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Recommend High Quality Professional Camera

by Joshua Uebergang
27 replies
I'm talking of the quality seen in the likes of Eben Pagan and John Reese's videos.

Requirements include:
- External mic
- Super High Resolution
- High frame-rate (used for my brother's golf swing)
- Image Stabilization
- Price range (less than $2500).
- plus I'm sure others, but I don't know too much about cameras at them moment.

Josh Anderson's recommendations are the Sony vx-2100 and Canon GL2, both highly-rated cams.
#camera #high #professional #quality #recommend
  • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
    Any suggestions?

    One other thing I'm wondering about is a feature I've seen in Eben's videos. I don't know if this is done by editing or two cameras, but you can be filming and then the camera captures something different without any audio cutting or other delays. An example of this is when Eben's talking in some of his more personal videos. There is an upperbody shot and then it transitions to a headshot with no interruptions in audio. Is this a feature in cameras or done by editing and having two cameras?

    Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Lundergan
      Hi Josh,

      Here you go. Try this. It's my favorite camera for under $2500 although I'm sending you to the PAL/Australian compatible version which says $2999 on that site. Just do a search online for the PAL version and you can find it cheaper. If you read the specs, it has what you are looking for I used it for a year while super-impressed over the quality before buying one myself. Several cameraman I know across the country use it for pro broadcast video.

      Panasonic | AG-DVX100BE 3-CCD 25p Mini-DV Cinema | AGDVX100BE

      Enjoy
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      • Profile picture of the author LB
        Originally Posted by Scott Lundergan View Post

        Hi Josh,

        Here you go. Try this. It's my favorite camera for under $2500 although I'm sending you to the PAL/Australian compatible version which says $2999 on that site. Just do a search online for the PAL version and you can find it cheaper. If you read the specs, it has what you are looking for I used it for a year while super-impressed over the quality before buying one myself. Several cameraman I know across the country use it for pro broadcast video.

        Panasonic | AG-DVX100BE 3-CCD 25p Mini-DV Cinema | AGDVX100BE

        Enjoy
        I used to own one of these and they are excellent cameras. Awesome color depth and sharpness as well as good low light performance. Keep in mind that the one linked here is the PAL version, the NTSC version is what you'll need if you're in the US.

        Amazon has them at under $2200 with rebate right now.
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        • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
          Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang

          Josh Anderson's recommendations are the Sony vx-2100 and Canon GL2, both highly-rated cams.

          He does recommend those two, which do a great job, and I know he's familiar with the HV-30 and am pretty sure he is recommending the HV-30 for his prosumer clients as well and hopefully leaning toward sharing information about the dvx-100 as a more high end solution to the videomaker without breaking the bank on a 10k-30k camera.
          Hi guys,

          I have been getting some pretty great results lately with the Canon HV30. I filmed all the videos on my latest site www.transparentplayer.com with it including the large HD Flash video toward the bottom of the screen.

          I also own a Canon GL2 however if I were to go out and buy another Prosumer quality camera today in the same price range as the GL2 I would follow Scott's advice and go for the Panasonic.

          Be very careful not to make a high end camera purchase just based on the price alone... some of those stores listed on Amazon are notorious for bad customer service. And worse yet some NJ and NY camera stores do things like unpack your camera remove the peripherals and battery, then advertise the camera at a ridiculously low price and then any time you call to order they badger you into paying outrageous fees for batteries etc.

          For this reason I do almost all my pro camera shopping and buying at www.bhphotovideo.com great company, great customer service, competitive prices, and a trusted name.
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          • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
            I use Canon's High Def Vixia HF10.

            It comes with a built in 16 GB memory, which means that it doesn't use tape. It saves your video in the camera. And, you can also save your videos to a memory card.

            If you want a wider frame you can purchase different sized angle converters. All you have to do is screw them in.

            See the picture below:

            I spent around $1100 for the camera. The extra lenses were $59.00, $120.00, and the largest one was $500.00.

            This camera will give you T.V. quality High Def Video. To prove that, you can hook it up to your T.V. with an HDMI cable.

            If you have a Mac, you can upload straight to imovie or final cut using firewire.

            If you have a PC you will need to buy (if you don't already have) an editing software that can open ts2 files. I use Ulead however I don't like it very much. You may want to do some research on video editing programs for a PC that can work with the files.

            I just recently ordered the mic for this camera. When I get it, I will let you know what I think.

            The most important thing to keep in mind is your lighting. You can buy a kit that comes with two lights on stands, umbrellas and bulbs for under $200.

            Lastly, you can also buy a background kit which includes: two stands and a bar to hang your paper on. You can find this also for less than $200. You may have to pay separately for paper which may cost $40.00 considering the size you buy.

