Professional video camera recs?
I've been searching online for a while now because I want to upgrade my video camera but I'm pretty lost on what to go for.
I don't want to spend $5k on a camera but I do want to upgrade from the Canon Vixia M31 that I have now. It does decent video but I want something capable of "higher end" quality and that can use accessories like a directional (shotgun?) mic and a wide angle lens. I'm pretty amature with using video equipment but very good at figuring things out, at least enough to do the kind of shooting I need. It doesn't need to be cinema quality LOL.
I'm looking at this camera. I like that it uses SD cards and seems to do good quality video and allows use of accessories, and has good reviews.
I just don't know if I'm making a terrible choice. Maybe there's something in the $1-2k price range that is way better. Maybe there is something bad about this camera I don't know about.
Any insight would be most appreciated!!!
>>Edit to add: I use an iMac for video editing and both iMovie or FCP X depending on what I want to do with it. Basic edits usually get done in iMovie because it's so easy. I've also recently gotten a green screen so I can play around with backgrounds more. If a certain camera does poorly with green screen, obviously I don't want it.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
:bump:
Surely someone knows something...
Re: Professional video camera recs?
I have panasonic hvx 200...they have a 1 to 2k baby version, the sizr of a beer can
Sony has an equivalent
Other than that, nothing is really "pro"
Possibly (though Ihavent used em) one of the slrs with hd video...
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Go with a DSLR like the $900 Panasonic GH2 or a Canon Rebel T3i at $600, then go out and but a wide angle lense and a telephoto.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Aren't DSLRs mostly for pictures not video? And don't they have limited video-filming times? I need good video and no recording time limit - pics are waaaaaay low priority for me.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pinups4
I have panasonic hvx 200...they have a 1 to 2k baby version, the sizr of a beer can
Sony has an equivalent
Other than that, nothing is really "pro"
Possibly (though Ihavent used em) one of the slrs with hd video...
It would be nice to know what the baby version is, or the Sony equivalent. It's kinda hard to search "baby version of hvx200" LOL.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ThatBitch
I've been searching online for a while now because I want to upgrade my video camera but I'm pretty lost on what to go for.
I don't want to spend $5k on a camera but I do want to upgrade from the Canon Vixia M31 that I have now. It does decent video but I want something capable of "higher end" quality and that can use accessories like a directional (shotgun?) mic and a wide angle lens. I'm pretty amature with using video equipment but very good at figuring things out, at least enough to do the kind of shooting I need. It doesn't need to be cinema quality LOL.
I'm looking at
this camera. I like that it uses SD cards and seems to do good quality video and allows use of accessories, and has good reviews.
I just don't know if I'm making a terrible choice. Maybe there's something in the $1-2k price range that is way better. Maybe there is something bad about this camera I don't know about.
Any insight would be most appreciated!!!
>>Edit to add: I use an iMac for video editing and both iMovie or FCP X depending on what I want to do with it. Basic edits usually get done in iMovie because it's so easy. I've also recently gotten a green screen so I can play around with backgrounds more. If a certain camera does poorly with green screen, obviously I don't want it.
How professional does it really need to be? What's your primary use for it? I have found cams for far less to a great job, especially if it's all 'net based stuff, which does not take advantage of HD anyway. The cam I have does 1080P but I record in 780P and for the net, works fine. Remember, you get a lot more for your $$$ in cams then you did just a few years ago for less $$$.
BTW, just put up a thread on Green Screen:
http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...-quot-for-vids
I'd think with some creativity, some great stuff could be done with it both naughty and nice. :)
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ThatBitch
It would be nice to know what the baby version is, or the Sony equivalent. It's kinda hard to search "baby version of hvx200" LOL.
Ill post model nums
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ThatBitch
It would be nice to know what the baby version is, or the Sony equivalent. It's kinda hard to search "baby version of hvx200" LOL.
Ill post model nums
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Thttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LO92EK/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000DZH7NA
http://gopro.com/products/?gclid=CPa...FQ-f4AodBS0ApA
I do network tv production
I have used the panasonic. Own the other panasonic. And am buying a hero. 80% of my shoots Irent the bigger cams, but these are "b" and "c" units for many shows. Think dirty jobs, mythbusters
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ThatBitch
Aren't DSLRs mostly for pictures not video? And don't they have limited video-filming times? I need good video and no recording time limit - pics are waaaaaay low priority for me.
Not any more. Most filmmakers I know use a DSLR for the near endless lens options and affordability.
You are correct though, DSLRs are limited to a 30 min per clip recording time for tax reasons. This rarely affects filmmakers as most shots are mere seconds and rarely is a scene or take over 30 m. But, if you are using this for cam work, theater, ballet, surveillance, or other live recording lasting over 30 mins, it will not be for you.
If not, then I can list some 'shoot outs' comparing footage from each.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Doc Holliday
Not any more. Most filmmakers I know use a DSLR for the near endless lens options and affordability.
