The gigantic "which camera should I buy" thread!

Frank Granovski · March 28th, 2004, 04:40 AM

Are you buying a PAL cam in India? $750 US Dollars? Maybe the Sony TRV38?

Devang Shah · March 28th, 2004, 05:35 AM

No I am not buying it in India. But yes, it should be PAL. Yes USD.

Frank Granovski · March 28th, 2004, 06:45 AM

I believe Panasonics come with a better international warranty, but I'd take a look at that TRV38. You get quite a bit for the money with that cam. Here's a good site that has consumer cam reviews:

http://www.dvspot.com

Devang Shah · March 29th, 2004, 12:28 AM

How about SONY TRV70? Though it is around 775USD.

Frank Granovski · March 29th, 2004, 03:05 AM

That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip?

John Britt · March 29th, 2004, 11:07 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>>

Is there a PAL version of the Panasonic PV-GS70? It's a 3-chipper at only $700 -- 3 CCDs means maybe better colors, but will the 1/6" chips have worse low-light performance than the single 1/4" CCD in, say, my $300 PV-DV53? Something to ask...

B&H has the NTSC version of the PVGS70 here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=246&shs=PV-GS70&ci=1&ac=&Submit.x=22&Submit.y=

And regarding lowlight: indoor light -- what may seem like normal lighting -- can still be "low-light" to a camcorder. I shot some footage of a band playing live at a radio station recently -- the room seemed fairly normally lit, maybe a skosh dim, but I had to have both of my cameras' gains maxed out in order to even approach proper exposure. I was using a DVC80 and the DV53; the DVC80 at +12dB gain looks a little grainy, but still pretty good. The DV53's maxed out image was still fairly dark (darker than the DVC80) and very grainy and pixelated. So a room that may seem "normally lit" may not cut it for video. (By the way, I also shot an outdoor birthday party -- on a very sunny day -- with the DV53 and I must say I was very happy with this $300 camera's performance; of course, many cheap DV cams will look great if you've got a lot of light...)

Dylan Couper · March 29th, 2004, 12:13 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>>

For only $250 more for a used Gl1. I'd certainly consider putting in some overtime to make the step up.

Arsene Lupin · April 1st, 2004, 06:25 PM

I'm looking for a DV camcorder for shooting watersport videos for DVD (kitesurf, windsurf, surf,...) and other extreme sports events. I'm willing to pay <=2000USD
Optical zoom is pretty important to be able to shoot from the beach, but shoots will be taken from the water as well.
GL2 looks like a good camcorder (zoom x20, EWA marine underwater bag).
DVC30 (zoom 1.6) could also be nice.
Any recommandations ?

Shawn Mielke · April 1st, 2004, 06:56 PM

You've found out the long zoom cams in your price range, good eye.
I would go for the DVC30. Smart looking, well stocked cam.
I don't know how third party support of this cam is coming along...
Those bags are cam specific?

Clint Comer · April 9th, 2004, 05:10 PM

I am ready to buy a camera but there are now more options. XL-1S, a JVC HD cam, or a Panasonic 24p cam? I use my school's XL-1s all the time, so I know how to use that and know what it can do. Plus I have the all the stuff edit with it. I am unsure if that stuff changes when I change formats. Some insight would be nice. I will be using he cam all the time. Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak. As for money, I would like to stay below $4500. Some insight would be nice.

Rob Wilson · April 9th, 2004, 05:15 PM

Clint,

I'd wait till after NAB. Several new models are due to be announced. You could either save significantly on todays cams OR find a new HD that may fit your budget.

Frank Granovski · April 9th, 2004, 05:21 PM

If you need a cam now for weddings etc, perhaps look at the JVC DV300 (good price), the DVC80 or the PD170 from B&H.

Clint Comer · April 9th, 2004, 06:51 PM

Ok, well maybe the question I am asking is what format I should go with. DV, 24p, or HDV?

Frank Granovski · April 9th, 2004, 07:08 PM

24P like from a DVX100/A? That's a miniDV NTSC cam.

Re: "Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak."

Any of the 3 cams I mentioned should be good for these.

Clint Comer · April 9th, 2004, 08:24 PM

your right, my bad. I'm just lost.

