JVC and Panasonic both make sub-$400 DV camcorders.

Go to your local Best Buy or Circuit City, they usually have a case of used and/or open box cameras. Last summer I bought a JVC camera for 250, but there are ones for lower.

I got my Panasonic DV52 for $350 new at B&H. You can get the "newer" DV53 for the same price. It's a nice little camera, all I can afford atleast. Mine is perfect in the recording/heads department, but the LCD went out a while ago, which bummed me out. Panasonic is the route to go, more reliable low end stuff then JVC, thats for sure.

You know what, that'd be a great product. A stand alone minidv deck.

There are mini DV decks, as well as Dv decks. However, they are more than the cheap cameras.

A while ago I saw a sony mini dv deck that fit in a 5.25" bay on your computer. It wasn't that expensive if I recall correctly. I WAS going to buy one, but they discontinued them.....bastards....anyone remember the product number, or know where i can get one?

I almost hate to say it but have you checked eBay for a used one?

buying new camera...vx-2000 or wait for vx-2100??
 

Hello.

i was just about to order a vx-2000 and then i saw all the various references on the web to the vx-2100, is it real? is it a nasty rumor?

i talked to my favorite video camera shop and they didn't know about it but they did say that the vx-2000's had been harder to get lately...

i had a project i was planning on doing in mid october, so i either need to rent a vx-2000 for this or go ahead and buy a vx-2000 now.

i'd hate to buy a vx-2000 and have a vx-2100 come out before the end of the year.

advice? feedback?

matthew

I doubt the new VX will be here in a few weeks. Personally, I would wait and just rent when I needed the use of a cam.

its just that when i do a project it is for a week at a time and it wouldn't take very many rentals to equal the cost of a vx-2000

matthew

Is there a "lesser" camera that might also strike your fancy and be what you need for the meantime (3 months or so)?
trv950
gs100k
Optura Xi
dv953

Now is probably a pretty good time to buy a VX2000, since the prices are good. I saw the Sony announcement about the new model, but I think it's being released in Europe first, unless I'm mistaken. The differences are not major, only slight improvements to an already solid camera--nothing that would make the original obsolete. I'm sure the link to the announcement is posted somewhere around here.

hmm...

now i have to think about it.

getting a 950 seems like a waste to spend almost as much for a lesser camera...

i used to have unlimited usage of a vx-1000 but i don't have that anymore and i really don't want to do this project with a 1 chip camera.

my plan until i saw the vx-2100 announcement was to get a vx-2000 with a beach tek dual xlr box and a samson airline micro.

the thing that threw me about the vx-2000 was wondering if it might have different audio i.e. xlr inputs? probably too much to hope for.

i had a hard enough time deciding to get a vx-2000 vs. a pd-150

matthew

I'm quite certain the new model won't have XLRs. Sony reserves those for what it considers its professional or "prosumer" cameras...otherwise people might not pay more.

Didn't the upgrade to the PD-150 come already? If that upgrade is anything like the VX2100 then you wouldn't be missing out on much.

Wait for the new model. Unless your current project brings you in enough money to buy another camera.

Stelios

1500 to spend on first camera setup
 

well I'm going to be getting my first decent camera setup sometime this mounth. I've got about 1500 to spend. I'm looking at getting a panny DV953 from buydig for 1050. this leaves me about 500ish for acessories.

I'm going to be doing alot of sports so need a tripod, I know I don't have enough for an expensive one but i've been using a cheapy one for the past 3 mounths so I can live with one in the 100-150 range. anyone have any sugestions?

Also I would like to get a Wide Angle lens for the cam so anyone have any suggestions thier?

Also does anyone make a zoom control for the 953? used one on our studio cams in Highschool and I loved them

I might start to do wedings this spring with another guy so what other accessories should I keeping in mind to get.

anyhelp would be greatly apreciated.

Jon,

Bogen makes great tripods, and for video their low-end ones start at about 200. I would definately spend the money, because a bad tripod makes for bad footage. Check out www.bhphotovideo.com.

As for the weddings...speaking from experience...get and make sure you have enough portable batteries for the camera and light for the entire night, without question. If you don't, it can be one horrible scene when telling the wedding party you didn't get it.

Good Luck!

