First camera purchase. Want advice. « Videomaker Community Forums

DPLMNOP
Member

I'm looking into buying my first mini DV camcorder w/o HD because I was told by a videographer that HD requires a docking station and added components for editing and this is my first project and I want to keep costs down.

I've been comparing the Sony mini DV 170 to the Panasonic AG- DVX100B. The Sony sounds like a better camera overall, but it doesn't have the 16:9 ratio or 24P and I'd like to get a more cinematic look. But it is much better in low light. Also the audio quality is not comparible, but then I read anyone doing a quality project wouldn't want to rely on the stationary mic anyway and should use an auxilary microphone.

All the new Sony cameras in that price range have the HD added and I was told to avoid HD.

I'm not sure what to think.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

You seem to have a lot of facts already, but I'd question the assumption that the Panasonic has native 16:9 CCD capture. Here's a line off of Adorama's specs: "Conventional 4:3 aspect ratio and 16:9 letterbox image capture modes"

You didn't say what you intend to use the camera for. That is the most important consideration. A camera is a tool. You choose a tool to suit the tasks you intend to tackle.

The Panasonic is a favorite of Indy shooters. The PD170 and VX2100 are favorites of event shooters.

Posted 5 years ago #
DPLMNOP
Member

I want to make indy films. Can you tell me why one is better for that and one for shooting events? And also regarding the HD. Was I told right about that? More expensive to edit?

I also worry about the lack of low light capability compared to the 170. I'd like to rely on natural light as much as I can.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Its a big decision. Not only are both cameras rather pricey, but you'll invest a lot of time in whichever one you get. I'm an event shooter - mostly weddings. I'm not the one who should be telling you about what makes an Indy camera. I suggest you Google all you can; read the magazines (Videomaker; Videography; etc.).

But remember, a camcorder represents only about 5% of the expense of acquiring a decent collection of equipment that will let you (when your training and experience level allows) produce a professional looking video. So don't forget to leave enough budget for things like microphones (I've got about $3000 invested in mics); lights (you'll need much, much more than my measly $500 investment); computers and software ($3000 at least - one decent video computer, plus Adobe Suite). I've got dollys, jibs, Varizoom, greenscreens, etc. and I'm just a wedding videographer. You'll need much more for Indy productions.

Don't buy anything until you feel like you have all the information you need and you know exactly why you're buying the particular model. But if you're not going to listen to that advice, I've got a beautiful Canon L2 I'll sell you for only $2000. X-D

Good luck, and be sure and let us know when your first production hits the screens!

Posted 5 years ago #
ThomasTyndan
Member

I foyu are looking for indie use then I would suggest the Canon XL2 for mini DV is is slightly more expensive than the Panasonic, but It offers a lot mor verastility and it has a lot of very nice manual contorl options that Panasonic and Sony do not offer. If you want nice shot, profesional shots then XL2 is the way to go. Check out this video from dvcreators.net, this was not produced by Canon as an ad, but rather is infor from DV Creator's themselves. Great video that proves that the XL2 has more ot offer than people really know:

http://dvcreators.net/media/demos/xl2featuretour/xl2featuretour.html

and if you want some intese reading, keep in mind that this article is a little bias towards the Panasonic, as it is an article written for DVXuser.com, a panasonic fan site:

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/shoot3/

They basically always say that the Panasonic is better (surprise surprise DVX user!!!), but they almost always say that the XL2 is a real close second place. And they also are inexperienced users of the camera, so they probably did not do everything as well as they did with the DVX. These were the 2 main things that helped me make the decision to purchase the XL2 over the Panasonic DVX.

Posted 5 years ago #
jburkhart

I'm not sure what your videographer friend meant by requiring special docking stations. All consumer HD formats (HDV,AVCHD,DVCRPROHD) all use the same firewire interface as MiniDV cameras, and all fairly recent editions of editing software can handle HD video.

So I wouldn't rule out HD just yet, especially if you want to future proof your movies.

That being said content is king. If you have a good story, people will watch regardless of what it was shot on. David Lynch is shooting his next film on a MiniDV Sony PD150, and I'd much rather watch that, than this years next cop/buddy movie shot on 35mm film.

Either one of the cameras you mentioned in your post will do a great job.

Good Luck
John Burkhart
Editor-in-Chief
Videomaker

Posted 5 years ago #
DPLMNOP
Member

I've pretty much settled on the Panasonic AG-DVX 100B. I also want to make music videos and want to make sure I pick up good audio. Nice thing about music video is that you can do all the audio separately. But I love good sound and I also need to know what to get to pick up good sound while I'm filming. Are there any microphones in particular that are best used with this camera? I suppose I need a separate boom operator wearing head phones to listen for distortion.

I mostly have ideas and little knowledge of equipment needed to realize them.

All opinions on this are welcome.

Posted 5 years ago #
jburkhart

It's always best to have separate person to monitor and control your audio levels, and be able to focus his attention just on that. But a camera operator with a pair of headphones will do in a pinch.

Generally microphones are not chosen by camera type, but by the type of audio you will be recording. Are you indoors or out? How many people are in the shot, are you recording music or voices? There's a microphone or setup for just about any situation.

You can have as many microphones as you want, but most people start out with a shot-gun or short shotgun mic, and perhaps a wireless lav mic as well. These two items cover a lot of situations.

Music videos are indeed easier as you have the production music as your sound track already, for that application, your camera's built in microphone should be fine to record and sync the wild track to the production track.

Posted 5 years ago #