I am looking to buy a camcorder for max. 1,000. i want to make realistic films any suggestions?

Question

i have done a little research but there might be info i am missing. MiniDV or HDD? a friend mentioned XLR input for mics i didnt know what he was talking about. Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

For $1,000 you won't be able to ge a prosumer or pro grade cam - with XLR mic jacks... unless you buy used (which I would not recommend unless you know the owner).

If you look at what the pros use, it is not hard drive based consumer gear. If th camera uses a hard drive, it will be an external from Firestore connected to a miniDV tape based camcorder.

I *think* the closest you can get is a Canon HV30 plus an XLR adapter (like those from BeachTek or juicedLink). The you need a mic... The Audio Technical ATR-55 or the NRG Reasearch SA-568 are affordable condenser shotgun mics. The AT55 does not need an XLR adapter, but should remain mounted - or fairly close - to you camcorder. The SA-568 comes with a 1/8" cable to connect directly to your camcorder or an XLR connector (for the XLR adapter). XLR connectors using good mic cables are required for long cable runs (over 15-20 feet) so you do not pick up radio frequency (RF) or electro-magnetic interference (EMI). This is because the cable is shielded. Generally, 1/8" (or 3.5mm) cables are not shielded - OK for short runs, bad for long runs.

The least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that you can buy new and have XLR connectors are the Panasonic DVX100 series, Canon XHA1, Sony HVR-A1U, V1U and Z1U... They are outside your stated budget.

The HV30 does 24p (and 30p). Film cameras shoot 24p.

Tips:

DO NOT:

Zoom.

Pan.

use the camcorder handheld.

DO:

pan slowly if you must pan.

zoom slowly if you must zoom.

always use a tripod, monopod, SpiderBrace, or other steadying device.

Practice Practice Practice. Plan Plan Plan.

Write the script, turn that into storyboards, turn them into a shot list.

Practice the scene. Shoot the scene. Again, And again. And again. And just when you think you have the right clip, shoot it three more times.

There's a LOT more, but that is what film classes are for.

Answer 2

You have many options.  The best cameras for your need are the  professional camcorders.

You probably won't get a new professional camcorder for exactl $1,000.  If you can go up in prices, especially $2,000-$2,500, there are several brand new options.  There are a couple of base professional models that are sold close to $1,000, but you can also get a higher quality camera in a used condition for the same price.

The decision between new or used will be based on whether you want HD or SD.  Your available camera options will also depend on if you have the time to find them near you or look around online at places like Craigslist, Amazon (the used section), eBay, and your local videographers.  

* Yahoo won't let use put any direct links to places we know you can get the cameras you desire in the prices you want.   You have to find them on your own.  Yeah we know that defeats the purpose of Answers, but that is what Yahoo has clearly explained to us.

Anyway.. enough of that.  Let's start with the HD models.  There are several models you can find used for your price range.

- The Sony HVR-Z1 has been available for several years.  It was a huge favorite of professionals, and you saw it used a lot on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe.  If you can find a well used one, you can get the price down to $1,000 or close to it.

- The Sony HDR-FX1 and its big brother the HDR-FX7 can also be found in well used condition for around $1,000

- The Sony HVR-A1 was an awesome camera for us.  If ours had not been stolen, we would sell it to you for $1,000

- Sony HVR-V1 we purchased to use in place of the A1

- The Sony HVR-HD1000 is a base model professional HD camcorder sold new at around $1,500



And now the SD models:

- The Panasnic Pro AG-DVC20 is available brand new for around $1,250

- Panasonic AG-DVX100 available brand new at close to $1,000 and has DVX100A and DVX100B variants available used for your price

- Canon GL1 and GL2 both are excellent compact camcorders that are good backups for the XL series below

- Canon XL1 and XL1S both have been used very successfully in nature documentaries seen on the Discovery Network's Animal Planet

- Sony DCR-VX2100 and old favorite of news crews when they first went compact, mobile digital



There are other models available that you might run into along the way.  We just grabbed a handful of the most common models most people are familiar with.

Happy Hunting

by the way, we think you mean miniDV or HDV - almost all of the small format professional HD camcorders use HDV (not HDD - hard disc drive).  Also, most professional camcorders have XLR ports for connecting external mics, and some cameras include a decent quality shotgun mic.