Pro Video Cameras

EArrigotti wrote on 1/9/2002, 7:22 PM
Does anyone have a suggestion for a high quality digital video camera that is professional grade? I know that 3ccd's is important, but that's about all I know. Can anyone recommend a pro quality camera at a decent price? ($2000-$3000) If so, let me know that brand, model, price, and what you like about it.

Thanks for your input.

Comments

Zoogie wrote on 1/9/2002, 7:54 PM
http://www.dv.com/db_area/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi
check out this link , click on the camera forum...all you ever needed to know.
cheers
Myx
FuTz wrote on 1/9/2002, 9:14 PM
I've been using Sony dsr-pd100 the whole summer and I couldn't let it go right now. It's compact, has BALANCED audio, you can ride it manually (I mean; override all this "auto" shit...), it's got white balance presets AND manual white balance too (very important to "compensate" in lots of situations...). You can take pictures with it (low res but.. can be usefull for scouting "on the run"). You can shoot 4:3 and 16:9. It comes with an extra wide angle lens, too.
There's also the pd-150 ...
I know Canon's got nice cams too. I tred the xl-1 but wasn't very impressed by the viewfinder though (hard to tell if you're on focus or not). Otherwise, the picture quality is very good plus the fact you can change the lens...
All depends of what you're gonna shoot. Documentary? Weddings?
But always check for balanced audio cause if you're gonna pay this price, you better get good clean audio.
And don't get fooled by DIGITAL zoom specs; you'll probably never use it cause it's total bull... go for OPTICAL specs.
DavidW12 wrote on 1/10/2002, 4:51 PM
Wow. I worked in commercial television for nearly 20 years..."pro" video cams for ENG and EFP (new that is) run around $50,000 (lens not included). Ikagami, Sony, Philips are a few of the "pro" brands. They're not cheap. You may be able to pick up a used one. This is based on "pro" being the same as "broadcast" quality.

If you're talking "pro" as in "better than the stuff they sell at Circuit City" then consider the "industrial" line of cams. They are far less expensive than the one's I mentioned above.

Bradley Broadcast is one supplier.
Another is MZB
You can probably buy direct from the manufacturer as well.

FuTz wrote on 1/10/2002, 5:12 PM
You can also go to www.bhphotovideo.com just to have an idea of what's on the market for the range of cams you're looking for and you'll have by the same occasion a good idea of prices too... they're in NY
EArrigotti wrote on 1/10/2002, 9:38 PM
Let me clarify what I meant by pro cameras...something that can be used in a professional setting such as wedding videos, etc. I don't want to lug in some fat daddy TV camera into the church and ask if they have someone who can act as the key grip. I just want a good quality camera to "impress the customer" so to speak.
FuTz wrote on 1/10/2002, 11:13 PM
... that's what I thought you meant...
kkolbo wrote on 1/11/2002, 12:27 PM
That would be called, prosumer level. That is even slightly below industrial. The fun part now is that the lines are getting blurry with PBS specials being shot on XLl-S cameras and even some national comercials being done on prosumer and industrial stuff.

The DV-CAM format (not mini-DV) is excellent and is avaiable in industrial models. The key though is in the optics and the quality of the camera back. Even with a better tape format, poor optics and the camera back will make a big difference.

In prosumer, ie under $4,000, I am a fan of the XL1-S, but everyone will have their favorites.

EArrigotti wrote on 1/12/2002, 1:40 AM
Hey,
I'd like to thank you all for your input, especially futz. I now know more than when I started and I think that is the point of this forum.

I am also tickled by the idea interjected by kkolba:

The fun part now is that the lines are getting blurry with PBS specials being shot on XLl-S cameras and even some national comercials being done on prosumer and industrial stuff.

Isn't is great to think that even us common folk can achieve great art, without being rich, thanks to technology in these days. This is the best way to prevent ourselves from becoming brainwashed and homogenized by those who have the power and the money. Now us commoners can produce great work to share with other folks. Kudos to all the folks making this possible, and kudos to this forum for all of your great input.