[ringo747]

Hi,

I am looking to get my first HD camcorder to replace an old tape machine I have here. I would love something like the prosumer sony hdv machines but they are too expensive at the moment.

I am keen to get a cheaper camcorder to do me for a while before I can afford my bigger machine. Therefore, it is important that I can use the two together if need be. I assume that tape would be the best option here? The way I see it is having two tape camcorders together is much handier that one tape and one with another form of media.

Are the hard drive or flash memory camcorders a good job or are they not as used by professionals as much? I would count myself as being in the market for a prosumer machine i.e. not too professional but also not a simple home handy cam user.

I will be using mostly for events like motorsports and airshows.

I had been looking at the canon range. The HDV models such as the HV40 seem to rate very highly. Should these be a good touch or maybe look towards the Sony?

Budget wise I'd like to spend £800 max if possible but flexible slightly.

Any tips or info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by ringo747

Hi,

I am looking to get my first HD camcorder to replace an old tape machine I have here. I would love something like the prosumer sony hdv machines but they are too expensive at the moment.

I am keen to get a cheaper camcorder to do me for a while before I can afford my bigger machine. Therefore, it is important that I can use the two together if need be. I assume that tape would be the best option here? The way I see it is having two tape camcorders together is much handier that one tape and one with another form of media.

Are the hard drive or flash memory camcorders a good job or are they not as used by professionals as much? I would count myself as being in the market for a prosumer machine i.e. not too professional but also not a simple home handy cam user.

I will be using mostly for events like motorsports and airshows.

I had been looking at the canon range. The HDV models such as the HV40 seem to rate very highly. Should these be a good touch or maybe look towards the Sony?

Budget wise I'd like to spend £800 max if possible but flexible slightly.

Any tips or info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

i have had two sony hdv cams, and still own a fx7, i once owned a hc-1 sony but it did not give good servise for me and needed repair twice after two years i then sold it as it was in need of repair again ,i also have a canon hv30 and i have to say i was very surprised how good the picture is on this cam better than my fx7 in as much as its colour noise etc ,only in slightly better DOF is the fx 7 better , but the fx7 does have a lot of on cam controls and a very good 20x lens,
If the hv 40 takes your eye i would recommend it you may even find a hv 30 which is realy an identical camcorder in pal land.
i also once owned a sony sr12 avchd cam but the editing difficulties was one reason why i sold that cam.