I've got $3600 for a camera. Has anyone any recommendations?

[deanj]

Hi there,

I would like to start making short films and wondered if anyone had any recommendations regarding the best camcorder I could get a semi-pro look with for $3600? I made films as a kid and know which editing packages I'd like, all of which accept HD I believe, but I'm not sure about which camera will be best. I'd like it to be able to accept a 35mm lense with filters, be as sharp as possible and have a good/variable frame rate.

If anyones got a camera, that they've got semi-pro looks out of with good lighting, I'd really appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

[zoobie]

What's the subject matter going to be?

I like cams with LANC...for semi-pro pans and zooms
Then I would set aside some serious $ for a decent pro tripod and spend the remainder on a HDV cam
My subject matter is always outdoors so lighting isn't much of a concern with me

[edDV]

Hi there,

I would like to start making short films and wondered if anyone had any recommendations regarding the best camcorder I could get a semi-pro look with for $3600? I made films as a kid and know which editing packages I'd like, all of which accept HD I believe, but I'm not sure about which camera will be best. I'd like it to be able to accept a 35mm lense with filters, be as sharp as possible and have a good/variable frame rate.

If anyones got a camera, that they've got semi-pro looks out of with good lighting, I'd really appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

Interchangable lens limits choice to a few. $3600 budget limits further to SD Canon XL2. Sure this is what you want?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Canon+XL&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=426463710949...ult#ps-sellers

[deanj]

Cheers for the comments. I'd prefer to be able to get a 35mm lense on it with filters, but this can be acheived in post I guess. Just looking for the best camera for the dosh...

[teddsadventure]

For sure go with HD, the question is whether to go the HDV route (and/or P2), or AVCHD flash-based... personally, myself, i prefer avchd... i'll have one of these soon enough:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/575992-REG/Panasonic_AG_HMC150PJU_AG_HMC150_AVCC...Camcorder.html

[edDV]

Other ~$3500 options

Canon XH-A1 - A great HDV choice
JVC GY-HM100U - Proprietary 35Mb/s 1080p MPeg2

Above your budget but possible used
Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2 DVCProHD Varicam
Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM-EX*

* Rumor of a lower cost XDCAM-EX model next year

[edDV]

Then there is the Canon 5D MkII 1080p AVCHD that makes a good B-Roll option when rigged for video.
It takes most Canon lenses.
$2699 plus lenses plus Beachtek audio plus tripod plus flash cards