Quality vs Experiance.

Doppelganger

Doppelganger

New member
Hi all, my name is Frank and this is my first post. I'm going to start by saying I am 17 years old and have been interested in photography for the past year. Eventually spread to film =)

Being a minor, I have a choice to make. It's my plan this summer to film as much as I can and learn as much as I can since I get a decent break from school.
(eventually want to pursue film in college and beyond) - but first I need a camcorder.

I have around $15-1700 saved at the moment, meaning I can follow one of two plans.

1) Save up for a DVX100b in order to get a high quality camcorder that will last me a long while and will provide me with the best to learn with. Basically an investment.

2) Buy a AGDVC30 today and later save for a DVX100b in the future.

Now the dilemma. With option 1 I need to essentially double my savings by at least midsummer (So I have time to film before school) and am not entirely sure I can do that within time. I'm doubting it.

Naturally it seems I should get the cheaper version instead, right? That's what I am thinking, and I would go for it, but I figured I would consult the numerous helpful and resourceful people here. Questions.

1) Will I miss the not true 16x9 mode?

-My goal is to mainly practice cinematography, learn editing, and eventually practice directing by making shorts.


2) Will this be able to fulfill my needs, or will I be disappointed?

- I have been involved with photography for a year so I am familiar with many terms, but have primarily used natural light in all my photographs, so I will be lacking in artificial lighting dept.

3) Do you recommend anything else? Primarily using the lesser Panasonic as an example, but I don't know whether some features are essential or not. Was looking at the GS400 but would need to eBay that.

Besides the questions, my main gripe is that I won't be able to save up for the dvx100b without that $1500 to build upon. I'm into the "film look" and making my shorts look very cinematic, so this is a hard choice for me. I eventually plan on getting a 35mm adapter, but that is future. just letting you know my intentions.

I tried to be precise without being too long winded haha, sorry. :laugh:

edit: oh, and if is the wrong subforum, sorry, i wasnt sure where to put it.
 
I would get something along the lines of a used Pana GS400 or Canon GL1. This will help you practice framing/blocking/lighting. You can go 24p in post. Is it the best option, no, but if you are using for practice then it's all you need. Really any camcorder with manual focus/exposure/shutter speed will work (and a lot of handy-cam type of camcorders have this now.

Just so I am not blindly suggesting, I used a Pana GS200 for a couple years before I got my DVX. Honestly, it was the best thing for me. Stuff I shot on it is still in my reel for heaven sakes (website below)! Don't under estimate what can be done with these cams, especially since many will come here saying that you have to get at least a DVC30.
 
I'll echo BennisHahn's comments and add that you should make sure you have total control over the image being captured. The more manual control you have the better.
 
Keep your eyes peeled for the Canon HV20. We don't really know anything about it other than 1) it's HDV, 2) it has 24p, and 3) it's supposed to be around $1100. Sounds tailor-made for what you want to do. It's going to be a consumer camera so nothing like a DVX, but at $1099 how far wrong can you go?
 
or if youre stretching for a DVX110b, why not ge the canon XHA1, its amazing for the price. plus its a nice crisp 1080P. you can always down res to 16:9 DV, and its 24p(f, but it doesnt matter).

Also the HV20, like barry said is a GREAT starter camera. but it may also, not have a good, audio option. i am not even sure it has Audio in. that can be obnxious if youre trying to make a film.
 
It sounds like from your photography background, you definitely want a cam that provides some great manual controls (there's no other way to go). The GS400 and DVC30 will get the job done, but they won't do 24p, so bear that in mind going in. GS400 will do a real high quality frame mode, but it's basically 30p, not 24p. If you shoot either in 60i, you can convert to 24p in post. I've got a GS400 on sale now, if you search the marketplace forum.
 
I bought a used DVX100 (original) for $1675 from a member here in the marketplace. Maybe you could just wait around a little while for the right deal to pop up and jump on it. That's what I did. I would have had mroe money to spend had I save dit and not bought a GL2, which I had to sell and of ccourse got less thenw hat I paid for it, but enough for my DVX. But I'm not really complaining, my GL2 was a great practice camera. Do you what you gotta do though.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to try and make a choice by the end of this month, and I keep leaning towards the dvx for some reason. I might have an oppurtunity to afford it in time, some things just have to fall into place. I'm usually pretty creative with getting money set up =) Provided New Egg likes me.


Hmm, now the XHA1. Is this worth considering over a DVX100? I remember looking at in my early research.. probably passed it up due to all of the praise for the Panasonic model.
 
Doppelganger said:
Hmm, now the XHA1. Is this worth considering over a DVX100? I remember looking at in my early research.. probably passed it up due to all of the praise for the Panasonic model.
Click to expand...

You would be hard pressed to find an excuse to buy a DVX over an A1 all things being equal. But they arent. A1 will cost you more (maybe money better spent on audio).
 
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