            Peace...

            p.s. let me know if this helps

            p.s.s. believe me when I say that this camera is "no joke"
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            • Profile picture of the author LB
              One other thing that should be mentioned is this- no matter what camera you get make sure it has an external audio input! (preferably XLR)

              Nothing is worse than being stuck with the onboard mic. They work fine for somethings while other times you'll never get good audio.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Robertson
      Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang View Post

      Any suggestions?

      One other thing I'm wondering about is a feature I've seen in Eben's videos. I don't know if this is done by editing or two cameras, but you can be filming and then the camera captures something different without any audio cutting or other delays. An example of this is when Eben's talking in some of his more personal videos. There is an upperbody shot and then it transitions to a headshot with no interruptions in audio. Is this a feature in cameras or done by editing and having two cameras?

      Thanks!
      I'm pretty sure Eben's video crew uses multiple cameras, but you could do a very similar effect with just one camera in a couple of ways. If you're shooting a fairly short video with a script, just shoot the whole thing several times - moving the camera between each take. Then edit as if you were using multiple cameras.

      If your star is ad libbing, just ask them to stop periodically for camera re-positioning.

      Steve R.
      R.A.M. Video
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      • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
        Although it's old, I use a Canon HV20 with the separate Canon Wideangle attachment and it has all the features you require. You just need to purchase the separate mic attachment.

        Maybe look into the newer HV30?

        A good forum to ask these questions is Canon HV20 / HV30 User Forum - Powered by vBulletin
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        • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
          Makes sense Steve. Maybe I can buy two expensive cameras

          I've been looking at the Panasonic AG-DVX100BE for an hour Scott, and damn. I think that's the camera I'm getting. Just the price, but I'll reason to myself that it's an "investment".

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          • Profile picture of the author Scott Lundergan
            Hey Josh,

            Keep in mind it is also has mono/stereo xlr inputs for your audio, so you don't need to buy an audio adapter. Also, the attached front mic is MUCH better (almost like a cheap shotgun mic) than any other mic you will find that comes with a camera.

            Also, I got mine for $1250 from a friend who had only used it for four video shoots. If you can search craigslist/ebay or online price bargain sites, you can get it for less than 2k hopefully. When they first came out, they were $3k and the standard for them now is still around $2k to purchase brand new, but I'm pretty sure you can find it for $1500 online. Just search the model number and several sites come up.

            The example you posted looks great, even on youtube. I assume you saw all the frame rate, shutter speed variables so you can adjust and get the right golf swing.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
      Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang View Post

      Any suggestions?

      One other thing I'm wondering about is a feature I've seen in Eben's videos. I don't know if this is done by editing or two cameras, but you can be filming and then the camera captures something different without any audio cutting or other delays. An example of this is when Eben's talking in some of his more personal videos. There is an upperbody shot and then it transitions to a headshot with no interruptions in audio. Is this a feature in cameras or done by editing and having two cameras?

      Thanks!
      I think it's called a zoom cut.
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      • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
        Thanks Marc, Josh, and LB for all your input.

        As you said Josh, there are some dodgy sellers. I saw one on Amazon that has the cheapest price, but they've had some awful reviews and stories similar to what you described. You confirmed that I will get the Panny.

        LB, yup. I'm making sure it has an external mic input - something I learned from Josh's transparent video effect program.

        Marc, I looked into "zoom cut" and couldn't find anything for a while until I stumbled across an article by some university professor talking about "zoom cut" with a sniper gun on a Nintendo 64 game. lol.

        Does anyone know if the Panasonic does a zoom-cut? (For all I know any camera could do it.)
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        • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
          Joshie

          I hope you're not the subject, but because no matter how high quality the camera it can't make you look good, mate.

          I consulted with Tony Blake before outfitting the new Riley Productions studio, and he got me on Canon HV-30s. I picked up 2 of them from a local superstore for the equivalent of $900 each. They shoot HD and it looks fantastic.

          Also got some Audio Technica AT-55 shotgun mics to go with them. Unbelievable sound quality.

          Lighting is very important. I'm using halogens for main, fill, and back light.
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        • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
          Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang View Post

          Marc, I looked into "zoom cut" and couldn't find anything for a while until I stumbled across an article by some university professor talking about "zoom cut" with a sniper gun on a Nintendo 64 game. lol.
          That was my guess. I wasn't sure if it was called a "zoom cut" or not. However, I know it can be done during the editing process.
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          • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
            I was hoping to use the cam to bring out the beautiful side in you Kevin, but I think its impossible now.

            Haven't looked into lighting yet. I'll do that in the next few days along with green material etc.

            It seems the zoom cut is done in editing. I have sony handycam at the moment, but its pretty old but I'll give it a shot at using as a 2nd cam.
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            • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
              Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang View Post

              I was hoping to use the cam to bring out the beautiful side in you Kevin, but I think its impossible now.

              Haven't looked into lighting yet. I'll do that in the next few days along with green material etc.

