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Old 02-28-2009, 09:05 PM  
tony286
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: atlanta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn View Post
Honestly, I haven't researched new videocameras in a while. I am still using an almost four year old Sony FX-1 HDV camera and I get great quality out of it by concentrating on my lighting. There are indeed a lot of great options nowadays for videocameras that should suit your needs, from standard definition digital video to high definition video in several flavors like HDV, AVCHD and uncompressed HD, recording to both mini-DV tapes and also tapeless P2 cards. It really depends on the workflow you want to set up. I am pretty satisfied with my solution which records to mini-DV tapes and gives me good quality 16 x 9 video. I am pretty sure I am going to upgrade sometime in the next year and I am considering the tapeless solutions. But it's a major decision because I film so much and I believe tapes are the best long term backups for my archives and also to deliver edited videos to my clients.

More than just upgrading your camera, you would be smart to practice a bit with you lighting setup, improving your locations and set colors and that alone will make your videos look much better than they do now. Any time you want some tips, I would be happy to help you out since you have been so generous sharing your knowledge with me.
I was on a videographer board. And a guy was saying people spend a bunch on their camera and whats left over goes to light. He said should be the other way. If your lighting is good you can get a good picture on any camera.
$155 for wide angle adapter is good, I paid $200 for the same one at a local store. The hv would serve you well and I would get a mic for it also. Sound is 60 percent of the video experience.

Last edited by tony299; 02-28-2009 at 09:07 PM..
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