What SD camera to buy?

Hey guys, i am wanting to buy a cheap camera to practise with until i can afford something better.

I only want to spend about $150usd
My options are.
- VHS Camera
- VHS-C Camera
- Hi8 Camera
- No Name MiniDV

What would you suggest and why, remembering that it is a video camera for me to learn on and go from there.
All tapes i can still buy here in australia,
cheers.
 
Hey guys, i am wanting to buy a cheap camera to practise with until i can afford something better.

I only want to spend about $150usd
My options are.
- VHS Camera
- VHS-C Camera
- Hi8 Camera
- No Name MiniDV

What would you suggest and why, remembering that it is a video camera for me to learn on and go from there.
All tapes i can still buy here in australia,
cheers.


I don't understand, do you need it right away? I have to say, if you are looking to make films, spending $150 on a camera is a wasted expense...unless you want a camera to record behind the scenes.

Even if it's just for learning...it's just not at the level you want. If you're serious about learning, a $150 camera is going to teach you the sheer basics...but you're going to be behind the 8-ball when your decide to upgrade. Why not get an actual film-worthy digital camera now, so that the learning curve isn't so high when you upgrade.

I would highly recommend, if you are serious about film making, to work hard and save for a year or so and get a camera you can be sure will produce quality images. You don't need a RED ONE...but I would at least get a camera that is HD.

You may not have a job, and you may be in debt...I don't know. Times are hard, we all feel it. But having a budget of $150 for a camera...I don't think you're ready to buy anything yet.

If you truly just want to test the waters with recording and editing...to see if it's something you want to do...then OK...get a cheap camera on eBay, tool around with iMovie or whatnot, and see whether you dig it. But don't expect to learn anything fancy with a $150 camera.

And this goes into a whole other discussion...sure there are people that have put together entertaining 'movies' with low-tech cameras...just don't expect much from a budget that low. Do you have lights? Do you have editing software?

I'm just busting balls...go out and make it happen my man!

Just my two cents. Good luck.
 
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like i said when the time is right i will be getting a high quality video camera, and its only really to test some things, and location test, i am still about 3 months away from starting it all up, so out of this list would people get?

- VHS Camera
- VHS-C Camera
- Hi8 Camera

What would you suggest and why?
 
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If a filmmaker with only $150 to spend on a camera spends it and
uses the camera to make movies I think that’s an excellent way to
spend money.

My suggestion is to spend what ever you can on a camera and not to
wait for a year or so. There are so many more aspects to learn
about making a movie that the image quality can wait. In my
opinion. Turning a script into a finished movie, scheduling
actors and crew, finding locations, editing, audio work - all
excellent things to learn even with an old VHS camera.

For me, I’d rather spend a year or so making movies on VHS than
waiting to save enough money to by a HD camera.

Just my two cents.

My suggestion would be to get a cheap DV camera because you can
easily transfer the footage to your computer. With the other
three options you’ll have to buy a DV/analog converter.

I’ve been fooling around with the “Flip” camera. It’s a really
nice little DV camera and it’s in your price range.
 
Seeing as $150 won't get you much, I wouldn't even spend that much. If you just want to practice composing shots, get something on ebay for $50. It's possible. This way you have more for the better camera you will be buying later.
 
You don't need a RED ONE...but I would at least get a camera that is HD.

Yeah sure, just ignore the DVX100, Canon XL series and all the other great SD cameras. :hmm: HD is not a necessity!

It annoys me somewhat when people claim you need High Definition or other expensive things for a first timer.

Let's not forget, Festen ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154420/) was shot on one of these:

9709d.jpg


I started to experiment with short films using a crapola mini DV camera that used to chew tapes etc. Since I decided to persue it further I bought a Canon XL2. After University and a few more paid jobs, I will eventually move onto something HD with a selection of more readily available lenses.


What age are you by the way?

PS: I would advise you to get a mini DV camera. The tapes are cheap (I pay about $2 per Sony Premium tape) and you can easily transfer to your PC for editing. Using something like VHS or Hi-8 may lead to some problems when digitising it for editing, meaning more equipment may need to be bought.
 
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of those you mentioned, i'd suggest going with the MiniDV camera so you can easily transfer to your computer.... or, even better... get a cheap camera that records straight to sd flash memory cards.... much easier... no worries about chewed tapes... and there are some pretty cheap ones out there now. check newegg
 
When I was learning, I also bought a Canon SLR stills camera from flea market and began shooting a lot of film. I found it useful for shot composition and also allows you to get used to fully manual lenses, even if you video camera does not have one.

I think for me, using a 35mm SLR with 50mm and 70mm-210mm lenses was invaluable with regards to learning how to manually work a lens and on how to compose and frame images.

It really costs nothing as well. I picked up a Canon FTb with 50mm lens for £4 and got the zoom lens for £7.
 
I'm 13, and saved up for half a year to a whole one last summer. I bought my Canon HF100 in 2008 at Christmas time. Saving can make a difference especially when you save up just enough money to buy that camcorder and something even better come out at Best Buy for $100 more. Then your set! Then again I am only 13, I have a Azden SGM-10X (hoping to upgrade to Rode NTG-2 early spring) and my SD card camcorder and it's brought me far with home movies and hoping to bring me farther with a short film I'm shooting in the summer with the HF100.
Hope I helped a little.:cool:
Truck on and try!

DigiRoots
 
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