upgrade from consumer video camera

droliff

droliff

Active member
Hi all,

I have just joined this community and am seeking some input.

I have been using a Sony DCR-TRV310 Hi8 consumer video camera (which I have owned for years) for various experimental projects. I would like to upgrade to a better camera and have always heard that the Canons are good.
Does anyone know anything about the Canon XL-2 ?
What should I look for in a camera to upgrade to?

I have recently had the opportunity to do a few web video projects and would like to explore the possibilities of expanding what I offer to clients.
I am a beginning 'final cut express' user.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dennis
 
The brand doesn't matter. The Canon XL-2 is an excellent camera, but the DVX100 is just as good with a lower price. The HVX200 is even better, and the EX-3 better than that. I'm getting into HDSLR cameras now, but I don't recommend them for general use. Unless you post a budget we can't be very specific. I do recommend going HD, though, I'd probably take an HV30 over a DVX100b if I were buying it today. So tell us what you want, beyond 'a camera'.
 
more info and thanks

more info and thanks

Hi Cassius,

Thanks for the input.

Upon further research into standard def pro-sumer digital video cameras in the 'up to 2500.00' range, I have found that the Canon XL-2 and the Panaonic DVX100B are at the very top of the list in most reviews. I see that the XL-2 is beyond 3 grand if purchased new and the DVX100B around 2500.00. It seems that these two cameras have similar features and the higher price on the Canon is probably for the optics.
I've looked at various samples from both cameras shot in 24Pa on YouTube. Being a neophyte to the digital filmmaking world, it's hard to get a grasp on what the quality of the footage is from the YouTube samples.

There are pluses and minuses to both cameras it seems. How big an advantage is Canon's ability to change lenses? I'd like to be able to get head/shoulder shots with a 'long lens look' which, being from a still shooter background, spatial compression and very shallow DOF which will make the background very out of focus. Would I be able to achieve this with the DVX100B's 10X zoom lens? Would that effect be better achieved with the XL-2's 20X optic? I am not sure of the mechanics of video camera optics. I can only think in relation to still camera optics so have a lot to learn.
I like the smaller size of the DVX100B. Seems like it would work better on my simple steady cam. I wonder why Canon did not include a fold out LCD viewer on their model. That would seem to be a plus.

I have the opportunity to obtain an XL-2 in A+ condition for the same price as a new DVX100B.

I have some directional microphones (not sure of the brand at this point, since they are stored away from where I live, maybe audio technica) which I used to mike my drum kit in the early 80's. Would one of these work for better sound when plugged into one of these cameras?

Does anyone have any thoughts on either of these cameras. Where would a person go on the web to get a better look at sample footage from both cameras that would be better than the YouTube samples?

Thanks in advance.

Best,

Dennis
 
I personally wouldn't spend $2500 on an SD video camera nowadays. In the used market, you can pick up an HMC150, XH-A1, HVX200 (maybe a). There are too many options for you to stick with an XL-2 or DVX.

Now before everyone flames me, the DVX is a great camera. I used it on a shoot last month and owned it for a couple years. I just think that any investment made now should be native 16:9 and have a good amount of resolution to play with. The XH-A1 and HMC150 both offer this and are in your price range.

They also produce very pleasing images. The XL-2 and DVX100b are just too old to purchase brand new or in that price range right now, if you ask me. If your budget was lower and you had to buy something then the DVX is a great camera and will perform fantastically...just consider your HD alternatives.

Also, since you will be coming from a consumer camera, have you considered support gear (shoulder mounts, tripods, dollies, etc), memory, batteries, audio solutions (shotgun mics, lav mics, hypercardiod, mixers, external recording) and other accessories?

All of those things add up to quite a bit of money - just thought I would throw it in as something to think about to get your kit up and running. Spending all your money on a camera and then having no good audio solution or tripod to hold it would be a bad idea...

Kegan
 
thanks

thanks

Kegan,

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. Now my head is swimming, lol.
There are certainly a lot of things to consider here.

What is the major difference in quality between SD and HD? In commercial still photography it seems that 'more megapixels' or 'more color information' is always equivalent to better quality or 'perceived' better quality. Many art directors demand and/or expect large files from 30.000 digital back cameras (Hasselblad 50 mp capture etc.) I can produce similar results with my 3000.00 Nikon D700 12 mp capture. Does this analogy relate to digital video regarding SD and HD (720 vs 1080?). Is the XL-2 16:9 native?

Yes, the thought of putting together a digital video kit is quite daunting, lol.
It seems the same as commercial still photography. Camera, accessories, editing tools i.e. computers, lenses, lights and on and on.
If I could get a handle on what involves a 'basic digital video' shooting kit that would be great. I've got Mac Pro (12GB RAM) with lots of hard drive space and FCE
for basic editing. I have a couple external microphones. I have still photo lighting, softboxes etc.

Any additional input will be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Dennis
 
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