VX2100 Right For Me? « Videomaker Community Forums

Stacked
Member

Hey Guys. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a vx2100. I've got a little Panasonic GS70 right now. It has served me well (aside from tape noise), but I'm ready for something more professional.

I mainly do videos for my church at the moment, but I want to eventually make a documentary, among other things. I also do sporting events on occasion, and I read somewhere that this is a good camera for that (can anyone verify that?).

I've got about 3k to spend at the moment. I'm willing to wait and save more if necessary. I also have my eye on a PD170, but I don't really know how big of a step it is.

The main thing I'm interested in is picture quality. Assuming I have the necessary skill, will I be able to produce professional videos with this camera? Should I look at any other cameras?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Posted 6 years ago #
BryantProductions
Member

I recently purchased a VX2100 after doing hours and hours of research for my new videography buisness... and I am extremly pleased with the results so far. The video quaility is superb, the audio is good, even the tape speed (fast forward/rewind) is almost twice as fast as my old camera (Sony TRV740). The controls that need to be adjusted at a moment's notice are always at your finger tips -- no touch-screen menus or anything to go through (for the most part). The only thing I dislike about it is the focus and zoom controls on the lense... due to the fact that it is all electronic and not directly linked to mechanics, there is a slight delay when you try to zoom or focus quickly (only from the lense... not at the back of the camera -- those work to perfection).
The thing is built like a rock... it has a very solid feel to it and the hybrid LCD screen is far superior to any other screen I have ever seen on a camera. If I had the chance to go back and buy a camera again -- I would still choose this one.
Highly recomended.

-Chris Bryant
Bryant Productions

Posted 6 years ago #
svhs
Member

VX2100 is my recommendation too. Big bang for the buck.
If you want to make a more future-proof decision, check out some HDV gear.

Posted 6 years ago #
Stacked
Member

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Bryant, glad to hear you are happy with yours. Are you using the onboard mic? I wish it had xlr inputs, but I guess you can always use an adaptor. And just out of curiosity, what is the focus of your biz?

Svhs, thanks for the recommendation. I'm not too concerned with future proofing. At this point (and the near future) I don't need HDV, and from what I read there is some downside to it at the moment (low-light performance, hardware/software requirements if I remember correctly). I don't know much about it and I don't think I need it, so I'm just going to steer clear of it.

Posted 6 years ago #
Captured-Films
Member

I just got a HDR-FX1 on new years and love it. The picture quality is fantastic indoors, but I haven't taped with it outside yet. Many of the controls are right there and easy to find. You can switch between DV and HDV in seconds. Its a great camera but a bit more expensive than the vx2100.

Nick

Posted 6 years ago #
SFChuck
Member

If you're not already committed, I'd recommend you at least look at the Panasonic AG-DVC30. Side-by-side image comparisons with the Sony reveal VERY little difference and the Panasonic is around $2000 from B&H WITH the XLR adapter and optional short shotgun mic.

I had some issues with mine on one occasion but that seems to be cleared up. I was assured by Panasonic tech support that my problem was as a result of a stray RF field.

Posted 6 years ago #
Stacked
Member

If you're not already committed, I'd recommend you at least look at the Panasonic AG-DVC30. Side-by-side image comparisons with the Sony reveal VERY little difference and the Panasonic is around $2000 from B&H WITH the XLR adapter and optional short shotgun mic.

Looks like a nice choice as well. I'm going to study up on it some more. Thanks for the tip, chuck.

Anyone else have anything to add about this camera?

Posted 6 years ago #
Stacked
Member

I just got a HDR-FX1 on new years and love it.

Looks like a nice camera as well. Pretty reasonably priced too. I'm 99% sure I'm not going HDV, but if anything changes that looks like a nice choice.

Posted 6 years ago #
tvdirectorjim
Member

The 2100 is a good camera. I bought one a few years back and it really served me well. I did, however, just recently upgrade to the Sony HDV HVR-Z1U. The 2100 has great quality, but for just under 5k, the Z1U is probably a better investment for the future.

Posted 6 years ago #
BryantProductions
Member

Yes, I typically use the mic provided, but on occasion I have used an older model Sony shotgun mic I used on my last camera. I'm looking into upgrading that for a Sennheiser, as well as an XLR adaptor.
As for my buisness, I'm doing mainly weddings, but also Sweet 16s, picture slide shows, property insurance videos, real estate virtual tours, tributes and video biographies. A little bit of everything...

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

VX-2100 has excellent low-light capabilities and superb color saturation. Its metal casing makes it solid as a rock - I dropped one of mine from about six feet onto the pavement - a new switch and a little epoxy by my local tech ($350) and I was back in business.

I can't think of a better cam (except the P-170) for wedding videos and shooting inside of churches where the lighting is usually less than ideal. I chose my 2100 over the Panasonic 30 & 60 models.

No camera that I know of will give decent sound with the built-in mic. They pick up cam motor noise, handling noise, etc. While you're manually setting focus and exposure, your lousing up the audio. Use lavs, boom mics & handhelds whenver possible, otherwise shotguns well-mounted away from the camera body and in a shock-mount.

I'm going to pull the trigger on an FX1 soon though.

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Hey, BryantProductions - I'm a long ways from Conn., so how 'bout emailing me on how you go about getting all that business?

Also - I'd be happy to swap wedding demo DVDs with any expienced videographers. I'm always looking for ways to produce a better video.

email: bill (at sign) okvideoguy (dot) com

- Thanks!

Posted 6 years ago #
Stacked
Member

I can't think of a better cam (except the P-170) for wedding videos and shooting inside of churches where the lighting is usually less than ideal.

In your opinion, is the extra thousand or so dollars worth it to go from a vx2100 to a P-170?

I'm going to pull the trigger on an FX1 soon though.

Do you just want HD, or are there other things about the camera that make superior to the vx2100 and P-170?

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

You ask some good questions!

I think the answer to your first question is that I own two VX2100s. I'd rather have two 170s, but budgets are a fact of life. I'd much rather have 2 2100s than 1 P170. I bought a Beachtek adapter which lets me use XLR audio. I can have 2 @ XLR or 1 XLR and 1 Mini. The Beachtek is also a mixer.

As for the FX1 - I have reservations because of editing hardware and software issues that I'm a little unsure of, but that is one mean-looking camera and clients love mean-looking gear (actually, so do I). I'd love to have an excuse to buy an HD TV and since HD is the future, I feel a certain obligation to offer it to my clients.

But, honestly, other than HD, the camera is less well suited to wedding videography than the VX2100 mostly because of the 3 Lux rating which concerns us a bit. Also, I've read that HD is more difficult to focus for also, and quick, manual focusing on the fly is important in good wedding videography, or any event videography for that matter.

Posted 6 years ago #
Stacked
Member

^Thanks for the info!

Posted 6 years ago #