Semi Pro Camera

sud said:
We will be using the camera for Doco's, will be traveling a lot and would expect it to be at least broadcast HD quality, that said I did not realize that broadcast HD cut off at 720p.

Reading all of what everyone has mentioned about the different formats and standards has confused me even more.

What must I buy, I need to edit it in FCP we do not have a mac pro which is why I wanted to edit without converting into other formats first. The machine we will be editing with for portability and budget is a new macbook unibody 2.4ghz, 4gb ram with an ssd drive.

Quality is top of the list thats why I thought I needed 1080i/p.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

1080i or 720p will qualify as broadcast quality. If you have a laptop or reasonably recent mac, editing natively in HDV or other such formats will be speedy enough, though judging by others' comments, AVCHD should probably be avoided. Seeing your budget, tape is probably going to be the way to go. Are you shooting, or do you have a DP on board? If you're aiming for broadcast quality, who is broadcasting? If you're doing this for a specific organization or broadcast or venue, ask them what their requirements are.
 
For what its worth, I just finished shooting a 90-minute doc using the Canon XhA1 for under $10,000. While admittedly HDV is not the best format to use as far as color chroming and compression, it fit our budget and needs quite well. Since we were traveling quite a bit following a young man (so run n' gun was definitely needed), tape just made a lot more sense to us and became a lifesaver. The convenience and affordability of being able to just reload a tape without missing a beat was invaluable, as we shot over 200 hours of footage (not to mention the tapes serve as instant backup).

Of course, the obvious downside is also the real-time import, but I am happy to say we just finished editing the rough cut natively in FCS2, while rendering in Apple Pro Res, and it has gone very smoothly on both a white macbook and older (non-unibody) MBP.

Again, while I'm not recommending that you run out and buy an XHA1, I am strongly encouraging you to take all of your factors into account - not just picture quality. As Lethal also mentioned, please please please remember all of the additional costs of a full camera package (tripod, lights, sound, batteries, travel cases etc), and the tried and true adage that its much less about what is doing the shooting and more about who is doing the shooting.

For any other questions, I'd be happy to lend what little advice I can. Directing a 90-min doc at 22 years old was an interesting, fun, and educational experience. www.aFightingChanceMovie.com

- T
 
"Again, while I'm not recommending that you run out and buy an XHA1, I am strongly encouraging you to take all of your factors into account - not just picture quality. As Lethal also mentioned, please please please remember all of the additional costs of a full camera package (tripod, lights, sound, batteries, travel cases etc), and the tried and true adage that its much less about what is doing the shooting and more about who is doing the shooting."

That is excellent advice. I own and shoot solely (now) on Panny 200a's. Excellent cameras, but definitely alot to know about them before you can master them. Barry Green wrote great books on both the DVX and HVX and he moderates an excellent website geared towards both of these cams. There are also excellent sites on the EX-1/FX-1 Sony cams, The JVC and Canon cams mentioned, etc. The internet "makes" owning a pro camera a bit easier, but it is an entirely new ball game with manual cam control. As T mentioned, for both audio and video. There are a ton of parameters to take into consideration before popping down 5k on a camera and then realizing you need 2.5k in media, another grand in lighting, 500 in mics, Pelican case, headphones, hard drives, FCP (or another editing program), etc. Then you find what a decent tripod will cost:)

If you don't need High Def, check out the DVX100 from Panasonic. I know, I know....who in their right mind would shoot 480 these days:)

Good Luck...>Research (dvxuser.com) or dvinfo.net for a pretty wide range of coverage on different cams and LOTS of info on General HD (720/1080) acquisition...differences between codecs, etc.

Good Luck. Also, depending on your project, there are ways to work with tape. Don't automatically count it out. But solid state is where the future is, whether it is SDHC, P2, SxS, etc.

