Platonic relationships, Truth and Video Tape

September 3, 2009 4:51 AM

Camera Purchase: After a long while being out of film (studies) school, I've decided I want to make a documentary. Unfortunately I'm not really up on hardware these days. Can someone tell me what I can expect to pay, what features to look for, and what camera to buy?

I'm pretty certain that the technology has advanced since I last checked, and I pretty much hope the prices have come down. I want to make a documentary, so it doesn't have to be an amazing camera. But a mid-range of some kind might be best in case I mortgage features for low up-front price.

I guess I would really prefer a digital camera that uses HDD, but I don't know if they're premium over miniDV digitals?

posted by Napierzaza to media & arts (10 comments total)

I don't know what your definition of mid-range is, but you could definitely make a documentary with a Canon 5D Mark II, which is $2700 plus lenses. The Canon 7D came out this week, so I haven't read up on all the details, but it appears to be a version of the 5D Mark II with picture quality that isn't quite as good (but may well be good enough for your needs). It retails for $1700 plus lenses. Definitely worth checking out. The picture on the 5D Mark II is amazing.

Since these are DSLRs that do also do HD video, they have serious advantages, but some drawbacks. The main drawback is ergonomic, but there is gear that has been made to remedy that (but it adds to your costs, of course).
posted by umbú at 5:31 AM on September 3

I just bought a 5D Mark II and I wouldn't recommend using it for a documentary. There is a limit of something like 8 minutes of recording per clip. The ergonomics are just weird for shooting video, particularly if you're not on a tripod.
posted by ben242 at 6:54 AM on September 3

BTW, I'm talking about camcorders here. And I think 3000+ is possibly a higher range device?
posted by Napierzaza at 7:58 AM on September 3

I really don't know much more than this anymore, sadly, but the RED camera is apparently quite the shit among people in your situation.
posted by Naberius at 8:10 AM on September 3

Quite the shit is the number of responses I got. I guess I'm in this on my own.
posted by Napierzaza at 12:17 PM on September 3

You want a Panasonic HMC150 for $3,500:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=575992&Q=&is=REG&A=details

You can learn more about this camera, about other camera options, and about indie DIY film production here:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/
posted by VikingSword at 1:42 PM on September 3

vDSLR are very cool but I would not say they are ready for prime time for documentary shooting.

Camera wants

Usable lens lengths.
Good low light response.
Features secondary mic input.
Tape loading on top not a "bottom feeder".
A usable codec for post production.
Zebra bars while shooting, available extra battery power.
Something that you can hold steady by hand.
A great viewfinder.
Usable menu system.

If I were looking I would check out the Sony HVR-A1U.
posted by jade east at 2:23 PM on September 3

Thanks for the suggestions, I was narrowing my selection to Canon's before that. It is really important to have good low light control. Seems like it might not be possible to get a ~1000$ camcorder on this one.
posted by Napierzaza at 8:05 PM on September 3

Boils down to this:
SD/DV cameras are in your range (and used ones with quite a bit of lens options.)
A used DV camera like the GL1, GL2, or the XL-1 are around the 1k (or less) mark.

HD gives quite a bit of advantage; if you want to shoot to a HDD, you're likely going to shoot AVCHD; figure out your post first. I can't stress this enough. B and H photo/video in NYC have some of the most competitive prices.

Too many cameras, too many variables for you to say $1k and which camera.

In DV we talk about (in order of priority) 3 Chip CCD, true 16x9, 24p, stabilizaiton + low light, interchangeable lenses.
In HD at that price, we're just looking for something you'd find 'usuable' with an external connection for a microphone and some weight to it.
posted by filmgeek at 9:10 PM on September 3

filmgeek: that just raises further questions! But a good start. I will have to read up a bit more about these things.
posted by Napierzaza at 1:55 PM on September 4