Prosumer Digital Camcorder

Post by **johnnhud** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:32 pm

I'll admin that I easily get caught up in the latest prosumner video equipment out there. HDV has me drooling over a few camera's that I'd love to own. But I also enjoy shooting S8. It's not to expensive, I picked up a whole case of Tri-X from Kodak (20 reels) for $150, at 3:20 sec each, that's about 66 minutes of film. Considering that Film IS more expensive, you will be MUCH more careful to shoot only what you need to. Be honest with yourself, how much of a 60 minute video do you actually use?

Website · Post by **BigBeaner** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:00 pm

It's not us being ignorant, just felt like this decision wasn't honestly thought through but your still right Evan, okay so you just have to shoot video.

I'd recommend one of the Panasonic 3 chip cameras for this purpose EXCEPT they only have a 10:1 zoom and might not work with the workprinter. However, $300 should buy an excellent single chip camera.

Listen to this adive, panasonic has a great line of cameras that are 3 chipped DV for way under $1000, I would get one of these (whichever has the most manual settings for options) take this extra money and either spend it on film or buy a really great shotgun mic and boom. What I think everyone meant to say and should've said was this: Don't limit yourself and your options, try to be fully open.
You don't need the latest and greatest in digital or filmmaking equipment, it's what you do with it that counts. Trust your instincts. Personally, I refuse to buy an expensive mini-dv camera at this time just because with HD and HDV coming up, I'll rather wait and see how the technology progresses and use a cheaper one chip camera (which still kicks some butt). Thats the biggest advantage with film is I don't have to worry about format or SD/HD, film is just film.

Post by **reflex** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:54 pm

I would steer clear of a used Canon GL2 or Panasonic DVX100. Both of these cameras are used extensively by low-end professionals (wedding videos, corporate shoots, indie filmmaking, porn). Many of them are nearing the end of their natural life -- you don't want to spend $2K on a camera that's been bumped, dropped and had thousands of hours of tape dragged over the heads.

There isn't much in the "prosumer" arena for that sells for under $2K these days. Sticking with standard-def video, a brand new GL2 would set you back about $2500 if you shop carefully, but it's now a very old design.

Here's a great link to some current prosumer and low-end pro models. The first thing you'll note is that none of them are in your price range and all are hi-def.

It's a bad time to buy. The SD video machines are getting long in the tooth, and HDV is still fetching a premium, especially for a good machine that has manual control for serious work.

Post by **Nigel** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:10 pm

I agree with Reflex.

Sit tight and see what shakes down in the next few months.

Good Luck

Post by **El Jeffe** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:27 pm

I'm still gonna push the DVX100a. You could pick one up off ebay with reasonable hours for around 2k. Just taking a quick look here is one that may be of interest to you. http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-AG-DVX100 ... 0031794737

Keep in mind on these cameras The hour meter keeps track of hours by the camera just being turned on. These are not head hours so 155 hours is nothing! I picked up mine used back in December with 250 hours on it.

Post by **PITIRRE** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:40 pm

My opinion is the same as audadvnc, this is a super 8 film forum there are a lot of video forum thru the internet just pick one, you have to understand that if you use super 8 now you have to prepared every shot in advanced, unless you don't mind to waste money. It's like a super 8 user saying that he want to shoot on 35mm but find out that is too expensive an opt to shoot in super 8. Video is video but film is film.

Post by **Mitch Perkins** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:30 pm

Evan Kubota wrote:
Dialogue should be ADR'd whether you shoot film or tape.
Yeah, right... under some circumstances, maybe, but by no means all the time.

Sure, if you're lucky enough to get useable location dialogue...use it. But under most circumstances, short of shooting on a sound stage or other sound-safe environment, it's not "maybe", but for sure.

Evan Kubota wrote:It's sort of surprising to see how stupid many of the responses to this thread are. Anyone knows that film and video have different uses. If you need a video camera for something, a super 8 camera is not going to fit the bill.

"Anyone" often doesn't even know the difference between film and tape, let alone their respective uses.

OP cited no instances wherein tape is/was "needed".

Nice of you to call folks stupid. You must be proud of that.

Mitch

Post by **flatwood** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:20 pm

Dont buy a used video camera if you can avoid it. You'll most likely be buying someones elses troubles.

Post by **MovieStuff** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:11 am

Welllll. I have a DVX100A with practically no milage on it. Probably shot about 10 video tapes with it. I also have the Panasonic Anamorphic adaptor and it works really sweet (except on extreme telephoto, where it gets soft). Anyway, I am about to sell it on ebay or list it here. If anyone is interested in a super clean camera that is practically new, contact me off-list.

Now, having posted that bit of self-serving tripe, I think that buying used equipment is a great idea!

But seriously, the GL1 or GL2 are terrific 3CCD cameras and I highly recommend them......if you aren't going to buy my Panasonic DVX100A. ;)

Roger

Post by **flatwood** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:45 am

MovieStuff wrote:Welllll. I have a DVX100A with practically no milage...

Welllllll, of course there are exceptions and Id buy your used gear or someone else I trust but IVe bought a lot of used video gear on ebay over the years and some of its been misrepresented. Photo and film gear as well.

Post by **El Jeffe** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:37 am

MovieStuff wrote:Welllll. I have a DVX100A with practically no milage on it. Probably shot about 10 video tapes with it. I also have the Panasonic Anamorphic adaptor and it works really sweet (except on extreme telephoto, where it gets soft). Anyway, I am about to sell it on ebay or list it here. If anyone is interested in a super clean camera that is practically new, contact me off-list.

Now, having posted that bit of self-serving tripe, I think that buying used equipment is a great idea!

But seriously, the GL1 or GL2 are terrific 3CCD cameras and I highly recommend them......if you aren't going to buy my Panasonic DVX100A. ;)

Roger

Definitly buy his dvx100a!!!!

Post by **vidwerk** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:43 am

I picked up a used DVX100(original) for $2000. Had 40 hours on it.
Mint condition.

vidwerk.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:22 am

I agree with Rob - used film cameras are one thing, used video cameras entirely another.

Mitch, you seem to have a huge chip on your shoulder. The original poster was asking about a video camera. If someone asks for the best model of sports car it's pointless to recommend a motorcycle or vice versa. This isn't something that requires a huge amount of intelligence to understand.

Post by **MovieStuff** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:14 am

Evan Kubota wrote: Mitch, you seem to have a huge chip on your shoulder. The original poster was asking about a video camera. If someone asks for the best model of sports car it's pointless to recommend a motorcycle or vice versa. This isn't something that requires a huge amount of intelligence to understand.

Oh, please. Like you've never offered a tangent opinion to someone asking advice or discussing a subject. I saw nothing "stupid" on this thread. Just people offering their ideas in a helpful, friendly way. It's a discussion, Evan, not a multiple choice test.

Roger

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:34 am

Offering a "tangent opinion" is one thing, but if someone wants a recommendation for a sports car and you insist "motorcycle," that's just obnoxious and serves absolutely no purpose. If Mitch wanted to pitch film, fine, but at least include some advice about a suitable miniDV camera.

OP is not looking to "learn".

If one wants to learn to shoot film, then shooting film is the best place to start. It's not like they're the same; tape will make you lazy and does not instill the respect required.

This reads as authoritarian to me, but whatever.