I???m getting started on my first film (a documentary). I have access to some pretty good equipment, but I???d like to do some journaling for which I believe I???d like to get a cheap Mini DV camera. I plan to do most of the journaling to and from work so I need something small and easy to set up/take down. It would be great if the sound was good but I haven???t found a Mini DV camera (under $350) with a port for a microphone.
Apart from the sound issue does anyone have a consumer Mini DV camera that they really love ??? there are so many options out there I don???t know where to start.
If you have a better solution for the journaling other then the Mini DV I???d appreciate that feedback.
Thanks, Daniel
There are three things that are VERY important when getting a camera:
Three CCD?s
Manual controls for the iris, shutter, focus and white balance.
A microphone input.
In the $1,000 - $1,500 range:
The JVC GZ-MG505 is in the $800 range. It has a mic input and
records to a 30GB HHD.
I like the new JVC GZ-HD7. I?ve seen these on line for as little as
$1,200. 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
records directly to a built in 60GB hard drive. It has manual controls,
a mic input and an excellent focus ring which is surprisingly rare
on small cameras.
Both the JVC HD5 and HD6 have a mic input and both record to
HDD - the HD6 can record 1080/60p through HDMI - pretty impressive.
The Panasonic PV-GS400 is terrific 3CCD cameras. Unfortunately, it?s
hard to find and that?s too bad. It?s a great little camera. The 500
doesn?t have a mic input - what are they thinking?
Sony DCR-HC1000 is very similar to the Panasonic cameras. If you?re
more comfortable with Sony, this is the camera for you.
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. For me the jury
is still out on the CMOS. 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.
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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)
Thanks CI!
Your response is so helpful. I appreciate that you ignored my budget ? and recommended that I go higher end. I?ve been planning/wanting to get the HVX200 but with neither a film nor the dollars in hand there was no need. I have started the film now ? still don?t have the dollars, but once I mentally took a step beyond what I couldn?t afford (thanks to you) it was easy to reach a little further and just get what I know I should have.
Either way I need a loan so it?ll just be a higher loan. Thanks again ? if you have any opinion about the HVX200 good or bad I?d love to hear from you.
Daniel
