Looking for Cheap, HD Camcorder/DSLR Camera With Focus Ring!

Locutus Of Borg

Locutus Of Borg

Okay, so I am looking for a camcorder or DSLR camera that I will be using as I learn how to make movies. While I do want a good video camera, I defiantly would prefer it below $500. (But if you know of a great video camera that you think I would love that's over $500, let me know!)
Sooo, without further ado, here are the traits I'm looking for!
  • Focus Ring. I hate auto focus. This is the main thing I want, as I really can't stand cameras that try to do the focusing for you.
  • Not Just Touchscreen. As I said with the focus ring, I prefer my features manual (buttons!). They're just easier to work with.
  • High Frame Rate. Okay, so I know this one would be hard at my price range, but I'd be psyched if I could find one, as I love doing slow motion shots.
  • No Wifi. So, this really isn't a must, it's just that I would never use it, and it just adds to the cost.
  • Headphone/Mic Jacks. So, I'm also in the market for a microphone, so if you know of a cheap one, tell me. And to have a microphone, I'll need some place to plug it in!
  • HD Quality. So, I guess it kind of goes without saying, but I really want my camera to be high definition. At least 720p.
So there you have it! Please tell me if you know of some perfect video camera out there just waiting for me to buy it! Thanks!
 
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Hi Locutus and welcome to the forum. It's going to be a challenge to find a decent camera with all manual settings, slow motion and a headphone jack below $1000.

That said, the ($995 new, $886 used) Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera probably comes closest to meeting your requirements. This is a bare bones manual camera that records very high quality 12-bit RAW or 10-bit ProRes 1080p images.

In addition to the camera body, you will also need lenses. But there are lots of inexpensive manual lenses you can adapt to this camera.

For example, here is a manual focus Canon FD 28mm f2.8 lens for around $50. With an $11.50 adapter, this lens can produce images that look like this:

http://vimeo.com/90239011

Here is more of what this camera can do:

NARRATIVE: http://vimeo.com/89563847

TV COMMERCIAL: http://vimeo.com/81148562

WEDDING: http://vimeo.com/92280642

MUSIC VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/88103618

AERIAL: http://vimeo.com/77405660

There are many more examples of what this camera can do in the Pocket Cinema Camera group I moderate over on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/groups/pocketcamera

If you don't mind a smaller sensor and a fixed (rather than interchangeable) lens - you may also want to consider a traditional 8-bit camcorder, such as the $598 Panasonic HC-V750. It has a focus ring, shoots slow motion at up to 1080/120fps, and has both a headphone jack and a mic jack.

With the smaller sensor, you will have less control over depth of field - and the images will lack the Pocket Cinema Camera's dynamic range - but it will be less expensive and a lot easier to use.

Here is what this camera can do:

http://vimeo.com/93019993

http://vimeo.com/93503929

Hope this is helpful!

Bill
 
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This is your camera.

W/ a little cheap fiio amp, you can adapt the AV output for headphone use..

You may want to consider the kit lens, but also pick up a nifty 50 from ebay (for about ~50 + lens adapter)
 
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The Canon Vixia HF-R500 has everything you want except for the manual focus ring. It shoots 24p, 30p, and 60p, and has both mic input and headphone output. Less than $300. To get a focus ring in that form factor, you'll have to move up to the Panasonic HC-X920 ($900), which offers everything you want though it does have wifi.

The HC-V750 mentioned previously appears to be based in 60p, which I guess is only an issue if you want to be able to shoot the standard film frame rate of 24p.

The EOS-M was suggested, which is a fine camera, but there are caveats there. The two stock lenses available (22mm f/2.0, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) both have servo focus rings. In other words, the rings are electronic controls and have infinite rotation. I find this to be a major pain the a**, thought the Panasonic camcorder I mentioned above has the same type of focus ring. The 22mm lens, however, is sharp as a tack. You may be better off, however, getting theEF-M>EF-S lens adapter and going with a better lens.

The M doesn't have a headphone out, and shooting with DSLRs (or mirrorless, in this case) typically requires a secondary audio recording system separate from the camera. You could add a Tascam DR-60D, which features a mic-level output for the camera but allows recording and monitoring and can be mounted under the camera.

Also, if you're going to go with the M and plan on shooting anywhere but a tripod, there are a couple of accessories that I'd recommend: support and viewfinder.

