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For an 18 year old camera it?s quite nice. It was the first video
camera available with an interchangeable lens. I remember
drooling over that camera when it came out. I was using the Sony
Hi8 at the time and the fixed lens was limiting some of the
things I wanted to do.

I gave it a test drive and remember being surprised how well it
handled. The body is more like a still camera and I prefer
shoulder mounted video cameras. But I liked it.

The down side of any 18 year old camera is it uses very old
technology - it only has one CCD (but it?s a big 1/2 inch one)
and it?s analog. You?ll still get a good image, but you?re going
to have to buy a converter to load the video to your computer for
editing.

I don?t remember if it has a mic input - I hope it does because
that?s extremely important.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

quote:

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Originally posted by USPEffect

Did I get something that is reasonable for a newbie filmmaker?

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This is the heart of your question. What is "reasonable" depends on what your goals ultimately are, in particular, with that piece of gear.

The camera you just bought is really only good for practice. Don't expect to mount a major production with complete cast and crew with expectation that your "movie" will ever go to a festival or be purchased by a distributor.

For the price you paid, it sounds like you found a great deal, just so long as you know that the limitations of the technical specs aren't good enough for more than your own personal use or "YouTube" product.

If you ever become serious about creating projects that have commercial potential, you'll be investing your time (and hopefully someone else's) money by hiring skilled specialists who are enthusiastic and qualified in their specific crafts, including a Cameraman who will own or use rented QUALITY equipment.

There tends to be too much emphasis by aspiring filmmakers who feel the need to own equipment. Instead, spend more time on writing a fantastic screenplay and gathering the resources (PEOPLE and equipment and locations, etc) instead of dumping cash into obsolete or
inferior equipment.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com