So. I'm looking for a good, inexpensive enty-level camera to get started with filmmaking. I've used some of the higher-end stuff, like the PD150 and TRV900, but I can't afford something with that kind of price tag at the moment.
I've been looking mainly at some of the comsumer-level cameras that are available, and I've found one that I think would suit my interests, which is the Sony DCR-HC85. It's only one CCD, but it has manual operation modes for everything, and a focus ring (which is nice), and the LCD is a lot larger than most (which is nice, except that it drains battery power). It also has the mount for a Zoom Mike, which I guess is the next best thing to an XLR setup.
Anyone know of any other cameras that might be better? The guy recomended a Panasonic with three CCD, but personally I liked the setup and size of the Sony better - the Pan was tiny, almost to small to hold, whereas the Sony was large enough to hold steady fairily easily. The menues on the Pan were also a lot more complicated, and it's a lot harder to get to white balance, exposure, etc. That, and the Sony was the only one to have a shutter speed lower than 1/60 (I like my low shutter speeds).
So, anyone have any comments on those? I'm looking not to pay more than about $2000 Canadian - the Sony is about $1300 before extras. I've heard good things about the image on a Canon, but the Opturas seem to have some major problems with audio, from what I've read.
Now...
I've also been hearing some good things about the Canon GL2. That's almost $2000 more than I'd like to pay, but it sounds like it is worth the extra money. I'm wondering if anyone has any experiance with this camera, and if it might just be worth it to wait a while longer, earn some more money, and then go with the GL2 instead of buying a lower-end camera and then trying to upgrade in a couple of years.
Comments?
I've been looking mainly at some of the comsumer-level cameras that are available, and I've found one that I think would suit my interests, which is the Sony DCR-HC85. It's only one CCD, but it has manual operation modes for everything, and a focus ring (which is nice), and the LCD is a lot larger than most (which is nice, except that it drains battery power). It also has the mount for a Zoom Mike, which I guess is the next best thing to an XLR setup.
Anyone know of any other cameras that might be better? The guy recomended a Panasonic with three CCD, but personally I liked the setup and size of the Sony better - the Pan was tiny, almost to small to hold, whereas the Sony was large enough to hold steady fairily easily. The menues on the Pan were also a lot more complicated, and it's a lot harder to get to white balance, exposure, etc. That, and the Sony was the only one to have a shutter speed lower than 1/60 (I like my low shutter speeds).
So, anyone have any comments on those? I'm looking not to pay more than about $2000 Canadian - the Sony is about $1300 before extras. I've heard good things about the image on a Canon, but the Opturas seem to have some major problems with audio, from what I've read.
Now...
I've also been hearing some good things about the Canon GL2. That's almost $2000 more than I'd like to pay, but it sounds like it is worth the extra money. I'm wondering if anyone has any experiance with this camera, and if it might just be worth it to wait a while longer, earn some more money, and then go with the GL2 instead of buying a lower-end camera and then trying to upgrade in a couple of years.
Comments?