As for audio, you need more than a microphone. In the budget-minded arena there are things like the RØDE VideoMic and VideoMic Pro, but read up in the forums about what makes good production sound recording. First and foremost, it's placement. On-camera is the worst and last place for a mic if you want usable dialog, so you need to get the mic off the camera and into the action. This requires a boom pole and extra cable. Plus, you need good headphones to monitor. You can spend $500-1000 on a decent learner camera, but expect to spend twice that on sound if you want to get a functional kit.
 
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It looks like you might consider looking toward a dslr. Canon T3i is around $500 and has a mic (with a mic input for better audio as time and money allows); EF lens mount to add lenses as needed (cinematic lenses start around $300 for a prime 85mm from Bower); 3 inch monitor (with external video output as a better / larger monitor is needed). We have shot many shorts with the T2i and now I use a T5i. I always recommend this unit because the entire line allows you make movies Out-of-the-Box and can grow as your budget and needs change.
 
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The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is a great camera for the price but personally I would only recommend it to experienced film makers (who have skill (and time to do fairly heavy) post production - particularly color correction/grading).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAgPaiLgeE4
 
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Okay, thanks guys for all your suggestions. I think I'm going to go with the Canon Rebel T3i, but I can't buy it for another 6 weeks, as I am moving back to America then, so you have plenty of time to steer me away from it if needed. Thanks again for everything!
 
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Safe travels. One question, though - didn't you originally want a headphone jack and high frame rate? This camera has neither. If you don't need a headphone jack, the Panasonic G6 ($647.99 new, $602.99 manufacturer refurbished or $596.60 used) is a much better video camera than a Canon T3i. I say that as a former Canon owner. Here is why:

- The viewfinder on the T3i (and all DSLRs) is blocked by the mirror when you switch to video mode. This forces you to use the LCD outdoors for composition and critical focus. As with most LCDs, the T3i's LCD difficult to see in bright sunlight. The G6, on the other hand, is mirrorless. Its viewfinder is bright and usable outdoors.


- The T3i needs the third party Magic Lantern firmware modification for features that should have been built into the camera, such as audio meters, manual audio gain control and focus peaking. The G6, on the other hand, has all of these features built in.

- The T3i requires the purchase of an external intervalometer for timelapse video. The G6 has an intervalometer built in.

- There are no power zooms compatible with Canon DSLRs. The G6 is compatible with Panasonic power zoom lenses.

- The T3i shuts down and has to be restarted after 12 continuous minutes of video recording. The stateside version of the G6 records continuously for hours.

- The T3i maxes out at a frame rate of 1080/30 progressive fps - the G6 maxes out at 1080/60 progressive fps for smooth slow motion.

But the specs are only half the story. The other half is image quality. Here is what the Panasonic G6 can do:

Narrative:

http://vimeo.com/78037118

http://vimeo.com/81339712

Music Video:

http://vimeo.com/88584840

http://vimeo.com/84436275

*Slow Motion/Sport:*

http://vimeo.com/76503135

Travel Video:

http://vimeo.com/88543042

http://vimeo.com/86145944 (shot with a power zoom lens)

Short Documentary:

http://vimeo.com/73561266

http://vimeo.com/87978429

http://vimeo.com/78507820

There are many more examples on the Panasonic G6 channel I moderate over on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/groups/dmcg6

Hope this is helpful!

Bill
 
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I had to reply just because of your awesome name (fellow Trekkie here, especially TNG)


I've said this a lot on this site, and I still mean it, but I would highly recommend the Canon T2i
 
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Locutus Of Borg said:
Also, what do you guys think about the Nikon D3300? Another camera that seems to be pretty popular with this kind of stuff.
Click to expand...


Locutus - I would be concerned that the $597 (with kit lens) D3300 is just another DSLR with dodgy video autofocus and no focus peaking to make up for it, no swivel screen, a 30 minute continuous recording limit, a viewfinder that goes blank when you're shooting video and the inability to adjust aperture when you're in Live View (video) mode.

At least it records at 1080/60p for smooth slow motion - something no Canon DSLR can do below the $10,000 Canon 1D C.

Below $1000, there is only one large sensor, interchangeable lens camera that has none of these limitations, the ~$650 Panasonic G6.

Again, hope this is helpful!

Bill
 
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Thanks for all your help, Bill. The reason why I didn't reply about the g6 was because as far as I know, Panasonic doesn't sell to where I live right now, but I could try out the D3300. I'll look into the g6 when I get home. Also, what lens would you recommend?
 
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