Camcorder Recomendations

Sort by date Sort by votes
Around $2000 - although I have access to more capital if it is needed. I'm not opposed to purchasing a DSLR. All I want is something that will take good shots. I also really like the idea of being able to tell a story in widescreen and using a stedicam.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'm including audio, camera, lighting, and rigs/tripods.

AUDIO
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551607-REG/Audio_Technica_AT_875_Shotgun_Microphone.html - $550
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821259-REG/Tascam_DR_40_DR_40_4_Track_Handheld_Digital.html - $200

CAMERA
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/753760/Canon_5169B001_EOS_Rebel_T3i_Digital.html - $400
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU - $110

LIGHTING
Trip to hardware store (Home Depot, etc.) Pick up some clamp lights and stands - $100

TRIPODS AND SUCH
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-AVTP-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B00139W0XM - $110
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Steadi...-Box-HD-Video-Camera-Top-Handle-/291045825792 - $160

Then you can use Adobe CC to edit ($50 a month), and there are student discounts as well.

That leaves you with roughly $370, which can be spent on shipping, batteries, and a NLE.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Not entirely sure I need audio equipment yet - the first project is silent and the second one I was going to dub everything in. I'll also have access to Final Cut through my university. Can you direct me to shots using steadicam shoulder rig? I look up test shots on Youtube and it didn't have the feel I am looking for.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
seeldoger47 said:
Not entirely sure I need audio equipment yet - the first project is silent and the second one I was going to dub everything in. I'll also have access to Final Cut through my university. Can you direct me to shots using steadicam shoulder rig? I look up test shots on Youtube and it didn't have the feel I am looking for.
Click to expand...

When you say dub, are you talking ADR? I only say that because ADR is painful and often results in strenuous hours of painful working with little to no payoff. Even then, you'll still need audio equipment for ADR.

But if you're sure you don't need audio, then I recommend you forget about that rig I directed you to and check out the Glidecam HD1000. There are plenty of videos showing it off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5x0f20qh2o

You could also invest your money into nicer glass as well, such as the Canon 24-105mm or Canon 24-70mm.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/397662/Canon_0344B002AA_24_105mm_f_4L_IS_USM.html
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-24-70mm-f-28l-usm

Good luck! :cool:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I don't know how to dub sound in, it is just something I wanted to do. My roommate has audio equipment he uses to record music he makes. I figured we could use his equipment to record the sound, then I could just sync it using Final Cut.

I like the Glidecam, it has the feel I want.

Regarding the lenses - I'm not sure I need something that powerful. What I really want from my camera is the ability to take beautiful, deep focus shots.

Thanks for all your help!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
seeldoger47 said:
Not entirely sure I need audio equipment yet - the first project is silent
Click to expand...

There is no such thing as a "silent" film. There will still be Foley, sound effects and score/music.

seeldoger47 said:
and the second one I was going to dub everything in.
Click to expand...

As the paranoid monkey (ChimpPhobia) said, ADR is EXTREMELY difficult to pull off well, even for very experienced actors in professionally equipped studios with expert ADR mixers/editors. Trust me - my specialty is audio post for the low/no/mini/micro budget crowd, and I hate ADR sessions at this level - they are extremely long, frustrating and painful, and the results are usually equivocal at best.

Get the audio gear now; if you put it off you will "settle" for something even worse than what Chimp suggested, which could, in the long run, be a very costly mistake. Oh and add these to the audio kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49510-REG/Sony_MDR_7506_MDR_7506_Headphone.html

DV019_Jpg_Regular_271056.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alcove Audio said:
Oh and add these to the audio kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49510-REG/Sony_MDR_7506_MDR_7506_Headphone.html

DV019_Jpg_Regular_271056.jpg
Click to expand...

I am curious to what you might think of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXD200-MDR-XD200-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0007N55NW

I picked them up at a yard sale last summer for $10. They have a 3 metre cord and were in excellent condition. I compared the specs with the example you posted and the numbers are slightly higher. Is that a good thing? My main question is, would you recommend these too? I'd feel like I got a real bargain if that were the case!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
When you are recording/monitoring audio you do not want the sound to be "colored." Many headphones exaggerate frequencies so that the source material (dialog or music) sounds better. Headphones like the Sony MDR-7506 or the Sennheiser HD 25 series have a very flat frequency response, so you are hearing sounds as they are.

The headphones you got are nice, but, IMHO, not suitable for production sound applications. However, they are better than not monitoring the sound at all.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
seeldoger47 said:
Hi,

I'm making a couple of short films this semester and am looking for camcorder/general equipment recommendations.
Click to expand...

I would recommend a hacked GH2 (not Gh3) for cheap, or a Black Magic Pocket Cinema camera for a bit more. Also right out of the gate, invest in a moderate tripod, like a Velbon 607 (great fluid head, not too heavy), and use it as a ghetto shoulder rig/stabilizer. As important to professional image as the camera itself
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alcove Audio said:
Okay. Name one film that does not have any sound whatsoever - no score, no source music, no Foley, no sound effects - other than home movies.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of them, but I shall list a few festivals (funded by taxpayer dollars by the way) instead:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-11-04-deaffilmfest04_ST_N.htm

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/02/10_cinema.shtml

Heck, even Sprint underwrote 6 entire feature films with no sound, period. They're getting audiences to pay up $10 to $15 as these films tour the country.

----------

How about reeling in your bogarting -- you don't know everything, so quit generalizing.

Indeed, there is an ENTIRE industry of filmmaking that has no need for you or your expertise.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
ChimpPhobiaFilms said:
How many movies have you seen without music?
Click to expand...

As I hinted with the previous post, many. But like mainstream movies they're mostly awful. too. I'm also one of the few insiders that believe even a silent film for the deaf should have at least background music reflecting the correct tone of the film in order to have a higher upside in the marketplace. But who am I to argue with other directors' successes -- even though I found the films nearly unwatchable.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top