Looking to upgrade my camera?

[A.Eberhard]

First I'll give you some info. I want to get out of mini dv, but I'm also exploring the world of DSLR's. Just want some suggestions for an upgrade. I would buy used camera's too.

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future? My Budget for the camera alone $1000 - $1500. Don't want to go over $1500

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

I have had an hv30 for about 2 years and I use it on manual and I have used my friends D60 a few times for photos.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

Got an hv30 with a Opteka fisheye on it. Got a cheap tripod.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

Skiing and Skateboarding would be my main focus.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

I would like to be able to give it to a friend to shoot my, but most of my friends have camera experience also. It is not a must have.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

Pretty much everything, when I shoot by myself I put it on a tripod and hike, but that is rare.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.

Right now I got a laptop with a 1.66ghz dual processor along with 2gb of ram. Also got a hard drive of 120gb with a external of 500gb.

8) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

Right now I got Sony Vegas pro 8, I would say a solid 7 no joke intended.

---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------

1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?

Sure if I can afford it and if it right for me.

2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?

Very minimal just some stuff I have read on the internet.

3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?

I know a few.

4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?

For sure if it means I get nice footage.

 

[Heath.]

Hmm, only 1500 bucks isn't much of an upgrade from an hv30.

I wouldn't go HDDSLR route, 1500 just isn't enough IMO.

I'm having a hard time giving you a good uprgade, the hmc40 is the only thing that comes to mind and you'd be pushing the top of your budget. A canon hf200 wouldn't be much of an upgrade, i think you should save up another 1000 and go from there.

 

[A.Eberhard]

Yeah I was thinking $1500 wouldn't be enough. Maybe I will just stick with the hv30 to keep money for my shitty whip.

 

[Coalescent]

I'm not really sure I agree. In order to have a LEGIT HDSLR setup, more money needs to be spent, I agree. However, good results can be gotten with minimal equipment.

As of right now, I shoot with a Canon T2i. (The cheapest you can get now- I paid 800 with a kit lens). As far as lenses go, I mainly use my 50mm 1.8 super-takumar lens (bought for 30 bucks on ebay-what a steal). I also have a 75-300mm Canon lens w/out IS. This was given to me as a present and I don't use it often. Not the best lens for video, however, it can get a nice clean shot in the right situations. I am going to focus on getting another lens that is a bit quicker the whole way through (looking at a sigma 2.8 17-50mm) or possibly at just grabbing a few more primes.

Camera + Lenses I have = 800+ 30+ 150

Memory Cards = Two 8gb class 6 cards ran be about 50 bucks

Tripod head- 501hdv- 178.00

Legs- Manfrotto 190xdb- 100 bucks

ZaZa Slider = 150 for the complete.

Zoom H2- 100 bucks of ebay (decent sound quality)

Audio-Technica ATR3350- 20 bucks off amazon. This LAV seems to be QUALITY for the price which is wild. It's mono, however you just copy the sound to the right side in post and boom. 20ft cord which is nice.

As of now, I have spent a total of about 1,600 which is riiight at your limit. If I upgrade the kit lens to something faster, look at about 300 bills for that. I had a glidecam, however I sold it as I am not planning on doing many follow cam shots. I need to rearrange my lens situation and within the following months am looking to add a variety of primes to the list.

People talk crap on the kit lens (18-55..3.5/5.6) however I find this lens to be very sharp and produce a good image when the light is right. It's completely fine to learn the camera and isn't a bad lens to have in your bag sometimes. When money is an issue, it works.

I feel that your laptop is a little slow in order to edit 720/1080 footage, however I may be wrong.

HDSLR may be your route, they produce great images. You can get the T2i even cheaper than what I paid and if you look around, and are willing to use primes, there are TONS of great lenses available for use.

I hope this helps!