              It seems the zoom cut is done in editing. I have sony handycam at the moment, but its pretty old but I'll give it a shot at using as a 2nd cam.
              I notice how you cut your head off in your avatar. GOOD IDEA
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              Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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              • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
                haha. Crap. You got me there... I was used for my body in that pic.
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              • Profile picture of the author severt
                Did you know almost all your replies from the last days/weeks really sucks!
                It seems that you have time enough to put "shit" on this forum...

                Originally Posted by Kevin Riley View Post

                I notice how you cut your head off in your avatar. GOOD IDEA
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Lundergan
    Originally Posted by Joshua Uebergang View Post


    Josh Anderson's recommendations are the Sony vx-2100 and Canon GL2, both highly-rated cams.
    He does recommend those two, which do a great job, and I know he's familiar with the HV-30 and am pretty sure he is recommending the HV-30 for his prosumer clients as well and hopefully leaning toward sharing information about the dvx-100 as a more high end solution to the videomaker without breaking the bank on a 10k-30k camera.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
      $1250 is one bargain! I'll get it off you for $1300 and you can turn a profit on it.

      I haven't seen anything on Craigslist and nothing on eBay. The best I see is:
      http://www.dbuys.com/product/?42121&...28746804&sk1=1 for $2129. Not very different from Amazon. It seems these are the best prices with most being $2800+
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  • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
    I ended up buying the Sony DCR-VX2100 from bhphotovideo.com and received it yesterday. It was a great price from a company that seemed good according to Josh's recommendations. Anyway, it arrived with everyday so bhphotovideo are good.

    But before it arrived, I had to pay customs an extra $350 for GST otherwise customs would send it back. This was strange because I've never had to do anything like that before for other imported goods. "Damn" I thought, but it was necessary and still cheaper than if I purchased it elsewhere so it didn't bother me.

    I tested some footage, but couldn't import because of an error, "The video was not imported correctly. Verify that the digital video tape is not blank, and then try again." Though that doesn't really matter now because the mini-dv tape is jammed because of some mechanical problem. Off to send it away for repair and more costs. Yay!
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
      I tested some footage, but couldn't import because of an error, "The video was not imported correctly. Verify that the digital video tape is not blank, and then try again." Though that doesn't really matter now because the mini-dv tape is jammed because of some mechanical problem. Off to send it away for repair and more costs. Yay!
      Sounds like a run of bad luck on the mechanical problem. No fun. I always buy the coverage plans when making expensive purchases like cameras. In this case it should at the least be covered by warranty if it is a mechanical failure of the camera.

      I was doing an outdoor shoot recently when a wind gust blew my less than 24 hours old Canon HV30 lens first into the dirt attached to a tripod. The coverage I purchased luckily covered accidental damage and I received a replacement camera.

      On the capture issue... make sure its not a software problem and that the capture software you are using is working correctly. I personally use Sony Vegas for my capturing and editing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
        haha, must have been one strong gust of wind.

        Yeah, I use Vegas to. Got it from your recommendations . It didn't import for windows movie maker and vegas so I'm thinking it was a problem with the tape. I later found out the pixely effect I had for what I recorded was from dirty heads. That might have influenced a poor tape and being unable to import it. The drivers installed correctly, I could control the camera, and I could preview it on the computer, but I couldn't import.

        I'm taking the cam in tomorrow. Hopefully I get off easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bearded
    Not to hijack the thread, but I figure it's relevant...

    Is there a good sub-$1,000 HD camcorder out there that's hard-drive or flash based? I can't stand mini-dv. 1-to-1 import times are unacceptable to me.

    Also is there a way I can use my Nikon SLR lenses on a camcorder? For all the money I've spent on photo-lenses, I wish I could use them for video.

    Joe
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua Uebergang
      You might get a reply Joe by starting another thread. Why don't you like mini-dv? You have me worried now.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        I never made it to the GL2 - still using my GL1, and matched it up with a used zr45 (only a 1 chip but great as a second cam for cuts).

        You can find some good package deals on ebay - look for something that tells you how many hours of use on the cameras or just ask. It is amazing how many people buy a camera and only use it for one or two little things and realize how much work it is and give up.

        Then you'll still have plenty of money for some other goodies as well. I have 2 mite lights with the xlr plugs and an adapter for the gl1 with an xlr and all can plug into a battery pack (I have a 13 lb old one) that straps on my waist and I have juice all day.

        You'll still have plenty left over to get a wireless mic as well (I use a samson I got at b&h).

        I don't know about the gl2, but my gl1 can be a noisy critter. You don't realize camera noise until you are shooting something that has a lot of silence.

        If I was new to shooting all over again, I would go to b&h and spend a day playing as they have a lot of stuff on the floor. Then I'd scour the back of videomaker magazine (and everywhere else) for a good deal.

        Is your budget just for the camera alone? A decent tripod (heavy is better) with fluid head will be a must if you are zooming.
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