Clay

seeking advice on camera upgrade
 

In a couple of months I would like to upgrade to a camera with full manual controls. I have between 1500-2500 to spend. I will be using the camera to make short films and maybe the occasional wedding. I have additonal funds for lighting and stabilization, but I'll burn those bridges after I buy the new cam. My knowledge is minimal, but I want very much to learn, and after a couple of months of owning it, I can already see that my consumer cam (panna dv53) isn't going to get me there. I've been doing research, but everything I read just seems to add to my confusion.
Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated.
Thanks,
MG

For that money you are budgeting, the Canon GL2 is your best bet. It has a full manual mode and will allow for what it seems you want. Check out the specs and features at the link below or go to the link below it for other info from Canon.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/?BI=155
Canon Link:
http://www.canondv.com/gl2/promo.html?GCID=C10678x004

This camera has great quality and many options that will allow you to do many different things from shorts to weddings. Without going to a DVX100 or an XL1S, this would be what I go with!

Hope this helps.

Clay

If you need to make camera movements while shooting then get a tripod that's not sticky and will give you fluid movements. Some tripods can get better if you just tighten them.

I would also get a decent microphone next, as the on-board microphone probably stinks. I'm not sure which models are good (Sony, Azden, Sennheiser, etc. sell shotgun mics with the minijack connector).

The VX2000 has the best low light performance in that price range. If you can buy used in your city it won't cost you whatever B&H is charging ($2300, which is close to the best new price you can get). Low light is very important for weddings. A light (with some diffusion on it) will also help a lot. A good sound setup is also very important. A shotgun mic like the Sennheiser ME66/K6 + a wireless system seems to be the most popular among wedding videographers. The wireless is to pick up the wedding vows. Planting a minidisc recorder near the altar instead could be an alternative.

this one or that one?
 

0n 9-30 an XL1-s sold for 2000k if you want a great camera the XL1 is not over rated it's a great cam. Be aware of hidden costs when purchasing any cam. the cost to upgrade to a wide angle lens for example may put your 1500. at 2000k instantly or worse I guess you must know this just thought it was worth mentioning
If you can find a cam that you like used you really do reduce your costs and may get some of those extras deferred. try e-bay and use pay-pal this way your purchase is protected. Also the big drag to the GL2 is that it's a fixed lens and all wide angle stuff is a screw on this never seams to give the image quality that a 3ccd cam is capable of you will notice it when you add the adapters. What the XL can do (and the 1 or 1s is not a huge deal) Is save you time editing you can get more fluid shots and the lenses are quick to change out. Shots like a pan shot is not hard to compress but a telephoto zoom through an extender is a big deal.
sorry for the long post the question does have a long answer. Best of luck

THANKS
 

Thanks to all of you. These cams were all on my short list, so the answers are, if nothing else reassuring. I am leaning towards the XL-1, but funny as it may sound the buzz surrounding it, and its nifty apperanece put me off a little. In the past I've burned myself by purchasing the coolest item- I'm currently heating my home with a mac G-4 cube/ - so I have become wary.
Thanks again.
Mg

Look into:

Panasonic DVC80 : wide lens, built-in XLRs, 1/3" chips (Gl2 has 1/4"?), very good in low light,plenty of manual controls, exceptional audio, $2400 at B&HPHOTO.

JVC DV300u : 1/3" chips, $2400

thanks i'll look into a bogen tripod so that brings me to 1250ish with about 250 for the rest

the buzz the cube
 

In defense of both the cube was a good idea it cools by convection no fan as long as you give it room to breath it'll be ok and its great for recording audio (no fan noise)

I agree on the XL1 hype I too was sceptical I do not usually go in for band wagon popularity stuff as I can see you don't either as you are a make do user and a mac person. I would encourage the purchase of an XL. I currently have two (it solved a compatibility/expense issue) Where by the stuff for one fits the stuff for the other and the crew does'nt bicker "she always gets the XL1 (thats because shes cute now shut up:) )" but I really can't see how you could go wrong I really do not.
just watch the pricing and think about a used one very few people even monkeys would abuse 3500 $ worth of equipment if they own it so used is not a bad way to go.

g-4 cube
 

Actually, I've solved most of my heat issues by adding an external fire wire drive.
Thanks again for the advice, I do think I will get myself an XL-1.

MG

Re: the buzz the cube
 

<<<--I would encourage the purchase of an XL. I currently have two (it solved a compatibility/expense issue) Where by the stuff for one fits the stuff for the other and the crew does'nt bicker "she always gets the XL1 (thats because shes cute now shut up:) )">>>

That's really funny! Sounds like you guys have a good time on set.

Ultra Newbie Alert! Best recreational DV cam?
 

Actually, I did conduct a search and didn't find much in terms of what I was looking for.

It seems this forum is geared more towards professionals but I'm hoping a 'civilian' will be able to benefit from the collective knowledge here.