You are correct though, DSLRs are limited to a 30 min per clip recording time for tax reasons. This rarely affects filmmakers as most shots are mere seconds and rarely is a scene or take over 30 m. But, if you are using this for cam work, theater, ballet, surveillance, or other live recording lasting over 30 mins, it will not be for you.
If not, then I can list some 'shoot outs' comparing footage from each.
Interesting you should mention that. I was at a show not long ago and the person they hired had a collection of pro quality cams. However, on the end of the this big boom he had was a Cannon SLR. I talked with him at length about that which turned me on the the SLR as vid cam.
For my vid needs, I have found a collection of less expensive cams, vs one expensive "pro" level cam works best for my needs. I have a few Sony Handy cams in the $300- $400 range that work well, use a Kodak zi8 portable cam when traveling etc and need something small that still does HD and has a remote, and even mi Iphone 5 does respectable vid in a pinch. I read great reviews of the Lumix DMC-GH2 and own the G2 for photos. If I was going to focus on stepping vid quality, I'd be looking at something like the DMC-GH2 or some Cannon or Nikon offering in the camera as vid cam.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
There's also the Black Magic that just came out and is getting a lot of deserved hype, but is priced at $3,000 for the body only.
Here's a shootout with it and Pannasonic GH2 (hacked) which I like, as well as others.
http://vimeo.com/53821829
Please bear in mind this has been encoded as 8bit H.264 for Vimeo and is not fully representative of 12bit raw, though not too far off! Very important - Please do not judge image quality from the streaming version DOWNLOAD the high bitrate 2.5K file!
Cameras in the shootout (links included)
Blackmagic Cinema Camera (Version 1.1) $3,000
Panasonic GH3 (Pre-production V0.5) $1,300
Panasonic GH2 (Hacked with EOSHD 80 ALL-I patch) $750
Sony FS100 (latest firmware) $4,200
Sony VG-900 $3,300
Canon 5D Mark III (ALL-I mode) $3,000
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Im not really knowledgeable about this but one suggestion is that if you have a local media station, like public cable access is if they have memberships to the public is to get one. Often stations have all kinds of equipment available for their people or paying members to rent so itd be a great way to test out cameras like this for usually under $100 before owning. I have a membership to test out (and learn) all kinds of stuff to see if filming others with professional equipment is worth an investment in buying. Or, failing that, if you have an art school or college nearby that have well-resourced film or art departments that is very town and gown friendly, that may be a good avenue to test equipment out.
Actually having your hands on the camera first to try it out may be useful
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Doc Holliday
You are correct though, DSLRs are limited to a 30 min per clip recording time for tax reasons.
Sorry if this is off topic in regards to this thread, but what does 30 min of recording time on a camera have to do with taxes?
Re: Professional video camera recs?
I'm not totally sure of the details, but it has to do with a tax rate on manufacturers of still cameras vs camcorders, and the later trying to slow down the competition from the former. I imagine it will be dropped in a few years.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
Will you be selling your old cam?
Re: Professional video camera recs?
My ex whose really into film said a canon t3i would be fine, and to add an external mic if I wanted really high quality audio. Of course you can spend more than that, but I don't really think its needed unless maybe you are filming something like latex, which would be a detail that would pay off with higher quality cameras. The red camera is supposed to be the best of the best for pro filmers, but its also a large investment.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
I appreciate the replies. I'm wanting a better video camera with HD for filming video content which I sell. I currently sell 1080p HD versions and an SD version, which has increased my overall earnings per video. So I definitely need 1080 HD capability. This is not for use as a webcam or for cheap low-quality web videos.
I currently have the Canon Vixia M31 which I like, but getting accessories for it is a pain in the ass because of Canon's stupid proprietary smaller shoe, and I feel like I've outgrown this camera. I want something I can add a decent mic to and a monitor so I can see what I'm filming when I turn the camera on. I mostly shoot with a tripod on my own but occasionally use a cameraman. Most of my videos are shot at far less than 30 minutes, but I DO sometimes shoot well over 30 minutes at a whack (almost always when I'm shooting with a loser - those scenes can go long), so I do not want to be limited on time. Last thing I need is to be in the middle of a good scene and have to stop to restart the camera. Puts a damper on things LOL.
I decided against the Panasonic I was looking at before and now I'm looking at this JVC camera for $2k. I like that it comes with a removable shotgun mic and that the files it produces are Final Cut compatible which would save me a lot of time importing video for edit. The few reviews I can find on it are great, and it seems to have all the features I'd need. I am not a "pro" videographer by any stretch of the imagination but I DO need a camera that makes my filming life more productive.
I normally film a lot of video; I just haven't done much lately because 1) I'm buying another condo and about to move and 2) I'm totally uninspired with the current equipment. ha
As for whether I'll sell my old one, I hadn't thought about it yet but I might just do that.
Re: Professional video camera recs?
I might also be buying a new video camera, and am looking for about the same thing. So thanks for starting this thread lol. I will keep my eye on it.