Suggest a video camera. Want to start making films.

[solvent]

I'd like to start making some short films. I'd like to know what camera's are good for this for people on a budget that dont have 10 grand to burn.

I like shooting in low light. I like the ability to experiment, and have control rather than no control and fully auto all the time.

Can you guys give me some advice/reccomendations?

Thanks

[MaliCali]

well an HVX200 definitely isnt 10 grand..

[westernminnguy]

Canon XH-A1. Great manual control and very competitive price.

5DMKII is a wonderful video cam if you can live with the shortcomings of sound and shorter video times.

:)

[mbell75]

Canon Vixia HV30. Shoots full 1080p with 24p and cinema mode as well. Great in low light, you can get them for under $1k now. I would recommend getting the wide angle adapter as well.

[Trey T]

consumer cameras all shoots semi-auto.

for making films, 5dII is the best right now, in terms of color and low-light.

[Trey T]

HDV is not full 1080p and that HV30 has fake 24p.

if anyone want full HD(or full 1080p), invest in the HG or HF canon model. HF is currently canon's best consumer cam.
Canon Vixia HV30. Shoots full 1080p with 24p and cinema mode as well. Great in low light, you can get them for under $1k now. I would recommend getting the wide angle adapter as well.

[pepperoni]

The best low light HD cams right now are using CMOS chips.
Look at the Sony FX7, FX1000 or the EX-1.

To save money, you can find some killer deals right now on a Canon XH-A1 since it was discontinued and replaced with the XH-A1s. It's still a sweet camera.

[dann6968]

HDV is not full 1080p and that HV30 has fake 24p.



How so?

[tupper]

5DmkII for low light video..

[Trey T]

the actual images captures is interlaced, 60i. it pulls down to 24p by using their software/algorithm. a true 24p will capture 23.98fps(24p) and output at 23.98fps.

http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/01/04/canon-avchd-24p-pulldown-removal/
How so?

[Trey T]

no doubt about it. you get best of both world.
5DmkII for low light video..

[Kagemaru]

All the answers here are funny and cover a wide range of possibilites for cameras. The real question is, what kind of films and to what degree? What kind of budget do you have. If you want to make home movies, just get a Vixia. If you're serious, skip the 5D Mark II and get a HVX200 or a RED.

[Zepher]

HDV is not full 1080p and that HV30 has fake 24p.

if anyone want full HD(or full 1080p), invest in the HG or HF canon model. HF is currently canon's best consumer cam.

the actual images captures is interlaced, 60i. it pulls down to 24p by using their software/algorithm. a true 24p will capture 23.98fps(24p) and output at 23.98fps.

http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/01/04/canon-avchd-24p-pulldown-removal/


HF does fake 24P as well then. on Canons specs page it shows 24P (recorded at 60i) and 30P (recorded at 60i)

[Zepher]

the 5dMKII is probably the best camera to use for low light shooting. It is simply amazing.

[Trey T]

correct, and I never said anything else, just stating the facts. it seems that many ppl are all up on 24p this and 24p that, and they have no idea why they even need 24p.
HF does fake 24P as well then. on Canons specs page it shows 24P (recorded at 60i) and 30P (recorded at 60i)
canon's first consumer cam w/ true 24p is the HV40.

[pepperoni]

it seems that many ppl are all up on 24p this and 24p that, and they have no idea why they even need 24p.


True. The vast majority doesn't even need 24p.