Buying Video Equipment--From Novice to Pro

For the novice videographer, getting video gear tends to be a piecemeal effort. He makes purchases one at a time--sometimes based on necessity, sometimes on impulse. Professionals, on the other hand, take a more systematic approach. They look for things that work well together. They speak in terms of "acquisition systems." Simply, that means everything you need to "acquire" quality video and sound.

Whether you're a video newbie or a seasoned pro, it's wise to first consider your needs and options before you go shopping for equipment. An informed, methodical approach to equipment purchases will not only save you cash, it will guarantee you have all the right tools you need to get the job done.

In this article, we'll look at the four basic levels of video acquisition and the essential equipment you should have for each. We'll consider the casual user, serious amateur, small-budget professional, and professional.

Casual User
This category includes the occasional weekend snapshooter as well as the designated documentarian of family birthdays, bashes, and bar mitzvahs. For the casual user, the approach is pretty much "point and shoot," and the number-one priority is convenience.

If you're a frequent traveler or one who enjoys adventures in the great outdoors, a small, lightweight 8mm camcorder is a good choice. It takes up minimal room in a suitcase or backpack and you can stash three 8mm tapes in the space of a single VHS cassette.

One of the most affordably priced models in this category is Samsung's SCA12, which has a suggested retail price of $399. For slightly more, there's Sony's TR series and RCA's Pro line which both offer a variety of models in the $500 to $800 range. Top-shelf 8mm units include Sony's TR-96 ($799) and Canon's ES970 ($799).

A number of 8mm camcorders now offer built-in LCD viewscreens, which provide a comfortable alternative to the typical viewfinder. Two such models include Hitachi's VM-E625LA ($999), Sharp's VL-E750U ($1099) and Sony's TRV-52 ($1099).

The convenience of 8mm camcorders is offset by the fact that, to view an 8mm tape, you either have to cable your camcorder to your TV, dub all your footage to VHS or buy an 8mm VCR.

For this reason, the casual shooter may prefer to go with a standard VHS camcorder. Simply pop the tape out and it's ready to play.

At the low end of the price scale for full-size VHS is Hitachi's VM6300A ($499). Mid-priced units include RCA's CC431 ($599) and Samsung's SCF35 ($599). At the upper end is Panasonic's BTS model AG-188U ($845).

For those who want both the portability of 8mm and the convenience of VHS, there's VHS-C. These camcorders use a compact version of the VHS cassette that you can insert into an adaptor and play in any standard VHS VCR. The main drawback of VHS-C is the maximum 30- or 40-minute running time of the tapes, compared to standard VHS and 8mm's 120 minutes. You can extend recording time by shooting at a slower speed, but image quality suffers. VHS-C camcorders include Quasar's VM-575 ($500), JVC's GR-AX710u ($850), and Minolta's C-562 ($1038).

Even for the most casual of casual shooters, a video acquisition system is really not complete without at least two important accessories: a camera-mount light and a camcorder carrying case. While today's camcorders are quite effective in low-light situations, the addition of even a small amount of fill light, especially on a subject's face, makes a noticeable improvement in video quality.

For the casual user, a small camera-mount light in the 10- to 30-watt range will do just fine. A good buy is Britek's 20-watt CV-20H for $33. There's also Sima's SL-6, a 15-watt mini video light which lists for around $40.

As for camcorder luggage, LowePro and Coast both offer a wide assortment of soft, padded bags in which you can carry your camcorder and assorted accessories. Prices range from about $50 to $100. Some models come with adjustable dividers so you can arrange your equipment any way you want.

Serious Amateur
Up a notch from the casual user is the serious amateur, a video hobbyist who takes a decidedly more creative approach to shooting. At this level, you tackle more challenging assignments, like shooting a full-length school play or dance recital, or perhaps even an occasional wedding. With the goal of producing better-quality pictures and sounds, you'll want to be able to override your camcorder's automatic functions. At the very least, you'll want to be able to perform a manual focus.

Panasonic's AG-196U is a full-size VHS camcorder that offers manual control of focus, white balance, iris, and shutter speed. The unit lists at $1,595. An 8mm camcorder with most of the same options is the Minolta 8-761C, for $970. The only non-manual function on this model is white balance.

An absolutely essential item in any serious videographer's acquisition system is a tripod. Few accessories improve the overall quality of your shooting so simply and effectively, especially when you zoom in on your subject.

For starters, there's Bescor's TX7 model, priced at $39, Velbon's VideoMate 400 for $22, or the Slik U5000 which retails for around $50. Inexpensive tripods are fine as steadying devices, but if you want to perform smooth pans and tilts, you'll have to spend a bit more. Choices include Bescor's TX25, for $89, or a step up, Slik's Master Classic tripod which runs about $190. If smooth camera moves are your heart's desire, make sure you buy a tripod with a fluid head rather than a friction head. For a demonstration of tripod features, visit Videomaker's MPEG page at www.videomaker.com/edit/other/mpegpa.htm.