March 29th, 2004, 12:13 PM	#337
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>> For only $250 more for a used Gl1. I'd certainly consider putting in some overtime to make the step up. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 1st, 2004, 06:25 PM	#338
Arsene Lupin Tourist Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4	DV camcorder for shooting watersport DVD I'm looking for a DV camcorder for shooting watersport videos for DVD (kitesurf, windsurf, surf,...) and other extreme sports events. I'm willing to pay <=2000USD Optical zoom is pretty important to be able to shoot from the beach, but shoots will be taken from the water as well. GL2 looks like a good camcorder (zoom x20, EWA marine underwater bag). DVC30 (zoom 1.6) could also be nice. Any recommandations ?

April 1st, 2004, 06:56 PM	#339
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	You've found out the long zoom cams in your price range, good eye. I would go for the DVC30. Smart looking, well stocked cam. I don't know how third party support of this cam is coming along... Those bags are cam specific? __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

April 9th, 2004, 05:10 PM	#340
Clint Comer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 144	Choose a cam I am ready to buy a camera but there are now more options. XL-1S, a JVC HD cam, or a Panasonic 24p cam? I use my school's XL-1s all the time, so I know how to use that and know what it can do. Plus I have the all the stuff edit with it. I am unsure if that stuff changes when I change formats. Some insight would be nice. I will be using he cam all the time. Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak. As for money, I would like to stay below $4500. Some insight would be nice. __________________ Vlog On! http://youtube.com/clintus

April 9th, 2004, 06:51 PM	#343
Clint Comer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 144	Ok, well maybe the question I am asking is what format I should go with. DV, 24p, or HDV? __________________ Vlog On! http://youtube.com/clintus

March 28th, 2004, 04:40 AM	#331
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Are you buying a PAL cam in India? $750 US Dollars? Maybe the Sony TRV38?

March 28th, 2004, 05:35 AM	#332
Devang Shah New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: India Posts: 5	No I am not buying it in India. But yes, it should be PAL. Yes USD.

March 28th, 2004, 06:45 AM	#333
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I believe Panasonics come with a better international warranty, but I'd take a look at that TRV38. You get quite a bit for the money with that cam. Here's a good site that has consumer cam reviews: http://www.dvspot.com

March 29th, 2004, 12:28 AM	#334
Devang Shah New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: India Posts: 5	How about SONY TRV70? Though it is around 775USD.

March 29th, 2004, 03:05 AM	#335
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip?

March 29th, 2004, 11:07 AM	#336
John Britt Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 621	<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>> Is there a PAL version of the Panasonic PV-GS70? It's a 3-chipper at only $700 -- 3 CCDs means maybe better colors, but will the 1/6" chips have worse low-light performance than the single 1/4" CCD in, say, my $300 PV-DV53? Something to ask... B&H has the NTSC version of the PVGS70 here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=246&shs=PV-GS70&ci=1&ac=&Submit.x=22&Submit.y= And regarding lowlight: indoor light -- what may seem like normal lighting -- can still be "low-light" to a camcorder. I shot some footage of a band playing live at a radio station recently -- the room seemed fairly normally lit, maybe a skosh dim, but I had to have both of my cameras' gains maxed out in order to even approach proper exposure. I was using a DVC80 and the DV53; the DVC80 at +12dB gain looks a little grainy, but still pretty good. The DV53's maxed out image was still fairly dark (darker than the DVC80) and very grainy and pixelated. So a room that may seem "normally lit" may not cut it for video. (By the way, I also shot an outdoor birthday party -- on a very sunny day -- with the DV53 and I must say I was very happy with this $300 camera's performance; of course, many cheap DV cams will look great if you've got a lot of light...)

April 9th, 2004, 05:15 PM	#341
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Clint, I'd wait till after NAB. Several new models are due to be announced. You could either save significantly on todays cams OR find a new HD that may fit your budget.

April 9th, 2004, 05:21 PM	#342
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	If you need a cam now for weddings etc, perhaps look at the JVC DV300 (good price), the DVC80 or the PD170 from B&H.

April 9th, 2004, 07:08 PM	#344
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	24P like from a DVX100/A? That's a miniDV NTSC cam. Re: "Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak." Any of the 3 cams I mentioned should be good for these.

April 9th, 2004, 08:24 PM	#345
Clint Comer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 144	your right, my bad. I'm just lost. __________________ Vlog On! http://youtube.com/clintus