A Video Camera For A Beginner?

Braedon

Braedon

Member
Hi, I'm Braedon.
A new member on these boards as you may be able to tell, Anyway.
I was wondering what type of camera a beginner should purchase.
I want to produce movie trailers/teasers with my friends, Sort of in this fashion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGcGyYx3n4I

I don't believe we'd need a $3,000 dollar camera to do it (maybe in order to do it right) but we've all got some money saved up for a rainy day.
I have great knowledge of Sony Vegas and I've done a few things in After Effects so i'm good on the editing side of things, I also took a videography class during my freshman & sophomore years of high school so I know how to work with cameras, I just need a camera with good video quality, anything under $2000, the lower the price the better. The video quality doesn't have to be perfect, It just has to be able to be clear in a 0:45-2:00 video.
 
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I would look for a used hvx200a, Their a great cam, and can be found for about 1,500 bucks, use the other 500 to buy some p2 cards. The reason I suggest this cam, is that it has a great filmic look. It has excellent audio, xlr ins, and a ton of onboard features you will never get in a dslr. You may also want to look at the new Canon line, they have some small compact cams. If I recall correctly they even have a palm sized cam with xlr attachment for good audio, which you will need to do movie type shoots.
 
Braedon said:
I just need a camera with good video quality, anything under $2000, the lower the price the better. The video quality doesn't have to be perfect, It just has to be able to be clear in a 0:45-2:00 video.
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How about a used Canon HV40? It would cost less than $500 and has as sharp an image as many more expensive cameras. Only make sure your computer has a firewire port.
 
For the budget and support accessories you may need, I would take a good, hard look at a DSLR such as the canon T3i or Panasonic GH2. The HVX200 is a good suggestion, but I feel like you would be locked into a workflow that requires more expensive things to upgrade, such as the P2 cards. Many of the new cameras as well as many "prosumer" DSLR's video capabilities will use much less expensive SD cards readily available at most chain stores. I have had many cameras in the past, JVC, Panasonic HPX500's (HVX200's big brother), Canon DSLRs and now my Sony Nex-5n. I was really happy with most of the cameras I had, but found the P2 workflow somewhat cumbersome as I had to have either a special adapter to offload footage or offload it directly from the camera. Most notebooks these days have an SD card reader built in, which makes things really convenient. I had a 60d that I was very happy with, but many find success in a lot of different cameras. The GH2's image people rave about, most are happy with the results of their Canon DSLR's, I would just search through Vimeo and the posts on here to see what others are saying and see what they are using their cameras for. Different strokes for different folks.

Personally, after having all of the cameras I have had and using countless others, I am really happy with my Sony Nex-5n. For one, the price. It can be had for around $600. I also like the fact that you can buy any cheap (or expensive) lens you want and put it on there with very nice results. I have a couple dozen lenses and purchased most of them for $5-20 each. The adapters are $15-20 for each mounting type. But keep in mind, they are manual focus only lenses, which I am used to but some may not be. If you stick with something like Canon FD lenses, you only need one adapter. For $2k, you could have the camera, SD cards, a few nice lenses, some filters, a nice tripod, a decent recorder and mic for audio, AND a small lighting setup, which are all things you will need to make most of what you're going to do with it decent looking and worth while.

Welcome to the forums, Braedon.
 
If you want a filmic look for movie trailors, I would be looking at a GH2 with Driftwood hack for $900 on a tight budget. Image quality wise it may (dare I say it) even approach the C300. Look at the Bloom review. It seems GH2 gives the biggest IQ bang for the buck even if you need to stand on your head and rub your tummy conterclockwise to get it.
 
f64manray said:
If you want a filmic look for movie trailors, I would be looking at a GH2 with Driftwood hack for $900 on a tight budget. Image quality wise it may (dare I say it) even approach the C300. Look at the Bloom review. It seems GH2 gives the biggest IQ bang for the buck even if you need to stand on your head and rub your tummy conterclockwise to get it.
Click to expand...

I googled Gh2 Driftwood hack and the picture is great!
 
Kit Hannah said:
For the budget and support accessories you may need, I would take a good, hard look at a DSLR such as the canon T3i or Panasonic GH2. The HVX200 is a good suggestion, but I feel like you would be locked into a workflow that requires more expensive things to upgrade, such as the P2 cards. Many of the new cameras as well as many "prosumer" DSLR's video capabilities will use much less expensive SD cards readily available at most chain stores. I have had many cameras in the past, JVC, Panasonic HPX500's (HVX200's big brother), Canon DSLRs and now my Sony Nex-5n. I was really happy with most of the cameras I had, but found the P2 workflow somewhat cumbersome as I had to have either a special adapter to offload footage or offload it directly from the camera. Most notebooks these days have an SD card reader built in, which makes things really convenient. I had a 60d that I was very happy with, but many find success in a lot of different cameras. The GH2's image people rave about, most are happy with the results of their Canon DSLR's, I would just search through Vimeo and the posts on here to see what others are saying and see what they are using their cameras for. Different strokes for different folks.

Personally, after having all of the cameras I have had and using countless others, I am really happy with my Sony Nex-5n. For one, the price. It can be had for around $600. I also like the fact that you can buy any cheap (or expensive) lens you want and put it on there with very nice results. I have a couple dozen lenses and purchased most of them for $5-20 each. The adapters are $15-20 for each mounting type. But keep in mind, they are manual focus only lenses, which I am used to but some may not be. If you stick with something like Canon FD lenses, you only need one adapter. For $2k, you could have the camera, SD cards, a few nice lenses, some filters, a nice tripod, a decent recorder and mic for audio, AND a small lighting setup, which are all things you will need to make most of what you're going to do with it decent looking and worth while.

Welcome to the forums, Braedon.
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Thank you for all of the information :)
 
ejolson said:
How about a used Canon HV40? It would cost less than $500 and has as sharp an image as many more expensive cameras. Only make sure your computer has a firewire port.
Click to expand...

More than affordable and has a mic input, I'll definitely check this one out.
 
Braedon said:
Thank you for all of the information :)
Click to expand...

Of course :)

Braedon said:
More than affordable and has a mic input, I'll definitely check this one out.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about a mic input. The only reason you need any audio on the camera is for reference or the kid's soccer games. Unless you're going to a larger format camera, the preamps on most small cameras tend to be pretty bad. You can get a small external recorder and nice shotgun mic for very cheap and the sound quality will be a world of difference.
 
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