JVC GY-HM100U ProHD Camcorder
JVC’s new camera, the JVC GY-HM100U ProHD, looks like a real honey. It records to SDHC cards instead of the extremely expensive P2 card. It runs at high bit rates to give great HD quality. It has 2 XLR inputs and manual audio control. And many more great features. It sells for about $3,500 at B&H Photo.
When I looked at the specs, I was bummed out. Turns out this camera is a dud for the independent producer. It uses small 1/4 inch sized chips. JVC thinks of them as super chips that will perform as well as the 1/3 inch chips. But therein lies the weakness of the camera.
Smaller chips mean less wide angle and more depth of field. The 35mm equivalent of the zoom is 39-390mm. I don’t think I would call 39mm “wide angle.” As an independent filmmaker, wide angle is much more important to me than shooting nearly 400mm.
Depth of field is another important spec to achieve the “film” look. With this camera, I’d have to spend another $1500 for a 35mm lens adapter plus lenses.
Sure, having XLR connectors and higher quality sound for this camera would be cool. But I could also shoot double-system sound and have 8 inputs instead of 2.
Maybe my money would be better spend on a Canon 5D Mark II. Then I would have money left over for pizza. Cast and crew can get hungry.
– Rich Pulham
March 14th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Hey Rich, I think we are all looking for the camera in this price range that has addressed our independent production isssues – HD, XLR in, with the right lens. Why all these companies don’t get the fact that we want the 35mm equivalent of a 28mm lens is beyond me. I think it is because video was born in a studio with a long lens – nobody thinks of the focal length needs – they think STUDIO! They talk about 10X or 20X and a person is even hard pressed to find the focal lengths listed some times! So – we have work to do educating the makers of these cameras. And depth of field – this can be done electronically, I am sure. They need to do some brainstorming and come up with an electronic solution to the video “everything is in focus” – even zoomed in – syndrome. So – we are stuck with the XHA1S – which is a solution from several years ago (in the XHA1) – sure there are improvements – but not in the picture. Grrrr … I would be interested to know what you finally buy. I am stuck in no mans land about it all. I would buy a 5D MkII but I think that the first generation will have an update which addresses a host of issues I hear complained about. AND if you have a half dozen Canon EF lenses it’s fine. Those good lenses are EXPENSIVE! And you need one if you want the wide angle!
March 27th, 2009 at 9:01 am
There seems to be only two viable alternatives. First is the Red or Scarlet. My favorite is the FF35 but it’s 10 grand and won’t be available until fall. Of course, your computer system needs to be able to handle 4k or 5k video. That might be another major expense right there. And you still have to buy all kinds of accessories and lenses.
Second is the 5D Mk II. But it really needs an external LCD screen and focusing knobs. Vincent Laforet is the expert there. It could also use double system sound. I’m already set up to do the sound. It also works well in low light levels which makes lighting easier and cheaper. Availability is another issue.
I’m not sure I would call a 35mm lens adapter an option. That’s at least $1500 extra, makes the camera bulkier, and takes half an f-stop. You also need lenses. Even then, the length of the outfit effectively makes your room smaller.
So what will I get? I don’t know. I’m currently doing some projects (like cooking videos) where depth of field isn’t an issue. I’ll stick with my HV20 for a while. But I’ll need to decide before summer.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hey I am going to jump in on this. I am a 20+ year seasoned tv chump. And now i am retiring from to a less complicated tv life. I have been looking for the ultimate pro-sumer, I hate that word. Pro-sumer is like not having enough for Heineken so you have to buy a PBR. Sad. Is the Canon XH-A1 our solution till some one answers our prayers for a decent camcoder under $4,000 with some decent lens action especially in the wide dept. JVC almost went there with it’s solid state but forgot to put a lens on it. To bad. Any input about the Sony EX1 XDCAM. I think it’s not a bad buy.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Hey Rich, please, can you tell me what lens adapter you are using with the JVC GY-HM100U?
And other thing: I love the image quality from Canon 5D Mark II, inclusive because of it’s depth of field.
With this adapter you are using, are you getting good results? Can you send me something you have shot with it?
And more one thing that keeps my mind busy: Unfortunately the Canon 5D Mark II files has to be converted to some other better format, because you can’t edit in the original format, it’s to have for the processors. At least in my Macbook, that is an 2.1 Core 2 Duo with 4 gig RAM.
Can you please answer to my email? it’s gfox.br@gmail.com
Thank you,
Geff