Digital Video Camera... which one?

[TrueBlueLS]

Okay, I'm looking into buying a digital video camera within the next week or two. I'm looking to tape different things with my car and the car shows that are going to be next year. I'm looking for something that's going to have a really good resolution to it but not have to pay $4,500 for the top of the line. After all the files are edited, I'm going to be burning the finished video onto a CD to play in my DVD player. What do you guys suggest?

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

holy crap woops. you said VIDEO camera sorry!

 

[Ranger]

I have the canon GL1, i think it was 2,400 a year ago with filters and such. It was a large step up from Sony TRV-340 (599).
I still don't like the mic's on the GL1 and if i had any money left after getting computer upgrades i would get better ones.
I have made lots of VCD's and about 25 DVD's so far with it, doing another big project next friday.
Don't ever expect to take a good still picture with it though.

Andy

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Nah... no stills, just straight forward crazy videos.

 

[Muadib]

I just got the Sony TRV 50. The video quality is on par with the gl1, even though it only has 1 CCD. It's quote a bit smaller than the gl1 too, making it easier to hold steady with one hand.

 

[TheShiz]

I also have a GL1, they have the GL2 now which is more expensive, you can prob pick up a used GL1 for maybe 1,700. You have a big budget there, if you want something really good you might want to look around. I heard a while back of a camera coming out that shoots in 24p so it is easy to transfer to film, but I don't think you'd need that. Theres also some nice mid-end sony dig camcorders like the VX2000.

Tim

 

[Muadib]

He didn't really say what his budget was, only that he didn't want to spend $4500 for top of the line. It would help if he did though.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: TheShiz
I also have a GL1, they have the GL2 now which is more expensive, you can prob pick up a used GL1 for maybe 1,700. You have a big budget there, if you want something really good you might want to look around. I heard a while back of a camera coming out that shoots in 24p so it is easy to transfer to film, but I don't think you'd need that. Theres also some nice mid-end sony dig camcorders like the VX2000.

Tim

That VX2000 Sony camera is a good camera. I've read plenty of reviews and they are all good bar none.

Its officially the *porno* camera, as it is the most used DV camera in the porn industry because of its resolution and overal quality.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: TheShiz
I also have a GL1, they have the GL2 now which is more expensive, you can prob pick up a used GL1 for maybe 1,700. You have a big budget there, if you want something really good you might want to look around. I heard a while back of a camera coming out that shoots in 24p so it is easy to transfer to film, but I don't think you'd need that. Theres also some nice mid-end sony dig camcorders like the VX2000.

Tim

That VX2000 Sony camera is a good camera. I've read plenty of reviews and they are all good bar none.

Its officially the *porno* camera, as it is the most used DV camera in the porn industry because of its resolution and overal quality.

And you would know this, how?????

 

[hans007]

i bought a

Sharp VL-WD250U

on ebay.

i am getting it in a few days, but well since it looks like there are camera buffs in this thread, tell me what you think.


i got it refurb on ebay for $325 with a one year warranty.

most of the reviews say the picture is decent. its got a 460,000 ccd (i coulda bought a jvc for the same price with a 680,000 pixel ccd but i didnt for a good reason).

it has color view finder, color 2.5" lcd, mini dv, and 26x optical (the jvc i coulda got only had 10x optical).

anyways, i bought it just to make stupid home movies of crap my friends do, but i still like to get the best for my money, so i'm asking your opinion on if this was a good deal (as i wouldnt know if it was relatively good, even when i did use it)

 

[Muadib]

bought a Sharp VL-WD250U

The biggest proplem I had with it was the sound. The mike on it is the pits. The video on it is pretty good though. Can't be beat for what you got it for. I tried to get a pal of mine to do the same thing. He balked when he heard the word refurb, and got a Hi8 model instead.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Muadib

bought a Sharp VL-WD250U

The biggest proplem I had with it was the sound. The mike on it is the pits. The video on it is pretty good though. Can't be beat for what you got it for. I tried to get a pal of mine to do the same thing. He balked when he heard the word refurb, and got a Hi8 model instead.

i guess the higher wd450 model, is the same camera but with a big boom mic, where the camera light mount is, so i guess i should buy one of those mic's.

 

[Muadib]

Yeah, you should, if you can find one. That was another problem. Finding Sharp accessories was a big pain. That might have changed though.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: TheShiz
I also have a GL1, they have the GL2 now which is more expensive, you can prob pick up a used GL1 for maybe 1,700. You have a big budget there, if you want something really good you might want to look around. I heard a while back of a camera coming out that shoots in 24p so it is easy to transfer to film, but I don't think you'd need that. Theres also some nice mid-end sony dig camcorders like the VX2000.

Tim

That VX2000 Sony camera is a good camera. I've read plenty of reviews and they are all good bar none.

Its officially the *porno* camera, as it is the most used DV camera in the porn industry because of its resolution and overal quality.

And you would know this, how?????

I know this because I've seen many documentary's about porn people and they are using the vx2000. They use to use the vx1000 then upgraded. If you see a porno documentary chances are the camera guy will be using a vx2000 or the Canon top end camera with 3CCD that looks unconventional. You'll know when you see it or you probably know the one I'm talking about already.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Yeah, you should, if you can find one. That was another problem. Finding Sharp accessories was a big pain. That might have changed though.

the mic mount is a standard one it seems, for light kits. my parents 2 light super bright light that they had from their old sharp view cam fits... cool.

 

[Pliablemoose]

You guys watch porn documentaries?

 

[TrueBlueLS]

I wanted to try and keep it as close to the $1,000 mark as possible. I don't want a piece of junk like those Panasonic 4-in-1s.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
You guys watch porn documentaries?

yes i was wondering this same thing? who makes porn documentaries?

 

[Muadib]

know this because I've seen many documentary's about porn people and they are using the vx2000. They use to use the vx1000 then upgraded. If you see a porno documentary chances are the camera guy will be using a vx2000 or the Canon top end camera with 3CCD that looks unconventional. You'll know when you see it or you probably know the one I'm talking about already

I'm with the others when it comes to porn documentaries. I didn't know there was such a thing. I do know about the Cannon though. You're talking about the XL1, I think it's the top dog in the mini dv world, but the vx2000 is right up there.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: Muadib
Yeah, you should, if you can find one. That was another problem. Finding Sharp accessories was a big pain. That might have changed though.

the mic mount is a standard one it seems, for light kits. my parents 2 light super bright light that they had from their old sharp view cam fits... cool.

That's cool. That should make things easy then.

AMDStunna,

In the 1k range, I like:
Panasonic PV-DV701 - It lists for $999, and has great video.
Sony TRV 27 or 25 - Good video, and Sears carries them. You can pricematch with a not so safe net store for a great deal.
Sony TRV 50 - Great video, I love ot so far.
Sony DCR-PC110 - Breaks the 1k range, but you should find it for around $1300. I hate this style of cam, but the video is great.
Canon Optura 100MC - Again, I hate this type, but it has great video, and can be had for $1200 or so.

 

[yakko]

Try this.

You can probably find it cheaper.