Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

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matt414
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

Post by matt414 »

I need a dv camcorder for an amatuer style film that we are making for http://www.amandacharles.com/[/url]
Im looking to pay between ?200 & ?400 and wondered if anyone could give me any advice on what make/model is best for that price bracket?
It needs to be good quality but im not making the di vinci code II! lol
Any advice would be appreciated........
matt414
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

Post by matt414 »

Thanks for that phototaker, is this the sony model you are talking about?
Sony DCR-HC24 Digital Camcorder
Its ?237 reduced online price from currys, think am gonna go for that one.
sparky
Posts: 1369
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

Post by sparky »

I note photo-takers comments about Panasonic 3ccd.

A colleage has one (not sure which model) but small and bought about a year ago.
The results can be very good.
However it struggles to focus at lower light levels and in a situation 3 weeks ago with mixed natural, flourescent and some other artificial (not standard tungsten) light cream walls came out yellow. Two other older Panasonic DV and a 6 year old Sony Hi8 gave much better colour balance.

Maybe current models have been improved.

Personally I do not like the Panasonic menu system either - too complex to find something quickly or even just check settings.

Sony cameras themselves are usually good however I hate due to price of extra batteries, even clone ones.
Also with a clone be sure to 'try b4 you buy' or be 100% sure of a refund if your camcorder rejects the battery.

Clones for Canon & JVC much much cheaper, particularly on eBay.

Jessops did have a Canon MV940 at a reduced price a few weeks ago.

Or for something small JVC GR-DX107 but again only 10x zoom and if portability not a priority a physically larger camera probably easier to use.

If you can go into Jessops at a quiet time and try a few to find one that you find easy to operate.
Steven
Posts: 215
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

Post by Steven »

You must set the white balance manually to get accurate colour. Its even more critical when light is coming from a mixture of sources with different colour temperatures.
matt414
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: Can anyone give me advice on dv camcorders?

Post by matt414 »

Thanks for all the advice people,
so the bgafd is not just full of war mongers after all! !happy!
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