Wow. You stumped me. I didn't even know there were video cameras that
record to flash memory. I hope others here will help because this is somthing
I could learn, too.

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

why is it exactly that you NEED to save to flash memory?

"They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a film? Well, thats worth a thousand pictures."
-(Own3d Studios)-
www.own3dstudios.com
www.myspace.com/own3dstudio
www.youtube.com/own3dstudios

Im serious here man

unless you have made at least 10 decent shorts, just get the most shitty cheap camcorder you can find.......forget flash cards.

creativity counts...not equipment

I am no expert on film making but with $300 you can get something reasonable alright.
Look up Canon FS100 (flash - but what's wrong with Hard drive?) and JVC GZ-MG330: the last one looks especially good, although it is a hard-drive based one)
Good Luck

Well if you really want to have a tapeless camera on a budget, you can try one of the mobile cameras. The one I use, the Nokia n95, shoots video that's perfect for YouTube and is still small enough to fit in your pocket. The one I have records on to these little memory cards. I can record a couple hours of footage at the highest setting without having to download. When I do download, all do is attach a USB cable to the phone and presto, all my mp4s are on my computer.

I just came back from a big shoot in Cannes where we used a bunch of n95 devices to make a TV show. In fact, there's a whole film competition in Cannes for young filmmakers to make short films using the n95.
Made For TV: Capturing the Competition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzsmMl-zI9s

Anyway whitebelt0, good luck on the college application. I hope you find a camera that works for you.

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.

If you DO want to be a Director of Photography, then you want to invest in learning equipment that you can actually learn photography with. Most non-professional video cameras don't give you that kind of control. Cheap cameras can help you capture images and learn shot choice, but you won't be learning how to light a scene and expose it properly. Chances are that most people can't afford to buy or rent an expensive professional camera package, so you can learn by looking for internships near you with professionals at commercial or corporate production companies.

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