Help a noob choose a camera

[Angelshare1]

Hi everyone for my first post I was wondering if anyone could help me choose a camera. I'm trying to figure out if I want the DVX-100, HVX-200 or the HPX-300. I'm open to non-Panasonic, but that gives you a range of what I'm considering. I'm filming a dramatic feature legnth movie in about a year and would like to film a few shorts first to get confortable with the camera. So here's a few of the issues I'm thinking of.

1. Do I need to shoot in Hi Def? It will be released on DVD only. I really do want it to look good and not like a student project. A guy I'm working with on a short tells me I don't need Hi Def and I can get away with a $2,500 camera. I'm really leaning towards HD though.

2. If I go with 1080p do I need solid state storage like a P2 card or will DV tape work? The P2 cards seem to add quite a bit to the price. Are there good 1080p cameras that don't have the P2 cards? (Also is 1080p what I want?)

3. I'm looking at Sony Vegas for editing. I've used Final Cut in a classroom setting only but since I own a PC and I don't want to buy a new Mac and FCP software so I'd like to use Vegas. Is this a good choice if I go with Hi Def?

Help me decide. The HPX-300 sounds nice but it would eat up a pretty big chunk of my budget. I could afford it, I just don't want to afford it.

Pardon me if I sound a little ignorant, but we all have to learn. :) Any advice is appreaciated.

Thanks!

[rpmnava]

We just put in for 3 HPX 300's.

For our purposes its the right fit. Until now however its been HVX200's and a 170.

I looked really hard at the Sonys.. for what we do ( motorsports) its the wrong camera.

I work in FCS and love the DVCPRO - firestore and P2 workflow. I imagine that by the time DVCPRO has been played out and all are going to AVCHD the 300 will have 3 generations in the bag.

Nava

[Jason Adams]

Welcome. No need to apologize for not having all the answers. That why we are all here to learn from each others experience.

I would go HD. A year ago I would have told you different. But now HD is worth it and really not much more. The sub 1000 dollar cameras like hv20 can produce better images then a DVX100. They dont have all the pro features but HD is everywhere and acessable.

The HMC150 is pretty much the HD DVX. Very cool little cam and reasonably priced.

I would go HPX170 or HVX200a. As a new shooter buying gear a smaller camera keeps costs down. You can buy smaller lighter camera support. Also adding a 35mm adapter to a small format camera is cheaper because you will not need a relay lens like you would on the 300.

Also if you have hpx300 budget you could spend less on a a 170 or 200a and buy an adapter or other film accessories.


As far as NLE I would sugest Adobe or Avid on your PC. This will probably start some flaming but the "A" editors are often regarded as the pro solutions. AVID, APPLE, ADOBE.

I like Avid but its hard to compete with the bargain that CS4 provides. You can get all the software bundled together that you would need. NLE, FX/Motion graphics, DVD author, Audio, etc.

Good Luck!

[wgzn]

if youre shooting in a YEAR from now. yes. you need HD. even your grandma will be shooting on some form of HD by then.
will you HAVE TO shoot in HD at that time? no. will you wish you had? YES.

as far as camera choice goes - the three you mention are pretty significant jumps in price. sub $2000 to about $5000 to close to or over $10,000. i agree that the hmc150 might be a good middle ground. but im SO in love with P2 and dvcproHD (from a workflow standpoint) - id say go with the hpx170. like any camera it has its good and bad points. but as far as overall camera for the dollar. its damn, DAMN hard to beat.

and as far as your question about 1080p to tape - no. well yes. but not in the spirit that you ask. the only panasonic cameras that shoot ANY form of HD to tape are the $8000 and up models. and that WAY eclipses the cost of a couple P2 cards

as far as choosing your NLE. thats as much a matter of personal choice as anything else - and im staying clear of that debate.
except of course to say that im a mac user ; )

[Hayden M. Bennett]

Tough choices! Panasonic offeres so many good cameras that what it really comes down to is which one fits your needs. As apmnava said, they had researched a bunch of Sony's and decided that it wasn't right for them. Make no mistake that sony offeres some exceptional cameras, but they were not the right fit. Wgzn is right, every camera has good and bad points so you need to compare that list and hopefully choose a camera that aligns your "needs" with the camera's "goods". Something to consider, which I know has already been mentioned, if you are really trying to avoid the "student film" look, then you may want to consider a lens adapter. I use a simple DVX extensively (not exclusively) and let me tell you, with CORRECT lighting and a lens adapter (aside from overall sharpness) you would be hardpressed to produce a film that most regular viewers would call "student". Feature films HAVE been shot on the DVX. Yes HD is going to be the way to go and yes in my opinion P2 (although pricey) would be the way to go. If you are going to go HD I would suggest the HVX200a. It's operating is very user friendly and it produces a great image. Good luck friend!