Sony HDR-FX1 « Videomaker Community Forums

Craigsnedeker
Member

Looking at this camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-FX1-Definition-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B00068JKR0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1280840909&sr=1-1

Want to know if I should get it for professional production (on a budget, obviously) only reason I am asking is because it came out in 2004. Last camera I got (DCR VX2000) didn't have the quality I thought it did.

Sep 10/11 is Rally New York and I heard some famous rally drivers are gonna be there. I'd like some good, HD, clear footage and I can also extract photos from.

God has all the credit
Craigps.info (new site coming soon)

Posted 1 year ago #
Cville
Member

My friend has that camera and it does a nice job. I wouldn't spend the $4999 on it that came up when I went to the link.

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Used it's less then $2k

Posted 1 year ago #
Cville
Member

I assume you want to stay with ccd. If you want to stay with tape but consider cmos you could also look at the sony HDR-FX7 new at b&h for 1999 they are throwing in a free battery and free shipping.

Posted 1 year ago #
grinner
Member

It's a great camera. I can't tell ya how many times mine has paid for itself and I simply can't kill the thing. It's been in water, the humidity of the bermuda triangle, paint booths, hung outside of drifting Vipers, dropped, lens pitted multiple times by explosions, dragsters, and debris from a variety of things... lots of bang for the buck now that you can get em for less than a grand on ebay.

The draw backs are it's stocker lens offers no depth of field (fixed in post). It has no XLR inputs (fexed with an adpater if needed). The FX7 does have EXLR inputs and is also on the cheap on ebay.

http://grinnerhester.com

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Wow Grinner, sounds like it can hold it's own! :D

I don't care about XLR inputs atm, I have a mic that plugs into an audio port (looks like the ones on computers). I saw the FX7 but it's about the same price as the FX1 and not quite as good.

Selling some junk to save up for this camera :) I can hear you can take photos at the same time as recording? How is the picture quality, where are the photos stored?

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Is the FX1 SD cars or DV taps?

Posted 1 year ago #
Hogwild
Member

It is a great camera in my opinion. I owned it for several years and cannot say anything bad about it. It uses MiniDV tapes. I use the Sony DVM-63HD tapes for HDV and haven't experienced any problems with them. Here's the link from sony for the camera if you want to see the specs...

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=11038608#features

Posted 1 year ago #
grinner
Member

Craig, it shoots on mini DV (SD or HD) and you buy em on the cheap at Sam's club (Fuji). If you finf an FX7 for the same price go for it. It's newer and has XLR inputs but is otherwise the exact same camera.

I've had to replace the lens in mine few times due to abuse but I've never spent more than 600 bucks doing it. It's always been more than worth it to me or I would not have been putting it harm's way to begin with. If you surf my youtube channel, you'll see a ding or two happen lol: http://youtube.com/ModdinArt

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Godwild ok thanks. So you need certian tapes to record HD? That's handy to know :P

So, quality-wise FX1 and FX7 are the same? I'll admit I like the LCD placement better on the FX1. I saw a buy at the rally race.. his LCD screen was the same (Canon camera) and since the dust was incredible he had this camera wrapped in plastic bags or something... the LCD screen was on top so he could see if. It it was below (FX7) it would have been blocked

I have a nice hot-shoe mount that is not XLR and I am happy with it

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Grinner all those vids are shot with FX1?

I just want good quality without spending a lot.. because I can't afford it :p

Posted 1 year ago #
grinner
Member

yes...all of em. It's great for run and gun shoots. Taking a bit more time, it can look as good as ya want it to:

Get the Video Plugins

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Great thanks (btw your video does not exist :p)

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Well I'm selling my VX2100 (eBay) and am going to buy an FX1 unless something else comes up. I'm excited :)

Posted 1 year ago #
coldsun
Member

Craig... I've owned this camera since it was released by Sony. Have shot hundreds of commercials, news, docs, training vids...anything you can think of, and it's always been reliable with excellent video. Just shot a concert in a dark theatre last Friday and STILL had good images of crowd, etc. The film mode is great too. You won't be disappointed with this camera.

Posted 1 year ago #
Craigsnedeker
Member

Good to know, but I've changed my mind to a HMC40. More of what I need ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
Techzarinfo
Member

nice info

Posted 1 year ago #
daryldrj
Member

My FX-1 is tops and tough I have had mine for five years now I think and never had any problems with it and when i plug it into an HDTV it looks great its a keeper in my camera closet

Posted 1 year ago #