in need of a new camera
 

currently i am using a 1 ccd jvc mini dv camcorder with no mic input so i want to get a new camcorder. please advise, i am willing to spend up to $2,550. right now i am interested in the canon xl1s, what do you think? i want to be able to make clean movies i am sick of the un professional look of my camera.

I doubt you will be able to find an XL1s for 2500$... maybe a used one. For this price tag, you may consider the GL2 or the sony Vx2000.

Advice: Search this board about the differents camcorders available for your budget. Try to learn specificities of each of them, their strengths and weaknesses And then, takes time to make the list of the features which are important for you.

thanks for your reply, i can get one for that price after the $500 rebate canon is offering until january. which is another reason why i think that would be the best buy. do you guys know anything about audio? is the mic on that good? should i buy a new mic? would i need a mixer? why? see everything i shoot turns out ok except audio really sucks and makes the whole thing feel cheap.

John,

You can easily get a used XL1 for $2500 or less, but sound quality doesn't have much to do with the camera as much as it has to do with the placement of the microphone. Just food for thought.

I've recorded really good audio using cheqp $25 mics only because it was close to the subject.

it depends of your needs. The onboard mic of the XL1/XL1s really good, for an onboard mic. But if you want more freedom, you could get an MA-100 adaptor, witch will give you the possibility to use any professional XLR mike (it also act as a better shoulder pad than the standard one).

If the audio is your main concern, you can try to ask your questions in the "Now hear this" forum.

Hope this help

In short, you will be able to put the xl1s audio to very good use. If that cam sings to you, why not get it?

Otherwise:

Panasonic ag dvc80
Sony vx2000
Canon GL2

Do you know what you intend to do with the camera? I ask because certain cams have certain strengths.
Good luck,
Shawn

i intend to keep making short movies and since most the scripts that i write have a mafia feel to them im looking for the similar look as movies like casino and godfellas, i want to get as close a film look as i can during production but i also want the capability to switch to 3ccd brightness and stuff for some projects. and also an al around good camera that can have upgrades. thats why i like the canon cause of how easy it is to change the lens. tell me if im wrong because i am no expert

How easy, yes, but not cheap! optionnals lenses cost about 1500$ each. and if you want to go to film lenses, you will need the mini 35 which cost you another 6000 bucks.

But yes, it is versatile.

Out of the box I think the DVX100, with 24p true progresive is a better tool for filmmaking.

Well here's an alternative:
Buy a used Canon GL1 for $1300 or so, and spend the other $1200 on a really good light kit. Lighting will go much further towards acheiving a professional "film look" than a slightly better camera.

To get good audio you should probably get a boom (possible to build yourself) and a good hypercardioid microphone. You probably want a field mixer too. Unfortunately I don't have any good recommendations for any of these. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...hreadid=227171 and dv.com's audio solutions forum would be great places to get this kind of information.

And definitely getting good lighting will do wonders for your picture quality and can add to the artistry of your films.

For a 3CCD camera you could even look as low as the Panasonic PV-DV953. It has good video quality (but 1/6" chips instead of 1/3" chips in higher end cameras, means less low light) and manual audio controls. I'm not sure if the quality of the mic input is that good but depending on your purposes and target format it could be good enough. It should definitely be better than using the on-board camera mic.

The XL1 onboard mic is fine, as onboard mics go. Its main problem is that it is onboard, which is not where your sound is coming from. Which means everything will sound distant (to say nothing of picking up noises from the camera and operator). I use the onboard mic strictly for run-and-gun ambient sound: crowd noise, street and traffic noise, etc. Never for dialogue. For that I use an assortment of wirelsss and wired mics, through an MA100 (a Beachtek would work just as well). That alone will take your videos out of the "feel cheap" category. Lighting will help too.

GL1 means no lens interchangeability, but that's liveable. I have never changed the lens on my interchangeable XL1 either. The GL1 will need a Beachtek unless using with cheaper miniplug-equipped mics (don't laugh). I have shot plenty of video with the GL and been able to inter-cut it with XL1 footage. They are both nice-working cams. Obviously the XL is more flexible (more manual overrride opportunities) but if it leaves you too broke for lights and mics, get the GL.