Tell me what you know about video cameras

[Newc]

Specifically professional-level cameras like you find in "roving reporter" setups. Not looking (or able) to spend $10,000 on a camera, but maybe up to $3K for a great one.
I'm thinking 2" tape (if you can even find blank tapes?) and "Newsworthy" image quality.

Anyone here work in or near an environment that does broadcast-quality video? Maybe even training-film quality?
Not looking for a PanaVision reel-to-reel movie camera, but definitely better than a standard S-VHS/Home Movie/Amateur Porn camera.

Mic inputs (XLR), Line Inputs (RCA or 1/4"), add-on lens capability (filters, zooms, macro, etc), built-in mic, manual focus capability, and either a built-in light or at least the ability to attach an external light (hot shoe mount), as well as some sort of A/V Out (RCA or S-Video - FireWire is too new to be inexpensive).
Waterproof would be a bonus, but not required.

Anybody got info or a lead on one for a good price?

I shouldn't need an external image editor board/console as long as I can get it out of the camera via RCA Video/Audio Out or S-Video out. BNC/Coaxial might be a problem unless I can find a conversion box/adaptor to get it to a PC DV Capture device.

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Anyone?

[wulfe13]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

JVC makes a great HD camcorder for around $2500 to $3000. Most digital camcorders have firewire now... even under $400.

Canon also makes a sweet one... I can't remember the Model #s right now. Check out their websites for specs.

[Immortal]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Newc, I think you know more than we do, regarding on the info you have given. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Thanks [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

I've been browsing Ebay and doing some other searches - I keep going back to JVC models [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
I've got my eye on one or two (watchlist) for about $2K, just doing some research before pulling the trigger.

Found some older units for what seems like way cheap - under $500 (under $300 for that matter) but the one thing I'd really like to find is "home" videos made with these different models (aside from porn [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]) that had no post-production done to them. Or maybe find a roving reporter/videographer and get some "in-the-know" info on different models.

Right now, I'm eyeing this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-Digital-50...1QQcmdZViewItem

Probably shouldn't have posted the link, though [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Oddly enough, this is the listing that I was going over when I made the first post:
http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-professional-vid...1QQcmdZViewItem

Same seller as the other one, I just never did click his Other Items until I came all the way around to his other listing in a search - I ended up where I started, basically [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Accept2]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

From all the cameras I've owned the Sony and Canons are hard to beat. Canon has the better quality, but Sony cameras seem to be built a little tougher........

[wulfe13]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Well News crews use Beta. Remember beta... hahaha... Yep, it looked good and they still use it. I'd be leary of using VHS unless its a detachable deck. VHS is very low resolution. The JVC you posted a link to looks to be a good one for the price but if you need a battery for it, you might have a hard time finding one. But heck for that price you might want to give it a shot... sure beats $2000...

[1trussell]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Video cameras are good for making home porn.

[rjohnstone]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

[ QUOTE ]
Well News crews use Beta. Remember beta... hahaha... Yep, it looked good and they still use it.

[/ QUOTE ]
They're not the same thing.
News crews use 2" Betacam tapes.
The home stuff was officialy called Betamax and the tapes were much smaller. The quality is not as good either.
I used to run the tape duplication unit for the American Cancer Society in AZ and all the masters were on 2" Betacam format tapes. We would create VHS copies from the Betacam masters.
A good used Sony Betacam will still run close to 3k to 4k without battery packs. Now finding a used one that's not beat to shit is gonna be hard.

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Yeah I've been poking around various sites/forums looking for reviews and such, and the ones that are getting high marks are also getting high $$ [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I know about 2" Beta - they did an entire feature about it on MuchMusic (Canadian MTV) when I had one of the old 15' satellite dishes [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Anyhoo, Beta is definitely betta, but it's also more expensive than I'm looking for. As well, you need a host of outboard gear and way-super supercomputer to keep frame rates up. I've got a kinda-super computer, but it's kinda dead right now too - waiting on a new MOBO - but when it's resurrected it'll have 2 GB of RAM, and I can get a faster CPU later (2.5 G now).

I did find one nice camera that has modern features: DV, FireWire In/Out, XLR inputs, etc, but it's only got one CCD, and all the reviews I've seen suggest 3 CCD is the way to go for what I'm looking for.

Guess I'll hafta keep looking and hope I find a hurting junkie with the good stuff [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Drake S.]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

[ QUOTE ]
Video cameras are good for making home porn.

[/ QUOTE ]

All I know is my Sony worked really well for me & my Ex-girlfriend, for just this Purpose I say go with Sony they have my vote! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

I've got a JVC "consumer level" S-VHS video camera and it does ok - did some training videos for my job (which now have to be redone because of some equipment/process changes [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]) and it does a good job. It's also the same one I used to do my videos in the MP3 section.

I've also got a Firewire A/D transfer box that REALLY does a good job - no chops or skips in the transfer - so I'm OK with an older non-Firewired unit.

I'd just like to move up to a better camera with more features (interchangeable lenses, digital tapes, external mic plugs, etc).
I might try some "Indie" film ideas - probably not porn, though [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I've narrowed it down to 3 or 4 different ones that have the features and quality I want and can afford (or rather, what I'm willing to pay for a camera to do stuff I know absolutely nothing about [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] )

[wulfe13]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

[ QUOTE ]
I might try some "Indie" film ideas - probably not porn, though [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, nobody wants to see "Newcs solo" porn... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

No, you don't [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Tell me what you know about video cameras

Ok, so if it was you, and these were your choices, which one would you go with?

This model usually goes for over $2100 in great used shape, but it has an issue with the loading mechanism:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7569823501

This one is an older model but it comes with the tape deck for straight-to-tape recording (VHS). I know 2" Beta is better, but VHS at high speed is still a decent quality enough to work with in a PC editor without too much loss, even though the trade off is you get about 1 hour per tape:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7569281912

This is an extremely nice JVC model that does get high marks for picture quality, but it's only 1 CCD, and most Pro reviews recommend 3 CCD:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7570435704

This is an interesting set - 3 cameras for $800. However, there are issues. I'm betting it's either a mechanical issue (dirty, thus the moving parts don't move like they should) or it could be electronic (signal not being passed which means dead/broken board):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7569637620

This one is recognized for getting a "film look" on tape - that is, it looks like it was shot on traditional film rather than cassette tape - but I have no Completed Items to judge the market by, and I don't wanna pay for this what I could pay for a better one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7569436731

All of these have most of the features I want (with the exception of the Panasonics not having FireWire outs, but I do have the FireWire DV box that accepts RCA and S-Video), and I'm also "buying blind" - I don't have a raw/unprocessed clip from each one to check the quality for myself, and of course I'd hate to be stuck with something I can't get my money back from if I don't like it.