Which camera to get? (I know one of these)

A

AODfan

New member
Hello,

First off I am new to cinematography, I want to get into short films, mostly pertaining to martial arts and action, more hollywood style(look), not little bobby's tournament =).

I would like to get that hollywood look that best I could, without spending too much money(I know, Im dreaming). I hear it takes correct lighting, angle, tone or mood, to achieve this.

The few camcorders that I have come across is the Canon GL-2, Sony VX2100, DVX100B(really out of my price range), DVC30 and today a salesman pointed me to the Sony HCR-HC3 but I do not know much about the HD cams right about now.

As for the first two, I know the XV2100 has better low light than the GL-2, I know there is a price difference between the two. I have read that the GL-2 has features that the VX2100 do not, I also hear it has better frame rates(that true?)

I just recently read about the DVX100B, and from what I see its just an awesome character. As for the little brother DVC30, I have not read much as how it comes to the rest I have posted about.

Sound is something else that I would need, I was thinking of getting a separate equip/mic anyways(also need suggestions on that as well).

The scenes I am wanting to do persist of an old warehouse, so the lighting maybe dark depending on the lighting source(Meaning I can get some lights if I have to). In that thought would I be better off with the VX or the GL

I know neither the GL-2 or VX2100 are widescreen/letterbox format and I hear the 16:9 feature degrades quality. (Dont know about the DVX100 or DVC30)

As for the HDR-HC3 I dont know I havent read much about it, I know its a consumer, and does look like it has much options or very extendable.

Just need your help guys, sorry for this being a windy post.

Thanks in advance
James
 
The DVX has quality degradation in 16:9 as well. I think you might be better off going with a gl2, and leaving some spare cash for lights and sound. Regarding sound, i've read on this board that the oktava mk012a is the best bang for the buck mic around. However i think you posted this in the wrong forum..
 
dude, doesnt matter what camera you have.... as long as you have magic bullet you will be ok

instant hollywood in a can (or on a disc rather)
 
AODfan said:
Hello,

First off I am new to cinematography, I want to get into short films, mostly pertaining to martial arts and action, more hollywood style(look), not little bobby's tournament =).

I would like to get that hollywood look that best I could, without spending too much money(I know, Im dreaming). I hear it takes correct lighting, angle, tone or mood, to achieve this.

The few camcorders that I have come across is the Canon GL-2, Sony VX2100, DVX100B(really out of my price range), DVC30 and today a salesman pointed me to the Sony HCR-HC3 but I do not know much about the HD cams right about now.

As for the first two, I know the XV2100 has better low light than the GL-2, I know there is a price difference between the two. I have read that the GL-2 has features that the VX2100 do not, I also hear it has better frame rates(that true?)

I just recently read about the DVX100B, and from what I see its just an awesome character. As for the little brother DVC30, I have not read much as how it comes to the rest I have posted about.

Sound is something else that I would need, I was thinking of getting a separate equip/mic anyways(also need suggestions on that as well).

The scenes I am wanting to do persist of an old warehouse, so the lighting maybe dark depending on the lighting source(Meaning I can get some lights if I have to). In that thought would I be better off with the VX or the GL

I know neither the GL-2 or VX2100 are widescreen/letterbox format and I hear the 16:9 feature degrades quality. (Dont know about the DVX100 or DVC30)

As for the HDR-HC3 I dont know I havent read much about it, I know its a consumer, and does look like it has much options or very extendable.

Just need your help guys, sorry for this being a windy post.

Thanks in advance
James
Click to expand...

Of those three, DVX, hands down. Either accept the 4:3 ratio, crop it later to 16:9, or use the anamorphic lens. You are going to need lights, but you can rent those.
 
ncje said:
hmm not sure I agree there. My experience is MB degrades the image further.
Click to expand...

I agree partially with ncje - magic bullet has its uses, but as i so painfully found out, magic bullet cant make crap images look good. In fact i find that generally curves are more effective than magic bullet for normal looks.
 
MalcolmOng said:
The DVX has quality degradation in 16:9 as well..
Click to expand...

In my experience it is a VERY slight degradation and the quality of the DVX picture more than makes up for any slight resolution loss.
 
I got my dvx a few months ago, at the same time a friend got a vx2100. He is now saying, I wish you would have told me about the DVX sooner!!

Last year I was looking up to anyone with a GL2 or vx2100, now I look down on them. hehe

Plus I could not imagine being without the 24p option.
 
Brandon Rice said:
In my experience it is a VERY slight degradation and the quality of the DVX picture more than makes up for any slight resolution loss.
Click to expand...

Well, however it can't match up to a true 16:9 ccd camera such as the xl2, all things the same. It does approach and occasionally break even or exceed the xl2 in image quality. In my film, one of the cameras was an xl2, and i was pretty blown away by the default color saturation and resolution - the 30% more resolution does indeed make a difference. However the xl2 is what..1000 bucks more than the dvx? I'm sure for the price the dvx MORE than makes up for its deficiencies...
 
Its all up to what you want. If you want film-like apperance, get the DVX. If not, go for the cheaper ones.
 
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