Camera Search - Questions Questions Questions

[The Blind Dead]

Welp! I'm back, once again, on the filmmaking track I started months ago and a rather well off investor has expressed interest in starting a production company with one of my family members. Earlier today I was asked to submit a proposal and start putting together a budget for my short film. I'm not going to get overly excited until I actually see the cam & equipment I need being purchased by this newly formed production venture though.

Therein lies my problem...which camera?

Initially I was going to shoot the short on 8MM but with the costs involved with transfer, editing and a host of other issues, we've decided to go digital and worry about the "look" in post. This is a question for you serious indie filmmakers out there, "Which DV cams should I be looking at?"

I'm not looking to break their bank with a cam but I'd like to work with something that is sharp, clean and user friendly. Is the footage easily downloadable to a PC? I know Mr. Paulin probably has some good advice but anybody with solid experience is welcome to give me some pointers. I won't be pointing and shooting this thing myself so I'm just doing my best to make it easier on my videographer.

[Chuck Norris]

Any of these DV cams would be a great choice
Sony PD150/PD170
Canon XL1/XL1s
Panasonic DVX100/DVX100a
Sony DSR-500 16x9 DVCAM
This forum has a lot of specific info http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004/lofiversion/index.php?f35.html

[The Blind Dead]

Awesome, thanks! I'm actually looking at the Sony Z1U right now so hopefully I can find some people that have used it.

[FoleyZombie]

I used the canon xl2 at my concert we held and it was amazing put a boom mic on top and you r set it was crystal clear sound and video.

[zombiekilling101]

TBD.

the cannon xl2 is a great camera to have. we used that one at flim school alot. But if you want a simple price then get a cannon one that is 700 instead of the 1200 and up.

With adobe premier, final cut pro, and even the basic Windows movie maker.. we were able to make the film grainy and look like super 8mm.

I had 2 super 8mm cameras that I used to film with and for the same reasons I abondned them. too much of a hastle and too much money to get them proccessed.. not to mention a royal pain to cut and splice. I sold all that stuff on ebay a couple months ago.:)

so ... Id go with a simple 700 camera.. add a boom mike, lens filters, wide lens, and get some factory lights and your set.

hope that helped

[Morbidfilm]

Hey Blind Dead. I was using a Sony VX1000 which is a great 3ccd camera that can be bought for pretty cheap now compared to it's original $4000 price 7 years ago.
I am now using a Panasonic DVX100b and I love this camera! I bought a great promotional pack for $3000 that also came with lenses, filters, dv tapes and a carrying case. I can't wait to start my next movie so I can shoot 24 frames. Since my Sony was stolen I've had to match the 30dp that I was shooting Fetus with.

[MaxVeers]

So long as this is being asked, is there a good online forum for this kind of stuff? Mainly, I'm looking for a forum for camera info and special effects ideas... The threads here are helpful, but I figure coming here to talk about filmmaking is like going to a film forum to talk about Romero movies... It's only getting part oft he attention and traffic, so a devoted forum would be great. Anyone know of any?

I saw indietalk.com, but there are very few posts and it's not very active at all.

[Cybopath]

I've been looking for a good High Quality Mini-DV camera. I found the quality of Mini-Dv can be great depending on the CCD's and Lenses. There's a few good ones on Ebay, just don't bid on the one I want lol.

[MaxVeers]

I was looking at a few Canon XL-1s, but... Yeesh, are they pricey.

[B00Ne]

I've been shooting on the XL1, and the quality is damn good HOWEVER very "digital" looking. I spend a huge amount of time in post with FCP and After Effects though, so it's not a big deal.