Opinions on Digital Camcorders for that 'film' look?

[AQuickComment]

I'm considering making documentaries/films and I don't have the budget for shooting on film. Has anyone worked with the Canon XL2s or XL1s or the Panasonic AG-DVX100A? Or any suggestions on being able to get that widescreen film-y look? I really don't want to shell out the cash for one of these, but as my old Digital8 won't cut it and it seems the firewire port is broken, I need some advice. Thanks!

[videocheez]

Investigate the Canon GL2. You can get the fillm look pretty easily. I have tried it just to try it and was satisfied buy I'm no expert just a hobbyist.

VC

[DVD_Ripper]

The biggest thing you will found out is the low lite shooting sucks on all DV's ..... you will no doubt need a good 'sun gun' or other lighting for shooting indoors.

I think most good Hi8 cams have a lux of 1 where some of the DV's have a lux of 8 to 12.... which means you need a shit load of light to get some non-grainy low lite shots.

[Ron B]

Hello-The DVX100A is an excellent camera for 24fps shooting. I work with many video cameras, this is the first time a Sony has not been the most popular model. They are pricey, though. You can use a regular DV cam and film-look it with software. There are 16:9 lens adapters as well.

[ultrazero]

I've worked with the DVX100 as well. I can say the footage looks awesome. The DVX100 is also an excellent low light camera.

Canon also just released the XL2 (sequel to the XL1s) which shoots in 24p. Don't know much about it but these are the only two minidv cameras shooting at 24 fps.

and again these are $3000-4000 (steals) If they are not exactly in your price range there are countless tips and tricks posted around the web to achieve the "film-look".

some links...
http://www.dvcreators.net/media/depthoffield.html
http://www.lafcpug.org/feature_video_film.html
http://www.gregpak.com/filmhelp/archives/000043.html
http://www.icommag.com/november-2000/doctor-digital.html
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&store...del=AG-DVX100A

[daamon]

Hi AQuickComment,

You could also hunt around / ask the same question at:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com

I've been seriously looking into the XM2 (a.k.a GL2 / GL2E and XV2) - it's definitely a high-end prosumer level camera, that (reportedly) produces the same look as the more expensive XL1 and XL2 range.

As for low light, the spec on the canon site says it has a minimum lux of 1 at 1/6 second slow shutter speed.

Hope that helps...

[vhelp]

Parton my french, but just what is this "film look" that you all are refering to ??

I mean, I've read other peoples posts on this, so I think I have an idea of it,
but perhaps you all are talking about something else, using DV and some
minipulation techniquie ??

In any case, does anyone have an example process to acheave this ( case
you're talking something else here x: ) that I can try w/ my footage ??

If I'm not being to nervy to ask, thank thanks,
-vhelp

[CaseyComb]

There are only 2 miniDV prosumer level cameras shoot at 24p (twenty four progressive frames per second) They are the Panasonic DVX-100 (three cameras if you count the DVX-100a) and the Canon XL2.

There is no post manipulation involved.

The Panasonic is around $3500 The DVX-100A will shoot an anamorphic 16:9 stretched frame at a resolution 0f 720X480 on a native 4:3 chip. The DVX-100 only crops the picture for its 16:9 mode.

The Canon is around $5000 and will shoot a native 16:9 at a resolution of 980X480. I know for a fact that it has a higher pixel count also (dont ask me how much more I dunno exactly)

I have shot with the DVX-100 and the shots look amazing. Canon has always had amazing optics when it comes to video cameras, and I have honestly been waiting for them to release a 24p camera.

Another option I have found that may be suitable for what you want. Some consumer sony handycams have a digital effects menu and some of them have an effect called "Slow Shutter" I've noticed that if you set this on the lowest setting it produces a sorta film like appearance.

Anyway the closest as far a "film look" I've seen is the Panasonic You can probably find a used DVX-100 for under $3000 now.

I can only assume that the Canon looks better, but it may be a littlle out of your price range.

[nsklanfra@libero.it]

Hi everybody. I try to give my cent.
"Cinema Gamma" is something selectable on some cameras, even on JVC DV300 which is let me say Panasonic DVX-100'mom. It is a set of parameters that you've to adjust to get the first step of "Cine Like look" .

Another step is the footage: more similar to 24 fps, more cinelook like you are. Difficult for NTSC, easier for PAL that are native 25. There are some software that help you in this.

The most important part, I understood, are what and how you shot: more PRO you are (Light, stability, scenes), more "cinelooklike" you'll get. So a monitor it's needed during shooting.

A very interesting shoots and some advice on "Cine Like" could be find here: http://www.lafcpug.org/review_dvx_pd150.html.
Download the movies and enjoy.

BTW: any other advice wuold be appreciate...

[ricgam]

Hello-The DVX100A is an excellent camera for 24fps shooting. I work with many video cameras, this is the first time a Sony has not been the most popular model. They are pricey, though. You can use a regular DV cam and film-look it with software. There are 16:9 lens adapters as well.

Try this link. It has software to give you that "film" look on your videos.
http://dvfilm.com/products.htm