whats the best HD proffessional camcorder on the market

synergy004

synergy004

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Joined
19 March 2003
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I am in the market for a proffesional HD camcorder. I am planning a serious project when I get back from overseas and wanted some input, if any one has the same interest. Please fill me in. I am plan on doing a short feature film with my nsx and wanted the best possible image, sound and quality as if it was done with a full production crew with the best equipment. Photography will be done along with the feature NSX film using a Nikon D300 with all the bells and whistle upgrades etc. I have all these editing ideas and images of how I want to do this and I need to get my vision on camera. Any suggestions on what you would do would be appreciated. I feel the videos I see with NSX's are cool but nothing that motivates me to watch over and over and have the wow factor of O SH#T that was bad ass. The closest I have seen was done with JP Studios (CHarlies widebody NSX) and PHUSHIZZLES vids. Not trying to criticize there work which I like what they have done but the best editing coordination goes to Phu, quality of picture goes to JP Studios. I have also got ideas from www.supercarmovies.com com. and have talked with other short film makers online. Check out this site of the Pagani Zonda, the Koeniggsseg etc (www.supercarmovies.com). The quality, background and production score is top notch. I would like to do this with NSX's so I can get my vision and creativity on film.

Here is what I have found so far:

Canon DM-XL2 Mini DV Camcorder
45411852-177x150-0-0.jpg


Panasonic AG-HVX200 Mini DV Camcorder
24530884-177x150-0-0.jpg


My favorite so far:
Canon XL H1 HD Camcorder
28454121-100x100-0-0.jpg


Any other recommendations as to camcorders I would also apreciate. I plan on shooting between Aug and Oct. I will also be traveling in different places, SEATTLE, Cali, Hawaii, DUBAI, KUWAIT, NYC, Las Vegas and possibly Florida.

I wil obtain suction car mounts, in car mounts, towers, lifting and rotating video crane. I just need th cameras.


I am just trying to get all the equipment ready and then proceed on with this project.

Thanks Gil
Programs I have many of them, Pinnacle Studio Plus, Adobe, etc I have about 7 different programs I will utilize to get the best scenerio effects and transitions.
 
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Professional or pro-sumer? If I was a pro, I'd want to seriously research RED.



We have a Sony professional HD camcorder in our office, but supposedly it isn't all that (too much compression, nowhere near the low-light performance of its standard def equivalent).

I'm personally in a holding pattern for a pro-sumer HD camcorder. High on my lists of wants are 25mbps AVCHD (I don't like HDV) recording at 1920x1080p (with selectable frame rates including 60p/30p/24p), 1 or 2 minimum lux rating. I like the idea of tapeless hybrid camcorders (that include both hard drive AND solid-state media), but I will not buy a camcorder with a hard drive unless I can remove the drive (not willing to test a built-in hard drive's ability to cope with high levels of vibration). I would LOVE to see a HD format that would be the video equivalent of RAW (i.e. higher dynamic range) or even one supporting resolutions that break the 1920x1080p boundary (I like to work in post...so having some room to "crop" is always useful)...probably a pipe dream for a pro-sumer camera though. And high speed modes that actually shoot HD resolution video...I got all excited about Sony's inclusion of a 240fps mode until I saw how compressed and low res the footage actually is.

I'm also waiting for consumer editing software to have better support for HD video formats, especially mpeg4 H264. Not in too much of a rush because my current computer is too underpowered to handle playback of HD video anyway.
 
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RED camera is amazing. I work in the movie industry.. and it has been getting a lot of praise lately. Who would have thought this would come out of sunglasses... hahaha.

NOTE: RED is EXTREMELY expensive and the waiting list to buy one is EXTREMELY long... even renting one is bad i hear. Good luck!
 
Thanks guys for the input.

Akira3d
I saw that camera somewhere but did not know the name of it. Thanks for the heads up I will see how lucky I can locating the gem.

SlowNSXT I will look into there website you provided and see what happends from there. My wife knows I want to do this, I will just keep moving on the equipment till I hear her bicker a little before I back down.:tongue: on spending, The cars have been eating some of the extra cash. Mod bug has me on the net everyday.

-g-
 
akira3d said:
Professional or pro-sumer? If I was a pro, I'd want to seriously research RED.



We have a Sony professional HD camcorder in our office, but supposedly it isn't all that (too much compression, nowhere near the low-light performance of its standard def equivalent).

I'm personally in a holding pattern for a pro-sumer HD camcorder. High on my lists of wants are 25mbps AVCHD (I don't like HDV) recording at 1920x1080p (with selectable frame rates including 60p/30p/24p), 1 or 2 minimum lux rating. I like the idea of tapeless hybrid camcorders (that include both hard drive AND solid-state media), but I will not buy a camcorder with a hard drive unless I can remove the drive (not willing to test a built-in hard drive's ability to cope with high levels of vibration). I would LOVE to see a HD format that would be the video equivalent of RAW (i.e. higher dynamic range) or even one supporting resolutions that break the 1920x1080p boundary (I like to work in post...so having some room to "crop" is always useful)...probably a pipe dream for a pro-sumer camera though. And high speed modes that actually shoot HD resolution video...I got all excited about Sony's inclusion of a 240fps mode until I saw how compressed and low res the footage actually is.

