what kind of professional camcorder?

[GonzoCircus]

I'm in the market for a professional camcorder, and looking at the canon gl1 and xl1, both with retail prices out of my price range ($1200), but I see some auction and used prices near that. I need something that is capable of a high quality picture for short independent films. I'm wondering what are some other cameras that would have comperable capabilities as those cameras, and if they'd be in my price range, and if anyone knows of a good site to purchase them. There doesn't seem to be much of a camcorder review site online, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Ornery]

Bump out of curiosity.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

A used Sony TRV-900 can be had for around $1000 and is an excellent camera for the $$.

 

[oogabooga]

i've worked with the gl2, and it was amazing. Though DV is no replacment for film, it is definatley $$$. unfortunatley it costs a lot of $$$. If you're making short independant films, and are serious (i'm kinda ssuming you are?) I would save up till you have the money to invest in the right camera. My friend got his Gl2 i believe for 1800 after rebates (since there was a promotion at the time). Editing in Final cut and using Magic bullet the quality of the movies have gone up noticably.

Speaking of rebates : http://consumer.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/dv/coupon_gl2_070104.pdf Saw this for the GL2. I don't know if it's in your range or if you've looked at it.

As for camcorder review sites, it's a bit hart to rate a camcorder as it varies by use/user a lot more than a camera would. Talk to anyone else you know who might own such high end camera's and see if you can get a chance to work with the cameras. G'luck.

 

[vshah]

i have a gl2 and i love it. to be honest i've never used anything else though, my family bought it on the word of a friend who's pretty proficient. it has noticably (sp) better quality than my friend's $500 camcorder

-Vivan

 

[MournSanity]

I want an XL1-S so bad or a sony vx-2100 or anything

 

[beatmix01]

just make sure the camera you look at has 3 CCDs. My cam has only one and I a am beginning to see video artifacts.

 

[Night201]

I have the Panasonic DVC80. It's the same camera as the DVX100a, but it doesn't do progressive, which I don't need. It's a little over $2000. Any new prosumer camera is going to be about $2000+ unless you get one used or get an older model.

I love this camera!

 

[x RiSE x]

I wouldnt recommend buying a used video camera, if you really want to get a 3chip camera i would save up a little more money and get something you know is new with a warrenty, ive heard a lot of horror storys about people buying used pro cameras on ebay and have them dead in 6 months. Also do research, if you see a site selling a new camera for WAY lower then its supposed to its a scam. Check out the fourms on dv.com. Also http://www.bhphotovideo.com is a good company to buy from.

Look into the VX2000, as well as the canons.

Night201, the Panasonic DVC80 isnt 24-frame like the DVX100 is it?

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: RiSE
I wouldnt recommend buying a used video camera, if you really want to get a 3chip camera i would save up a little more money and get something you know is new with a warrenty, ive heard a lot of horror storys about people buying used pro cameras on ebay and have them dead in 6 months. Also do research, if you see a site selling a new camera for WAY lower then its supposed to its a scam. Check out the fourms on dv.com. Also http://www.bhphotovideo.com is a good company to buy from.

Look into the VX2000, as well as the canons.

Night201, the Panasonic DVC80 isnt 24-frame like the DVX100 is it?

Good advice. No, the DVC80 doesn't do 24-frame progressive. If you don't plan on shooting in that mode, then this is a great camera. The Sony will be better in low-light though, but in normal conditions, this camera has a great picture!

 

[x RiSE x]

hey night got any footage online with your camera? I would kill for a DVX100a i hear the new GL2 has 24p and some other features like they panny. Ive used a GL and XL and i just didnt feel confortable with them.