Advice on Purchasing a Camera

A

abobus

New member
Hello DVXusers!

I am a documentary producer looking to invest in video equipment; I have approximately $800-$2000 budgeted for the camera (and lenses) or camcorder. At the moment, I am leaning towards a Canon 60D, but I do not know much about camcorders.

Though a lower image quality is somewhat acceptable for documentary, I do not want to submit films to festivals that look amateurish. I worry that any video camera under $2000 will have a home movie look, even if it shoots in HD.

What camera/camcorder will give me the most bang for my buck? Is the 60D the right choice, or would a camcorder from Canon be a better purchase? (I am also willing to buy a camera/camcorder from another company, such as Panasonic, if that would be the better investment.)

Thank you for your help.
 
With a budget of $2000, I would suggest the Canon XA10 or Panasonic HMC40 (with optional xlr adapter) - These cameras will give you a lot more mileage for your money than a 60D and a couple of lenses for documentary work and here's why - THey include decent audio input support, zebras,peaking, image stabalization, image parameter adjustments (more so on HMC40), on documentaries you don't want to have a shot that you really need (and can't change) ruined by colored moire, they have EVFs, NDfilters (even if they're built in), audio monitoring, and really the list could go on...a lot of this list would need to be purchased as add ons to make the 60D compare in usability. All this being said, someone will say they shot their documentary on X DLSR camera and I've seen some good ones done on them - but with your budget and the fact it's documentary and not narrative, I really believe the camcorder is the right tool(all inclusive tool right out of the box) for the job. I do think the XA10 is going to be better in low light than the HMC40, if that makes a difference. If you really want shallow DOF, then I suppose you could get a 60D, a zoom(or tascam) for audio and maybe a couple of faster primes or one semi fast zoom for $2000. I think it would make the job tougher but if you really want it ---that's the way it goes!
 
A 60D is somewhere around a thousand naked, an additional thousand for lenses means you won't be buying L-series glass, and maybe that doesn't matter. A DSLR, for the most part sucks recording audio, so you need a real audio budget unless you are talking silent movies. And hopefully you have money as well for tripod, lights, etc. You didn't mention what level you were playing at, so maybe you already have this covered.

For documentary - run and gun, PulpFiction got it right, a video cam with XLR inputs offers a lot you pay extra for on a DSLR. I own a HMC40 and it is a great "little" cam. It has a few drawbacks like low light performance, but IQ bang for the buck, it would be hard to beat. The image really does rival much more expensive cams.

Grant
 
Thank you for the feedback! I was also recommended the Panasonic HDX-TM700. Between the TM700 and the HMC40, which one do you think will have a more professional look? I plan on looking at videos from the different cameras, but do you have any thoughts on the differences between the two cameras?
 
HMC40 will look more professional.
Also take a look at used HVX200a's, and HMC150's. Don't limit yourself to just purchasing new. There are smoking deals on used equipment.
With the Canon 60D you will run into a 12? minute time limit. Not good if your shooting an interview, and just as it gets good, your camera shuts down.

I've had the TM700 and HS700 and both will produce stunning video. But, the only "flavor" you'll get is 1080P/60. So you will need at least a quad-core for editing. Also, I have sent back the TM700 and am returning the HS700 both for the same problem; WB issues. Even when set to manual, I get a green color shift in the sky. Usually fades in and out. Totally unacceptable for a camera in that class.
 
pulpfiction thanks for your advice, the canon xa10 is every indies dream machine at the moment, your right. It was the canon hv40, but now we have the xa10, with xlr inputs and a load more features. cool.
 
Well, another route I'm considering at this point is getting a Vixia HF S200 and using the extra funds for a quality case, tripod, microphone, and of course extra batteries and memory cards.

Are the extra features on the XA10 worth the extra money or could I soup-up/deck-out/pimp a consumer camcorder and get comparable results?
 
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