Hi Guys,

Now I really need your help.

I'm going to shoot music videos and my new cam must be meet the following requirements:
-25p mode (I live in a PAL country)
-16/9
-good in low light sensitivity
-absolutely no vertical smear while panning (crane, dolly etc.)


Of course I've read a lot articles/forums about cameras. Firs I've tought SD is enough for me because my main medium will be the TV. Then I've read the a downconverted HD is nicer than a normal SD footage. Ok I said, go for HD and it is "future proof" :)
But (there is always a but...) What I mostly need is a real movie look, and not only with Magic Bullet or something like that. Long story short I need a cam that records images looking like from a DVX100 but in better quality (maybe HDV) The DVX is for two reasons not a winner for me:1.) 4:3 ratio 2.) the image quality what is unfortunately getting outdated in a couple of years, maybe month.
What do you mean, which camera would be the ideal and the most logical choice for shooting that music clips?
For all the things mentioned above: I've 3500-4000 bucks in my bucket ;)

IMHO, The Best camera that meets your criteria would be an Arri 435.
Rent one and get that look!

My advice, spend the money on lights, not the camera.

"Movie look" has less to do with the camera, more to do with the lighting. This should be more common knowledge than it is.

You're looking for something that does 4:2:2, HD and is 3 CCD. Also invest in a 35mm adapter rental/lenses if you really want that film look. Or look for a 2/3" camera with these specs. But I'd go with a decent light kit first. With digital you can't get away with low light and still get a good quality image. There's simply no compromise. Light it well, then darken in post.

Thank you for your reply indeed! Renting is not an option for me, unfortunately that budget is for purchasing a new one. Which HDV cam (in ~4000$ range) would be the best with/without those 35mm adapters?

Mike: I've seen a number of music videos shot with the Canon A1 and Panasonic HVX200. Both cameras are going to yield a quality image, and be around your Price range.

The HVX might run a little more in price than you're looking to spend and uses a tapeless(P2) work flow. $5200 for the camera and $900 for a 16GB P2 or $1600 for a 32GB P2 (the HVX holds 2 P2 cards) It also has a tape drive, but it only records SD to tape, not HD)

The canon A1 will run you about $3250 and records HDV to mini DV tapes.
You can find and view a number of music videos shot with the A1 in the sample section on the A1/G1 thread:

http://dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=143

Either camera will give you a great image, but if you have only $4000 to spend I would go for the A1 and spend the remaining on case/tripod/lights

Mike, I think you have limited options at best.

The A1 seems like your best and almost only option for $4,000 to spend.

But I also have to agree about lighting.

You need the whole getup for good looking produced video.

In some ways, your post is unrealistc.

$4,000 for the "movie look" is quite a large step.