Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 5/10/2003, 5:36 PM
Canon or Sony probably, maybe other brands. Those two sell the most. I bought a Canon ZR45 about a year ago. Since then the price has dropped about $150 street. See link below for some prices That model now goes for around $400-$475. I like it because its small, (fits in your pocket) has 18X optical zoom, a wireless remote, does pass through (so you can capture from VHS tape and convert to DV on the fly) and works well with Vegas. Sony maybe have somewhat better optics. However they seem larger in size.

http://www.pricetool.com/Canon_ZR_45MC_Mini_DV_Digital_Camcorder_ZR45MC__Camcorder_ZR45MC?sp=gcm&tid=853858#

WHERE you buy is important. When I got mine it died in about two weeks. Lucky me. Anyhow I got it at Circuit City. Getting is replaced was as easy as their commerical suggests. Didn't have to argue or even explain what was wrong. Just said, it stopped working, no paper work to fill out, nothing, gave me a new one on the spot. Not a refurbished one or any messing with sending it back to the factory.

As far as paying more you can, but why?

If you're new to doing videos, better to learn on a cheaper model, regardless what brand you buy then if you get bit by the video bug, chances are you're going to want a far more expensive camera that has better electronics and optics. Those cost $2500 and up. So if you buy a camera in the $800-$1800 range now, the extra you paid for it could have gone towards that better one. And if you don't turn into a video bug, you won't be kicking yourself for blowing a extra grand or so on something you don't use much.
vicmilt wrote on 5/10/2003, 10:52 PM
Totally agree with BillyBoy about buy cheap camera to start.
Recently bought my (very serious college film student) son a Sony Digital 8 250 from Circuit City for $399. Extremely happy with every aspect, so far. Plus it has a 20x optical zoom and night vision. Highly recommend it. Don't forget that Digital 8 records in DV format so it is totally transparent to Vegas.
SonyDennis wrote on 5/10/2003, 11:05 PM
For my own home use, I was thinking about the Sony TRV33 until they announced the PC105 last week. It fixes the one shortcoming of the 33 by adding manual focus ring (at least it appears to have that, no specs yet).
///d@
rextilleon wrote on 5/10/2003, 11:08 PM
the guy have given you great suggestions for cameras---the one thing I would definately invest in is a good tripod-soooooo important----
jason_2025 wrote on 5/11/2003, 2:35 AM
And a wide angle adaptor, absolutely essential for interior shooting.

J\
mikkie wrote on 5/11/2003, 8:30 AM
The newer ZR 60 if I'm not mistaken records more lines, & has a specific function similar to the canupus boxes everyone seems to like, converting analog to dv & back as a pass-thru according to the ad specs. Ecost.con has been showing it for around $425 US on their countdown page - I've seen similar prices at various sales. As the model numbers go up (60 -> 65) you get more zoom.

You can usually find some good prices on Samsung, but reviews are only fair, and while their older cameras had goodies like mic jack, not sure about recent models (not much info, even on their site).

Dealnews.com just listed a deal at Overstock for an RCA camera *Cheap* - not sure who actually makes it (Hitachi as in the past?)
VIDEOGRAM wrote on 5/11/2003, 10:25 AM
Hi,

I use a Sony TRV17. It has manual iris and manual ring focus. It also has video in so I can use it to digitise analogue feeds and feed my external monitor. It is also cheap and has good picture quality.
Until you need a 3 CCD camera, it will do the job.
Ohm wrote on 5/11/2003, 1:19 PM
I got Sony's TRV350, which falls in what some would call the cheap catagory ($400.00). I'm happy with everything except for the positioning of the T/W zoom slider, but I'll adapt.

Optical x20
RCA, S-vid, USB, Firewire, stop-motion, time lapse, motion sensing, memory stick, built-in stereo mics, with mic plug-in jack, and a full function IR remote.

You can take stills while you are shooting video, and you can take video in total darkness. Why I would want to shoot video in total darkness, I don't know; but I can! And, I did just to see if it would. I haven't seen anything like that since I was in the Army.

All-in-all, it has more features than I can list, or use, but that's good, because I have future options. I won't be stuck thinking, "gee, I wish I could do that."

As mentioned earlier, buy a tripod along with the camera, and buy a portective lens that screws into the camera lens. What the hell, get a case too.

Be very careful of ON-LINE deals that are just too good to pass up. Some on-line vendors sell "grey" goods. In other words, you think you are getting a NEW camera, but in reality it is used, and will not be supported by the OEM. Whether it is a legal practice or not is of little issue, because you will end up paying hell to get satisfaction.

Whatever you get though, have fun and shoot lots of video!
grock wrote on 5/11/2003, 1:49 PM
thanks for the help!!!
I was wondering about lighting? How much to pay and if I even need it for making home movies.
Also I was wondering about waht to look for in tripods?
Ohm wrote on 5/12/2003, 11:20 PM
Hardware stores have great deals on shop style lights having their own diffusers and stands ($19.99 to $39.99, and higher). Keep in mind though, that as you add light, you add shadow, and shine (My balding head is a great example of adding shine -- that's why baseball caps were invented). Lighting is a study and an art all its own, so the best source of info might be a book store. You can make reflectors with cardboard and foil if you want to bounce ambient, or available light. Something as cheap as a flashlight can add very dramatic affect.

For a light camera, you may not need a heavy duty tripod. Have the store clerk let you work the controls of their display models. Look for smootheness of operation, and sturdiness of position locking. As a rule of thumb, if the camera is expensive, get an expensive tripod. I had a camera slip out of the shoe once: very cheap tripod, very ruined camera.


doormill wrote on 5/13/2003, 1:44 PM
Check out the new Sony TRV-22. Very small and light only 1 pound 5 oz. Fits in my wifes purse. Uses about a third less power than many other Sony's. It also has the C.Z. lens. I like Sony. I've had 4 and never regreted any of them. I have a higher end Sony the TRV-30 that I use as well but the picture quality is not that noticably better. It has a much better LCD and viewfinder so it's a little easier to shoot with but a lot bigger as well

I got the 22 for travel and around the house since it is small and has better low light than many of the higher models including my TRV-30. Bought it at Circuit City over the net with in store pickup that way I was in and out quickly without the extended warranty pitch as well. SD mentioned above he has the 33 which is the next step up and $100.00 more than the 22 but if you check the specs, it requires a minimum of 7 lux versus 5 lux for the 22. Most other specs are the same except resolution for stills which I never use anyway.

Good luck