[ashleary]

Hi guys, I really hope someone can help. Ive recently finished my media degree and im looking to do some freelance camera work to try and earn some money while i.m looking for a more permanent job in the industry.

Ive been shooting my uni stuff with my canon mv600 but obviously i need to upgrade now im entering the semi-pro world. this is where i need the help.

im overwhelmed by the choice of cameras on the market. im looking to spend between 400 and 450 pounds (not a lot i know but im on a budget).

im not overly savvy on the tech terms but i dont ever know where to start.

i mean how would something like this
SONY DCR-PC1000E *2.8 MEGA PIXEL* PC1000 * PAL * on eBay (end time 16-Oct-09 22:00:18 BST)

compare with something like a second hand Canon Xl1?

From what i read both have 3 ccd (again apologies for being a noob!)


Any advice would be massively welcomed!!

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by ashleary

Hi guys, I really hope someone can help. Ive recently finished my media degree and im looking to do some freelance camera work to try and earn some money while i.m looking for a more permanent job in the industry.

Ive been shooting my uni stuff with my canon mv600 but obviously i need to upgrade now im entering the semi-pro world. this is where i need the help.

im overwhelmed by the choice of cameras on the market. im looking to spend between 400 and 450 pounds (not a lot i know but im on a budget).

im not overly savvy on the tech terms but i dont ever know where to start.

i mean how would something like this
SONY DCR-PC1000E *2.8 MEGA PIXEL* PC1000 * PAL * on eBay (end time 16-Oct-09 22:00:18 BST)

compare with something like a second hand Canon Xl1?

From what i read both have 3 ccd (again apologies for being a noob!)


Any advice would be massively welcomed!!

DCR-PC1000E (DCRPC1000E) : Camcorders : Sony
you can not be comparing the sony with the canon or am i missing something.

[ashleary]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

DCR-PC1000E (DCRPC1000E) : Camcorders : Sony
you can not be comparing the sony with the canon or am i missing something.

yup ur missing the fact im a noob and need some advice!! I picked those two because they both have 3ccd??

Like i said i need some advice on what to buy

how about this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Panasonic-NV-G...#ht_990wt_1165

what kind of results would a camera like this give me?

[A n d r e w]

The GS500 is good as far as it goes, but it's certainly not a semi-pro camcorder by any stretch of the imagination. The GS400 was better (it had a better range of manual controls), but still not semi-pro. These are consumer camcorders. Neither is in the same league as the XL1 as far as image quality goes.

What sort of thing are you going to shoot? Who are you going to be shooting for?

[ashleary]

Im hoping to try and get work doing promotional dvd's, training videos, local events such as gigs, wrestling/boxing etc

i'll not be filming feature films as thats not the thing i'm looking to go into yet

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by ashleary

yup ur missing the fact im a noob and need some advice!! I picked those two because they both have 3ccd??

Like i said i need some advice on what to buy

how about this?
Panasonic NV-GS500 3CCD Video Camera + Lots of Pro Kit on eBay (end time 13-Nov-09 01:24:39 GMT)

what kind of results would a camera like this give me?

Well if you want my advise buy what you can afford depending on how much use the cam will get, the XL1 is standard dv but a realy good one but if you dont want a large prosumer cam and i am biased i know but i would advise a second hand canon HV 20/30/, They can record sd or hd and are capable of making lovely looking footage and films.

[Ken42]

I recommend the Canon HV20/30 too. You'll also need a mike, a tripod and editing software for promotional videos.

[ashleary]

Thanks Chris and Ken, i'll have a look around ebay for a hv20 or hv30 then.

what noticable differences will i notice if i upgrade from my mv600 to this?

Already got my copy of adobe premiere from editing my uni work and i got a tripod as well. Any recommendations for the microphone?

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by ashleary

Thanks Chris and Ken, i'll have a look around ebay for a hv20 or hv30 then.

what noticable differences will i notice if i upgrade from my mv600 to this?

Already got my copy of adobe premiere from editing my uni work and i got a tripod as well. Any recommendations for the microphone?

The Mv600 Canon MV600i Digital Camcorder Reviews Australia www.canon.com.au
Looks fine for a dv cam but the only thing i would take from it for my HV30 would be the 18x lens the hvs only have 10x but i use a wide and tele add on lenses, as a rule hd consumer cams dont have the zoom range as sd cams,what ever cam you get an external mic is a must i use a rode stereo mic and like it, the rode video mic is also an option but on my cam its long lenghth can show on wide angle.

[ashleary]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

The Mv600 Canon MV600i Digital Camcorder Reviews Australia www.canon.com.au
Looks fine for a dv cam but the only thing i would take from it for my HV30 would be the 18x lens the hvs only have 10x but i use a wide and tele add on lenses, as a rule hd consumer cams dont have the zoom range as sd cams,what ever cam you get an external mic is a must i use a rode stereo mic and like it, the rode video mic is also an option but on my cam its long lenghth can show on wide angle.

so maybe i should keep my camera and buy a new lens to put on it with a new microphone to fit on the top?
or should i go for a new camera lol

[tanmaysnv]

Hi
There are probably other good offerings from Sony, Panasonic and others. I haven't heard of any "bad" cameras from any of them. From a personal perspective, I have a four year old Panasonic GS400 and find their controls wildly confusing and counterintuitive. Sony's are slightly less so.
Thanks

[senu]

Originally Posted by tanmaysnv

Hi
There are probably other good offerings from Sony, Panasonic and others. I haven't heard of any "bad" cameras from any of them. From a personal perspective, I have a four year old Panasonic GS400 and find their controls wildly confusing and counterintuitive. Sony's are slightly less so.
Thanks

They all have thier " quirks" when it comes to controls
I would not say Sonys are less so ..
I have a Sony HC1 HDV camcorder which has a few button but is largely touch screen menu controlled. Thankfully for zoom, manual focus and exposure there are real buttond and dials., not so for other functions
otherwise it has 84 different menu options buried under submenus and 1 or 2 third party books/ DVD manuals devoted to its use..

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by ashleary

so maybe i should keep my camera and buy a new lens to put on it with a new microphone to fit on the top?
or should i go for a new camera lol

All i can tell you is the HVs will give you as good a daylight picture as machines costing 3000£, i think you misunderstood i said i wished the HVs had an 18x times lens like your presnt cam, its up to you regarding whether to keep using your present cam but if you do change certainly go HD.
http://www.hv20.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8 This is some of the sort of films that can be made with HVs and few are with nice daylight.
http://www.vimeo.com/6493585