Digital Camcorders
 

I know some of you are pro's with the cameras .. so I want to know what is the best camcorder/value for a mini-dv? I'm not looking for XL1 price range .. something to film the holidays but also extremely good quality .. any suggestions?

Thanks http://bbs.gofuckyourself.net/board/smile.gif

GL1?

Canon's are nice IMHO.

Spankstrocko

GL-1 kicks ass.. I just got one..

How about the
GL-OCK??

xl1's are all we use. gl1 is nice as a less expensive option (though still not that cheap). for less money, take a look at the optura Pi - they have just been discontinued so you can get a good price. Very solid camera, the cheapest camera around that has optical image stabilization.

I've used an XL1 a few times, it's a very nice camera but it's a bit of an over kill w/ the family movies.

Something like the optura Pi sounds more attractive .. I'll have to research it more http://bbs.gofuckyourself.net/board/smile.gif

BTW, BP, I was thinking of filming the family .. not murdering http://bbs.gofuckyourself.net/board/smile.gif

Peace,
Fabian

point and shoot, errr I mean click?

the xl1 is the best minidv camera out there. in fact the only cameras we use. but for home movies, major overkill.

AH, an excellent question. I must say that most of the answers here appear to come from people who did not do their homework before purchasing their equipment. No offense meant.

Here is the deal..

XL1:
Great camera if you are shooting pro video for commercial, mainstream use and need the ability to switch lenses and have the need to hold a large camera on your shoulder. This camera does have some faults though. The viewfinder is prone to burnouts. Canon is aware of the problem and now includes a disclaimer about it so they do not have to cover it under warranty anymore. The camera is very bulky and does not have an LCD screen, although you can purchase an optional one for ?hundred$ that fits on the hotshoe.

GL1:
This is a great option for adult webmasters. The camera is a lot less $$ and is more realistic for our usage. Much more compact and has all the features most of us need and want including the LCD screen which is essential for those odd angle shots or upskirt fun stuff.... Right Lightspeed?

Sony DCR-VX2000 :
Why did nobody mention this camera? This is the best camera you can buy for the money and if you had done your homework, you would not have wasted your money on an XL1. This camera has 3 1/3" CCD's just like the XL1. It is much more compact and has the LCD screen to boot. It has a price point of about the same as the GL1 but runs circles around it as far as performance. The lens on the Sony is not as wide as the stock XL1 lens, but for under $200 you can buy a wide angle adapter. I have used this camera with the adapter and I have used the XL1. I can not see any difference in quality between them, especially once it has been put on-line in one of the many video formats. The quality goes down anyway. The sony offers more built in editing features for audio mixing too.

The garbage in, garbage out line will not apply for web based video with these 3 cameras because they are all good quality in the first place.

Bottom line:
Why waste money on an XL1 when it does not perform any better than the DCR-VX2000? Why pay the same amount for the GL1 as you would pay for the DCR-VX2000 when it blows the GL1 away? Go buy the Sony. It is the only sensible choice. You will thank me later.
http://www.sonystyle.com/digitalimag...s_VX2000.shtml

Peace

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Yeah the XL-1 is king but over kill for me.. *I wanted a viewfinder..You can get one on the xli but its like another 500 bucks for the option..Most porno movies are filmed on a xL1 now..

the xl1 is the best camera, cost no object. if you are shooting a large volume of professional/exclusive video, the camera is a fucking steal. lcd screen? great if you are shooting 1 ppov, otherwise who needs it? camera men use the eye piece.

we have the sony, and it is a good camera. then we bought an xl1. we obvioulsy prefer it. and bought 2 more.

correct, a large percentage of porn is now shot on xl1's. guess they didn't do their 'homework' either.

not saying the sony is a bad camera either. it is a *very* good camera. however, we prefer the xl1.

i was going to say the dcrvx2000 too, but it's still overkill for home movies.. i really think both the sony an the GL1 are still above beyond what fabian was after..

i've got the sony, it's fucking cool.. haven't tried the XL1 yet.. so i really can't enter in the debate here.. but it was a really tough choice between the two.. i eventually went for the sony because of the vx1000's track record and the price.. if i had money to waste i might have got the xl1 though..

You are correct. They did not do their homework. Homework is more than reading specs and reviews. It is using all the products and gaining first hand knowledge then making a choice based on your usage.

Who gives a rats ass what the pro's use to shoot feature porn films? We are talking about web work. Even if I were shooting pro stuff, I would still stick with the Sony. There is no reason to pay a grand more for the Canon. Most people who buy the Canon do so because of it's looks. Talk to a Canon rep at CES and ask them about their pole on that issue. If they are honest, they will tell you the same thing. If they tell you different, ask for a copy of the minutes from their last shareholders meeting. It is included in there.

believe what ever you like. or ask anyone who shoots serious amounts of video. regardless, the sony is a good camera. we like the xl1 better. after *owning* the sony first, then *owning the xl1*. not reading magazines.

no offense, but if you can't produce a 8 min avi file that is less than 65 mb, it is possible you may be a little new to video.
http://bbs.gofuckyourself.net/board/...ml/013888.html

again, no offense. both are good cameras. back to work...

LOL, fair question. I am not new to video. I am new to editing it myself and posting it to the web. You are a good debater. http://bbs.gofuckyourself.net/board/smile.gif