I'm also waiting for consumer editing software to have better support for HD video formats, especially mpeg4 H264. Not in too much of a rush because my current computer is too underpowered to handle playback of HD video anyway.
Click to expand...

Akira3d

I am on the same boat as you. After researching for hours I seem to stumble in the same areas as to low light performance and the HDV everyone is praising but I don't want to use a at home camcorder that doesn't have the capacity to carry out the quality I am looking for. I researched the RED cameras and holy cow, what a dream land for cinematographers. I don't think I will get that serious. This is for a good hobby I may want to dabble in, in the future. Right now it looks as I am in the Pro-Sumers arena till I ready to jump on to a RED 20+K with everything camera. I dunno.

I have checked out the Panasonic DVX100A, Sony VX2100 Canon GL2 and XL series etc. I See all the features but you get something on one you want but it doesn't have it on another and vice versa. I guess the best for pro-sumers I will aim for. Any suggestions. I think I am worn out from looking for today.

Gil
 
"Professional" is a big price tag point. Grass Valley Filmstream Viper will run you maybe $280K when all is said & done.

"Pro-sumer" is probably the way to go for your projects. 98% of the utility at 5% of the costs.
 
lrsudog said:
"Professional" is a big price tag point. Grass Valley Filmstream Viper will run you maybe $280K when all is said & done.

"Pro-sumer" is probably the way to go for your projects. 98% of the utility at 5% of the costs.
Click to expand...


I agree, I had my wife research more cameras. I checked again on the REd cam and I will end up exceeding my budget for a short film for the NSX. Over 20K easily for a major component piece but as they say you have to pay to play. SO right now I am looking for the best PRO SUMER cam corder. ANYONE WITH SUGGESTIONS on what they have or heard?
 
If it's only for that, might I suggest renting a camera? You can rent digital or film. Film you'll get better pictures (bias motion picture industry dude here). You'll spend more in the long run.. but heck... if it's just for a short NSX vid...


Panasonic HVX200 is an AWESOME light little camera. We just shot an entire children's TV show with it.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v7050845QcENRzkG Here's a trailer to the 40episode kids tv show we shot (power rangers type show imported from japan)
All was using the Panasonic HVX200 cameras. Altho... for a weekend NSX shoot... there is more in play than just the camera (we had a proper grip and electric [lighting] unit that mades everything look all the much better).

^so see what the HVX200 can do when used properly. I hear they're around 5000.
 
synergy004 said:
I agree, I had my wife research more cameras. I checked again on the REd cam and I will end up exceeding my budget for a short film for the NSX. Over 20K easily for a major component piece but as they say you have to pay to play. SO right now I am looking for the best PRO SUMER cam corder. ANYONE WITH SUGGESTIONS on what they have or heard?
Click to expand...

I forgot to suggest doing what pretty much every professional production company does when they need gear, including cameras: Rent one.

http://www.texcam.com/dvcams.shtml

D'oh! I see Lazynok beat me to it. He's probably one of those damn production people.
 
I had the white Canon, great camera!!!
 
Another recommendation for RED here. It's not cheap, but relatively speaking it's a bargain. They introduced the 3k and 5k cameras this year as well. It currently has a 6 month waiting list because of the demand...
 
I dont think I would spend 17k on a camera and still have to buy accessories. The waiting list maybe worth it but it turned me away as I don't have all the time in the world to wait unless I rent which I did locate one but sorry a 1000.00 a day, hell no. Although RED cameras are damn badass I'd rather invest it into my stocks, house, wife or put it into my money pit cars.:cool: For what I am doing that camera maybe overkill even if it will put out the vision I have but I think I can manipulate the images to my likings. I am eyeing the DVCpro camcorders or HPX500. Some of the vids I spyed are as clear as can be. I also thought about a Sony XDcam HD with a 35mm adapter set up. I may end up out of all my programs utilize the Final Cut Studio with a color grading in Apple. Hopefully by next week all my research will result in a camera for my use. I appreciate all the suggestions and replies.

Gil
 
I bought that camera before I had a HD TV; I used it mostly to document the college band I was playing with. I sold it when I stop my involvement.

The camera is essentially the same as the old LX-1 but almost twice the price because of the additional HD related features. It is very easy to use and ergonomically, very nice. The lenses is what sets it apart from other brands.

My band director owns the Sony model; be quite honest with you, the picture is about the same as my Canon. The Sony is easier to carry around and easier to use. You can probably get better product line support and longer batteries.

BTW, my friend who owns a porn company, uses the Sony for his shoots, edit the film on the Mac, and transfer onto Bluray. Great quality.
 
BTW, my friend who owns a porn company, uses the Sony for his shoots, edit the film on the Mac, and transfer onto Bluray. Great quality.
Click to expand...

Good shiz, lol anyways i will have to do many comparison tests and video samples online. Right now it is a little be tougher because the closest Store here in IRAQ is the Hodgee 7/11 that sells small 12x12 mirrors for 75bucks. Anyways is they sold the camera it run close to 435000 without the lense.

Thanks guys
 
Swift said:
May i ask what editing software you will be using? I currently run Vegas 7 and barely scratch the surface of it. So far the best i have used that i got for well less than nothing..
Click to expand...



I may end up out of all my programs utilize the Final Cut Studio. i have about 5 prorams and this ne he most in depth one. I have studied fr a couple month on the best utilization since it isn't user friendly
 

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