I'm pretty new to videography and am currently in the research phase of purchasing a new camera.

As stated in the subject line, the purpose will mostly be recreational (family/friends, holidays, etc) with the occasional event coverage (nightclub parties, indoor and outdoor car shows, motorsport). I've narrowed it down to just single CCD cameras since I really don't have a need for a 3-CCD at this time. Although I'm sure I'll want to upgrade soon enough.

What I am looking for are recommendations. My price range is up to $1000 retail and the camera needs decent (if not good) lowlight capability.

TIA!

See if you can still find the older JVC GR-DV3000 or Panasonic PV-DV852. They were both good and not bad with lower light.

Thanks, Frank. I tried to do some additional research on those two cameras.

From the reviews on CNET (not even sure if that's a good resource for camcorders), there are gripes about the JVC not being able to focus properly in auto mode (which is what I'd most likely be using most of the time) and the fact that it has no external mic input.

As for the Panasonic, I have yet to come across a bad review/comment about it (including here on DVi - you also seem to be a fan of it). Do you think major stores will still have them in stock? And what is the model that replaced the DV852 and is it any better?

Anyone have any firsthand experience with the following cameras?

Canon Optura Xi

Panasonic AG-DVC7

Sony DCR-TRV38/39

Sony DCR-TRV70/80

Thanks again for the help!

Tom.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Optura Xi. Its predecessor, the Optura Pi, was easily one of the best small-budget camcorders, and it looks like the Xi is following right in its footsteps. I hear it's awesome in low light.

The TRV19/22 has better low light than the TRV33/38 if I remember correctly ("5 lux" versus "7 lux" say Sony). It's still not very in dark situations but it's about as good as it gets for a 1CCD cam.
It's pretty small but not quite as small as the PC- line of camcorders. Figure out how small is good enough for you and how important size is.

Gripes about the camera would be poor on-board mic (as with a large majority of cams- probably get an external mic instead like MKE300), false colors in some situations, and the LCD touch screen (not too practical to use while rolling tape, but most cams like decent manual control anyways). The LCD touch screen isn't an issue if you shoot full auto, which works quite well in 90% of situations. The resolution is not as good as higher end cams but I find the resolution really good anyways.

Frank's recommendations are probably good too- if you can find those cameras.

This site: http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel....html&lp=ja_en should give you a rough idea of how cameras stack up in good lighting and in low light. MX3000 = DV952. The 952 has better low light than the 953 is what Frank says.

Do a site search on the Canon Xi. It got good initial impressions reviews, but I believe there's one person who bought it and is not happy with it for a variety of reasons, one of them being auto mode. (I'm thinking that recreational can often mean fast moving, when you want to just be able to switch on the cam and know you're going to get something decent.)

If you want a new model one chip cam with less lux requirements---there aren't any. That's why I suggested those 2 slightly older models. Another good one, and probably even better than the 2 I mentioned would be the Optura 100MC. It's a large "upright" with a big lens and a 1/3.6" CCD (as the DV3000). Now this gives you another model to look for. Sometimes you can find a sweet deal on a discontinued model. The trick is to pick a good one.

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to go check out those cameras and see what suits me best.

Camera
 

For about a year I've been looking for a good DV camera. I've been in and out of so many forums I can't count. Including this one and DV.com. So I've finally just decided to post to get people's opinons. Ok, so I'm 16, and I am a serious videographer. I don't just video tape "jackass" stuff or the occassional event. I make short films to enter into contests and output on DVD. I've been using a Digital 8 camera for some time now and feel comfortable enough with filmmaking and cameras to upgrade to DV.
I'd personally say that I am intermediate to Pro on how to use cameras. I have worked with an XL1 on a commercial shoot before and liked it. My problem is this, I am a 16 year old. I don't have much money. I recently won a film festival and got 1k for winning. I want to get a high end DV camera. But I also want to build a P4 w/ HT for editing gaming and rendering. I use premiere. So my question is.....Should I buy a PV-DV953 and use Christmas money to build the computer, or put all the money into a camera such as the GL2. I will also be doing most of my film work under plenty of light, natural and artificial.

I am also applying for a summer film school. Would I "look ametur" with a PV-DV953? I will most likely continue my career with this.....any opinion will help. Thanks.

Iam 17 and i would personally go wiht the gl2. I just got a editn pc not to long ago i ordered a vx and got screwed so i got a gl2 for upcomg x mas. Get the gl2 i think it will be worth it

Tough call if the money is slow. You will learn more about camera work with the GL2. If you're already able to edit and burn satisfactorily, why not properly upgrade the camcorder now?