Keatra
I really want a professional camcorder, like the kind they use in movies. But, I don't have enough money to get one, do you know any cheap ones, or have any ideas? thanks :)
Answer
If you REALLY want a professional camcorder, then you will be looking for:
Lens diameter larger than 40mm-43mm
XLR audio-in connections
After you meet these two criteria, everything else is in the camcorder including larger imaging chips, manual audio control and lots of other manual controls that are easy to get to on the outside of the camcorder will follow.
Many movie studios continue to capture to film (CineAlta, Panavision, Arris, Varicam - among others), so you probably don't want those.
The digital camcorders used are commonly the Red One or the Silicon Imaging (SI) line. If you know you don't have enough money to get one, it is likely your computer is not fast enough to handle the digital video editing requirements these ultra-high definiton cameras capture.
Then there's a range of camcorders the pros use - from the Sony professional series, the JVC GY series, the Panasonic pro-grade cams and the Canon professional series. They start at around $2,000 and go up from there.
Video is only a part of the equation - audio plays a large part, too. The least expensive camcorders with a mic jack (1/8" - 3.5mm stereo) are the Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. Do these fit your budget?
If you REALLY want a professional camcorder, then you will be looking for:
Lens diameter larger than 40mm-43mm
XLR audio-in connections
After you meet these two criteria, everything else is in the camcorder including larger imaging chips, manual audio control and lots of other manual controls that are easy to get to on the outside of the camcorder will follow.
Many movie studios continue to capture to film (CineAlta, Panavision, Arris, Varicam - among others), so you probably don't want those.
The digital camcorders used are commonly the Red One or the Silicon Imaging (SI) line. If you know you don't have enough money to get one, it is likely your computer is not fast enough to handle the digital video editing requirements these ultra-high definiton cameras capture.
Then there's a range of camcorders the pros use - from the Sony professional series, the JVC GY series, the Panasonic pro-grade cams and the Canon professional series. They start at around $2,000 and go up from there.
Video is only a part of the equation - audio plays a large part, too. The least expensive camcorders with a mic jack (1/8" - 3.5mm stereo) are the Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. Do these fit your budget?
Good Professional Camcorder?
Brandon P
Is there any type of new professional camcorder (the ones around the $2,000) that I can get for around $1,000 or less? Such as a Canon, Sony, or Panasonic camera.
It doesn't matter where it's from (eBay, Amazon) or if its used, as long as it works.
Answer
Define a "professional" camcorder:
Lens diameter larger than 40mm.
Imaging chip (whether CCD or CMOS) around 1/3" or larger.
Manual focus, zoom, audio, aperture, and other controls easy to get to on the OUTSIDE of the camcorder.
Audio inputs use XLR connectors (not a 1/8" - 3.5mm - stereo jack).
Under the "new" category, the only one that meets this criteria is the Sony HVR-A1U. It is the pro-sibling of the consumer HDR-HC1 from a few years back. Its single CMOS and 43mm lens does not do too well under low light conditions. The zoom/focus ring is shared - you can manually zoom or focus but not at the same time.
The next that meet your technical criteria are the Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U and Canon XHA1. They are all DV/HDV camcorders, well outside your budget and I would be very wary of used gear at the $1,000 level.
The standard definition Panasonic DVX100 also meets the technical spec, will likely be outside your budget and I would be very wary of used gear at the $1,000 level.
That leaves prosumer gear. The standard definition Canon GL2 has a 1/8" audio jack that can be upgraded to XLR by using an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek. Other prosumer gear includes the standard definition DCR-VX2100, (or older VX200 or VX1000). Outside your budget in the high definition environment has the Sony HDR-FX1, HDR-FX1000 or HDR-FX7. The FX1/FX1000 are the consumer sibling to the Z1; the V1U is the consumer sibling to the V1.
Closer to your budget are the consumer Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. They both have a 1/8" stereo audio-in jack, so adding an XLR adapter is easy. Their manual controls are generally through the camcorder's menu - and the zoom/focus ring is shared - you can manually zoom or focus but not at the same time. Pro grade has separate rings (exception being the A1U/HC1). Both the HV30 and HC9 are the least expensive camcorders with manual audio control, too. They do DV/HDV.
ALL miniDV tape based camcorders require your computer to have a firewire port for importing the video for editing. USB will not work and USB to Firewire converter/adapter/hub/cable things won't work. There are no prosumer or low-end pro camcorders that use built-in hard disc drive, flash memory or DVD media for video capture storage - unless you include the Panasonic DVX100 and the HDX200 P2 card implementations.
Define a "professional" camcorder:
Lens diameter larger than 40mm.
Imaging chip (whether CCD or CMOS) around 1/3" or larger.
Manual focus, zoom, audio, aperture, and other controls easy to get to on the OUTSIDE of the camcorder.
Audio inputs use XLR connectors (not a 1/8" - 3.5mm - stereo jack).
Under the "new" category, the only one that meets this criteria is the Sony HVR-A1U. It is the pro-sibling of the consumer HDR-HC1 from a few years back. Its single CMOS and 43mm lens does not do too well under low light conditions. The zoom/focus ring is shared - you can manually zoom or focus but not at the same time.
The next that meet your technical criteria are the Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U and Canon XHA1. They are all DV/HDV camcorders, well outside your budget and I would be very wary of used gear at the $1,000 level.
The standard definition Panasonic DVX100 also meets the technical spec, will likely be outside your budget and I would be very wary of used gear at the $1,000 level.
That leaves prosumer gear. The standard definition Canon GL2 has a 1/8" audio jack that can be upgraded to XLR by using an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek. Other prosumer gear includes the standard definition DCR-VX2100, (or older VX200 or VX1000). Outside your budget in the high definition environment has the Sony HDR-FX1, HDR-FX1000 or HDR-FX7. The FX1/FX1000 are the consumer sibling to the Z1; the V1U is the consumer sibling to the V1.
Closer to your budget are the consumer Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. They both have a 1/8" stereo audio-in jack, so adding an XLR adapter is easy. Their manual controls are generally through the camcorder's menu - and the zoom/focus ring is shared - you can manually zoom or focus but not at the same time. Pro grade has separate rings (exception being the A1U/HC1). Both the HV30 and HC9 are the least expensive camcorders with manual audio control, too. They do DV/HDV.
ALL miniDV tape based camcorders require your computer to have a firewire port for importing the video for editing. USB will not work and USB to Firewire converter/adapter/hub/cable things won't work. There are no prosumer or low-end pro camcorders that use built-in hard disc drive, flash memory or DVD media for video capture storage - unless you include the Panasonic DVX100 and the HDX200 P2 card implementations.
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