J
 
akdj said:
"Again, while I'm not recommending that you run out and buy an XHA1, I am strongly encouraging you to take all of your factors into account - not just picture quality. As Lethal also mentioned, please please please remember all of the additional costs of a full camera package (tripod, lights, sound, batteries, travel cases etc), and the tried and true adage that its much less about what is doing the shooting and more about who is doing the shooting."

That is excellent advice. I own and shoot solely (now) on Panny 200a's. Excellent cameras, but definitely alot to know about them before you can master them. Barry Green wrote great books on both the DVX and HVX and he moderates an excellent website geared towards both of these cams. There are also excellent sites on the EX-1/FX-1 Sony cams, The JVC and Canon cams mentioned, etc. The internet "makes" owning a pro camera a bit easier, but it is an entirely new ball game with manual cam control. As T mentioned, for both audio and video. There are a ton of parameters to take into consideration before popping down 5k on a camera and then realizing you need 2.5k in media, another grand in lighting, 500 in mics, Pelican case, headphones, hard drives, FCP (or another editing program), etc. Then you find what a decent tripod will cost:)

If you don't need High Def, check out the DVX100 from Panasonic. I know, I know....who in their right mind would shoot 480 these days:)

Good Luck...>Research (dvxuser.com) or dvinfo.net for a pretty wide range of coverage on different cams and LOTS of info on General HD (720/1080) acquisition...differences between codecs, etc.

Good Luck. Also, depending on your project, there are ways to work with tape. Don't automatically count it out. But solid state is where the future is, whether it is SDHC, P2, SxS, etc.

J
Click to expand...

Its been interesting reading all the different opinions and options out there, my budget is 5K just for the camera, We have FCP2 and will hire any tripods, and lighting we need.

I will need to purchase a cary bag and extra power for the camera.

I did consider the Canon 5D MK2 but we need a dedicated cam, that is comfy to cary, hold both off the shoulder for low shoots.

Tape might still do the trick but we are really looking at solid state in some form. I have researched some and do like the JVC mentioned above. What are your thoughts on it?

We hope to get the doco aired on national television in Australia for a start, realistically it will first start out being hosted.

Thats why we are looking at some HD format.

Thank you.

T
 
In that case, I would either buy the Sony EX-1 or the Panasonic HVX200(a)/HPX170 (no tape/P2 only). There is certainly an avid Canon following as well. I shoot Canon for still photography and have a 5Dmk2 in the bag now as a back up during video shoots as well. I have not used their video gear so YMMV.

Check out www.dvxuser.com Excellent site for all of the cameras discussed in this thread (Pannys, Sonys, and Canons) except maybe extensive JVC talk....there is some though, check out the New Guys forum. Quite a bit of participation in the new "Still cams for video camp"....including the GH1(Panny), D90(Nikon), and the 5D (Canon).

You keep fishing for JVC opinions and I don't know if there is a big following in their "Semi Pro" or "Prosumer" level. Seems like the new GY-HM100U will be an impressive and "cost effective" solution. I haven't seen any mention or reviews yet, but it looks nice. SDHC @ 35mbs compression. 1920x1080 @ 24/25/30p 1280x720 @ 24/25/30/50/60. Pretty decent little camera. Limiting 1/4" sensors though...
The Sonys, Pannys and Canons are pretty tried, true and proven. They've each been around at least a year, lots of people have them...so you have an extensive support network, and the workflow is beautiful with SS media and FCP. My P2 transfers are quick, easy, and reliable. Cards just released are half the price of the "Pro" cards. The new E series are supposedly good for 5 years, IF you use them EVERY day! LOL> Doesn't matter what media we as video guys are using OR what we spend on it...In 5 years, it's on the bottom of the tool kit:)

As a 200a owner, if I was buying now....with the prices down a thousand since I purchased....I would Definitely buy the EX1. Rolling Shutter, Shmolling Putter.....don't listen to the BS> It's an awesome camera.

...But, I do Love my 200! Tough choice, neither is bad. I'm just not sure I would buy a Canon video cam. Or deal with HDV...but again, YMMV

J
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top