Sony HXR-MC2000 Test & Review

The other day a Sony HXR-MC2000 camcorder, came into my hands through a company I have done some work through and like always I jumped at the opportunity to create a short test video.


The camera is certainly not 'Pro' in the usual sense of the term, with its tiny resistive touch screen display, awkward multi function lens ring and frustratingly few buttons. But then again professionals who demand complete control are not the professionals Sony were targeting with this model. No the target buyer of this model are enthusiasts and a specific type of professional, an individual that must run a production by themselves and therefore depend upon a cameras automatic aids, durability, versatility and reliability.

The automatic functions, which frustrated me so when shooting this test film, are a blessing in disguise. They are the biggest factor in my cons list for this camera, simply because they refuse to relinquish their control, the manual controls through the sloppy lens ring and fiddly touch screen are a nightmare. However the automatic mode when left to its own devices works very well in most situations, and if shooting a live event where you need such automation, there'd be no need to attempt the manual controls anyway.

The camera works:
It has an internal 90GB hard disk which you'll have a hard time filling up, even at the highest bit rate recording setting, and even if you do storage is expandable through inexpensive SD memory cards.

It uses Sony's infolithium L-series batteries, and with such a low power draw, it's entirely possible to do a whole days shoot on a single NP-970 battery.

Fantastic plastic, the camera body is entirely plastic and on the most part it feels quite hollow making it feel very light, but not flimsy. I must say the impression it gives me is that it could easily survive falling down a flight of stairs (Not tested of course). The price and build quality of this camera combine to form a very 'tough and ready' feeling product.

Sony's optical image stabilisation which features in the MC2000, performs very well. In fact the majority of the images featured in my test video were shot without a tripod. This feature makes the camera very usable handheld or on the shoulder in almost any situation.

It has an impressive low light performance, considering it only has a single 1/4 Cmos chip, the footage captured with minimal street lighting, or on a crowded dance floor, is entirely usable for most live event productions.

Some drawbacks:
As I have said, if you want manual control from your camera, look elsewhere. This drove me crazy.

16 minute clip length. For whatever reason the camera insists upon using the FAT file structure, and therefore has a cap on the maximum size per file. this equates to roughly 16 minutes of recoding before the camera makes a new file. It wouldn't be so much of an issue if the camera didn't drop 2 whole frames between switching, making shooting long takes and synchronising multiple cameras a bit difficult.

The eyepiece viewfinder is pathetic. You may as well tear it off and save yourself some weight, it's so small my eye takes a moment to re-focus as I squint to make out the image. Stick to the 2 inch LCD or buy an external monitor is my recommendation.

Zooming can be an issue if you're recording a critical moment and you want a very slow and controllable zoom. Both the rockers featured on this can be a bit tricky, you'll be gradually applying more and more pressure whilst nothing's happening, then suddenly the servo will wake up and jolt your frame forward ruining your shot.

So there we have it, a sometimes frustrating yet decent camera for a specific purpose. You can see my test video shot with the MC2000 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPOU1BESHQE   

Panasonic AG-AF101

Well I've just completed my final year film project shoot. I had the pleasure of working with some great people whilst at the same time working with a great camera.

Our short film Conduit was shot using Panasonic's AG AF101 coupled with three Carl Zeiss compact prime lenses. This was the first time I've personally shot a film using primes, quite a different approach I can tell you, but certainly a positive one.

I was quite sad to see the kit go back after the shoot, but as it was down to me to return the kit to the hire place I managed to squeeze a real quick test shoot out of it literally forty minutes before the return deadline. The video can be viewed at:



I would have loved to have taken the kit on a walk for the whole day around my  local area, but as I said I was under very pressuring time constraints. Maybe one day I'll get my hands on this kit again.

Panasonic HDC MD-H1

A Panasonic HDC MD-H1 Camcorder has recently come my way connected with a job I'm involved with. It'll soon be gone again, but as always, whenever a new camera falls into my hands I make sure I get a Test Film shot with it before it goes.

It's by no means what I would call a pro camera, much like the Sony MC2000 it feels like a high end handycam nestled in an oversized body. But that's not such a bad thing when you consider there is a market for such cameras, video enthusiasts that either don't have the budget or the need for a pro camera will be pleased by the convenience and 'bulk' of this Panasonic.

I spent a couple of hours round my local area with the camera and have created this short feature of the footage I took.

Hooray for my second lens!

Just completed my second lens ever on Squidoo, not quite as personal as my first this one leans more to a review and consumer advice. But as the little pop up box said as I hit the publish button, at least my first lens won't be lonely anymore!

Please take a look here:

http://www.squidoo.com/dslr-trigger-timers

Jealousy (Short Film)

Good morning once again!


Having just received the results of the second year of my university course, I thought it apt to celebrate by sharing my final film project!


The brief was to create a 7-10 minute fiction piece, a hugely broad criteria if you ask me. This is what resulted...

Squidoo and my 1st Lens!

Well hi there!

Recently I've been pottering around a bit, both in reality and in the land of the internet. I've found myself wrapped in the early stages of an addiction, an addiction to the wonderful site of Squidoo. If you don't know what it is then I highly recommend checking it out, it's sort of blogging with a twist.

On this note I'd be very appreciative if you'd take a look at my first page or 'lens' as it's known, that I made the other day. It's a short insight into the workings and importance of my old 8mm Cine Camera from 1958!

It can be found here!

And it beggins

So a little bit about me and this blog. I like my cameras, my hobbies, studies and work largely revolve around them and I'm usually finding things to keep me busy. This blog will mainly be logging and sharing the things I make, hence the name, but don't worry there'll be other bits and pieces I promise. I'm thinking of this blog as a sort of reception area for my online content, you know with some nice creamy sofas and perhaps a potted plant, an area that takes all the loose ends and organises them into some sort of order for your perusal.  

Well why not start off with one of my biggest and most exciting ventures of late. Wedding Videography! Yes since the start of 2012 I have flown the nest of Assistant Videography and begun to shoot weddings independently. Slightly terrifying at first I thought, but now the first three are complete I must say my confidence has rooted a little deeper. 

Most recently on the 24th of May I attended Leez Priory in Chelmsford, for the wedding of Holly & Stewart. It was a beautiful day and the sun was certainly out in force. The day very smoothly and I couldn't have for a nicer crowd to work with. The following video is the montage feature created from the complete wedding film.