For greater mobility, you might consider a monopod, a single-legged support that telescopes and collapses quickly and easily. One such device is Slik's EZ Pod, which sells for about $85.

Small-budget Professional
At the third level of sophistication, you enter the world of the small-budget professional--the "prosumer"--the person who combines consumer gear (and some professional gear) to produce professional-looking programs for paying clients. Since you're editing your videos, your acquisition camcorder needs to be one that provides high-quality video and audio all the way through the process--in other words, Hi8, S-VHS or possibly even DV, the new digital videocassette format. You also need additional gear to help you more-carefully monitor and control both sound and picture.

Sony's CCD-TR930 ($1,099) is a Hi8 camcorder that offers manual control of focus, white balance, exposure and shutter speed. It also sports an external-microphone jack and headphone jack. Another good Hi8 model is the Canon ES4000 ($1,199), which includes RC time code for editing accuracy and a handy built-in editing feature, which allows you to build an eight-segment edit-decision list right in the camera. Some Hi8 camcorders, such as the Sony TRV-81 ($1,599), also have LCD viewfinders.

In the S-VHS category, several good prosumer-quality cameras are available for only slightly more than you'd pay for a high-end consumer model. If you're looking to get into the video-production business in a big way, you may want to consider investing in a Panasonic AG-456U ($2,795).

Many, however, have opted to go with the superior resolution of the DV format. When looking for a DV camcorder, one of the most important features to consider is the IEEE-1394 FireWire digital interface, which enables virtually lossless copying and easy transfer to a FireWire-equipped desktop computer.

Entry-level DV camcorders have only recently dropped to the $2,000 point with the Panasonic PV-DV700 ($2,000), a unit that boasts a high-resolution color viewfinder, 100:1 digital-zoom capability and a FireWire in/out port. Another good DV camcorder with a relatively low price is Sony's DCR-TRV7 ($2,699), which includes a FireWire jack as well as a four-inch swivel-screen LCD monitor.

At the prosumer level, a reliable, well-built tripod is an absolute must. Companies that manufacture professional models usually offer tripod legs and heads as separate

components. That way, you can put together the ideal combination for your shooting needs and budget.

Bogen offers several moderately-priced head/leg combinations ranging from about $200 to $1,000. The Bogen 3190 tripod with 3066 fluid head runs about $950 for the pair.

If you're going to be shooting interviews, demonstrations, or any activity taking place on a controlled set, you're going to need lights. The best place to start off is with a kit or two. They usually provide the basic instruments you need to light most common set ups.

The Beseler Photoflood 500 kit, comes with two lights, two reflective umbrellas, and two light stands ($235). Another two-light system is the Smith-Victor K42U, for $300, which comes with efficient 1,200-watt quartz halogen lamps and adjustable barn doors for more precise control. Lowel offers several lighting kit configurations, but two of the most popular for videography at this level are the ViP Jet Set kit ($650) and the Ambi kit ($1,775). The ViP kit comes with one spot and two broad lights and several accessories. The Ambi kit has two spots and two broads plus accessories.

Once you have acquired all this equipment, you soon realize you're going to need a way to carry it around with you safely and securely. Fortunately, there's a solution: professional video carrying cases. Professional-quality video cases are designed to stand up against years of wear and tear. They are constructed of rugged, water resistant nylon and heavy duty hardware. Tamrac and Porta-Brace are two of the better known manufacturers of these items.

Porta-Brace, in particular, offers a vast assortment of camera cases, accessory bags, protective covers, and utility pouches. The company's Camcorder Special, for $180, is

designed to fit professional Hi8 and S-VHS models, while their "Run Bag" line, from $139 to $147, accommodates any variety of equipment and accessories.

The small-budget professional needs many items to round out his acquisition system. The list can really go on endlessly, but the basic necessities are: a good pair of headphones, extra batteries, audio and video cables, a couple of good microphones, a portable audio mixer, a professional-quality tripod, a lighting kit, and some sturdy equipment cases to carry it all in. Additional items might include a wireless mike system, a portable color field monitor, and, if your business is doing well, maybe another camcorder or two. Since a lot of these items are common to both the small-budget professional and professional videographer, this provides us with a nice transition to our next segment: the full-blown video professional.

Professional
Video production on the professional level includes every camcorder format from Hi8 and S-VHS to Betacam, MII, Digital S, DV, DVCPro, DVCam, and others. For purposes of this article, however, we'll limit our discussion to professional production in the Hi8, S-VHS and DV realm.

