Here's a post I sent to the list a couple months ago after a similar
(hey...it was Alan's) query. I'm sure there's more info available in
the Avid-L2 archives. The thread was in August. Titled "[Avid-L2] HD
Camcorder"
I'm on a similar quest. We need a half-dozen simple cameras for
subjects with minimal experience to keep with them for the inevitable
(but unpredictable) day When The Heavy S*** Comes Down, Man. Our needs
differ from yours, but here's what I think:
I end up working with DSLRs a lot, as do we all. A DSLR as Greg
suggests could be a good way to go if you you think the operator can
pull it off, if he/she will largely be working on sticks, if they'll
largely be getting scenics of beautiful piazzas or something, and if
you want to spend the money. I'd say the cheapest decent way to go
would be a Canon Rebel T2i with the crappy kit lens or with the decent
Tamron 17-50 2.8 lens (that I like and use). That would cost $1100ish.
Or maybe the $1000ish kit with the 18-135 lens would be OK (haven't
used that lens). But the Rebel T3i body has a flip-out LCD screen that
really really eases using a DSLR... worth the extra $100 or so, imo.
Do you care about audio? Spend some more money 'cause the built-in
DSLR mics suck. You'll still have a DSLR, and all the inherent
niceness and ickiness that goes with...
But if they'll be shooting handheld, don't have decent skills, will
not have time to do lots of fiddling with the camera, then maybe you
want to consider a small palmcorder. That's the direction we're going.
I've been reviewing a few of these. Currently, I'm pretty impressed
with some of the newer Canon camcorders. I evaluated the $700ish Canon
HF M40 and the $1500ish HF G10. They're largely similar, but for the
lens and a couple other features (G10 has bigger LCD screen, true 24p
progressive rather than 24F-on-60i, easier access to some settings,
better--but not great--zoom control)...there are several variants of
the M40... one has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen; a
couple have different memory configurations. But the M cameras seem
otherwise the same.
The coolest thing about these particular Canon cameras: Instead of
tiny 8-megapixel sensors, they have tiny (1/3-inch) 2 megapixel
sensors... specifically 1920x1080 sensors. So each pixel site is
somewhat bigger. So the cameras work better in low light and show
noticeably more (but not fantastic) dynamic range than other small
camcorders. Really, the image looks pretty good (for AVCHD from a
small camera). The built-in mics are a bit bright, but OK. The built-
in wind filter isn't great. But the cameras have 3.5mm headphone and
mic jacks... that's nice though we won't be taking advantage of
those...KISS. The G10 lens opens to 30mm vs 45mm (35mm still
equivalent) for the M40... that's significant. And the G10 lens is a
bit faster.
Here, this link should lead you to a comparison chart:
http://bit.ly/nvjwfq
If that doesn't work, go here:
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders
Both cameras have decent Auto modes (some with auto white balance;
sigh), and enough manual control. I could go on, but it's the sensor
and low-light performance that's making these cameras good options for
us. The cameras have a lot of options. Will your operator want to use
the auto white balance even if you say don't? Will they choose the
best image stabilization for their particular use? Do you want them
recording at 60i or what? You might want to consider getting the
camera in house, setting them up the way you want, then sending them
to Italy. FWIW, we'll probably end up choosing one of the M-series
cameras, mainly for budget reasons... if I was buying a small
camcorder for myself, I'd probably buy the G10.
Also, you might want to consider getting a simple offloading app such
as ShotPut Pro (for Mac or Windows):
http://www.imagineproducts.com/
Makes it pretty easy to simultaneously copy cards to a couple hard
drives, verify the copy, and so on. I could see you wanting the
operator to copy media to two hard drives, ship you the memory cards
and one hard drive, and hold onto the second hard drive as security.
Some people don't seem to like ShotPut Pro, but we've found it to be
simple (as in both PAs and producers can do the work) and reliable...
Would love to hear what others think
Regardless what camera you end up choosing, it's imperative that your
EP send you to Italy for a couple weeks of location scouting.
Well that's enough from me. I'm getting sleepy.
Would love to hear what others think.
HTH a little,
Jim Feeley
jfeeley@gmail.com
[and a brief follow-up]
***The little Pelican memory card cases are a good way to help people
track their SDHC cards. Pocket sized, good for mailing, cheap.
http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=0910
***Batteries
The 890mAh lithium-ion battery Canon bundles with their camera ran in
record mode for about two hours. Canon sells a 1780mAh battery for
$80ish. Haven't used the bigger battery, but it looks like even it
will sit in the camera's battery well without sticking out the back of
the camera. So that could be worth getting.
***camera stabilizer.
We might send our people a monopod, or more likely a Gorillapod:
http://joby.com/gorillapod/slr/
The extra weight and length can sort of help stabilize the camera when
handheld, and the Gorillapod can function as a small tripod for
establishing shots. But we're not sure if this will bring a level of
complexity that's just too much.
On Oct 20, 2011, at 7:36 AM, Alan Miller wrote:
>
> I just went through this recently and the overwhelming response was
> the Canon Vixia.
> It's around $800. Can't remember the exact model number. It takes
> beautiful pictures,
> and is extremely easy to use. It worked great with file based
> workflow into Avid.
> Alan
>
> Alan Miller
> 48 Hours Mystery
> CBS News
>
> ________________________________
> From: ksirul <kenavid2@glueedit.com>
> To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 10:11 AM
> Subject: [Avid-L2] OT: camera recommendation
>
> A client wants to send out a bunch of cameras to folks in a
> community for a film. They would be shooting video diary type stuff
> with audio preferably 720p or 1080p. It would need to be a smaller
> camera with decent audio with an external mic. Any recommendations
> for under $1000 cameras?
>
> KEN
>
No comments:
Post a Comment