Buying Digital Video Cameras

[az3456]

I'm looking into buying a DV camera, and I need some advice... The main use is going to be (initially) for a 30-45 min. documentary I'm shooting over the next few months, and a ten minute fiction piece I'll be shooting this summer. I'm also looking for something I'll be able to travel with, and will last me for a while.

I've used cameras, both film and video, before, so I'm somewhat familiar with how to use them. I'm also familiar with editing on the PC with Adobe Premiere.

I've been looking at the following cameras: Canon GL1, Canon XL1s, and Sony VX2000. Any thoughts on those cameras, or suggestions as to others I should be looking at? Oh, and not that I'm a millionaire, but I'm not concentrating on price yet, just quality of the camera, flexibility, etc. Thanks in advance...

[TerryJ]

All of those cameras are great. I have a Sony VX2000...and all the other members of Leche Magica have either that or a Canon XL1, XL1S, or GL1.

All of these cameras have similar (high) picture quality as they are all 3 CCD based. The advantage of the XL1/XL1S is the interchangeable lens system. Also, the XL1s apparently does have the best CCDs/picture quality, but only slightly. [From what I've read, the XL1S has the best, the VX2000 & XL1 are on par, and the GL1 is the last...in terms of overall picture quality...but they are all so close...as to be almost negligable.] An advantage of the VX2000 and GL1 are that they have a small color LCD monitor in addition to the viewfinder, while the XL1/XL1S does not (you only have the viewfinder.) The XL1/XL1S has a better microphone included than the others.

You can't really go wrong with any of these DV cameras.

-Terry

[az3456]

Oh my. I maxed out my credit card, spent too much money... but I bought the VX2000 last night. Its so pretty. My cell phone (or, Sellie, as I call her), is probably jealous, because I left her out in the kitchen so I could charge the batteries in my room. Go spur of the moment big money purchases!

In any case, can you recommend any accesories I need immediately? I do need to set up my computer for firewire (already have premiere on it, so software isn't a problem); also, probably a tripod and carrying case. I was also looking at a charger. Any thoughts on specific brands, products? I did get a longer life battery and UV filter, btw, so I'm okay there for right now.

Oh, and Terry, thanks for the advice... it really helped with my decision :)

[Nick Morrison]

Oh I was going to lend my 2 cents worth, but what Terry said I could do no better. The Sony is awesome. I kind of like the GL1 personally, but the Sony is likely a better camera. Yeah, get a firewire card. Do you have a PC? The card is like $30. Do you have Premiere? Thats good software to use. Email me before you buy it:

nicholasmorrison@yahoo.com

Thats about it. You'll be able to edit and digitize off the sony directly. The Sony TRV-900 isnt as fancy, but it has a huge LCD screen. But the 2000 is amazing.

Well, so email me about Premiere. In terms of battery life, get a battery that lasts at least 4 hours. If you use the LCD (like I would) you eat a lot more battery life. Tripod is good. There are good cheap ones at BH. They have good bags to if you are interested.

Good luck!

[Spiro]

Charger. The AC-QV 800 charger, or whatever it's called, is certainly worth it. It charges batteries very fast and gives them a little more charge.

Light. SONY makes a light which you can power off the camera battery--it hooks right into the hot shoe. However I think you're better off getting a real battery pack and light with a dimmer, or at least a light with its own power source.

Mic. Just as important as this stuff, maybe even more important, is the boom mic and maybe a boom pole. Unless you figure out a way to mount the light and the mic on the camera. A nice cheap mono shotgun mic, the Sennheiser MKE-300, can get you by with reasonable quality for about $150. I think the good Sennheiser is the ME-66. If you are shooting a documentary, you should get the better shotgun mic. A Beachtek XLR adaptor will run you around $170--then you have 2 phantom powered XLR to mini adaptors with volume dials. You can have a lav mic on your subject and the shotgun mic as well. In 12-Bit audio mode, the VX2000 can split the signal between the on camera mic and one plugged into the 1/8" jack. That way you could close mic someone for a better signal and mix in some of the on camera mic.

Make Up Kit.

Wide angle adaptor. Kenko is the cheaper brand. The right one can give you the equivilant of a 24mm lense. I think it's the .66
I don't think there's much point to spending $400 and up on a wide angle adaptor. I mean, you're screwing glass on to glass--how much better is a Century than a Kenko on a "prosumer" 3CCD camera? I'll probably never know.

Tripod. Bogen/Manfrotto. Make sure you get a nice video head for the tripod or it just doesn't matter.

Adorama on 18th between 5th and 6th, or B&H on 34th and 9th to sample the gear.

Heh heh. He said "head," and "pole."

[az3456]

Hey, thanks for the advice... Just as a quick question re: mics:

I have the oppurtunity to possibly get a Sony 900Mhz wireless lavalier mic for free, or a good video light. I'd prefer to get the mic, I think, so with that scant information, does it sound like the mic is okay quality; and, based on your point above, Spiro, can I split the mic signal without buying other equipment, or do I need to buy an adaptor?

I'm very dumb when it comes to sound stuff (and sorry for the vagueness of this question) :)

[Spiro]

Oh one other thing, The Tape Company (AKA Steadi-Systems) on E 21st St sells the cheapest bulk Mini DV tapes in town.

I'd take the wireless mic I guess. It'll be like a cordless phone, though. That's why people spend $500 a channel to start with (Sennheiser Evolution Series, for example) when they go for wireless audio. But it'd be fun to have around and useful. You probably won't be able to shoot within 10 blocks of the Empire State Building with it in view without getting some radio interference. So always have a backup. You'll probably be able to plug the mic right into the mini jack and switch to "Mic In".

You're going to need the light. The adapter will come in handy some day when you have 2 mics that you want to split into the camera or one nice mic that needs the XLR input.