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Originally posted by casanoah

What types or varieties of cameras can I choose from and what are the perks and flaws of each?

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Hopefully you can take a little time a check the threads here where people talk about the cameras they use and like. There are hundreds of varieties of cameras for you to choose from - it would be quite a task for someone to write out each of them and list the perks and flaws of each one. That's something that could take months (if not years) of research.

My suggestion for a beginner is to not concentrate on each of the hundreds of different cameras that are available to you and start with what you can afford. Of course knowledge is a good thing, but right now learning all the perks and flaws of a camera that costs $300,000 (or even $20,000) isn't going to do you much good.

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...also, I'd like to try to keep it simple and inexpensive for the time being while I get my bearings and save the more expensive equipment for when I actually know what I'm doing.

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You've got the right idea - as a beginner you will out grow whatever camera you get within a year or so. So let's start with what you can afford.

Simple and inexpensive is what you asked for. MiniDV is your best bet. Brand doesn't matter - at the simple and inexpensive stage all cameras are virtually the same.

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

Certified, since a variation of this question comes up weekly, have you guys considered putting together a FAQ specifically with different camera/audio/etc options for verious budgets. I think it could be pretty useful to a lot of newbies since there are so many options to consider. Of course this sort of thing could take a bit of time. Note the price/numbers listed below are pulled out of nowhere.

Sort of:

$4,000 package 1
Package 1 provides high quality video and audio but saves money on the lighting package. If you plan to shoot outdoors primarily this could be a good buy.
+24p MiniDv Camera (Panasonic 100a or Cannon XL2)
+Boom+Sensihour mic
+Mixing board
+Home Depot halogon light set
+Tripod/batteries/cables

$4,000 package 2
Package 2 provides an inexpensive camera and audio ideal for straight to video projects that do not desire the 'film look' provided by 24p. It also provides a decent lighting package to ensure the digital look does not appear like a home movie.
+MiniDV Camera (Cannon XL1, etc)
+Boom+Audio Technica mic
+Mixing board
+pro lighting package
+Tripod/batteries/cables

$4,000 package 3
Package 3 is for the student filmmaker that will have the bulk of the equipment supplied.
+16mm film and developing and color correction costs. +Tripod/batteries/cables

To be honest I'm surprised packages aren't bundled that way in stores. They bundle light gear, and/or audio equipment but never the whole package.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

That's an excellent idea, rj!

I've been putting together a list of cameras available based on the cameras people on the boards suggest and using various online resources like ?url? http://www.camcorderinfo.com/?/url? I think you're right, now's the time to put the information in one place.

Should the list include film cameras, too?

I've got time off this week, I'll work on putting the info together.

I would include film cameras because the endless debate between film and video is the other constant question on this board and the cost is a huge factor in that decision.

I also wouldn't get to detailed, just the more common cameras and sound equipment and a generic but good tripod and other stuff price.

The third major source of question of Mac vs PC Avid/Premier/or FCP. I'm not sure if this can be sorted out as easily though.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

I think that's a great idea as well. I haven't been able to find any truly reliable guide to this convoluted techno-mess.

Over the past 24 hours i've been doing a lot of research on various cameras - reading reviews and specs and whatnot. It looks like I can get a Panasonic PV-GS150 brand new for only $415!! I think thats a pretty sweet deal and an appropriate camera for my puposes, what do ya'll think? Should I look at a different model or is this a good buy?

I can't tell you if its good or not I can tell you that I changed the camera I was going to buy after reading one of those "what camera" posts and haven't regretted it one bit even though it cost more.

The problem with the idea is that in the long term new cameras come out, prices change, the world moves on. In order for the thing to work it has to be updated from time to time. Impossible for a book to keep ontop of things but a website like this, if the post was by an administrator who would be around to keep it updated. It should work and be an invaluable bit of info.

The other problem is the amount of research/knowledge required.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

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Originally posted by casanoah

It looks like I can get a Panasonic PV-GS150 brand new for only $415!! I think thats a pretty sweet deal and an appropriate camera for my puposes, what do ya'll think? Should I look at a different model or is this a good buy?

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At that price range all cameras are virtually the same. Like all "brand name" debates going back over a hundred years, people who use a particular brand are going to like that brand and (often) hate the other brands. Macy's vs. Gimbals, Chrysler vs. Ford, Ivory vs. Palmolive, Apple vs. IBM, Coke vs. Pepsi.

Get it! Use it. Learn about lighting and angles and composition and working with actors and scheduling and all the aspects of making a movie that are far more important than the camera itself. After you have made a dozen or so shorts you can either move to a better model or find a really good, dedicated director of photography that owns a camera and team up to make movies.