:siren: [b]ZOMFG UPDAET:[/b] See page two for the next thrilling instalment in my saga. The camera seller is now trying to buy positive feedback from me! :siren:
My estranged dad is deciding to spend about 400 quid on a luvverly christmas present for me. I've decided I'd quite like a decent video camera to shoot [b]student films[/b] and stuff on, but I haven't got a clue as to what's good and what's not. I know I want to move the footage onto my laptop when I'm done to edit it, and I know I want a shotgun/boom microphone as well (maybe with something for lighting too?). Anyway, has facepunch got any experience in this area?
[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jvc+everio&x=0&y=0]I've seen the JVC Everio mentioned in a magazine somewhere:[/url]
[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_0_7?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=boom+microphone&x=0&y=0&sprefix=boom+mi]I also had a look for a boom.[/url]
And these seem to be the most popular camcorders on Amazon.co.uk at the moment:
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41t3Tgw2F7L._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Definition-Camcorder-widescreen-Multiangle/dp/B000RHP7AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260815139&sr=1-1[/url]
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IvadrqcML._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-HDR-HC7-Definition-Camcorder-Screen/dp/B000N20YSI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260815139&sr=1-2[/url]
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Hr00b9vJL._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-HDC-TM10-Definition-Camcorder-Internal/dp/B0029LHGA0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260815139&sr=1-3[/url]
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41bTmE4igyL._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-HDC-SD200-Definition-Memory-Camcorder/dp/B001QXDLKQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260815139&sr=1-6[/url]
[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Stereo-Directional-Microphone-RMZ-14/dp/B00006IVY9/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260815274&sr=1-5]And a shotgun microphone I found:[/url]
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RMQ9M0ZJL._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/img]
Advice?
I suggest Google-ing it up. You will get better solid advice and maybe posting on camcorder forums - 400£ is a good amount, so do some research before buying.
Dicks
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Why reply?" - DEADBEEF))[/highlight]
Canon HG10. I bought one for $400 US on BH photo last year. films in 1080i, 720p, and 480p. It has a built in 40GB HDD. Great camcorder IMO. As for external mics, get a Rode mic. They are very good for the price. Here are some videos I made.
Artsy
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu12wKKHq-U[/url]
And for the racing fans.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo4XFY3kZFI[/url]
I don't know how to do the media tags.
edit- Just realized they are way more expensive in UK. My bad.
I found a used HG10 for £379 on Amazon. Is this awesome? y/n
Grab the biggest one, they are usually the best.
what about microphones and lights? what kind of equipment should i start out with?
[QUOTE=tanthreecle;19032375]what about microphones and lights? what kind of equipment should i start out with?[/QUOTE]
I would wait to get that stuff if I were you. You don't know how far you're going with this hobby in the first place.
what if I'm going ALL THE WAY?
[QUOTE=tanthreecle;19033364]what if I'm going ALL THE WAY?[/QUOTE]
ALL THE WAY? Whoa you don't screw around huh. Well keep in mind that plenty of great films have been made with only a digital hand camera. I would dump all my money into just getting a top notch camera. I reckon that a
beastly camera > meh camera + lights
And if you need to compare specs, try [url=http://www.google.com/squared/search?q=camcorders]Google Squared[/url].
Good luck.
[QUOTE=Fragny;19034641]And if you need to compare specs, try [url=http://www.google.com/squared/search?q=camcorders]Google Squared[/url].
Good luck.[/QUOTE]
Whoa that thing is incredible. Can't believe I slowpoked on this Labs project.
[url]http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/camcorders/0,139102027,1,00.htm[/url]
Best site for tech reviews. Look through all the top rated for one you like in your price range.
was looking at videos of Canon HG10 and found this artistic video.
[hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFpB7IJg5H4[/hd]
its also in 1080p :biggrin:
i'm also looking for a cam!
budget is €100-200
and must have a USB output (FireWire i possible) anyone know it, please PM!
ow and no [b]POCKETCAM![/b]
I personally would look for a canon HV30 that is used.
here is an example clip on youtube: [hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QwRu6DKRtE[/hd]
wowsa thats nice.
