The second best non-prosumer camcorder you can buy (first is HV40)
I have been using the VIXIA HV30 for several years now, and just purchased a second one for my production company in order to get two simultaneous camera angles.
This camera has been replaced in the Canon line by the HV40, which brought true 24p recording and slightly better low light performance. The one main drawback of the HV30 is that recording in 24p adds a 3:2 pulldown to the footage, requiring pulldown removal through third party programs (Adobe After Effects or Cineform NeoScene). However, for me upgrading to the HV40 did not make financial sense, since I already own the Cineform software. The HV30 is now even lower priced because the HV40 exists.
This camera uses the same CMOS sensors as its prosumer cousins, and is really only lacking in pro options such as interchangeable lenses and multiple audio ports. However, I have found its options more than adequate for my small independent films.
It has an external mic port, which is very important for any quality filmmaking (though the onboard mic is also very good in many situations, where there is slight background noise and echos are not a huge issue). It gives you complete control of exposure, shutter speed, frame rate, and everything else the prosumer cameras can do... it just takes a little more effort to achieve it.
I highly recommend that anyone looking into this camera for professional purposes google the "hv30 forum" and read the low light shooting guides there, specifically the "cell phone trick" for eliminating gain when you lock the exposure. This one tip will get you beautiful low light performance with this camera.
I recently took my two cameras into a cave, pitch black inside, and lit my scenes there with four LED lanterns. The footage we were able to get even in this extreme low-light setting was breathtaking. This was achieved using the "cell phone trick" to lock the exposure with 0 gain (controlling the fstop in shutter priority mode). I also had to use manual focus, since autofocus fails in low light. I also use the Raynox 6600 HD Pro wide angle lens to get a little more light to the sensors (the 6600 is the best wide angle you can get for this camera, resulting in no distortion or vignetting).
If this all sounds extremely complicated, yes it kind of is. However, to be able to get professional-looking footage from a camera you can now pick up for $300-$400 is remarkable. Even with the wide angle lens and external mic, you will probably come in under $1000 and be able to produce footage that looks like it came from a $3,500.00+ prosumer model. Both of my cameras came in under the base price of a prosumer camera, for which I would still have to buy many accessories. These are GREAT starting cameras for small production companies.
If I had one major gripe about the camera, it would be the placement and ease of use of the manual focus button and focus wheel. In low light, the camera's autofocus is useless (and would be on any camera), and using the manual focus on the HV30 is a real chore. There are focus wheel attachments out there for the camera, but I haven't yet tried them out.
In short, though I know many people are flocking to DSLRs for video now, the only advantage there is the depth of field. The compression artifacts alone in DSLR footage makes it unappealing. I am happy with my HV30s, and will continue to use them even with my paid work for now. I would recommend this camera to anyone.Read full review
