Camera Concerns at DVinfo.net

Stephen Swift · December 2nd, 2012, 07:42 PM

Hi all,
I am an ex small video business owner looking to get back into the game.
I spent about 10 years doing corporate and some consumer work.
Got out to pursue another venture about 6 years ago and am now starting back into the video business.
I am a bit at a loss in looking for a new cam and am hoping for help.

What I need is a good all around cam that can do a corporate video or an odd wedding. I also used to do a lot of legal videography so time code burn-in and good audio inputs important.
Looking for the pro-sumer to low end pro range. Trying to be budget conscious without outright cheaping out.

Thanks so much for the help.
FYI, I edit on a mac with FCP.

Stephen

Sareesh Sudhakaran · December 2nd, 2012, 09:47 PM

I find the Canon C300 perfect for corporate videos. If that's too expensive, try the Sony FS100.

Ervin Farkas · December 2nd, 2012, 10:57 PM

Unfortunately all manufacturers dropped the date and time code overlay option, except Panasonic... and not even Panasonic's all models will have it anymore.

At the low end you have the AG HMC40, if you can afford more, go for the AC160.

Stephen Brenner · December 3rd, 2012, 02:30 AM

A lot of people are getting excited about the Panasonic AG-AC90.
Looks like a budget level EX1 ($2000).
It does have a timecode generator; not sure if it can overlay that info.
It's very R&G friendly, and has decent gain but may not be the best in low light (like the FS100
which may not have the best ergonomics).
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893072-REG/Panasonic_agac90pj_AG_AC90_AVCCAM_Handheld_Camcorder.html

Ervin Farkas · December 3rd, 2012, 06:13 AM

All cameras, even the cheapest consumer cameras "have time code" as metadata.

What we need in the legal field is to overlay date and time, and no one was able to conform that yet... even the otherwise knowledgeable folks at B&H just kept transferring me from one department to the other without an answer.

I keep postponing a camera purchase hoping the AC90 does date/time overlay...

December 2nd, 2012, 07:42 PM	#1
Stephen Swift Tourist Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3	Camera Concerns Hi all, I am an ex small video business owner looking to get back into the game. I spent about 10 years doing corporate and some consumer work. Got out to pursue another venture about 6 years ago and am now starting back into the video business. I am a bit at a loss in looking for a new cam and am hoping for help. What I need is a good all around cam that can do a corporate video or an odd wedding. I also used to do a lot of legal videography so time code burn-in and good audio inputs important. Looking for the pro-sumer to low end pro range. Trying to be budget conscious without outright cheaping out. Thanks so much for the help. FYI, I edit on a mac with FCP. Stephen Last edited by Stephen Swift; December 2nd, 2012 at 08:12 PM.

December 2nd, 2012, 09:47 PM	#2
Sareesh Sudhakaran Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,385	Re: Camera Concerns I find the Canon C300 perfect for corporate videos. If that's too expensive, try the Sony FS100. __________________ Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera - one guide to rig them all - DSLRs to the Arri Alexa.

December 2nd, 2012, 10:57 PM	#3
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	Re: Camera Concerns Unfortunately all manufacturers dropped the date and time code overlay option, except Panasonic... and not even Panasonic's all models will have it anymore. At the low end you have the AG HMC40, if you can afford more, go for the AC160. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

December 3rd, 2012, 02:30 AM	#4
Stephen Brenner Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brownsville, OR Posts: 116	Re: Camera Concerns - AG-AC90 A lot of people are getting excited about the Panasonic AG-AC90. Looks like a budget level EX1 ($2000). It does have a timecode generator; not sure if it can overlay that info. It's very R&G friendly, and has decent gain but may not be the best in low light (like the FS100 which may not have the best ergonomics). http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893072-REG/Panasonic_agac90pj_AG_AC90_AVCCAM_Handheld_Camcorder.html

December 3rd, 2012, 06:13 AM	#5
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	Re: Camera Concerns All cameras, even the cheapest consumer cameras "have time code" as metadata. What we need in the legal field is to overlay date and time, and no one was able to conform that yet... even the otherwise knowledgeable folks at B&H just kept transferring me from one department to the other without an answer. I keep postponing a camera purchase hoping the AC90 does date/time overlay... __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com