Is the Canon HV30 fine for a first-time filmmaker?

Question

I'm a wanna-be filmmaker (I'm not sure I can even call myself a "beginner" just yet). I've been looking at the Canon HV30 camcorder, which can shoot footage in 24p, and I like what I see.

Obviously, once I become more advanced and professional, I'd want a far more sophisticated video camera or just move on to film.

But, for now, would you consider the HV30 sufficient for a beginning independent filmmaker?

Answer 1

Any camcorder is fine for a beginner or novice filmmaker - especially those with HDV or miniDV recording media.

Your choice of the The Canon HV30 is a Great Choice.  This camera has all the basic functions of the professional models on a much simpler scale.  More importantly, this camera has only the features you need to concentrate on and learn first (such as focus, color, exposure, frame rate, and depth of field) before you move on to more advanced theory and techniques.

The automatic settings are better than normal.  If you want to turn all the other features to automatic so you can concentrate on a single feature, you can do that too.  It will allow you to practice your techniques and build you understanding of handling everything else relates to the camera such as scene, editing, and other considerations like film math (all the ratios, formulas, and conversions of frame rates, amounts of light, and resolutions).  

Answer 2

yea thats fine but you'd want to have something that has manual exposure and focus preferably.  Pretty much any camera is fine if you learn how to light well.  Play around with lighting, thats the most important thing in all film, video or raw stock.

What I would recommend is that you never get too caught up on the camera.  The camera is  just a tool to make the film, it won't make it for you and it won't make your footage look good.  It takes a lot of observation, mistakes, and basically fooling with stuff.  Also, there's a lot more to the filmic look than just shooting in 24 fps.

Send me a message or IM me if you want to bounce ideas off someone or just want some advice.