Q. I have been doing some research on camcorders, and I can't seem to find enough of a difference between a camera like a sony nex-vg10 or a panasonic hxr-mc2000u compared to a panasonic HDC TM900 or a vixia hv40. I do want to buy a camcorder for shooting short films and if anyone has any ideas for a good one to shoot with for somewhat stylistically dark videos, then I would love to get some feedback on what I could buy. My budget is $2500.
A. Generally, the most apparent differences will be related to the size of the lens diameter (larger is better) and imaging chip size and type (3CCD is preferred; 3CMOS is acceptable; 1/3 inch or larger size).
Since you already know that your videos will be dark, you should be looking at the largest lens system and imaging chip combination you can afford. They will perform much better in low-light situations so you do not have to resort to tricks like "day for night" http://www.videomaker.com/article/10368/ all the time.
In my opinion, assuming we get to spend the whole stated budget on the camcorder, you are likely better off with a Sony HDR-FX7. Even better would be a Sony HDR-FX1000, but that is over your stated budget.
Panasonic does not make the HXR-MC2000 - Sony does. It is a shoulder-mount cam - but that's about where the good stuff stops. Between high compression AVCHD and the tiny, single 1/4" imaging chip, along with a consumer-sized 37mm lens filter diameter, low-light behavior won't be so good.
Compare this to the FX7's low compression HDV (or standard def DV if you pick that option) to miniDV tape and 62mm lens filter diameter size - and 3CMOS 1/4" imaging chip or the FX1000's 3CMOS 1/3" imaging chip and 72mm lens filter diameter)... As well, both the FX7 and FX1000 have separate zoom and focus rings on the lens barrel. The MC2000 has one ring on the lens barell that can be used as a single option - either focus or zoom - bit not both at the same time. And the FX7 and FX10000 have a LANC port. This is a wired remote control that allows you to start and stop recording, and control focus and zoom remotely - very handy when the camera is on a camera crane or vest system or even on a tripod when you mount the LANC device to the tripod handle essentially making the camera more like a studio camera (the MC2000 has no LANC port).
Basically, the MC2000 is the AVCHD sibling to the HVR-HD1000 which had the specs of the consumer hand-held HDR-HC1 (or HVR-A1), but in a shoulder mount form factor.
I like the Canon HV40 and Panny HDC-TM900 units - for a consumer camcorder - but neither will touch the much larger lenses FX7 or FX1000. And the larger lenses let in more of the available light so the imaging chip system has more to work with...
With the FX7, that leaves $ available for a decent tripod (Davis & Sanford), mics (Sennheiser; Audio Technica) and a LANC (like the Varizoom VZ Stealth controller)... and maybe a Pelican 1500 case.
Since you already know that your videos will be dark, you should be looking at the largest lens system and imaging chip combination you can afford. They will perform much better in low-light situations so you do not have to resort to tricks like "day for night" http://www.videomaker.com/article/10368/ all the time.
In my opinion, assuming we get to spend the whole stated budget on the camcorder, you are likely better off with a Sony HDR-FX7. Even better would be a Sony HDR-FX1000, but that is over your stated budget.
Panasonic does not make the HXR-MC2000 - Sony does. It is a shoulder-mount cam - but that's about where the good stuff stops. Between high compression AVCHD and the tiny, single 1/4" imaging chip, along with a consumer-sized 37mm lens filter diameter, low-light behavior won't be so good.
Compare this to the FX7's low compression HDV (or standard def DV if you pick that option) to miniDV tape and 62mm lens filter diameter size - and 3CMOS 1/4" imaging chip or the FX1000's 3CMOS 1/3" imaging chip and 72mm lens filter diameter)... As well, both the FX7 and FX1000 have separate zoom and focus rings on the lens barrel. The MC2000 has one ring on the lens barell that can be used as a single option - either focus or zoom - bit not both at the same time. And the FX7 and FX10000 have a LANC port. This is a wired remote control that allows you to start and stop recording, and control focus and zoom remotely - very handy when the camera is on a camera crane or vest system or even on a tripod when you mount the LANC device to the tripod handle essentially making the camera more like a studio camera (the MC2000 has no LANC port).
Basically, the MC2000 is the AVCHD sibling to the HVR-HD1000 which had the specs of the consumer hand-held HDR-HC1 (or HVR-A1), but in a shoulder mount form factor.
I like the Canon HV40 and Panny HDC-TM900 units - for a consumer camcorder - but neither will touch the much larger lenses FX7 or FX1000. And the larger lenses let in more of the available light so the imaging chip system has more to work with...
With the FX7, that leaves $ available for a decent tripod (Davis & Sanford), mics (Sennheiser; Audio Technica) and a LANC (like the Varizoom VZ Stealth controller)... and maybe a Pelican 1500 case.
First prosumer camcorder!?
Q. I am a film maker. I've been using cheaper camcorders and want to step it up. So, what is the best prosumer camcorder that I can get used for about $800. Thanks all!
Also, I would like a firewire output.
Also, I would like a firewire output.
A. Hi "G.O.A.T":
To quote the great Mel Brooks, "I'm not a film maker. Kodak is a film maker, I just use the stuff!"
So, 6 months ago you were getting your first high school physical, and now you wanna make movies? (But, I jest... I was shooting with a 16mm film camera �complete with "mickey mouse ears" spool magazines� in my Junior Year in H.S.)
The price of used camera gear varies widely, depending on seller (Pawn Shops & Camera Stores tend to be higher than eBay, Amazon, or CraigsList) and whether you want Standard Def or HD.
And FireWire output will eliminate anything that's not DV-tape/DVCAM or MiniDV format (look for HDV models, if you want HD format tape prosumer models).
Here's a good list of used models priced from $750 & up at B+H Photo's NYC used department: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Camcorder+Format_DVCAM&ci=15330&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&N=4294210518+4294217882+4294217885+4294217884
You can use these model listings as a guide for shopping elsewhere.
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
To quote the great Mel Brooks, "I'm not a film maker. Kodak is a film maker, I just use the stuff!"
So, 6 months ago you were getting your first high school physical, and now you wanna make movies? (But, I jest... I was shooting with a 16mm film camera �complete with "mickey mouse ears" spool magazines� in my Junior Year in H.S.)
The price of used camera gear varies widely, depending on seller (Pawn Shops & Camera Stores tend to be higher than eBay, Amazon, or CraigsList) and whether you want Standard Def or HD.
And FireWire output will eliminate anything that's not DV-tape/DVCAM or MiniDV format (look for HDV models, if you want HD format tape prosumer models).
Here's a good list of used models priced from $750 & up at B+H Photo's NYC used department: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Camcorder+Format_DVCAM&ci=15330&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&N=4294210518+4294217882+4294217885+4294217884
You can use these model listings as a guide for shopping elsewhere.
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
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