HD Camera Recommendations
 

I still prefer working with tape versus disk.

Content shooters, fire away with what you've got.

:pimp

bump for you , I am looking for the same info :)

Thanks top notch.
:thumbsup

I have panasonic hvx-200 which has a dv tape option

we just bought a Sony NEX FS100 - it's simply amazing. but not for point and shoot

Love the tape option too but the Sony NEX-VG10 is stunning for the price, actually for 2x the price. if it had tape option i'd buy it, will still try it out when i get a chance-
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...andyc am.html

I'm getting the one that MaDalton mentioned above in December from my school. Can't wait to get my hands on it. The FS100 is the shit. But totally digital, no tape.

In the meantime I have a 5D MK2 and a 60D and a nice rig.

I agree on the tape! However, like all media, things degrade the second its complete. Storing all tapes in a cool area without moisture is ideal. OFFLOADING OUR TAPE IMMEDIATELY IS IDEAL - and should be common practice for all producers. After that a few backups via external drives and its no different then tape. Cost might be a bit more but you have that extra level of protection just in case you need to do a re-encode.

Oh yeah. Having multiple copies is a must.

Both the original tape, and hard drives.

Nice looking cam.
:thumbsup

It sounds magical.
:thumbsup

What are you looking to spend?

I've got a Sony HDR-HC5 that takes tape. It's a few years old and was probably used for less than 10 hours total.

I'd sell it for a few hundred bucks if it might be of interest.

http://www.hdcameraguide.com/camcord...v-hd-camcorder

if you want a tape, print a copy to tape :2 cents:

Right now I am looking at a few decent camera(s) to tinker with.

We will be getting ready to shoot more content in Jan after the local colleges are back in session, and return from Vegas. For myself, it's a dead zone from middle of November through mid Jan every year.

Fire away ladies.
:winkwink:

I used to like the Sony 1080i HDV cams like the FX-1 that I used for years or the smaller FX-7. But I feel they are outdated now that I have adapted to media only cameras and workflow. I was totally fed up with deinterlacing anymore anyway. Plus having a full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive resolution with multiple 1/2 inch or bigger sensors like with a Sony EX-1 or Canon 5D Mark II creates such a superior image and opens up so many more possibilities that I could never go back to tape.

My G2 phone... people want grainy bullshit anyway.

I would love to get my hands on the Canon 5D Mark II SLR to play with.

Sony Pro HVR Z5E
 

We shoot with this... guess it depends what your needs are...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...=0CIABEPMCMAU#

I have been shooting on the Panasonic HPX 300 and HVX 200 on P2 cards. I then have one computer render all the raw video on a H.264 MP4 with a 2000K then burn it on a DVD or blu-ray and stick it in the archival file box that is taken off site.

There are times when I just shoot DV with the HVX 200 and that tends to be low low budget shoots where it is just a quick turn around from production to website where HD is not offered.

All of the above non-Tape Cameras are fine.


Its funny, how so many people get so into the camera that they neglect or never spend the money on proper lighting. I like to use a combo of Kinos and HMI's depending on what and where I am shooting.


Lighting, Lighting, Lighting.....:2 cents:

Agreed. I only use daylight balanced lights myself. A pair of Kino-Flo four-foot four banks are my usual key lights and I have both a 1000-watt and a 500-watt Lowell Riffa softbox light with CTB gels inside them to add some fill or back light. Plus oftentimes some windows and sunlight of course!

i spent 5years using dv tapes and can't go back to that now. i dont know if you film gonzo amateurs but if you do just remember the best camera is the one you have on you at all times. it does you no good if its at home. use to use canon GL1/GL2 then went tapeless with a $1000 Canon T3i SLR for video, that got stolen (see story here) now I carry a canon vixia with me everywhere and love it

I use the canon 7d, great quality but don't recommend for gonzo. I end up having to cut alot out of my vids because of focusing or camera shake etc. I have been searching youtube and built a pretty nice camera rig today. still waiting for the paint to dry but this new set up should make filming much easier!

...I will buy a Maserati, for the deliciousness that I have captured on my Canon T3i

Well said, Sir :thumbsup

I feel you, I held on to my 8 track for years... ah the good ol days :)

sorry but I dont concur.. lighting is going the way of the horse n buggy... iso killed lights they just havn't claimed the body yet. :thumbsup

GoPro HD Hero2 ;)

...really? Imho, at least from a DSLR perspective, good lighting is so key. Even when I had my tape driven HV-30, much less grain when CCD sensitivity is not so strained that they are pulling artifacts from the image sensor. Just my 2~ :)

i've been using a Canon Vixia HF S200 for the past few years and like it a lot. i'd like to play around with the Vixia G10 to see how well it works in low light.

i've never lost content but i back everything up on a RAID and i back that up with another drive.

tape will eventually be obsolete.

Sony FX-1
Sony HDR-XR500 (smaller cam for more amateur footage)

And I agree with Dave and Jim, you need to know something about lighting. And it isn't so much to blow out the whole room, but it's good to know how to deal away with shadows you don't want, or create ones you do.

I am typically a Sony fanatic but I recently ordered a Canon HF m40-
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...M40_Flash.html

This camera has been highly touted for not only the image quality, but the insane amount of options it has for the price (350-400 bucks)
1)microphone IN
2)wireless mic capability
3)24p & 30p Frame Modes

granted it is tapeless, but after reading customer and critic reviews i figured i would have to see just how good this thing is.

This could be the perfect go anywhere camera, and if it gets stolen or destroyed it's no big deal.

Will post results when i run some tests in feb.

.

hahahahahha!!! That is a funny post.


and you would have a "Kinda-Point" if you only shot in the same room day in and day out knowing the sweet spots or shooting Ex-girlfrind content.



:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

Had an out door scene I shot 2 weeks ago. Over head Scrimed the couch outside with a 12x12 to get rid of the direct harsh shadows that the sun caused. Then front lit it with HMIs and used a 200 watt HMI as a c-light.


Could have gotten away with not front lighting it, but everything pops with a front light. And when you can match daylight and nobody can tell, its that much better.




OHHH adendreams, ISO could not have helped you out of harsh shadows caused by the sun.


Knowing and understanding basic lighting principals is key to every shoot. :thumbsup

Make sure and post your feedback.
:thumbsup

I am still real happy with my Z1U Sony.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...3_CCD_HDV.html

i just got a Canon XA10 and i'm very pleased so far.

http://wideopencamera.com/wp-content...dd9330a13a.jpg

Full HD, Super 35mm sensor at $600 plus lens adapter and any Canon or Nikon lens

http://www.eoshd.com/wp-content/uplo...-fd-50mm-l.jpg

Then for those under water nude shots

http://goprohdhero960.com/wp-content...nd-670x670.jpg

And for the full Hollywood Dolly shots with fill light

http://wolfangdigital.com/blog_stuff...o_dolly_03.jpg