Prosumer grade video camera suggestions?

[today]

[don't know if this is the right section, but digital video is 2D so it sort of is]

Does anyone have any suggestions for prosumer grade video cameras, preferably in the lower end of the pricing spectrum [so not the RedOne for instance, but not a handycam either]

[Gordon Robb]

Have you looked into DSLR. I got a Canon 550d. Full HD with all the advantages of proper lenses. Go to Vimeo and search for canon 550d ir T2i as it's called the states

[today]

Now *that* is an impressive camera! Spent the last hour or so looking at sample videos!

What sort of lenses would you recommend

[Gordon Robb]

Well I made the mistake of lending up based on quality of lens which gave me good stuff for stills but didn't give me a major thing for video. If video is your main use make sure you get lenses that don't change aperture through the zoom. If yiu go to YouTube and search for canon 7d lenses there is a guy that has lots of tutorials one of which is picking lenses

[Dennis Bailey]

For the last year we've been shooting a low-budget film using a Canon 7D. Sound quality is an issue - we're recording sound separately for the most part - but mostly we're very, very happy with the image.

You can see quite a few good examples at YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPgIm...eature=related

[Mikala]

I love my Sony PMW EX3. It might be out of your range though.
Slo-mo, Fast-mo, and stop frame/motion animation capabilities all built in.
On camera sound is pretty darn good as well.
Only draw back for me was it only shoots in HQ mode:
1920 x 1080/59.94i/29.97P/23.98P
1280 x 720/59.94P/29.97P/23.98P
SP mode:
1440 x 1080/59.94i
Recording Frame Rate PAL model HQ mode:
1920 x 1080/50i, 25P
1280 x 720/50P, 25P
SP mode:
1440 x 1080/50i

Oh one more thing I can use my Nikon lens with an adapter and really reach out in zoom for wildlife filming.
Just use a really good stable tripod.

[today]

Anyone have any opinions about the 550d versus 60d? From everything I've heard they're very similar cameras.. with the 60d winning slightly in terms of general usability.

[DigitalOrigami]

Just came back from FutureShop here in Canada. They're having a sale, plus a promotion where if you bring in an old camera for recycling, they'll (& Canon) give you "x" amount off the purchase of a new Canon.

Upside of this is, I took in a 25+ year old Pentax ME Super, got $100 bucks off on the purchase of a Canon T2i (aka 550D) which was already selling for $50 off the regular price. So, I got a $950 camera for $800.

Then I got it home, saw all the buttons on it, saw the manual for it, and thought, "What have I done?"

[Gordon Robb]

Today: dunno anything about the 60

DO: you'll really love it.

[Pete Paterson]

Gordon, how you manage/plan for shots that could be hard to track due to the rolling shutter? Been reading posts over at syntheyes and general web searching on this issue.

I am tempted with a ccd video camera such as the jvc gz-HD7 or newer equivalent as i'd be mainly interested in getting consistantly good raw footage for tracking, particularly so after reading Russ's rant.

[BillS]

As a side note to this. Does anyone know of a spot where I can download some short med res video to play with in matchmover? It comes with some small (~2 sec) clips for tutorials but I'd like to try and play around with something a little longer. 5 second would be about right and nothing killer res.

[Gordon Robb]

I haven't shot that much. To me its all about making sure the cmaera movement is steady rather that all overt the place. I got my camera as I wanted a stills and Video together option. I have no doubt there will be better dedicated ones. But don't underestimate the benefits of being able to use DSLR lenses.

Bill, there are some green screen shots here.

http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/gr...eenplates.html

[Pete Paterson]

Originally Posted by Gordon Robb

But don't underestimate the benefits of being able to use DSLR lenses.

Yeh, thats been on my mind too.

Enjoy, Bill.

[DigitalOrigami]

Originally Posted by Gordon Robb

Today: dunno anything about the 60

DO: you'll really love it.

You're right, I do.

Was asked to take some pics by a friend of mine for a badminton tournament. Because of the situation, I couldn't use a flash and had to rely on gymnasium lights, and really am starting all over again with photography, but still this camera takes incredible pictures. Near the end, I remembered that I could shoot video as well, so I got about 4 or 5 minutes of stunningly gorgeous HD. Any doubts I had about buying this camera are completely gone.

edit - can't upload any pics, sorry.