Re: Best Under $1500 prosumer Camera?
- From: riclanders@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 30 Jun 2006 07:27:40 -0700
Hal Lowe wrote:
On 29 Jun 2006 11:31:22 -0700, riclanders@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
PTravel wrote:
"Mr. Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1151590769.813392.206070@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
riclanders@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Used Canon GL2's and GL1's are selling for under $1000.
Can they do the job?
ric
They can "do the job." If you want XLR connections you'll need to get
an adaptor from Studio One or Beachtek.
PTravel gave some excellent references including dvinfo.net which is
run by my friend Chris Hurd and considered one of the foremost
discussion areas for pro dv cameras. If you want a broader scope you
can try camcorderinfo.com.
Chris is a great guy, isn't he?
I'll offer my usual caution about camcorderinfo.com. Robin Liss has,
sometimes, some rather bizarre takes on equipment. I'm not sure if it's
because she reviews from the standpoint of the casual consumer, or because
she is reluctant to offend the sources of the cameras that she reviews (she
drools over new equipment, just as we all do). Usually, buried within the
reviews, you can find the pertinent information, e.g. it may sound like a
rave review, but you'll see something a page down like, "however, in low
light color saturation is reduced and some grain shows up." If you look at
the sample frame capture, you'll see that color saturation is reduced to the
point where there is no color, just grays, the grain is the size of golf
balls, and video gain is so reduced that it looks black construction paper.
What the review should say is, "this is a good camcorder if you're only
going to use it in very bright sunlight, but is unusable indoors or at
night." Of course, she'll never publish that on her website.
If you buy a used unit (and we have a couple by the way) I would be
extremely cautious. 4 out of the last 5 pieces of gear I have
purchased used have been DOA for various reasons. If you get one I
would pay a little more from a reputable source.
Obviously, very good advice. One additional point: Sony will, usually,
repair its gear for a flat rate. For example, it will repair cameras in its
prosumer line, which includes the VX2000/2100 and PD-150/170 for a flat fee
of $575 (provided the camera hasn't been deliberately abused or submerged in
water). A broken PD-170 for under $1,000, after a repair job by Sony, will
yield a $3,000 camera for a little over $1,500.
But before you go with Canon compare the features/specs with similarly
priced units and make sure that's what you want. If you find one you
like that's slightly above your price range let me know and I'll see if
we can get a B-stock unit or demo for you.
Craig
http://www.pro-tape.com
Here we go again. Every few months I come to this newsgroup, ask the
same question and get the same royal run-around.
If I wanted to research the question I'd use the sources mentioned. I
was looking for a name, not all this back and forth about where I
should go or what I shouldn't do and how many angels somebody got on
the head of a pin. Honestly, the header of this thread is plain enough
-- "Best $1500..."
What's the problem?
Give me a name. Save the Fourth of July speeches for Tuesday. :)
and I know I'm burning bridges, but I got to make a purchase and some
of you pompous blowhards are ruining my day.
Give me a freakin' name already.
Rant turned off.
ricland
Hi Ricland,
It's a matter of opinion fo course, but I have a Panasonic PV-GS400. I
love this camera. It's very easy to learn/use, but has many advanced
features. It also takes excellent stills with it's 4MP setting, but
you'll find you have to work a bit if you want to use the flash.
Anyway, here's an overview of the specs:
System NTSC
Format Mini DV
CCD 3 CCD 1/4.7" 1,070,000 Pixels (per CCD)
Video Active Pixels 700,000 x3
Still Active Pixels 990,000 x3
Audio PCM Stereo 12-bit/32kHz, 16-bit/48kHz
Zoom 12x Optical, 700x Digital
Lens Leica Dicomar Lens
3.3-39.6.5mm f/1.6
Filter Size 43mm
Image Stabilizer Yes EIS
Lux 2 Lux - Advanced Magic Pix Mode
Viewfinder Color
LCD Monitor 3.5"
Manual Controls Focus, White Balance, Iris, Shutter Speed 1/60-1/800,
Manual Zoom
Date & Time Yes
Time Code Yes
Edit Protocol No
A/V Dubbing Yes
Line In Recording Yes - Analog & Digital
Inputs IEEE-1394 - 4 Pin x1 , S-Video x1, A/V Input x1
Output Same Input is used for Output, plus USB Port 2.0
Special Effects Effects 1: Multi Mode, Picture-In-Picture, Wipe, Mix,
Strobe, Trail, Mosaic, Mirror, Stretch, Slim.
Effects 2: Negative, Sepia, Black & White, Solarisation,
Fader Yes
Titler In Card Mode
Built-in Mic Yes
Microphone Input Yes
Headphone Jack Yes
Built-in Speaker Yes
Accessory Shoe Yes - Smart Accessory Shoe (Hot Shoe)
Built-in Light Built-in pop-up Flash
Tape Loading Top Loading
Power Consumption DC 7.9v/7.5w, AC 110-240v, 50/60Hz
Dimensions (WxHxD) 3.19 x 3.15 x 7.01"
81 x 80 x 178mm
Weight 1.54 lb
700 g
Specialties Backlight
5-Mode Program AE
Hope this is helpful.
Hal Lowe
http://www.cafepress.com/halogos (unique logo t-shirts, mugs & more)
http://www.halowe-graphics.com/photo.html (digiPhoto)
http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=7391019 (web hosting)
http://www.halowe-graphics.com/tinc?key=0TmhZVQ5&formname=web_email
I've read the specs and two of the reviews and it seems this camera is
capable of doing what the low-end pro cameras can do while looking like
a non-pro camera. If that's true, would this be an issue(looks) in
wedding or event setting where looks may or may not count.
And it seems to me that I read somewhere a while back that this model
had motor sound problems. As to audio can the hot shot and external mic
port be used at the same time to grab to different audio sources?
Also, right now it's being sold for about $700. Suppose I had $1000 to
play with, what would I be looking at then?
Thanks,
ricland
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