Re: Canon or Pana DV camcorder?


Thanks a lot for taking all that time to respond, your experience is
most helpful. In terms of family records rather than as a biz, what
is sad is that I have only a few, and not very good photos from my
childhood in 50s and 60s, because the technology had not yet arrived.
The older I get, the more I think of the need to document things for
the benefit of future generations. Will look into Sony or Pana
products!


On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:15:35 GMT, "G Wiz" <nothere@xxxxxxx> wrote:

James:

I don't know if this is any help or if you have made a decision, yet.

My experience is having both worked for Sony and having been a Cameraman,
Technical Director, Producer/Director (with broadcasting experience for 29
years spanning everything from black and white video to the introduction of
portable cameras and more).

I mention having worked for Sony, but you should know that in the 60s I was
asked to represent RCA's new lineup as a spokesperson on a commercial. I
have used European, American, and Japanese cameras. French, German, and
Japanese lenses. So I assure you that I am not using a biased approach here.
In fact, rather than sway you to a manufacturer, and, being that
manufacturers' sites are so global and inconsistent today, I will only give
you what I know:

1) Canon - are mostly noted for their still cameras and lenses (I have used
telephoto video camera lenses by Canon that are as long as your arm). The
video lenses, unless specific for effect, have often been entry level on
another manufacturers' camera. There may be cases that I am unaware of,
however, many video cameras have been sold with Canon lenses as standard
equipment with Angenieux, Schneider, Rodenstock, and other lenses as
upgrades.

2) Canon video cameras have NOT been a major player in the professional
field - their lenses, as previously mentioned, have however.

3) JVC, Phillips, NEC, Sharp, Panasonic, Sony, and a host of other lesser
known (like Ferenseh) and household names will be found in the professional
arena. While RCA and GE (both, at times, affiliated with NBC) were giants in
the industry, Sony and Panasonic seem to have a substantial following; and
along with that, they have operational experience. In Europe and Asia it may
be somewhat more or less. Marconi was once a powerhouse.

4) Sony and Panasonic are also big in editing suites and other related
equipment for sound and video production. There are companies that use parts
from all the previous major manufacturers and rebrand them.

5) Sony and Panavision (having made Star Wars sequel) teamed up and built HD
cameras that shoot 24 frames per second like a film camera. Not so strange
considering Sony owns Columbia Pictures and more.

6) Panasonic generally makes a quality product . . . sometimes this limits
features, though. Look at high end hi-fi equipment and you'll often see this
holds true as well. So you may not want to rule out a camera because of it's
simplicity. Some of the best ones don't give you coffee. I have met people
who have had their Sony home video cameras for well over 14 years.

7) Rule 1: 3 CCDs are better than one. Although the benefit is obvious, it
is more for matching cameras when you have to use two or more on the same
production. One caveat with three CCDs is it doesn't help if they are
mismatched in anyway. Rule 2: One CCD can do terrific . . . if you like it.

8) Colour is very important. My choice is the Sony first. Not because of
bias. It is because I may need to match it with another video and there is a
good chance it may be a Sony produced video. In the past it could have come
from cross country, whether by marketing or preference.

9) Still, James, only you know what you need, if it's lenses - I'm sure
Canon can help; but, my experience at the retail level for consumer cameras
is that you will find pretty much what you need with Sony and probably the
Panasonic (I'm not certain).

10) One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is batteries. Make sure that you
won't have a problem getting them on location. And popularity of type and
brand will not burden you, for sure.

11) Also, the movie industry still uses Hi-def tape formats . . . so don't
let that scare you away. Remember, digital tape is NOT analogue tape. DVDs
are fine for casual use and have their advantages, but are not necessarily
the format of choice in other applications. Lucky you. You have a choice.
I'm looking at a DVD camera also . . . Hard Drives have advantages and
disadvantages well known . . . and future video will be on removable chips
like photos. Don't wait for the technology, James. I lost a lot of video
that I miss not having, because I waited for the next best thing.

Lastly, my experience with J&R has been over 30 years with great success.
The rule of thumb is bad businesses usually don't last and their are a few
old timers out there (I don't mean me) that you could pick from to do
business with and with some help from this group.

- Hope I could help, James. I'll be watching for your videos and your Oscar.
And remember, it's not the camera - it's the person behind the camera. Good
Luck!

-G Wiz

"geronimo" <Jamesw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:285fh3pold2cctb0o17i9k7tbjb2if4fp4@xxxxxxxxxx
I am looking into investing up to 2000.00 for a mini DV camcorder.
My Samsung mimi-DV camcorder would be laughed at if I showed up for a
"paying" shoot with that! Canon GL2 looks good at about $1400
retail. The Panasonic AG-DVX100B looks good too at abt 2000.00
retail. I found one store, Express Camera, that is selling a NEW
Canon GL2 for $699.00....something is not right there! Is it stolen
merchanidise? It looks like whatever store you buy from they soak you
on the battery...$250 for a 4 hr Li-ion batttery seems rather
exhorbitant. I guess this is their angle...they charge reasonable for
the camcorder itself, and soak you on the accessories.

Or should I look at a Sony model?

In any case I need an entry level pro or prosumer camera, just
enough to handle small time video productions like a wedding, how-to
videos for Youtube or DVD distribution.

Also, should I spend more now and start out with a HD capable
camcorder? I mean, if in the very near future almost everyone will
want their videos in HD resolution, I would just be wasting money on
soemthing that is on the verge of obsolescence. Thanks!


"geronimo" <Jamesw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:285fh3pold2cctb0o17i9k7tbjb2if4fp4@xxxxxxxxxx
I am looking into investing up to 2000.00 for a mini DV camcorder.
My Samsung mimi-DV camcorder would be laughed at if I showed up for a
"paying" shoot with that! Canon GL2 looks good at about $1400
retail. The Panasonic AG-DVX100B looks good too at abt 2000.00
retail. I found one store, Express Camera, that is selling a NEW
Canon GL2 for $699.00....something is not right there! Is it stolen
merchanidise? It looks like whatever store you buy from they soak you
on the battery...$250 for a 4 hr Li-ion batttery seems rather
exhorbitant. I guess this is their angle...they charge reasonable for
the camcorder itself, and soak you on the accessories.

Or should I look at a Sony model?

In any case I need an entry level pro or prosumer camera, just
enough to handle small time video productions like a wedding, how-to
videos for Youtube or DVD distribution.

Also, should I spend more now and start out with a HD capable
camcorder? I mean, if in the very near future almost everyone will
want their videos in HD resolution, I would just be wasting money on
soemthing that is on the verge of obsolescence. Thanks!


.

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