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Help with Video Camera Purchase

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Smilemon
Posts: 421 - Karma: 43
I'm looking at upgrading to a pro video camera, for ski videos, school projects, and some other independent projects. I've taken some film making summer camps and I'm fair at editing, I used to have Final Cut Pro 4, but thats pretty much useless on my new comp.

I'm gonna get Final Cut Express and a new camera to replace my shitty handycam. I want something pro, I'm getting wet dreams about http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101845, but I'm way to broke to afford that.

Whats the down low on finding used pro gear, I would like something that records to a hard drive or card because I'm super tired of having to load the video at speed. I would say my budget is very low... Sub 400 for sure. I would settle for something that does tape if thats the only way I'll get manual focus though.

Any tips? I would guess that news stations or someplace has to upgrade often enough... Must be lots of old 2006 - 07 gear out there.
Feb 11 2009 8:05PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
i've been shopping around for a new cam lately too, i have a shitty little sony handycam

for 400 im not really sure what you could get, i know hv30's are like 500 or 600 and they record in high def.

and as far as stuff from 06 07, it's all still gonna be expensive, i think i've made up my mind on a sony DCR-VX2000 which is 9 years old and i think i'll be able to find one used for around $1000

Feb 11 2009 8:13PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
oh i didnt see you said something about news station used gear, im not sure about that, it could be sick
Feb 11 2009 8:15PM
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Smilemon
Posts: 421 - Karma: 43
I should probably just get a job and buy a nice new camera, but it seems like the used market should be on fire.
Feb 11 2009 8:21PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
ya, even used 400 dollars won't buy you anything. If you want a dec prosumer 3ccd camera, you're going to have to spend at least 2000 dollars. I'd suggest two options. Either save up and get something like a DVX100 or a sony FX7 if you want HD, or you could pick up an HV30 or HV40 for around 550 but that's only a one chip cam.

I'd suggest saving up for a pro cam and in the mean time, shoot lots of footage with the camera you have. Don't let the camera limit you. If you're making short films with no budget, there are very few things that you can't do with a normal handycam. I shot alot of my best short films on an elura100 which is a tiny canon handycam kinda thing. I think those were best because i was more worried about story than technical crap.

thats my $0.02
Feb 11 2009 9:17PM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
You're not going to get shit for 400 bucks and that JVC sucks, jvc consumer/prosumer cameras aren't that great at all. Get sony/panisonic.
Feb 11 2009 9:49PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
this is the price range for different kinds of nice cameras i've seen lately

you can get a used canon GL1 for like 700-800 but from what i hear GL1's arent very good

my friend just got a used GL2 (basically new) off ebay for 850

you can get used sony vx1000's for like 700-1000
and sony vx2000's starting at like 1000 (used)

at least that's what i've been seeing on skateperception.com lately and thats assuming youd probably get just the cam and like a battery, no accessories
Feb 11 2009 11:00PM
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low_fidelity
Posts: 2673 - Karma: 118
http://ihatekaty.com/?id=1957871#6dzz5z54fsdq7ez78z8d
Feb 11 2009 11:14PM
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Smilemon
Posts: 421 - Karma: 43
I'm a fan of the GL2, It seems to shoot nice stuff. But I'm still recording to a tape there. As for using my Handycam, I shoot pretty often, but its getting so old and shitty that it just runs out of battery in like 30 minutes, and I'm really not diggin the soft focus and crackly sound quality.

I'll probably try to snipe a GL2 off ebay. I need a good tripod too, the jerky pans and wobbly stills are getting on my nerves.
Feb 11 2009 11:46PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
Just go buy a camera and start making movies!!!

People put to much thought into the cameras they buy.   Get what looks good to you.  Go to Best Buy and pick one out.  May sound dumb to some, but if you have a good eye, you'll make your camera look like a million bucks.

Give a cheapo handycam to a talented film maker and they'll make it shine, people forget that way to often.

btw, that new JVC camera looks pretty damn good.  I've been reading lots of good things about it.  Eheath, hate to break it to you, but JVC is wayyyy under rated, they make excellent prosumer cams.  Not so much on the low end though.

also, go to http://www.cnet.com and start reading up on cameras.  You'll have better luck making your own decision than having people tell you what to get.

Feb 12 2009 1:00AM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
i had a jvc for a year, it wasnt the best.
Feb 12 2009 1:04AM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
not talking about their consumer cams being under rated, because I agree, I'd rather go sony, canon, panasonic.  I'm talking about their pro/prosumer cams.  Guess it's personal preference.
Feb 12 2009 1:07AM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
Oh yeah, pro level, but i was thinking like tv broadcast pro.
Feb 12 2009 1:08AM
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