first time dv camcorder

[manwithplan]

awright dudes!
Im looking into getting a DV camcorder fairly soon, the only problem being i dont actually know what to look for in a good one!

Im wanting to film a (very) short that ive been working on with a friend but i dont know what sort of camer to go for.

Ive looked at the like of the Sony PC5/PC110 etc but what do you recon is better to go for; a tiny palm corder or a larger one?

ta much
C.

[assyrix]

How much do you want to spend? The best compromise between quality and price is a Sony VX-2000. Excellent picture quality and sound. Can be had for less than ?2000. A bit cheaper is Canon's XL1 for around ?1600.

If money matters you may go for a used VX-1000 which should be available for under ?1000. Still too much? Rent a decent camera. Definitely better than shooting on one of those handheld cameras who usually have troubles with fast motion or sunsets.

If money is no issue then go for a Sony DSR-500 with a 19x Fujinon Zoom lens and a Sennheiser boom mic. This setup will cost you though - expect to pay roughly ?20K.

[This message has been edited by assyrix (edited May 02, 2001).]

[manwithplan]

cheers for the help! Could i use the vx1000 for filming holidays and random stuff etc as well? or is it that much bigger that it would have to be used on a tripod/similar most of the time?

thanks again
C.

[ilpostino]

Things to look for in a DV camera for short film making:

Manual controls e.g. Focus / Shutter / Exposure

Picture Quality: 3ccd's the bigger the better!

Format: mini DV or full size

If you can get all that for the money you have then your laughing! If not you'll probably have to get something with only 1 ccd. Boo. But still it's not just about the camera though is it?! Size as seems always to be the case in life does and doesn't matter. A big camera will probably command more respect from who's ever face your sticking it in and those around you. A small camera like you mentioned will probably be better for holidays and "random stuff". It might also be worth remembering that those big cameras are generally more likely to have all the manual controls and ccd's you need, probably big ones as well! Mmmm But, It's not the size of your camera that counts it's how you use it!

Palm corders are very very cool but are very fiddle for filmmaking and whatever you buy you might also want to budget for extras like spare batteries, wide angle lenses, external mic's, and a lovely bag to put it all in! NOT immediately essential but does make a difference.



[This message has been edited by ilpostino (edited May 02, 2001).]

[machead]

If your going to edit on a computer get a Firewire enabled camcorder(Sony call it i-Link)


------------------
MACHEAD
http://www.apple.com

[manwithplan]

cheers for all the help, most appreciated! I was definitely going to go for a firewire/i-link camera cos i do want to edit on my pc eventually.

Is it easy to fit different lenses onto the smaller camcorders, or do they not have the ability to chave them changed?

thanks
C.

[assyrix]

The VX-1000 is dv-in/out enabled (full iLink) and still can be used with one hand and you can use it for filming holidays. Albeit a tad bigger than other consumer camcorders, the quality of the output more than makes up for this.

[ilpostino]

Most lenses for consumer camcorders are screw on, easy fit. The manufacture's generally do make extra lenses for their cameras, some don't! But usually someone somewhere will have a lens in your size.

Just beware of cheap shitty ones that streak (I think that's what its called) this means you get a black circle (the edge of the lens) round the edge of your picture. Not good! You then have to zoom in a bit to get rid of it and if it's a wide angle this tends to defeat its purpose (trust me I know).