What Camcorder?? (Shooting Scenes for Website)

[ThePussyKing]

Hi Everyone,

Ok need some advice from people who have been in the industry a while. My partner and I are shooting scenes for our website to be released later this year. After speaking to a number of people in the industry, I have been told a number of different things when chosing a camcorder for this purpose.

I know a lot of the big companys are using High Def cameras like the Sony Z1. However I think something like this would be overkill for what we want.

I have a few questions that need answering.

1/ Should I go for a HD (Hi Def) camera 1080i

2/ What Brand, Sony, Canon, JVC or Panasonic

3/ Do I need one of the larger type of camera like the Sony FX1 or FX7 or something handheld that is the same spec like the JVC GZ-HD7EK or even smaller the Panasonic HDC-SD9EB which is 3CCD and Hi Def.

4/ What is the best capture medium for this, MiniDV, Hard Drive or the Newer type storing to SD cards etc.

Another question I would like someone to answer is on lighting.

Do I really need expensive lights if we are filming in a well lit apartment. Can we get away with lights from a DIY type shop rather than over priced film lights. I know this may sound a little odd but I have been told by someone in the Industry this works very well.

Also please remember we are filming for a website not dvd. So the content will be compressed regardless.

Basically I want someone to recommend a camera that is perfect for this type of shoot.

Budget for the camera is around 700-1500 quid.


hope you can help

cheers
TPK

[Androm]

I really think it depends on how much you are going to use it. Two or Three grand for one or two days shooting porn a month is a lot of cash. If you are going to spend around ?1500 it maybe better to buying 2 camcoders around ?700 so you get different shots.

Professional cameras should be able to withstand more rough working because of their build quality and image should always be good.

January is not a good time to buy a new camcorder because all the makers have just released their updated versions of last years camcorders. However, most are yet to be in the shops (March/April).

Personally, I'd go High Def. There will be very few SD camcorders around in the next few years. This year Panasonic cut their SD range. Next year I see them getting rid of them altogether.

You have to think pf how you are going to work, what connectors on the camera you wantm ECT. Example, all the new camera's have inbuilt mics some with surround sound 5.1 blah, blah. Do you want to input an external mic? This feature alone cuts down the camcorders you can buy.

There are alot of new camcorders around the ?700 - ?1000 mark. JVC GZ-HD7EK and it's smaller sister are 3ccd camera's. However, the new Canon HV30 has one Cmos chip. Yet, all reviews I've seen have said the Canon out performs the JCV 3CCD in picture quality. As for format it'shard to tell out the moment. High Def tape is fine, SD and Hard Drive are new technologies for camcorders so are a little unproven.

The best advice I could give is to go to somewhere like Calumet and ask them to set up 3 or 4 camera's you are interested in, film all 3 at the same time on the same subject, take a laptop with you to render and see which one gives you the results you want.

For video work - more light normally better picture. That's why TV studio's use a lot of lbright light. Normal lights give off a yellow/amber colour. Some of the new High Def Camera's have white balence modes to alter this but I still think it's best to avoid the problem in the first place.

You maybe be able get away with daylight bulbs with natural light.

ANything more drop me a line.

[ThePussyKing]

thanks but that bit I know.

I'm using Premiere CS3. I was going to buy Final Cut Studio 2 but thought, to get an Imac with 4 gigs of Ram then blag a copy of FCP6 off a mate and go back to basics learning a new software was just not worth it. Adobe Premiere is fine and works well along side Photoshop CS3.

[PondLife]

If you are not too concerned about accurate skin tones, then halogen lights available from B&Q work quite well. You can get them on stands for about ?20. They are meant to be used by painters/decorators for lighting rooms so they can see what they are doing, I think.

I know one well-known professional photographer who used to use them all the time for his work, when he shot video for the internet.

They aren't perfect, but they are worth trying. The alternatives are rather more expensive.