quote:

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Originally posted by riley09

i was wondering if anyone knew what kind of camcorder to get? because i read the other threads on it but i looked for a lot of the camcorders and they seem to just be in the usa.. so does anyone know any good camcorders that are available to buy in the uk? i have up to ?1000 to spend on it. i found one for ?368ish which had 3ccds and was hd but it didnt have a mic input its the panasonic hdc-sd9. so would it be better to spend the extra money to get one with a mic input or not?
thanks! ?:o)?
and sorry, i know it must be really boring reading the sameish thread over and over

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Technology is constantly changing, so it is difficult to nail down any specific camera that the aspiring filmmaker should use.

That said, FILM technology hasn't fundamentally changed in over fifty years, so if you're looking for a medium that is "safe," film really is the best in a lot of respects.

However, obtaining Super 8 or 16 film and equipment isn't as "easy" as getting video equipment. Quality filmstock, cameras, and editing equipment are mostly accessible to those who are near large production cities, like LA, NY, and Chicago.

BUT, what this question misses is what should be of utmost importance to the aspiring filmmaker. Anyone who wishes to "make movies" is probably wanting to "direct" and NOT shoot. So, that being the case, if you are an aspiring DIRECTOR, concentrate on writing a fantastic script, engaging the help of a competent PRODUCER who is instrumental in dealing with the logistics of production, and "hire" a Director of Photography who knows more about lighting and camera than you ever will be or want to be.

The point is to EMBRACE the specialization of filmmaking... figure out what YOU want to do and then find others who will help you to achieve it. If you don't want to be a DP, then find someone nearby who does. Let that person deal with the camera to use and the lights and the crew he/she needs to make it happen. As the Director, you are of course interested in knowing that the resources are there to bring the script to life, but being involved in the minutia of the equipment isn't necessary.

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

I think it's very easy to suggest cameras to new moviemakers.

You don't need top of the line - you don't need to shoot film - you
don't need to spend a lot of money.
You need: Three CCD?s or CMOS
Manual controls for the iris, shutter, focus and white balance.
A microphone input.

Now I don't know the model numbers of the Pal version so you'll
have do some research:

The JVC GZ-HD7, the first of the JVC HDD cameras is now a little ove
r a year old and discontinued, but I?ve seen these on line for as little
as $800. A really nice Fujinon lens makes a huge difference and full
manual controls is important. Three 1/5? 16:9 progressive scan CCD?s
are pretty impressive for a camera in this price range. It has manual
controls, a mic input and an excellent focus ring which is surprisingly
rare on small cameras. It records directly to a built in 60GB hard drive.
The issue here is the MPEG-2 compression (TOD). It?s not compatable
with many NLE?s so you?ll need to convert the TOD to QuickTime or AVI.

The GZ-HD6 can record 1080/60p through HDMI - pretty impressive.

The GZ-HD40 is a bit of a disapointment. I like that it records using AVCHD
compression which makes it compatable with most NLE?s but it loses the
important focus ring. And it?s so small.

The Panasonic HDC-SD100 uses a 3-CMOS array and records 1920 x 1080
video in the AVCHD format to SD and SDHC memory cards. I like the ring on
the lens that controls zoom, focus, white balance, shutter speed, and iris and
it actually has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen. Very important it has
both a mic and headphone jack. I found it difficult to handle with all the cables
attached (mic, headphones and monitor) but it?s a camera with all the basics.

Close is the Canon HV20. It records in HDV (1080i) and 24p (60i), has a mic input
and manual controls of white balance and focus but it uses one 1/2.7? CMOS sensor
rather than 3 CCD?s. And it?s so small the handling is difficult.

The HV30 adds a 30f (Canon?s ?frame mode?) in addition to 24p.

The Sony HDR-SR12 has a mic input and a good sized 120GB HDD. It uses a 1/3?
CMOS chip and like the Canon is really small. Because of the input placement, the
mic cable kept getting in my way. The HR9 (which records to tape) is also a nice, very
small, camera with the essentials. Again the mic input is just below the lens which is
rather poor placement, in my opinion.

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

If you're deadset on buying a camera, you have to FIRST ask yourself why? What do you plan to do with the FINISHED product? It's impossible to suggest specific models and formats until you know what your intention is for the final project. Is it just going to get shown on your TV at home? Are you just planning on uploading it to the internet? Do you have hopes of submitting it to festivals or to television networks for possible broadcast? Or do you have aspirations for theatrical release?

Clearly, a "cheap" camcorder will not be enough for MOST theatrical release projects unless you have some kind of gimmick like Blair Witch Project. Many television networks and some festivals have specific format requirements, so it that is your goal, you must research your hoped-for destination first and then make a choice on what to dump your money into. If your goal is to just show it locally and/or dump it onto the internet, then ANY camera will do, the cheaper the better.

There is NO reason to spend enormous sums of money on any equipment unless you have a business plan that includes recouping the investment via the sale of your projects. Unless you're independently wealthy, you'll have to do something to pay off your fancy camera and if your project won't do it, then you'll be in debt or waiting tables.

In addition, the camera is only PART of the Cameraman's job. Why aren't you asking about what LIGHTING equipment to buy too? It's not just lights, but the support Grip and Electrical gear to make it work and to control the light. Once you have those things, you need a way to transport it all, insurance for all of it, and qualified people to use it while you do what you want to do, which likely is Directing.

So, don't let the cart lead the horse and buy some random camera without knowing first why you need it and what you really want to do with it and the project.

Asking "what camera should I buy?" isn't just a partial question, it's the wrong question for any aspiring "filmmaker."

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

quote:

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Originally posted by bjdzyak
Asking "what camera should I buy?" isn't just a partial question, it's the wrong question for any aspiring "filmmaker."

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I have a very different point of view than you - and very
different personal experience.

When I was just starting I didn't have the option of hiring
skilled - or even semi-skilled - camera owners to shoot
my films. So this filmmaker asked that question, got
answers and bought a camera.

For me, an aspiring director, owning my own, cheap, smal
l camera and learning how to use it was beyond valuable
to me. For one, I tended to make more movies because I
didn't have to find Director of Photography who knew more
about lighting and camera than I ever would each time I
wanted to shoot something. And I began to learn about
lighting and cameras - something that really has helped
me as a director.

I'm really glad I bought a camera when I was starting out.

It's good to have your different input here, Brian. Aspiring
filmmakers have two different, almost opposite points of
views to consider.

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

thank you certified instigator i will take a look into those cameras you suggested. ?:D? i think its really great how you take time to answer peoples questions in lots of detail. well done! thanks