Advise regarding purchasing

[Westredd]

Hello everyone,

Thankyou for reading my post.

I am very interested in setting up a small business here in Brazil for videoing then editing small events such as weddings/parties etc.

What I will be basically doing is recording the events with DV Camera device, editing in premier and outputting to DVD.

I would like to have some advise as to what kind of camera you would recommend. I have been doing some research online and it looks as though the most important feature of any camera would be to purchase a 3CCD camera. My most important questions are these-

What kind of camera you think (feel free to mention models as example, ill be buying NTSC version for Brazil)

What kind of sound equipment/microphones i should purchase (or just rely on the camera picking up sound?)

What kind of additional lighting equipment is commonly used for indoor fiming, what kind of things I should purchase for improving lighting?

The capturing/editing/outputting to DVD options are all in place so don't need any information on that side.

If anyone could offer any advise, it would be much appreciated,

ahh, nearly forgot, budget. My budget would be between $3000-$5000 US.

Kind regards

Westredd

[erayboul]

I have to agree with you that having 3 CCDs is one of the most important aspects of a camcorder. The colors are definitely more vibrant than with a 1-chip design. I would have to say that a camcorder that allows you to manually control as many features as possible is also a plus. About three years ago I loaned my camcorder to a friend to videotape his sister-in-law's wedding (while I was shooting still photos). I forgot to show my friend how to manually control the iris and gain. Since it was in auto mode, every time the camera panned near the door with the sunlight coming in, the iris would automatically close down and the couples dancing on the floor would be dark. Also the white balance was fooled once, but I should be able to correct that in Premiere Pro. My camcorder is the Sony DCR-VX2000. Sony doesn't make that camera anymore, but from everything that I read, its successor the VX2100 is even better. I paid approximately $2400 US in November of 2001 for it.

The on-camera stereo microphone is definitely adequate (and that is all that I currently have), but if I was videotaping an interview, I would want some sort of wireless mic or a shotgun mic. The on-camera mic is sensitive enough and has a great frequency response, but it picks up everything, although you generally won't notice noise from the camera's motors.

Also the VX2000 and presumably the VX2100 have great low-light capability, but I have a Sony 20-watt shoe-mounted light that works well with close-up subjects. In general I just try to keep the room lights up (if that's under my control) and perform a manual white balance prior to shooting.

B & H Photo in the US is selling the VX2100 for about the same price as I paid for my VX2000. With your budget, you should have enough left over for an extra mic or two, or extra lighting.

[Westredd]

thanks very much erayboul for that excellent reply which covers all my questions and also the mention of the Sony Camera. Much appreciated,

West