Sony 3CCD VX2000 or PD150/X10

[NoPush 0]

I'm getting ready to buy a 3CCD Sony and was looking at the TRV950 until I read about the problems.

Are the issues limited to the TRV900 and 950?

Has anyone jumped the VX2000 or PD150/X10?

On one post the VX2000 is described as "da bomb" and then others claim the problem is related to all Sony 3CCD's.

I was hoping to buy soon, so if you have advice it would be greatly appreciated

[jdhill 0]

I don't know about the 2000, but the VX1000 does not display the same problems, so it is not a 3CCD camera wide issue... I know there are people jumping the 2000, just don't know if they have problems.

Josh

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

[prost 0]

The issue is with their optical image stabilization. The VX2000 does not have this problem. There are a lot of jumpers that use the vx2000.

William

[slayer21016 2]

the optical Image stabilization is the problem like prost said. but the optical stailization on the pdx-10 is not as bad as the dcr-trv 900-950 or so i heard from a sony rep who has allot of knowladge about skydiving and the use of consumer cameras for skydiving. i would like to point out that sony does not honor warranties on consumer camcorders and does not recommend them for skydiving (but they sponsor events were almost all camerapeople are using consumer not pro-sumer?) but say that pro camcorders (pd-100a,pd-150.pdx-10) are ok for skydiving and the pro camcorders are built on a heavy duty frame affording more protection and a longer life span. (get the vx-2000)

[slayer21016 2]

Also after market len's are much more expensive (for the vx-2000) due to the 58mm vs 37mm thread/bayonet mounts. some thing else to consider when buying a new camcorder.

[NoPush 0]

Thanks for the feed back. It sounds like the VX2000 is the way to go. My worry about the PDX10 is it's similarity to the TRV950. The chips are the same so how similar is the optical stabilization and firmware? With the exception of DVCAM, it looks like a "prosumer" version of the 950. Unless someone has jumpped it, I hate to be the guinea pig.

Has anyone jumped the PDX10?

[newshooter12 0]

jimmytavino, a camera flyer that's on here from time to time uses a VX 1000. I haven't heard him complain. may be worth shooting him a PM. He'd probably be more then glad to help.
The camera is pretty big though, compared to some of the others, but the picture quality is great from what I've seen.
matt

[Cajones 0]

I've been looking at the pdX10, also, for some time. I tried the 950 after it came out after several attempts to get answers about the "floating iris" and comparisons with the 900 from Sony. The pdX10 is much smaller and lighter than the VX's, so it has more appeal at the same price range.

I'd like to hear about your results if you give it a try...

- Cajones

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

[jimmytavino 16]

I use one,,,side by side with a Sony TRV-7.(the 7 has a .42 lens the 1000 just a filter....
The 1000 has some good features, (considering it is many many years old), such as record overlap and fade,,Lanc. port, great audio,,and slo mo,,, but the 2000 is much improved...It has analog input, analog to digital bypass meaning you can record from a tv, vhs deck, digital camcorder, and then run it to computer via firewire/card...or just input directly into a PC...
The 2000 has a flip out viewfinder (handy for small scale debriefs), and built in handle.The tape eject carriage is located on the side and not the bottom of the case. The microphone IS susceptible to bangs and bumps at climbout etc. since it is on the forward end of the handle..so be careful...
My 1000 still works pretty good, ( I started jumping it in 1999) and I can firewire the rough footage to a trv 20,, through which I can then get digital effects in playback mode....
This size camera may not be for first time video people, but for those with some camera flying background, and good deployment techniques they can be a good choice. Be sure you handle one before buying.. they are big ( as compared to their little cousins the TRV series and the PC series) and they are twice the cost, ( or more) as well. The images and the fidelity make it worthwhile... If your video interests extend beyond skydiving with a camcorder,,,,, and if you might use it for family events or sporting events then the VX-2000 would be a good choice...

[JayhawkJumper 0]

Has anyone flown the Canon GL1?

[prost 0]

I have not flown it but I have looked at it. Seems to be the best semi professional camera out there for skydiving. The only thing I worry about is the optical image stabilization. Sony cameras with optical image stabilization have had a lot of problems, i.e. trv900. The camera has a great picture, easy to use functions, smaller than a vx2000, lanc port, and unlike the vx2000, its progressive scan actually works for video.

[zaGURU 0]

Hi, I'm currently using a VX2000 and a GL1, to avoid problem with vibrations, you need to use the aperture priority program and set f 1.6, in the sony you need to use both the ND filters, in the GL1 (or GL2) you need to use the internal ND filter and an external ND-8 filter (I suggest you a B+W filter for wide angle). No problem , even in freeflying at very high speeds...

_____________________________________________
Roberto Mettifogo, Photographer - Cameraflyer
www.robertomettifogo.com

[NoPush 0]

Hey all,

I've attached a picture of the "optical stabalization" mechanism in the PDX-10, TRV-900/950.

I'm going to try a 3 coil instead of a 7 coil spring and sealing the focus and telephoto sensor attachment points. There are a couple of other lens body areas that may be leaking as well. The upside is the camera will retain the steady shot function in free fly, the down side I have to wait 2 weeks to get a spring assortment to try.

I'll let you know.

[garywainwright 0]

Seems strange that sony doesn't recommend the consumer models for skydiving and yet the original advert for the PC7 heavily featured skydiving!!!

http://www.garywainwright.co.uk

Instagram gary_wainwright_uk

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"Seems strange that sony doesn't recommend the consumer models for skydiving and yet the original advert for the PC7 heavily featured skydiving!!! "

Wendy Smith and Patrick De Guyardon if I recall correctly, with Billy Idol's white wedding as the soundtrack.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[slayer21016 2]

Now i know how my ancestors felt.

the red coats are coming, the red coats are coming.

Exactly gentleman why? would sony say that IT does not recommend consumer camcorders for skydiving. nor will it honor warranties on consumer camcorders broken while skydiving and i'm not talking about dumping my camera helmet at 1000 meters (see i know some euro) but if you say that your a skydiver when talking to sony and this is true you are put in there data base as a skydiver and if you call them 3 or 5 or 7 years from now you pop up as a skydiver, now your flagged. and now you might not get any service at all. i only brought this point up to try and help other people who through there enthusiasm for skydiving might be setting them selves up for future problems with sony. (I.E. don't tell sony your a skydiver)

Sorry NO PUSH for the out burst on your post.
I'm interested in your findings as i do not have the skill level to under take such a serious project as taking apart any of my camcorders.

I consider cameras used for skydiving as expendable, as i've ruined 3 camcorders and 2 still cameras (nikon) in the last 5 years. and my budget includes new camcorders every year.

I'm also uploading my new site today, same crappy movies with a new look.

P.S. i love sony camcorders.