Which Camera

[Frameline]

I am looking to buy a video camera. I have a friend who is selling his Canon XL1 (1,000). I am also looking at several HD Canon camcorders: the HF S100 and the HF S10. What should I be thinking about as I try to make this decision?
Thanks.

[Frameline]

Doesn't anyone have any advice?

[minidv2dvd]

hard to say when you don't mention what you are going to be doing with it. what's your target format? what distribution?

if you are serious and are only going to use SD there's not much better than an xl1. the HD cams you mention are avchd and pretty useless for anything other than playing the videos back on your tv. if you want something editable, go HDV - hv30 if you want a canon.

[Frameline]

Minidv2dvd, thanks fore responding.
Two basic uses thus far: to shoot family, but also to begin making short, narrative videos and eventually, perhaps to do some short documentary work. I am currently using FCE 4 as my editing program.

[minidv2dvd]

if the xl1 is in good shape and you know the owner treated it well, there aren't very many better SD cams. it would be harder to learn to use but worth it for SD work. the price is about right for a good used one.

[Soopafresh]

Any decision you make will have pluses and minuses. The XL1 is a great quality camera that's heavy and bulky. The format it shoots in is easily editable on slower PCs. You'll experience fatigue holding the camera for long periods of time. It's not a spontaneous camera.

The HF series are small, the video they produce is hard to edit. They shoot in HD resolution. They suffer from rolling shutter artifacts.


Search on Vimeo.com for footage from both cameras.

[Frameline]

Thanks again. If I want to shoot HD and want some measure of manual control, what would you recommend? Does the HV30 have any manual controls? Focus? Aperture? etc. Budget is between 1000 and 1200, although I don't HAVE to spend that much.

[Soopafresh]

I have an HV30. Like the other cameras, pluses and minuses. The XL1 will have the most manual controls. The HV30 has manual focus, the aperture is controllable but not exactly manual. HV30 has a lot of support, including an entire web site of enthusiasts so just about every question you can ask will have an answer. The built in microphone is sub par as is on most consumer grade cameras.

Budget $1000 for the camera and the rest on a steadicam, wide angle lens, and extra batteries.

[Frameline]

Soopafresh
Good advice. I am going to look into the HV30. So are you in agreement with minidv2dvd about avchd cameras like the Canon HF S10 or S100? Stay away?

[Brainiac]

I have the Canon HV20 and the motor noise from the onboard mic may be a problem. I understand that the HV30 has the same problem (according to what I've read from Google searches.) Best that you get an external mic. I have the Canon DM-50 and I use it all the time.

Brainiac

[Frameline]

Brainiac

Thanks. An external mike is definitely in the plans. So is it the case that the noise of the internal mike goes away when you have the external mic attached?

[edDV]

Read all about the HV20/30/40 and accessories here
http://hv20.com/

These cameras do have manual audio level control and viewfinder audio meter and manual exposure control so have the basics for pro production. Pro mics can be used with interface options like Beachtek.

[Brainiac]

I don't know that the noise goes away completely, but it is definitely lessened. Always better to use external mics rather than the onboard mics in my experiences.

Braniac

[edDV]

To minimize motor noise, control audio levels manually. Set level to peak volume. This also avoids AGC pumping.

[Frameline]

Thanks to all. I'll post back once I've made my decision about final purchase. Everyone has been extremely helpful.