Semi Pro DV Camcorder
Camman
NEW! England Icrontian
Well, many of you may know me around here as the resident amature film maker. All of my films and projects so far have been made using a Sony DCR-TRV-250 Digital8 Camcorder, and, while it gets the job done, it's not really the greatest for what I'm trying to do and my needs are starting to require a more professoinal camera.
I've tried looking at cameras like the XL-1 and GL2 on ebay but even on there most of the prices are in the $2k-$3k range. While I'd love to have one of those cameras, I simply can't afford it.
Recently I've been looking at the Panasonic MultiCam
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1067391428699&skuId=6194502&productCategoryId=cat04015&type=product
however, I saw it in person and it's really a very tiny camera, which some really like but I'm looking for something that's gonna have a little bulk to it for solid recording. Cameras like the XL1/GL2 can be equipped with shoulder mounts I've noticed and ideally I'd like something like that but shoulder mount is typically not available for consumer cameras
That Panasonic has some great features for the price ($700); 3CCD system, mic in recording (required for my next purchase, sound quality is a big problem on our new show we're working on), headset jack for mic in monitoring (not required but a definite plus), im not sure if it has manual white balance or not.
But anyway, this camera embodies all the features i want/need at a reasonable price, however, i'm wondering if theres a camera maybe I'm missing. I know a few of you around here work in professional video production and maybe one of you could direct me towards a camera you could recommend with these features or perhaps a used camera model i should be looking for that could come in at a reasonable price on ebay or something.
I've tried looking at cameras like the XL-1 and GL2 on ebay but even on there most of the prices are in the $2k-$3k range. While I'd love to have one of those cameras, I simply can't afford it.
Recently I've been looking at the Panasonic MultiCam
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1067391428699&skuId=6194502&productCategoryId=cat04015&type=product
however, I saw it in person and it's really a very tiny camera, which some really like but I'm looking for something that's gonna have a little bulk to it for solid recording. Cameras like the XL1/GL2 can be equipped with shoulder mounts I've noticed and ideally I'd like something like that but shoulder mount is typically not available for consumer cameras
That Panasonic has some great features for the price ($700); 3CCD system, mic in recording (required for my next purchase, sound quality is a big problem on our new show we're working on), headset jack for mic in monitoring (not required but a definite plus), im not sure if it has manual white balance or not.
But anyway, this camera embodies all the features i want/need at a reasonable price, however, i'm wondering if theres a camera maybe I'm missing. I know a few of you around here work in professional video production and maybe one of you could direct me towards a camera you could recommend with these features or perhaps a used camera model i should be looking for that could come in at a reasonable price on ebay or something.
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Comments
Basically, it's awesome and theres no other camera on the market that I would want to use as my main studio camera. It has its quirks, but then again, what piece of electronics doesnt. The picture quality is superb, sound is incredible (the stock boom mic provides some amazingly full sound, just not great at long distances or in poor acoustics - it picks up everything), and the variety of options is staggering - ive never used them all. It does come with the shoulder mount you were interested in, plus the headphone jack (VERY useful), manual white balance, image stabalizer, many nice manual controls, and more. The whole nine yards.
The downsides to the XL-1 are, first and foremost - the cost. Let's face it - dropping more than $2000 on anything is rough, so make sure you want it before spending the money. Also, the XL-1 must have ample light. Even if you crank the iris, you've gotta have a well lit shot. This is no problem for anything you'd do in a studio or outdoor, but you can all but forget about night scenes, unless you've a good lighting kit. Also, the rear audio input is not amplified, so you're going to have to make use of some adapters if you want to go multi mic, or do the right thing and get a sound board. Lastly, its big. Too big for easy travel, vacation footage, and tight spaces. If I had a quarter for each time I said "I wish I had a GL-2 right now" when trying to shoot something in a close space, i'd probably have enough money to buy one.
So there you have it - your basic pros and cons of the XL-1. If you'd like more detail on the camera, or just want to talk cameras, film, and whatever, hit me up on AIM - Rynatron, e-mail rythom42@hotmail.com, or PM me.
I had outgrown the point-n-shoot Kodak that I had been using forever. I wanted something that let me grow into it, instead of holding me back in certain areas.
I did not have the money to drop on a digital SLR. I had looked at "advanced home user" stuff in the $400-$500 range, but all I really saw were advanced versions of the camera I had already outgrown.
I decided to save my money and not buy a camera that I didn't really want. When I finally was able to get the digital SLR that I really wanted, I knew I made the right choice. I do not regret it one bit. I love my camera, it has enabled me to grow as an artist.
If you're gonna drop $700 on a camera that will limit you, that's $700 further away from the camera that you really need. What I would do is bank the $700, put a few hundred a month away, and then when you are able to get an XL1 or a GL2, get it, and don't look back. You won't regret it, man..
Also, I have a client and a good friend who actually is a studio video pro, and he recently bought a new camera that he is raving about. I THINK it's a panasonic or a JVC, I can't remember. I'll see if I can coax him into posting here.
Hi Camman.
I am a friend of Prime Suspect.
We have a video production company and just bought a bigger Panasonic DVX100A which has been a dream for quite some time. But as i use it for an interface to my PC (into Premiere) i wanted a smaller, similar brand camera (for tape compatibilty) so as to not use the larger (more expensive ) camera for just interface duties. I found something very similar to the one you describe. Panasonic GS-120 $548.95 from this wonderful site:
http://www.profeel.com/pvgs120.htm
Haven't checked all the features on yours, but this does have manual and auto (and several other convenient presets) white balance. and it is 3 chip. and it can nearly fit in your shirt pocket. you really ought to see the picture quality of this. It rivals that of its big brother. Ok keep me posted. Good luck!
Hi randy!
On a related note... and ad that showed up ON THIS PAGE! (googleads really does work!) I saw this:
http://royalcamera.com/cangl2digcam.html
thats like an actual realistic price! I wonder if something is up with that page, a GL2 for under $1200????? That's pretty damn sweet, I most certainly have that page bookmarked, anybody heard of this place???
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getreview.php/retid=257
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1895.html
and their response was
(notice the sweet @aol.com address they use)
yeah, thanks alot, that really answers my questions...wont be dealing with this place