Best HD cameras for my buck?

Butchnap

Butchnap

Member
Hi everyone, and my apologies if this thread is in the wrong section, but..

I've just got some tax money back and have sold my old GL2 and a bunch of accessories.. I now have about $2500 to spend, and I want to get the best HD camera(s) I can for the loot. I plan to not only shoot short films and music videos, but also wedding videography and commercials.

I was almost entirely sold on a 5D mark II or possibly a 7D, but I came to the realization that those cameras, awesome as they are, aren't real great for weddings (the 12 minute video clips, possible overheating, zoom/focus would be trickier, would have to buy a separate audio recorder).

So I'm left with the option of camcorders. My idea was that for the money I have, I should be able to get a Panasonic HMC40 and potentially also a Panasonic HDC-HS300 as a second camera. I've been pouring over the specs and reviews for both cameras and feel I have a pretty decent understanding of their shortcomings (poor low light, etc) but that is where I'm at.

Would love to get a HMC150 for the controls as well as CCD over CMOS, but finding one for $2500 hasn't happened.

So I'm asking everyone out there.. Does my plan to get these two cameras sound good for the money, especially in the light that I aim to start doing weddings seriously? I'd still need a wireless lav, but that wouldn't be too big a problem.

If any of you have a better idea or camera choice for the money, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks in advance,
Nick
 
if i where you id get a used hvx200 on craigslist or ebay,
they go for around that price $2500-3500 ish with a decent
amount of accessories.
 
Lindquist said:
if i where you id get a used hvx200 on craigslist or ebay,
they go for around that price $2500-3500 ish with a decent
amount of accessories.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. However, I'd prefer to steer clear of P2 media.. It's way too expensive for my blood. I like the HMC150 cos it seems to have the same features as an HVX200, but uses the SD/SDHC cards.
 
Butchnap,

I understand where you are coming from but keep in mind the HMC150 does not shoot broadcast quality DVCPROHD, does not shoot in 4:2:2 color space and does not shoot 100mbps. And if I'm not mistaken the HMC does not shoot variable frame rates. All of those points make the HVX a far superior camera in my mind. An HMC150 sells for a little over three thousand dollars...about the same thing you would spend on the higher quality used HVX.

Jim
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the input, Jim! Worth knowing.

I just bought a used (9+) HMC40 with only 8 hrs. off B & H for $1400.. Also ordered a big battery, XLR adapter and 32 GB SDHC card (class 6).. I'm working it!

That HDC-HS300 is next..
 
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