What camera .... with a twist at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 10th, 2007, 03:04 AM   #1
Tourist
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pistoia, Italy
Posts: 1
What camera .... with a twist

I desperatly need some advice on buying a used good 3ccd camera. I am very new to the dv world as I have taken the jump from photography in the last year and intend on pursuing a career. I have been gifted a chance to shoot a mockumentary in Africa for my portfolio. I have been looking at sony vx1000, 2000 pd 150 or 170 (I wish) but my budget for a camera is only $1,000 bucks so it is tough ebaying 24hrs a day. I am based in Italy and will be passing London on my way down. Are there any good secondhand semi pro cam shops in London? Any suggestions of other reliable models (doesn't have to be Sony. Bear in mind I have never used a pro cam(I learn fast) so it doesn't have to be that heavy duty, just with manual settings and xlr input. Thanks
Amos Khana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 10th, 2007, 03:45 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 9,510
Manual settings and xlr under 1000dollar?? Well I wish you good luck in your search, you will need it. You might find a vx1000 for that amount but in what condition will it be? Your camera also has to be reliable and if it breaks down in Africa, do you have a backup cam?
Have you ever worked with a videocamera before?? It seems a very big risk taking an assignment like this, getting your cam on the way to it and learning to use it as you move along.
Noa Put is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 11th, 2007, 10:33 AM   #3
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 11,802
Welcome to DVinfo Amos. You might look for a used Sony PDX-10. It has XLR mike inputs, manual controls and also shoots high quality 16:9 (which the cameras you mentioned don't do very well). It has been discontinued, but was sort of like the "little brother" of the Sony PD-170. Recently I saw one sell here for $1,100.

You can visit our forum to learn more about the camera: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=43
Boyd Ostroff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 11th, 2007, 10:50 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 522
I got an xl1s off ebay for $1200 about 7 months ago in great shape.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-XL1S-XL1-S...QQcmdZViewItem
Oliver Darden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 12th, 2007, 01:51 PM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Berkshire, UK
Posts: 1,562
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff View Post
You might look for a used Sony PDX-10.
The PDX-10 continues to be a great little camera where light isn't a problem. I'm still using mine and won't sell it. In a few years, the secondhand A1 market will eclipse it, but right now the PDX-10 is a bargain.

The main thing is that it shoots great SD 16:9 - and widescreen is a "sine qua non" in Europe - and, I guess, beyond if upscaling to HD is allowed.*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_qua_non

XL1s and VX2100s are all 4:3 and for any footage that needs to live on for a few years, 4:3 is a bit of a blot.


* I did an HDV/AIC shoot a while back, with B-roll vox pops from a PDX-10. The vox pops were scaled up to HD with some grading and a little sharpening and secret sauce treatment. To my frustration, most viewers didn't notice the drop in quality of the PDX-10 footage at SD. A lot didn't at 720p.
Matt Davis is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:51 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network