Professional S-VHS and Hi8 camcorders are more sturdily constructed and sport more sophisticated controls than their consumer cousins. Time code, VU meters, precision optics, and professional-style XLR audio and BNC video connectors are common features. The best ones have three CCD chips and removable lenses. Professional S-VHS models include the JVC Pro GY-X3U ($4,950) and GY-X2b ($7,999) and the Panasonic BTS AG-456U ($2,795) and AG-DP800 ($8,500). Sony's BP EVW-300L is a similarly equipped Hi8 camcorder.

On the consumer DV front, two excellent three-chip camcorders rule the roost in this category: the Panasonic PV-DV1000 ($4,200) and Sony's DCR-VX1000 ($4,200). A good choice for a palm-size portable secondary DV camera might be the JVC GR-DVM1 ($2,800) or the Sony DCR-PC7 ($3,200), both of which have small flip-out LCD viewfinders.

Bigger, heavier camcorders require bigger, heavier tripods--something like Sachtler's Pedestal 14 II tripod ($2,265) with the Video 14 II fluid head ($2,275). The unit features a pneumatic center column which allows you to raise and lower the camera without adjusting the legs. An extra $525 will buy you Sachtler's "rolling triangle" dolly wheels which attach to the bottom of the tripod.

Other makers of fine professional-quality tripods are Vinten and Miller. Both companies offer numerous tripod/head combinations with prices ranging from about $3,000 to $10,000.

When it comes to audio, professional videographers have a huge assortment of high-quality products to choose from. Standard equipment in the broadcast field includes such items such as the Electro-Voice RE-16 dynamic microphone ($450) and Shure M267 audio field mixer ($625).

For professional lighting applications, a good kit to have is Lowel's DP Solo TO-96 ($2,750). The kit comes with two Tota broad lights, four Omni focusing spots, stands and numerous lighting control accessories.

Parting Thoughts
Whatever level of videography you find yourself at, novice to professional, it always pays to do your homework. Consider your current needs as well as your future plans. Read up on the various models that are available and the different options that come with each. Whenever possible, go to a dealer and test out the equipment first hand.

Remember, also, that you can produce quality video at any level. The limitations of your equipment do not have to limit your creativity. In the final analysis, talent and vision have more to do with videography than the price tags on your equipment.

Robert Borgatti is a video producer and writer for a community college.

Manufacturers Sidebar

Bescor Video Accessories
244 Route 109
Farmingdale, NY 11735-1503
(516) 420-1742

Beseler Company
1600 Lower Road
Linden, NJ 07036
(800) 237-3537

Bogen Photo Corporation
565 East Crescent Avenue
Ramsey, NJ 07446-0506
(201) 818-9500

Britek, Inc.
12704 Marquardt Avenue
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(800) 925-6258

Canon Video Products
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042-1113
(800) 828-4040

Coast Manufacturing
One Executive Boulevard
Yonkers, NY 10701
(914) 376-1500

Electro-Voice
600 Cecil Street
Buchanan, MI 49107
(800) 234-6831

Hitachi Home Electronics
3890 Steve Reynolds Boulevard
Norcross, GA 30093-3012
(770) 279-5600

JVC
41 Slater Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
(800) 252-5722

Lowel-Light
140 58th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220-2516
(800) 334-3426

LowePro
3171 Guerneville, Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(800) 800-5693

Miller Fluid Heads
216 Little Falls Road
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 857-8300

Minolta Corporation
101 Williams Drive
Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 825-4000

Panasonic Consumer Electronics
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094-2914
(800) 222-4213

Panasonic Broadcast and Television Systems Company
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(800) 524-0864

Porta-Brace/K&H Products, Ltd.
P.O. Box 246
North Bennington, VT 05257
(802) 442-8171

Quasar
1707 North Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123-7847
(800) 222-4213

RCA/Thomson Consumer Electronics
10330 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46201
(317) 587-3000

Sachtler Corporation
55 North Main Street
Freeport, NY 11520
(516) 867-4900

Samsung Electronics America Inc.
105 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660-0511
(800) 726-7864

Sharp Electronics Corporation
Sharp Plaza
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(800) 237-4277

Shure Brothers
222 Hartrey Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 866-2200

Sima Products
140 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bldg. #5
Oakmont, PA 15139
(800) 345-7462

Slik/Tocad America
300 Webro Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(201) 428-9800

Smith-Victor Corporation
301 North Colfax Street
Griffith, IN 46319
(800) 348-9862

Sony Electronics, Inc.
One Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656-8003
(800) 635-7669

Sony Broadcast and Professional Group
3 Paragon Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-1735
(800) 635-7669

Tamrac
9240 Jordan Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(800) 662-0717

Velbon Tripod
2433 Moreton Street
Torrance, CA 90505
(800) 530-2245

Vinten Inc.
709 Executive Boulevard
Valley Cottage, NY 10989
(888) 284-6836