I'm extremely new to film making, so I'm looking for some advice on what camera to purchase. To be honest, my initial project doesn't require high-end quality, its more for non-commercial archival purposes, where the content of the film is the most important aspect. But at the same time, I don't want to limit my capabilities based on this initial criteria. I am very interested in film making and would like to find a good camera that I could use for more serious projects as I gain experience in the future.
I've done some research and found the Panasonic AG-DVX100b, which is in my budget and seems to be exactly what I am looking for. The only concern I have is advancing technology. All of the reviews I am reading for this series of camera models range from 2002 - 2005. So my real question is more along the lines of how profound of an impact has HD had over SD in the recent years since it's introduction? I can't seem to find any comparative reviews based on this concern.
I'd hate to buy a camera that is essentially obsolete.
Given my budget, can you offer some suggestions as far as which cameras I should look at purchasing?
Thank you for the help, it is greatly appreciated.
Welcome to filmmaking.net. Check out these threads:
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6195
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4527
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4479
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4183
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4555
http://www.filmmaking.net/fnetforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4586
If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
quote:
Given my budget, can you offer some suggestions as far as which cameras I should look at purchasing?
First, I think everyone would agree that we would need to hear your budget. 🙂
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
quote:
Originally posted by danstin studios
quote:
Given my budget, can you offer some suggestions as far as which cameras I should look at purchasing?First, I think everyone would agree that we would need to hear your budget. 🙂
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
Please refer to the title of the topic 🙂 But essentially, I have about $1000 to spend. With only $1000, I think my choices would pretty much be the AG-DVX100B which has more advanced features, or a basic HD camera with probably no where near as many features. Pesonally, I'd prefer something more advanced so I have room to experiment and learn, as opposed to point and shoot...
Certified Instigator- thank you, i will definitely look at those threads and see what I can find 🙂
I'm sorry. I got thrown off by what your subject matter. If you're looking for a Panasonic AG-DVX100B, then you won't be able to pick one up for less than $2,000, more likely $2,500. If you find a site that carries it for close to $1,000, then it is a scam.
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
quote:
Originally posted by danstin studios
I'm sorry. I got thrown off by what your subject matter. If you're looking for a Panasonic AG-DVX100B, then you won't be able to pick one up for less than $2,000, more likely $2,500. If you find a site that carries it for close to $1,000, then it is a scam."We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
I need to thank you tremendously for pointing this out. I could have sworn I saw a few places selling it for around $800-$850. After reading your post I found these sites and did a bit more research, only to find out that they all seem to be connected and are basically scams. So thank you very much, you saved me a lot of hassle for which I am very grateful!
I guess my options just got a bit narrower 🙂
Thats why I threw it out there. I very nearly bought the same camera from a site that turned out to be a scam. Someone from this board gave me similar advice and I checked the place out, only to find out it was a scam. I went on to purchase a Panasonic AG-DVC20, which is 1,169 from ?url?www.buydig.com?/url?. I recommend them.
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
Buying a camera (well, at least in the $1000 range) is impossible. I've researched pretty much all the top models. HV20, HD7, HC7. Basically I like the JVC HD7, but all of the reviews I've read say that it has the poorest video quality, plus no headphone out or audio monitoring. The HV20 looks nice, but lacks a lot of manual features and has a cheap feel to it. So it's hard to choose a camera, when none of them really seem adequate.
I was also considering the fact that I might not need HD, so I started looking at some of the older SD models. I found the Panasonic PV-GS400, which has everything I want. Unfortunately, it's discontinued and has become sort of the Holy Grail of consumer video...
I'm just finding this whole process a lot more difficult than I had imagined 🙂
I did a side by side comparison with my HD7 and my HD250. Outside with only natural light
there was a difference and inside with no lighting there was a huge difference, but inside,
with a good lighting set up that little camera was very close in video quality to a camera
costing 4 times as much. Other than the lack of audio monitoring, it's a great camera fo
the price. The Fujinon lens is superior to any fixed lens available.
But you're right. In the $1,000 range there just aren't any decent HDV cameras with the
features needed to make a movie. That range is kind of specific to "home movies" where
auto controls are wanted.
Making movies isn't inexpensive, is it?
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
