camera choice for documentary

F

flean

Active member
what would be the options in terms of camera to shoot a shoestring budget documentary which requires a lot of outdoors following a subject discreetly in different local public places an some indoors for interviews- (pretty much guerilla/ news style)?

here are the options:
-Panasonic DVX 100b
-Panasonic [SIZE=-1]AG-HVX200(P2 cards + camera =outside our budget range-unless somone knows a great place to buy it cheap)
- Sony HDR-FX1 (someone told me good but not so great)
-Sony HVR-A1U
-Sony HVR-Z1U

now i have been told, since the film style will be pretty much hidden camera style (almost) , to use may be a high end HD consumer camera so i can hide it even in pocket.
does anyone know anything about the quality of these cameras below:
-Panasonic HDC-HS9 (HD & 24p)
Canon HV20 HDV (HD & 24p)
Panasonic AG-HSC1
Sony HDR-CX7

any suggestions?

thank you


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I would definitely go for the HVX. If you don't have the money for p2 cards, and of that reason can't choose the HVX, I'd choose the DVX. Why? Because, in my opinion, it is better to shoot DV than HDV. So if you can afford HD, go for it. Else, go for the DVX. It is still a very good camera, even though it is old.
 
Hvr z1u is a really great camera. Iv shot with both the z1u and the hvx and the only difference is the HVX is alot more cinematic. But for a documentary deffinitly the Z1u youll save alot of moolah
 
The HV20 is the most recommended consumer camera around, so that's what you should go with if you go the consumer camera route.
 
If you do decide to go the consumer camera route (like you seem to be doing), the HV20 IS an excellent camera. The HV30 on the other hand may be a little better for shooting your documentary, because it supports 30p. You have a little more control in this regard and can decide if you want to shoot 30p or not. I'm shooting my doc in 24p, but some require more movement and for that, I think 30p would fit better. (NOTE: HV20 does NOT support 30p) If you don't know what 30p looks like, take a look around for some footage or go into your local electronics shop and just set it to that mode to try it out.

Guys, he's not going to be able to afford an HVX, Canon XH-A1 but he MAY be able to get a good used DVX for his price range. If he wants HD on his budget, HV20 or 30 would be the recommended choice in my opinion, but if HD and 16:9 isn't an absolute, then I'd go the used DVX route.

EDIT: I completely missed the initial part of your post where you had prosumer cameras. If you can afford the DVX, that's fantastic. I'd also recommend the Canon XH-A1. It's a little more than the DVX, but shoots INCREDIBLE footage and records to tape. It is HDV and many people aren't fond of the codec, but in the HDV league, for the price range it's one of the best. If HD isn't a must, buy a DVX and spend the rest on accessories. You will still need tripod, batteries, possible shoulder mounts, bags, lighting, mics, etc.

-Kegan
 
Of those options I would go A1 or HV20 specifically for the fact that they do shoot straight to tape.

I really wouldn't want to be dealing with P2 in a documentary unless I had done it at least twice before and had MANY p2 cards (16giggers) to last through-out an entire day of shooting.
 
If you want the "hidden, throw in your pocket" style, and it's possible to wait a little bit, wait for the scarlet to come out: http://www.reduser.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31. Browse through here and check out the rumors.

I don't know how much it will cost so I may be totally out of your budget in terms of price. I don't know, but something to consider.
 
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