[DDirector]

I posted the same question on another forum. just want to compare.


After several months, I am still undecided upon which camera to purchase. I would much rather wait longer and hear more opinions then purchase one that I feel is right then later down the road find one costing slightly more or less, yet being much better.


I am purchasing my first Professional Camcorder. Without any additional accessories such as lighting, etc. I am trying to achieve the film look in HD.


I am not too sure as what I really need. Perhaps if you asked me some general questions as to what would be needed and so forth, I would say if I would need it or not. But, I do know some things that I do require;


- NTSC

- HD; 1080p or 720p minimum.

- 24fps

- 1.78:1 (16:9) & 1.85:1 & 2.35:1 If its programmed that's great. If not, lens purchase will be required.

- Shoulder mount Preferred* If It does not have a shoulder mount, I will need to purchase one.

- 3CCD

- Record on a format that will not require additional expensive accessories to transfer onto computer (XP). Preferred.

- Good night recording

- $4-6K (Canadian)

- A Camera As Close To A Real 35mm Camera!


*Selected few movies that are good, will be made on 35mm Film.*

Shooting all types of movies;

- Action (Fast passed)

- Horror (Able to change colour for mood)

- etc.

Company preferred?

None.

Preferred Size/Weight?

None. I will have shoulder support.


I am not too sure as what else I would require. But, I would be better off having additional things on a camcorder then fewer as upgrades in the future might be possible. And having everything plus more would not require upgrades, or as much.

 

[August1991]

Buy a used SI-35 Mini .


It works at 2048x1152. BTW, at such a resolution or even HD resolution (1920x1080), you won't need a shoulder support - but you will need a good steadicam/stabilization system.

 

[DDirector]

The 'SI-2K mini' seems to be a good camera. I looked at it, check only a couple of reviews, and they were good.


BUT, I have not seen anywhere, where they sell this camera, nor how much it costs.

And what exact features it has - Description.

EDIT: I knew it seemed to good to be true. This camera is over $12,000.

That's almost 2x MORE than what I want want to spend.

 

[Chevypower]

I would go the Sony PMW-EX3, but you will either need to crop (in post) or purchase anamorphic lenses for your 1.85 and 2.35/2.4:1 aspect ratios. That SI-2K camera August mentioned... I don't know anything about it, but cropping and anamorphic lenses would be the only way on that cam too. You could crop the top and bottom on the 2K to 1080 and will give you a horizontal res of 2048 still, which would give you the aspect ratio of 1.9:1 It would help, but not make a whole lot of difference. I would still go with the EX. Anything higher, I would go with RED.

 

[DDirector]

I am getting some great cameras, but so far the Sony PMW-EX3 & the SI-2K are over my price range.

 

[donaldk]

The filmic look videoclipmakers and so on over at www.vimeo.com use Sony EX1s with the Letus adapters. I believe the Sony is somewhere at the top of your budget, and then you have to get the elite or mini.

 

[DDirector]

any other recommendations?

 

[Chevypower]

Sony EX1

Panasonic HVX-200A

Panasonic HPX-170

Panasonic HMC-150

JVC HM-100

JVC HM-700


Notice how I avoided HDV like the plague. And the EX1, is worth it. $6099 at B&H right now. It's the only camera in it's price range with 1/2'' sensors. And it's got 3 of them. And they are CMOS, not CCD.

 

[donaldk]

How do you rate the entrylevel AVCCAM HMC-40, as they cut US list price by 900 dollars, to $2300? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/panasonic...-ag-hmc40.html


That HPX-300 seems nice, with shallow DOF even with 1/3" format imagers, way over the budget mentioned here though. 10K list, but should be a bit better with offers like this: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/panasonic...iced-move.html . However even at a discount it will be way over the 6K $ budget.


Nice example video. Diamond shape bokeh, guess now we know the shape of the imagere elements;-). http://exposureroom.com/members/DEva...73d452cd89ac3/

 

[Chevypower]

I didn't know about the HMC40. So I looked it up, I would pay the extra for the HMC150 for the larger CMOS. I think 1/4'' is too small. I would take the lower price Sony EX1 over the HPX-300. But the HPX170 is lower price than the EX1, so that might be worth looking at.