The best entry level HDV camera?

December 3, 2006 9:21 PM

Looking to buy a semi-professional video camera in Toronto. There's much

So I've been working around the tv/documentary industry in Toronto for about a year now, interning and doing a few assistant editing gigs here and there. I definitely like the work, and am looking to get a video camera of my very own. I need recommendations!

Ideally I'd like to be able to shoot HDV or DV, as the industry is very quickly shifting to solely HD and I don't want to get stuck with a camera that can't do it. I'm just getting into the biz though, so I don't want to blow my wad on something with all the super professional bells and whistles.

So, camera recommendations? The best places to go in Toronto? Any of them have boxing week deals and/or lease to buy plans (since I've only got a little under $2K saved for such a camera, and it will probably be a little more expensive)?

Also, my dad mentioned he'd seen an ad for a Canon consumer camcorder that shoots HD with a 30GB hard-drive. I'm doubtful this would be up to par, but does anyone have an idea if it would be suitable for professional work?

BTW, I'm looking to become a documentary maker who pays the bills through free lance videography and editing, just in case that makes a difference in considering what camera to buy.

posted by yellowbinder to media & arts (4 comments total)

Stay away from the HD drive cameras.

Realistically - buy the most expensive HDV camera you can afford. JVC's original entry (the first HDV camera) has some pro

I don't buy any equipment, until I have a gig that pays for it. So, buy the camera because you know there's work. Regardless of the deals. If you don't have a gig needing HDV (which is a freaking nightmare in post), they don't buy such a camera

As an aside - I know lots of people with the (DV only) Panasonic DVX100a (the 24p camera.) that are very happy.

I'm still torn between the Panasonic HVX-100 (really like DVCPro HD over HDV), but I hate the storages of data on hard drives and the ilk. (It's a 6k camera).

In HDV, the brand new Sony HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p camera is attracting tons of attention, even if the post workflow is murky (around $4k).

Last, you can still get the JVC GR HD-1 for about 2k
posted by filmgeek at 10:26 PM on December 3, 2006

Direct from Mr. Mostly, who's pursuing a rather similar career path:

:To be honest, I think you should rent any HD camera and not buy anything for the near future. I must admit that I have a bias towards renting as I'm currently working for a camera rental place but I stand that view. The problem with HD is that breakthroughs are coming in all the time and any purchase made today is bound to outdated by tomorrow. And with any purchase, it's hard to justify buying something without a gig lined up.

With that said, if you feel the need to own your equipment I say go for it. Personally, I bought the Panasonic DVX100 when it came out for no reason other than I thought it was the best camera to hit the market in a long time. I think it was one of the best film/video purchases that I ever made.

If you're looking at buying the best "prosumer" HD camera on the market (and for my job I've gotten to play around with a wide range of these cameras) I'd say go for the Panasonic HVX200. It's a great versatile camera that can shoot DV or HD by shooting to DV tape or P2 cards (definitely, definitely rent those instead of buying them as they're absurdly expensive). The camera works well on set and goes into post so much better than the other HD cameras.

The problem is that the camera runs about 2,800 dollars (of course, I'm basing my figures on US dollars, I don't know what the Canadian equivalent would be).

Again, while I'd support any decision to buy a camera because it makes personal sense, do take a moment to think about whether or not this purchase is the thing that you need to be making right now or if now is time to start making a good relationship with a nearby equipment rental house."
posted by mostlymartha at 11:02 PM on December 3, 2006

I worked in the freelance biz for a while a few years back, doing sound rather than camera, but I was surprised at the number of people around who didn't own equipment.

Actually one of the guys I worked with had just sold most of his (Beta SP) gear in favor of going with rentals on a per-gig basis. As long as you have a good relationship with a rental house, you can let clients know that you're capable of doing DV/HDV/Beta/film, without owning all the equipment or having the money tied up in it when you're not working. The only people I'd say absolutely need to have their gear owned by them are folks doing true freelance ENG, and that's rare (at least in my market/experience).

Given the rate at which digital equipment bought today is going to depreciate, I'd think very seriously about not buying right away, and instead waiting to see what work you can get and then renting the appropriate gear for the job. You don't want to buy DV and then have your first client want HDV; or really even the contrary (buy more than you need right away).

My experience was all in the NE U.S., so there were a bunch of good rental houses within driving distance; I suppose that might be an issue if there isn't one around (or if there's only one, always a dangerous situation).
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:57 AM on December 4, 2006

If you guys are still looking here, thanks for your input!

Everyone seems to be recommending rentals given the cost of the equipment. I haven't looked too much into it, but from what I've seen it costs around $200 a day to rent a camera, versus around $100 - $180 a month for 3 years to lease to own. In that case, why does it make sense to rent rather than lease? Because the equipment might be outdated by the time I complete the lease?
posted by yellowbinder at 4:37 PM on December 4, 2006