Sony HVR-V1U 3-CMOS 1080i Professional HDV Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

Generally I do like this camcorder, however if you expect to shoot indoors (or out) with less than a 60 watt bulb within 1 foot of the subject....not 2 feet mind you.... all you will get is "grainy" video. Very poor at early morning or late evening shots outdoors. Sony claims a 4 lux rating.....more like 40. I'm looking for a light now, but not sure if the outdoor shots will ever work. I film wildlife in low light......will probably have to trade this camera in.However.....with a 60 watt (or greater) bulb close, the picture quality is exceptional. Same outdoors in full sunlight. The built-in filters work very well, and the programming features are easy to use(very much styled after 10 year old Sony cameras.....very few changes which allowed me to use this camera with little manual reference). I do love the fact that my 10 year old handycam batteries interchange with this camera....Kudos to Sony. Also Kudos for using 3 mediums for recording......tape(which only cost about $2 each at present, a few bucks more for HDV), Memory stick (4 gig max) or the optional hard drive. The remote from my old handycam has more features than the new one supplied....but crazy enough...the new programming supports the old remote.....another kudo.Photos are very respectable, and clarity from the Carl Zeiss lens is legendary and many extra lens' are available(I bought a wide angle and 2X for about $75 as an experiment/starter, but the quality was soooo much better than I expected that unless I shoot for TV....I'm not planning to upgrade anytime soon) About 300 photos per gig of memory card will store. The camera shoots stills and video simultaneously or seperate(still shots at a higher quality) The supplied mic is adequite, but I believe there are upgrades in my future soon.My only real issue is the light requirement. Good luck. captn11/20/09 updated..I've since noticed the 20X zoom on this camera seemed to be a little short of what I was after, so I purchased a 2X telephoto lens for this camera and didn't notice a difference in distance magnification. Thinking the lens was defective, I purchased a second telephoto lens this time 4.5X. Still no difference except picture quality was decreased. Both lenses claimed to be for camcorders.I checked the distance at 75 yards with a 26X rifle scope against this camera's 30X boost and found the camera was considerably short of magnification to the target....as in about half the magnification as the scope.Basically, I guess I'm saying that long distance filming of over 200 yards is very compromised. Actually, if you want to zoom in on a critter's eyes at over 50 yards, you may be disapointed.I also tried a 1X wide angle lens which worked very well....just no telephoto improvement.If there is information out there from someone who has increased the power of magnification on this camera, I'd like the info. Thanks captn

I got burned on my VX-1000 with its 32K stunted audio, no firewire in and no manual zoom. The PDX-10 that followed was great- except for still missing a manual zoom. I looked really hard at the first HDV cameras- and decided to wait, and V1U was well worth it.Bought the Sony HD- and am totally amazed at how much faster my edit process is. The picture quality is phenomenal- but, we've mostly used standard DV since clients are quite ready to pay for HD.If you've shot with a PD-170 you'll find the form factor very familiar. Still not in love with the way Sony sets white balance- it's not really totally intuitive- but, overall- this is the best camera I've worked with. Friends who've borrowed it are gaga- and they are used to shooting with Sony pro cameras. As always- audio is the most difficult part of shooting with a prosumer camera- and the handle mounted dials are a bit tough to manipulate while shooting- but, all that aside- this camera is amazing.Also picked up Sony's LED light- it amazes me every time I use it- great light- no heat- and forever battery life.One thing about all the accessories- there isn't a really good solution to mount HD, Light, Wireless receiver to this small frame. We've bought a bracket off e-bay that makes it easy to mount at least the HD and wireless box to the camera- when the light is on- and the battery for the light has to be on the extension cable. Still- very hand holdable.Only thing I miss from the VX-1000 was my Century .55x plus fisheye reversible lens- haven't seen anything like it for 16x9 aspect ratios.If you've shot with Sony in the past- this is the camera for you.

No disappointment at all! I was told I would receive my camera between the 10th-25th and it arrived FIVE DAYS EARLY on the 5th!!! Extremely impressed with the timely delivery and quality of the product. I will definitely keep this company in mind for future references.