Mike

Thanks for the advice, it's been a great help - especially coming from someone that owns both! On the question of low light filming, how dark can the HF100/HFS100 produce 'an' image. I've seen older, cheaper cameras being able to get a picture in fairly dark conditions (allbeit green and black). The quality is not really too much of an issue, just that I can document the happenings. On the manual controls... I'm also not too experienced with using them, however I since I've been stuck with a camera with virtually no manual controls I am erring on the side of caution. Can you detail which features the hfs100 has over the hf100? And which can be accessed from the actual camera as opposed to the menu? Thinking of an SLR could be an option. I looked very briefly at the 5d/7d but it was just far too expensive for my budget :( I'll have to investigate other SLRs with HD. Thanks again

Hi, I am looking for a new camera. I've been struggling on a 10 year old consumer Sony DV machine which is practically of antique stature by today's standards. I'm going to be using the camera in two capacities. The first is a professional interest where I'll be producing video for public viewing, the second is personal and providing I have some sort of record of events I'll be happy. 1. Filming magic tricks. This will be primarily in controlled conditions, perhaps on a green screen, but more likely with an infinity white backdrop. There will also be a little footage of live performances. I need good quality footage, a lot of which will be close ups of hands/arms. I need sufficient manual control of the camera. 2. Filming in break dance compeitions. Often these will be held in night clubs where the light may be low. Good low light performance is an advantage. At the very least I need to be able to get *something*. My current camera is very dark and other cameras can produce viewable footage, all be it in a green 'night mode'... for my purposes, green night mode isn't the end of the world. I'm looking for suggestions as to which camera I should buy. I'm based in the UK and would be willing to buy second hand, unless people think this is too risky? In my research so far I've noticed the HF100, HF200 and the HFS100. I've somewhat written off the HF200 because of the reports of poor low light performance, smaller sensor etc. I am willing to be convinced otherwise :) Shopping around, new prices for the HF100/HFS100 seem to be £400/£750 - which is a considerable difference. £750 is more than I'd really like to spend unless there are compelling reasons to do so. I don't want to spend that much money for marginal differences in final quality. If anyone give their view on the above and if possible answer the following it would be most appreciated: 1. I'm most concerned about is the manual controls on the two cameras. Can anyone detail the main differences? I'm under the impression that the HFS100 has more controls on the camera body, whereas the HF100 has them hidden in menus. Does anyone know which features are where and how much of a benifit external controls would be to me. 3. Are there any manual controls the HFS has over the HF? 2. I believe the HFS has zebra stripes. I've never used a camera with this, but I know they can be useful when doing chroma work. 4. On ebay I've noticed that the UK (Pal?) cameras are Legira and the USA VIXIA. How important is this to me as somene in the UK? Most of the final material at least in the beginning will be web based. 5. The HF200 has face recogntion. Is the purpose of this to allow the camera to identify where it should be focusing? Combined with the higher bit rate of the HF200 and considering my needs does it make it a better camera over the HF100 with it's larger sensor? 6. I'll be using an external mic. Any differences on the cameras mentioned? 7. Any other HD cameras I should consider that are CHEAPER than the HFS100 but perhaps offer a similar level of manual control? Many thanks, Mike

Which talk is this from? Can you direct me to the whole thing? Thanks for the upload!