras for their price point.

That's a V1P, and the V1P doesn't have interchangeable lenses. It's a great camera, and I use one all the time, but it doesn't have interchangeable lenses.

Interchangeable lens?? This Sony doesn't have that does it? EDIT: snap w/ uncyherb
I'm using the Sony PMWEX1. This camera is beautiful - fulfills quite a few of the needs of those on the forum here XLR's, manual everything, sublime lens (not interchangeable unfortunately), powerful feature set buried inside the thing.
I just used it to shoot 1 frame every 1second and drove round Syd city @ sunset/ evening - the results are phenomenal. Superfast footage is the final result - looks brilliant.
First video cam I've had w/ that sort of feature on it to - you can overcrank/ undercrank + shoot frame by frame both timed and by hitting the rec button.
Downside - $10K cam.
Upside - I bought the cheapest one in the world I think as per this thread!

you can add cine lens like this,




this is to a Z1, but you can do the same with V1 as well.

or add lens adaptors like this




this is for the V1.

So I should have said lens adaptors... any case my needs are OBVIOUSLY different to the home user looking for holiday snaps.

Accuracy - we love it

Sony's cameras and camcorders feature Zeiss lenses-excellent quality.

the reason I prefer sony, I have been shooting on sonys for 25 years.

My Sony HDR HC9E should be arriving tomorrow. Had a bit of difficulty actually getting the camera. Twice I'd paid for it, only to be told no stock and did I want another model. Eventually, I got a dealer with actual stock in hand. Not the bargain Galumay got, but I'm happy.

Any recommendations regarding tapes or must-have accessories, guys?

Basically, I'm planning on taking about 5 tapes with us (we're away 4 weeks - and both have dslr's too) and then when we get back transfer the video to iMovie 08 and iDVD and burn to DVD. Sounds like a reasonable plan?

Kevin, get the sony HD tapes, you can buy them on ebay for an OK price, only use one brand in the camera- some have different lubricants apparently and it can be problematic. i bought a 5 pack of HD sony tapes for about $50 including postage.

Here is my first footage with the sony. vimeo

Got some Sony HD ones winging their way to me now. Thanks for that.

I must say I enjoyed your video, mr scaredy cat! The quality is astounding, really, for a camcorder. I'm glad I'm getting the same camera. Also, I have a 4 year old that is a chatterbox, just like your son. I must make him the subject of my first video.

So where are the best places to find these Sony and Canon HD camcorders for a decent price?

I have Canon SLR and Point & Shoot at this stage so would lean towards the HV30, but need to see if I could afford it before my US trip in Sept.