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Need a camera

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.brian
Posts: 1710 - Karma: 233
Not sure what camera to get. The highest price i can go is probably like $950. I was thinking this one
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-PV-GS500-Camcorder-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000DZFUIO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260414909&sr=8-1

thank you for any suggestions.
Dec 9 2009 10:36PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
$950 is a pretty decent budget. And you can get MUCH better cameras for the money now a days. Your first stop should be camcorderinfo.com or another test site.
Dec 10 2009 2:12AM
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.brian
Posts: 1710 - Karma: 233
bump
Dec 10 2009 7:54PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
might be able to pick up a dvx on ebay for that range
Dec 10 2009 8:28PM
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knblhjgkfjxdzsg
Posts: 354 - Karma: 491
Don't get a dvx, get a handheld HD one before that. DVX is 480p and you will be greatly disappointed with the quality of it after you upload it. Go with Sony handycam or something along those lines where it isn't top notch, but it's still HD.
Dec 10 2009 10:05PM
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powday
Posts: 3055 - Karma: 326
I'm a beginner at filming and just picked up a Canon HF100. Its a really nice camera and produces great images. Its easy to use and records to SD cards which are great for people who dont want to deal with tape or worry about hard drive failures in the cold.

I got mine with an extended battery (You pretty much NEED one) wide angle lens, lens hood and an 8gb card for $450. I have a few other 4gb cards and you can just buy like 5 of them and be set, they are pretty cheap. Get yourself a decent tripod and just go out and film, you will be amazed at the quality for such a cheap and small camera. If you have $950 don't feel like you need to spend all of it on a camera, get something like the HF100 and save your money.
Dec 10 2009 10:27PM
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.brian
Posts: 1710 - Karma: 233
I was also looking at the Panasonic HDC-TM 300. Any body have any experience with them?
Dec 10 2009 10:32PM
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lurkstormon
Posts: 25 - Karma: 11
I definitely recommend a DVX100A or B. I own one, completely worth it in my opinion. I love mine and it's been so reliable. 24p skiing = <333. If you know how to compress well then the quality shouldn't be an issue you need to consider. That's directed to whoever said you'll be disappointed with quality. It is standard definition but you can always up the resolution to fit widescreen flash players if you're planning on showing your stuff on the internet. If you want more information shoot me a PM I'll gladly help!
Dec 11 2009 12:53PM
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knblhjgkfjxdzsg
Posts: 354 - Karma: 491
Rendered and compressed at highest quality is still greatly disappointing compared to HD cameras that are even cheaper these days.
Dec 12 2009 1:05AM
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lurkstormon
Posts: 25 - Karma: 11
You can't compare SD to HD. Obviously HD is going to look better in some instances but the consumer HD video cameras are really not worth it,i.e. less control of manual settings and what have you. A DVX will definitely give you the most control over how your image looks compared to a consumer HD camera and is the closest SD camera you can get to being HD.
Dec 12 2009 12:22PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
The film 'November' was shot on a DVX100, and it won the award for best cinematography at sundance in 2004.  It may not be as sharp as 1080p, but the picture quality is pretty damn good.
Dec 13 2009 2:49PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
The operator is what makes the picture good.
Dec 13 2009 5:24PM
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knblhjgkfjxdzsg
Posts: 354 - Karma: 491
In 2004.
Things have changed a lot in the last 6 years dude.
Dec 23 2009 3:25AM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
Things certainly have changed, but the dvx is still the same camera it always was.  I think now that the prices have dropped so much, they are a pretty good deal for someone looking to learn.  24p, xlr inputs, and tonstonstons more.  other than being Standard def, the DVX is a pretty sweet camera.
Dec 23 2009 6:04PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
People were using vx1k's for 10-15 years after they were introduced. The dvx is a far better camera than that ever was. You don't need the newest gear to get a good picture.
Dec 23 2009 6:34PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
depends on what hes looking for, if he doesnt really wanna learn to really film then a hand held something like an hv30 would be perfect.  If he actually wants to know what he is doing then he should get the dvx, its a great camera, not as sharp as an hd cam but the colors are great.
Dec 25 2009 12:18AM
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