im new and need help

S

smjx824

Member
im 15 years old and have taked a media production class
now im interested in starting my own projects for fun
id like to start out as a hobby and see if i can work up from there
but im in need of a cam
ive been wanting the dvx100b but its too costly (even a used one costs a lot)
anyone know any good camcorder that looks professional and is reliable
but it is still good for people on a budget
i dont like the family friendly looking camcorders if you know what im talking about
looks too noobish XD
thanks
 
the thing about those cams are that theyre all small hand held ones
for some reason i have a thing against those
i dont know why i want something slightly bigger just like the dvx100
but once again that one costs too much

lol i think im being really picky right now
 
smjx824 said:
the thing about those cams are that theyre all small hand held ones
for some reason i have a thing against those
i dont know why i want something slightly bigger just like the dvx100
but once again that one costs too much

lol i think im being really picky right now
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When i was your age, I had the same thought

"i want a big cam, so i look professional" exactly like that, but heck the Hv20 lasted me 2 years, shot so much stuff on it... Just go with it dude, you will not regret it, show people what you can do, then buy a big cam..

I shot www.vimeo.com/zac927 a few of those things with just the HV20 (well one with the M2)


Just Do it!
 
Zacatac said:
When i was your age, I had the same thought

"i want a big cam, so i look professional" exactly like that, but heck the Hv20 lasted me 2 years, shot so much stuff on it... Just go with it dude, you will not regret it, show people what you can do, then buy a big cam..

I shot www.vimeo.com/zac927 a few of those things with just the HV20 (well one with the M2)


Just Do it!
Click to expand...
lol thats what all my friends tell me XD
just wondering is there any disadvantages with smaller cameras
like because of size and weight and things
just trying to see the good side to smaller cams
 
maybe this one: canon XM2 or Sony DSR PD-150 or Sony DCR-VX2000 ... but i have to say, i'm not so convinced about the images shot with these cam's ... comparing to the DVX 100 ... best MiniDV "picturequality/look" ever ...

if u want an "professional" cam, you have to spend at least 2k
(a cheap - good quality - HDV Cam, prof. looking = Canon XH A1s or JVC GY-HM100E
also at arround 2k - 3k

sorry pal ... but for starters i recommend canon HV20 / HV30 or Panasonic HDC-SD20 (someting like that)
 
I'd go with the HV20 personally. I am using (ideally) one of those for Quest fest. People have used the HV20 to amazing results. I am about to use one for a heavy VFX piece - pending it doing well with motion tracking.

And what is wrong with a "noobish" looking camera for a self-proclaimed "noob". To say an HV20 is a "noob" camera would be discounting a huge amount of people on this board.

It isn't the size of the camera, it's how you use it.
 
smjx824 said:
the thing about those cams are that theyre all small hand held ones
for some reason i have a thing against those
i dont know why i want something slightly bigger just like the dvx100
but once again that one costs too much

lol i think im being really picky right now
Click to expand...
Same thing when I was your age. I wanted the bigger cameras because I know all my friends would look at me and say your cool. But don't look at how big the camera is. Do some research on the specs of the cameras and look at the what the differences are. What everyone else on this thread has said about getting a Canon HV20/30. I got me an HV10 for a year and loved it now I have an HV20 and love it. Their cheap, small, and like what everyone else has said, you want regret it!

smjx824 said:
lol thats what all my friends tell me XD
just wondering is there any disadvantages with smaller cameras
like because of size and weight and things
just trying to see the good side to smaller cams
Click to expand...
Well let's look at this.. The camera you want shoots SD. The smaller camera (HV20/30) shoots HD.
Then you save some more money and get a wonderful rig like this and your camera is bigger and professional :)
cam1.jpg
 
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It's not about the size of the camera it's how you use it. :)

If it's a weight issue, well yes the bigger ones weight a bit more and thus can be a bit less shaky, but honestly, for either a small camcorder or the dvx, you're gonna need something to stabilize it.

Besides, DVX shoots in SD, HV20 shoots in HD and looks much better, and costs far less.

Especially for your first camera, get a consumer one. When you know what the bells and whistles are, you've developed that eye, and you have a sense of what you're doing, save the money and get a prosumer camera.

The main reason to get a prosumer camera, aside from some benefits in image quality, is to have complete control over what you're doing (iris, shutter, zebra stripes, image settings, P2, fps, etc.) and to interchange lenses. If you don't know about this stuff, best to start small, especially if you don't have the money.

Plus you won't find any prosumer camera under 2k unless you're lucky and find an old used one.
 
Jon Starr said:
Plus you won't find any prosumer camera under 2k unless you're lucky and find an old used one.
Click to expand...

I'll echo what everyone has already said, but add on a bit: There are some shops in Brooklyn, NY that seem to have fantastic prices on cameras. Google "Cheap hvx200" and see how cheap they are. I think I saw one for $1300 one time. Don't EVER buy from these places. It's a scam. Buy from someone that's reputable. B&H is a great place, as are the sponsors here, and if you're looking used, the marketplace is always selling.

Lastly, if you DO end up going hv20/30, check out that forum as well (www.hv20.com). Good deals there too, and you'll find a lot of people who are keen on that camera.
 
all right guys thanks for the tips
i think im going to go with a smaller camera now just because u guys persuaded me
i heard that hv 10 and 20 have been discontinued
so im debating on getting the hv30
any thoughts on this cam
or anyone know where i can get a good hv20 for a good price
 
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or wait for the new hv40...not sure it's much of an upgrade from the 30, but i've never owned either....that doesnt help you at all haha sorry
 
If you're looking to get something for filmmaking, then check out the new Panasonic GH-1. It is a hybrid still-video camera that shoots 12 mega pixel stills, as well as 1080 24p and 720 60p HD video to SD and SDHC cards. It has interchangeable lens capabilities, so no need for a 35mm adapter. The only downside is that it is an AVC-HD camera and that format is still a bit harder to deal with workflow wise, depending on what editing software you are already using. The good news is that you should be able to get a plug-in like Cineform's Neo Scene that will allow you to convert to an intermediate codec for easier editing. Neo Scene is only $129, so not a big expensive add on for this format.

So far it is only out in Japan, but will be released in the states in June. It will cost around $1500. Maybe a little less, but we'll have to wait and see once it hits the store shelves and online retailers. A couple DVXUSER members have gotten their hands on early models. Check out the GH-1 section here on this very forum.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=177
 
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HF20, or HF200 - only difference between them is one comes without a 32GB HDD.

I highly recommend them, fantastic beasts. Cheap to - around same price mark as the HV's. & yes.. there good to.

Camera%20Video%20HF20.jpg

3199967223_8324204527.jpg
 
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