Topic: Mini DV cam recommendations?

[columbus decanter]

Im suppose to get a Sony HC21 real soon.. but is there any that mind top that? What detailed specifics make it such a great model/brand... meaning this ones better with daylight.. or this one has more vibrant colors, ect.

[bossie]

I've seen recordings done with those panasonic 3ccds and WOW were they good quality. I have a Canon ZR200 and the quality isn't good. But it is very watchable and acceptable.

I think my next cam will be a Digital 8 because of the media. Twice as long as MiniDV and about half the price.

[silverbullet]

I have the Sony HC-20, two in fact. Not thrilled but I like that it's really small and versitle. I also have a 3 CCD Panasonic PV-GS120. I heard that this Panasonic was good under low lights but again I'm not to thrilled. I just picked up a Sony HC-90 and recently did a nightime outdoor taping and was pretty happy with the results. $720ish on eBay. The HC-90 is also rated quite good under low lights www.camcorderinfo.com A great site to research camcorders. luv it. I like the HC-90 so much that I'd like to buy a couple more but they are pricey.

[columbus decanter]

just wondering.. because a friend has some masters they want transfered to DVD.. but the Sony Hi-8(i know.. not a dig cam) .. these recordings come out decent or no? They watched part of the tape on their cam and said there was a light glare over the singer. Strange.

[silverbullet]

Hi-8's can give good results. Probably camera or setting specific. Maybe the glare can be partially fixed in the post edit process.

[columbus decanter]

Hi-8's can give good results. Probably camera or setting specific. Maybe the glare can be partially fixed in the post edit process.

+T for the insight... what tye of program can 'clean up' the light glare?

[silverbullet]

Most video edit programs have a brightness and contrast control. You can try that or better yet find a program that you can specify exactly what area needs the adjustment. Good if this was just a stationary tripod shot where the glare is in the same location throughout the tape.

[sabre]

Here are some shots I got with a Sony HC-30 - As with most newer Sony models, you are forced to use the LCD screen to make manual exposure and focus changes. It has a 10X optical zoom which is suffient for club/theatre settings. In my opinion most digital cameras do a  good enough job nowadays, you just need to find one that you can sneak in (if your stealthing) and learn how to use the basic functions.

[tito_gh]

the sony pd-150 is a nice cam that you can pick up on ebay around 1500 it is basically the vx-2100 with a lot better audio realy nice

[WolfmanDMB]

i purchased a canon zr70mc off of ebay through the willoughbys online store with the full package for about 320 shipped. i just LOVE it because of its small size, versatility, zoom, digital camera option, and quality lens. if you want superb quality, ive heard the zr300(? - all i know is its the 300 series) is just awesome.

[scideadwspph]

impressed with pluto's sony hc-30.  that looks to be the same quality as the sony pc-100, 109, 1000, all excellent cams.

a strong light glare on a performer, filmed on 8mm (or even mini-dv), can not be cleaned up, and the 8mm quality looks like vhs compared to mini-dv.  no offense, but either a triple chip mini-dv or one of those carl zeiss lens sony's are as close as you can get to pro quality, at a consumer price.

[t34mbtp]

i would agree with sciwsp's assement of the situation, and back his stand 100%.  for stealth  a pc 100 works just fine if you know how to use it correctly...

[columbus decanter]

well i sent that Hi-8 master to an authorer. He said that he could possibly 'stabilize the color' or some crap like that. He received it today.. so he may send a clip or two to me this weekend.. so ill see how bad it is. I think the glare is over-exposure lighting.

[wilsondmb]

i would agree with sciwsp's assement of the situation, and back his stand 100%.  for stealth  a pc 100 works just fine if you know how to use it correctly...

this would be good advice to take....pc100 is perfect....plus with some cams you can't shoot in widescreen..not sure about the hc series....

colors are amazing....they show up great..

[Tyler McGhee]

fwiw, there's another mini dv thread going on...great info there to check as well.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51435.0