Need dig cam help- for filmmakers

ForestryIs8nice

ForestryIs8nice

Member
yo what up ns,

im a student at berkeley lookin to get into filming of slighty professional quality. i need a decent camera and lookin to spend realistically 2.5 and under but would appreciate suggestions for options costing more. im a scrounging college student, not above used equipment at all. im headed to japan and china next year- japan to ski and shoot and china to study and probably shoot. so ill be needing a cam that can do pretty much everything: action footage, landscapes, low light, narratives. i have plenty of experience with editing and production, but not enough to justify throwing 10g down on a hobby (at this point). im a film studies major here so i might be taking my filming somewhere some day. im thinking i dont necessarily need hd (right?) to make professional looking products. im getting familiar with the options out there as well so will prob know what youre talkin about. i appreciate it ya'll.

peace, love, leftcoast.
 
Standard def- Panasonic DVX100B cost brand new ~2500
High Def - Canon XHA1 cost brand new ~3300

They're very similar cameras only the canon model is high def, and has an iris ring instead of a dial. There are other differences obviously, as they are different brands, but the main features are quite similar.

If they look too big for traveling with, the Canon HV30 is great 'consumer' type model. Don't be fooled though, the picture quality will make you shit your pants it's so good.

Also, check out Sanyo's handheld cameras. I know they have a bad rap, but I saw some footage off of one the other day, and it was actually pretty nice. They're pocket sized, and some of them are waterproof. I wouldn't recommend this camera for filmmaking, or action sports, but for shooting landscape, and travel footage, it's not a bad option. I know I certainly wouldn't want to lug my XHA1 around japan and china. Also, most of these sanyo cameras can take 9 or 10 megapixel stills.
 
you are going to have trouble getting a "profesional" camera for under 2.5 Our company just bought 2 brand new EX1's and they are one of the better cameras on the market, but they also go for $7,000.

If I was you I would look at the new FX-1000 that is coming out next month. I would not and I repeat I would NOT get a DVX or an HVX they do really bad in low light, and with skiing you will be shooting in low light.

just my opnions. if you would like to see some of our work, take a look here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/4ReelMedia
 
Not really, unless you have no idea what you're doing. Plus, skiing isn't always low light, just urbans.
 
I feel like skiing is about as bright as it possibly gets. Low light? Maybe if you're filming at night with some a few worklights or something....

7000 bucks is alot to spend for someone who's 'looking to get into video' I would lean away from the FX1000 simply because it's audio capabilities wouldn't be great for narrative filmmaking as you said you were interested in doing. Otherwise it would be a great choice. I really think the DVX or the XHA1 will be the best choices for you.

Here's a great article that compares the HVX200, XHA1, and the EX1. It was a really interesting comparison.http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=149693
 
aite so i figured it out ive got 2000 to spend on a camera and was thinking of buying the gl2 for 1500 new and learning how to perfect it, as a good intro into cinematography. any other suggestions?
 
or maybe i should pick up a new dvx100b off a legit ebay seller with some cheesy add-ons for 2 flat.

i need some help i think i'm about to: 1. make a bad decision 2. get my pants pulled down over the price 3. get nothing for $2000
 
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