Camcorder Suggestions for Amateur filmers

I am not going t be original: the Canon XA10.

Hi bsow - in your price range (camcorder only) I would get the $1100 Sony NEX-VG20 body and a $100 used manual focus low light lens like this $94 SLR Magic 28mm f2.8. Here are a couple of sample videos with this lens and the VG20's predecessor camera, the VG10:

http://vimeo.com/25116898
http://vimeo.com/25172619

If you need autofocus, you might want to try to come up with an extra $80 for a $180 used Sigma 30mm f2.8 from Amazon Warehouse Deals.

If your budget has to cover the camera, lenses, wireless mic, tripod, etc. - then I would recommend a $675 Panasonic X900 camcorder, a $110 AVTP Professional fluid head tripod, a $553 used Sennheiser G3 wireless mic, and a $174 used Tascam DR-40 recorder. This should handle your interviews and give you clean image and sound. If your bar interiors are too dark, though, you may have to spring for some lights.

The X900 is the best value for money prosumer camcorder on the market, in my view. I have its predecessor camera, the TM900, and it is terrific. Here are a couple of examples of what the X900 can do:
http://vimeo.com/44890811
http://vimeo.com/41644852

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Just like last year, looks like the prices are starting to fall. Last December the TM900 could be had for $599.

Glad it was helpful! The X900 is a "fixed lens" consumer camcorder with a built-in lens. Less flexibility, but lower cost. It has very accurate autofocus and a 12x optical power zoom.

My thinking on the used Sennheiser wireless lavalier is that you would clip it to the interview subject - keeping the mic out of the picture - recording to one of the Tascam DR-40's channels while using the built in mics on the Tascam to record the interviewer's questions to a separate channel.

Yes, the Sennheiser is expensive, but you don't want to spend any less than that on a wireless mic. See this video from Dave Dugdale at learningdslrvideo.com.

If you prefer an omni mic that your interviewer can hold - or you want to mount a cardioid boom mic on the camera, I recommend the $223 switchable omni/cardioid Azden SGM-2X instead of the Sennheiser lav.

For lighting, I use inexpensive fluorescent soft boxes. Nobody really uses halogens any more - those things are hot and dangerous

Don't forget to get a memory card for your camcorder - you don't need tapes anymore, but you'll need something to record on.

Good luck - and please post your videos after you get your camera - it would be great to see your results!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution
Edited by brunerww - 11/20/12 at 4:31pm

The X900 does not have XLR inputs and its 24p is recorded with pulldown.

That's why I recommended the used Tascam DR-40. He can use its XLR inputs for high quality mics and sync his sound in post, or, if he wants a quality soundtrack laid down on his camera, he can link the recorder's output to the X900 with a $27 Sescom cable. That's what I do. Cheaper than buying an $800 (or even a $300) proprietary XLR adapter box from Sony or Panasonic

Since the advent of 60p (and 30p HBR on the GH2), I don't shoot 24p any more - except on the GH1, where I am forced to

Cheers,

Bill

I have the X900 and am looking at the Tascam DR100. Does the same Sescom cable work with the x900. They only list DSLR models in the Specs. I do have the D7000, but video/audio would be on the x900/Dr100 combo.

Yes, it's the same idea: from a line output on the recorder to a high impedence mic input on the camera. You can also manually control the audio levels on the X900, which you should do (no agc).

The idea is to use the camcorder and Tascam audio recorder as separate, unconnected devices recording the same thing - then later sync the audio in post; the Tascam with the camcorder audio in video editing software, then mute the camcorder audio/just use the Tascam audio with the original video together for the final rendered file:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sync+audio+with+video&oq=sync+audio+w&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0j0i5l6.3205.5632.0.7707.12.10.0.2.2.0.87.759.10.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.HcwReKISkNk