Tom Hurwitz

To me the V1U is just a small step on the way to the Z7U, which seems to be the camera which we were all waiting for. By any measure (except for those who are attached to the old pd150 ergonometry) it is a vast improvement. See partial list: - It is significantly more light-sensitive, perhaps by a stop and a half, than preceding HDV cameras, and certainly than the Panasonic HVX200 - The color and blacks seem to be the best yet in a camera of its size - The placement of the LED screen is like the Z1U which makes shoulder bracing much easier - It records on tape, compact flash drive cards (16gb gets 72 minutes), and still images on a memory stick - The parameters of picture adjustment are much more elaborated than other cameras of its size - It has interchangeable Carl Zeiss lenses. - It's a very handy development Tom Hurwitz

Use the brand new SONY V7U. It is 1.5 to 2 stops faster and a really improved camera. Tom Hurwitz

I have to say, after dozens of productions and days that seemed never to end with the same basic rig, that I agree with the pads-don't-help school of thought. Most hand-held aids just infringe on the flexibility of movement and run counter to the reason that you are hand-holding in the first place. I agree with the deep massage, and regular chiropracter adjustments. Learning some Yoga helps a lot for rebalencing your body as well. Also, practice and strength training (legs, abs, back, shoulder muscles), just as with any athletic persuit, go a long way. .Just a couple of small hints: wearing a skin tight 'Underarmor' undershirt under your shirt, ends abrasion of your shoulder and wicks away sweat. Reduce the camera's weight using a lithium ion battery like Dionics - that can remove 7 big pounds or so. Harass the sound department to use newer and lighter receivers, or put them in a pouch on your waist (a bit more trouble to remember to unplug, but you lose up to 5 pounds). Over the hours, a few pounds less can really help.

I can't imagine a use that a starting cameraman could have for which the Z1U would not be superior. Over the course of 3 long documentary productions, i have found the following: It's image quality under ideal and adverse conditions is excellent. It's handling of contrast in exterior situations puts the Panasonic cameras to shame. Its color rendering is fine for a small camera (its blue is over punchy but so is almost every other camera's). Its low light capability is less than DVcam, however three and six db of gain is almost invisible, and puts the camera up to 400 to 600 effective ASA. It handles well, and all the other points made above apply.