good professional camera

[JNowiski]

hey any of you guys have any experience with professional level video cameras? interested in getting one and just wondering if anyone has any experience or can let me know what are some good ones to check out.

[Pilgrim]

Depends on what you actually need. I've been a professional cameraman, but I've also been out of the market for the past 10 years. I'm about to re-enter that role part-time, and I'm scoping out prosumer cameras. The difference between a prosumer and pro camera can easily be $5000, just to add a few connectors and genlock or remote control capability - which you probably don't need.

If you REALLY need a pro camera by producer and network standards, then you can expect to spend $10,00 or more but I don't think that's what you want.

I've spent a week in research and my top candiates are the Canon XHA1S and the Sony HVR-V1U. Both run about $4000 depending on the packages and vendor. Here are my base criteria:

- 3-chip
- MUST have XLR connectors for both audio channels
- HD, capable of 16:9 or 3:4
- Minimal menu intervention
- Maximum manual control of all camera functions
- Maximum optical zoom (digital zooms are useless)

Both these cameras qualify, although from what I've read the Sony is more menu-intensive. The control ring on the left side of the Canon gives faster access to some functions, so that's my #1 right now.

Don't forget that to shoot really good video, 90% of the time you'll shoot from a tripod (and with at least partly manual control), so you need a tripod with an extremely smooth fluid head. The Bogen series offers some tripods in the $600 range that look workable. I'd love to get carbon fiber sticks instead of aluminum and take some weight off the tripod, but that would probably add from $500-$1000.

The Mini-DV tapes that both cameras use max out at 1 hour, so consider buying an external hard drive that you can use if you'll be doing long shoots - but those add another $1000-$2000. Firestore is one brand.

[JNowiski]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Depends on what you actually need. I've been a professional cameraman, but I've also been out of the market for the past 10 years. I'm about to re-enter that role part-time, and I'm scoping out prosumer cameras. The difference between a prosumer and pro camera can easily be $5000, just to add a few connectors and genlock or remote control capability - which you probably don't need.

If you REALLY need a pro camera by producer and network standards, then you can expect to spend $10,00 or more but I don't think that's what you want.

I've spent a week in research and my top candiates are the Canon XHA1S and the Sony HVR-V1U. Both run about $4000 depending on the packages and vendor. Here are my base criteria:

- 3-chip
- MUST have XLR connectors for both audio channels
- HD, capable of 16:9 or 3:4
- Minimal menu intervention
- Maximum manual control of all camera functions
- Maximum optical zoom (digital zooms are useless)

Both these cameras qualify, although from what I've read the Sony is more menu-intensive. The control ring on the left side of the Canon gives faster access to some functions, so that's my #1 right now.

Don't forget that to shoot really good video, 90% of the time you'll shoot from a tripod, so you need a tripod with an extremely smooth fluid head. The Bogen series offers some tripods in the $600 range that look workable. I'd love to get carbon fiber sticks instead of aluminum and take some weight off the tripod, but tht would probably add from $500-$1000.

The Mini-DV tapes that both cameras use max out at 1 hour, so consider buying an external hard drive that you can use if you'll be doing long shoots - but those add another $1000-$2000. Firestore is one brand.

thanks for all the info. yeah i don't need one thats up for network standards. i'll definately look into the two you listed. i don't mind dropping a few bucks into one and accessories, but i'd like to stay no more than 5grand for sure.

[Pilgrim]

By the time you get the camera, tripod, at least two mikes (shotgun and cardioid handheld), carry case for the camera, spare battery and off-camera charger, you'll be over $5K unless you're an extremely sharp shopper. That doesn't include mike cables, lights, headphones (Sony MDR-V6 for me), wireless mikes or other incidentals.

[JNowiski]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

By the time you get the camera, tripod, at least two mikes (shotgun and cardioid handheld), carry case for the camera, spare battery and off-camera charger, you'll be over $5K unless you're an extremely sharp shopper. That doesn't include mike cables, lights, headphones (Sony MDR-V6 for me), wireless mikes or other incidentals.

yeah, i realize that. even if i order a camera now i wouldn't be able to use it till next year. so i'll have alot of time to buy all the bits and pieces i need.