What camcorders can you recommend for an entry-level documentary/Indy filmaker?

Question

What camcorders can you recommend for an entry-level documentary/Indy filmaker?

Answer 1

Entry level as most have found out  is the only way to learn the basics. If i were you i would get a Canon x1 hd 10 x zoom and never use it without a tripod. get yourself some footage of a regular traffic shot when your working with it try not to zoom or keep up with the movement it makes people seasick .

i know the others will laugh at my suggestion but i can assure you the best cameras they come up with will pale in the review and no one will ever know. try and volunteer with a pro shooter at the races see what he does write it down volunteer to be the gowffer for him .

most of those guys such as the first guy to answer would be a good choice. i shoot   boxing matches for the Canadian Olympic  teams. all volunteer but it pays my time and they let me use the pro equipement, dont be to quick to spend a ton of money unless you realy need it, my bet is the two before me could supply you with a ton of equipement they bought before the found out it was obsolete. good luck  and try to find a good spot. to see the race.

hope to see you there someday.

Answer 2

i suggest canon hg10 to you

in my opinion it is the most popular camcorder for nowadays

Answer 3

And don't forget the JVC GY-HD111e (110 in the US). These cameras will blow away any other camera mentioned here but they do have a learning curve which will in turn teach you a lot about cinematography. They shoot in 720p and DV...and the DV is amazing...better than any of the Canon and Sony cameras.

However...I would recommend that you try to get to test drive all of them...shoot, capture, edit and produce footage and see how they compare with the type of projects you are going to be doing. The JVC does produce very "filmy" footage, which may not be to everyone's preferences if they are used to working with interlaced DV, but the images are sharp with good colour.  If you want it to look like it's shot on 16mm or 35mm film then JVC HD will do it for you. We're currently using two of these cameras alongside 16mm shooting a feature and the results are excellent. I use the same cameras for my everyday work in broadcast documentary and corporate video work too.

Once again...try to road-test everything you can and then make the decision with your budget and results. I know too many people that bought the wrong cameras for their purposes and regretted it later.

I hope that helps

Best of luck with your career...and don't forget... the story and the way you tell it,  is the most important ingredient.

Cheers

Answer 4

Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam Camcorder, Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition are very good.

Check here http://digitalcameras.fateback.com/Camco...  to see more

Answer 5

You will want a camcorder that provides you enough flexibility - and quality video.

1) Best video quality comes from miniDV tape based camcorders. DV and HDV do not compress digital video as much as other storage media. Video compression = lost data = reduced quality.

2) Mic-in jack for an external mic.

3) Manual audio control.

The least expensive camcorder that meet all these requirements are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9. They are all around $800 or so. All four of these cameras can shoot in standard definition or high definition video formats.

The next step takes us to a couple of standard def only cameras... Canon GL2, Sony DCR-VX2100.

The next step takes us to a mix of standard def and hidef cameras...

Canon XL2, XHA1

Sony HDR-FX1, FX7, HVR-A1U, V1U, Z1U

Panasonic DVX100B, HDX200

So... it depends on your budget... Your computer will need a firewire port for importing the video. Check your available hard drive space - Standard def uses about 13 gig of hard drive per hour of imported video - hidef uses 44 gig of hard drive per hour of imported video. Another internal or  external (firewire) connected drive is recommended (500 gig minimum) for just video projects.

You will want different mics... a shotgun mic, one or two wireless lavalieres and maybe a condenser mic or two. Since the good mics are typically XLR, you will need an XLR adapter (like a BeachTek) for those cameras that have only a 1/8" mic in jack.

And maybe a boom pole and a shock mount (Sabra SMM-1 Universal) and a zeppelin (also known as a "dead cat")... and 2-6 25 foot XLR cables. And good sturdy cases (I use Pelican cases). And a fluid-head tripod.