I can't say much for the cameras you're after, but if you keep saving and get a Canon HV-30 you'll be onto a winner, we've used it to shoot a short film and an independent feature (albeit with a 35mm adapter), it's a great camera. I suppose the HG-10 is like a model or two down from that, so it may be a good choice.
However, if you're asking which of these is better at making films, the camera you use really has very little play on what will make your film look good; almost everything else does
HV30s use tapes though. That is a big draw back. You will be spending so much on tapes. You could use all that money for lights or microphones. HG10 is the best cam I've used so far. It is the first HD cam i've owned. Great beginner cam. You can do depth of field shots without making a 35mm adapter.
You say that but in their own way tapes also offer a physical backup mechanism that you don't get on tapeless media. Let alone the fact that miniDV tapes are one of the most cost effective physical recording mediums out there
What's the best way of getting footage off tapes and onto my computer then? I hear a lot about capture cards but I'm confused as to how they work.
[QUOTE=tanthreecle;19052048]What's the best way of getting footage off tapes and onto my computer then? I hear a lot about capture cards but I'm confused as to how they work.[/QUOTE]
just plug the camera in to your computer and log and capture from there
[QUOTE=DaveP;19050801]You say that but in their own way tapes also offer a physical backup mechanism that you don't get on tapeless media. Let alone the fact that miniDV tapes are one of the most cost effective physical recording mediums out there[/QUOTE]
touche! you got me there. I hate going through hours and hours of tapes. the HDD in the HG10 creates separate clips for when you start recording. its nice just dragging files into After Affects, Premier, or Sony Vegas Pro. Saves a lot of time.
ok i ordered the HG10. Any other essentials I need?
Thanks for the helpful comments, by the way.
You should get an external mic for sure.
Try and get your hands on a second hand lighting kit, two or three lights (even one would suffice if it was strong enough to be a key light); I suppose you could go the DIY route but then you'd be in a world of compensating for the lights, let alone suiting what you're shooting
Try shooting your first short or two in silence, that way you can learn the aspects of good story telling, cinematography and editing before adding the extra complexity of sound
I was wondering this...
Does Amazon.com ship anywhere else than the states? I want that hg10 but its shit expensive in sweden.
[QUOTE=Maximum Mod;19064548]I was wondering this...
Does Amazon.com ship anywhere else than the states? I want that hg10 but its shit expensive in sweden.[/QUOTE]
Amazon.de is the closest of the lot; I think if you went for USA the shipping costs, VAT and import tax would add up
I'm getting the Canon Vixia HV40 for Christmas to film YouTube videos and you can attach a whole bunch of shit to it, it has a hot shoe, a mic input, full 1920x1080i HD, proper 30p progressive cinema mode and It records to HDV
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-HV40-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B001OI2Z4Q[/url]
Your still better off posting this on some kind of special filming forum or yahoo answers in the camcorder section.
[QUOTE=Purplevain;19072057]I'm getting the Canon Vixia HV40 for Christmas to film YouTube videos and you can attach a whole bunch of shit to it, it has a hot shoe, a mic input, full 1920x1080i HD, proper 30p progressive cinema mode and It records to HDV
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-HV40-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B001OI2Z4Q[/url]
Your still better off posting this on some kind of special filming forum or yahoo answers in the camcorder section.[/QUOTE]
I'm gonna have to throw out there that most cameras have a hot shoe and mic input, 1080i isn't the best HD available (especially if you're wanting to put onto youtube, interlaced is only really suitable for TV), all HD minidv cameras record to HDV; but that said, if the cinema mode is anything like on the HV-30 it's a winner, it has a very nice look that works well with a good lighting setup. 's a good camera for the size.
For youtube you'll be best off shooting at 720p, there's really no reason to use more than 720 on that camera unless you're attaching a 35mm adapter or specifically needing a 1080 output for any reason
My weapon of choice is usually either an XL-H1 or an XDCAM EX-1/3 depending on what's available
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