Retailers of professional digi video camcorders?
Discussion
DV-CAM is Mini-DV's dad; it's what most professional cameramen use unless they have really stupid budgets and can afford Digital Betacam. I don't use such things myself, merely direct people who do, so I can't give you any recommendations. IIRC they start at about £2500. Have a Google 
simpo two said:
DV-CAM is Mini-DV's dad; it's what most professional cameramen use unless they have really stupid budgets and can afford Digital Betacam. I don't use such things myself, merely direct people who do, so I can't give you any recommendations. IIRC they start at about £2500. Have a Google
Might be having a chat with you soon!
You may want to try baby steps and go to a prosumer first in HDV. I can whole heartedly recommend the Sony HDR-FX1 High Definition camera. It's a bit big, however. I am also going to be acquiring the new Sony HDR-HC1 HD camera (which is single hand size) so will advise upon purchase and use...
ErnestM
ErnestM
ErnestM said:
You may want to try baby steps and go to a prosumer first in HDV. I can whole heartedly recommend the Sony HDR-FX1 High Definition camera. It's a bit big, however. I am also going to be acquiring the new Sony HDR-HC1 HD camera (which is single hand size) so will advise upon purchase and use...
ErnestM
Thanks Ernest, preliminary searches have come up with the Sony DSR-PD170 (bigger than single hand held) which handles DV-CAM and Mini-DV but I`ll have a search for the FX1 as well
Hi Ian
Ah, so this is what the proceeds from the sale of the Chim are going on
Depends how pro you want to go. As Simpo says, the sky's the limit. As for dealers, you could try www.cke.co.uk/ (link to the shop appears to broken at the mo' although was working t'other day). Scroll down the home page for some info on the new JVC GY-HD100, which looks rather nice or click on the Sony HVR-Z1E for a .pdf about it. I'm thinking about trading up my XL1 to either one of these. The Z1 is the pro version of the FX1 already mentioned by ErnestM. There is a side by side comparison at this dealer www.optexint.com/z1fx1.html
With the Pro cameras you can switch between DV, DV-CAM and HDV but, unless you have a Hi def TV you're not going to notice the improvement. You might want to check that your video editing package can handle HDV as well. I believe a Pro mate of mine uses a 170 and Z1 as well as much bigger jobbies. I seem to remember there being a problem with the 170 (I could be mistaken, might be a different model), when it first came out, something like the mic picking up noise/hum from the cam but I believe they cured it. I just tried to call him but he's away shooting somewhere.
Another Pro dealer here: www.pec.co.uk
Cheers
Paul
Ah, so this is what the proceeds from the sale of the Chim are going on
Depends how pro you want to go. As Simpo says, the sky's the limit. As for dealers, you could try www.cke.co.uk/ (link to the shop appears to broken at the mo' although was working t'other day). Scroll down the home page for some info on the new JVC GY-HD100, which looks rather nice or click on the Sony HVR-Z1E for a .pdf about it. I'm thinking about trading up my XL1 to either one of these. The Z1 is the pro version of the FX1 already mentioned by ErnestM. There is a side by side comparison at this dealer www.optexint.com/z1fx1.html
With the Pro cameras you can switch between DV, DV-CAM and HDV but, unless you have a Hi def TV you're not going to notice the improvement. You might want to check that your video editing package can handle HDV as well. I believe a Pro mate of mine uses a 170 and Z1 as well as much bigger jobbies. I seem to remember there being a problem with the 170 (I could be mistaken, might be a different model), when it first came out, something like the mic picking up noise/hum from the cam but I believe they cured it. I just tried to call him but he's away shooting somewhere.
Another Pro dealer here: www.pec.co.uk
Cheers
Paul
Sorry.... am a bit late to this thread...
www.creativevideo.co.uk are your people for this.
They can supply stuff for practically any budget.
If you are looking at a camera budget of a couple of £K rather than a few hundred, it may be worth hanging on for the new JVC GY-HD100E, which like the Sony HDR-FX1E is a high-definition DV camcorder, but unlike the Sony, it has a standard lens mount, and you can fit almost any type of lens you like to it.
I agree with Simpo that DV is the format to use, whilst not as good as DigiBeta, the costs are far, far lower (including blank tape stock!)
www.creativevideo.co.uk are your people for this.
They can supply stuff for practically any budget.
If you are looking at a camera budget of a couple of £K rather than a few hundred, it may be worth hanging on for the new JVC GY-HD100E, which like the Sony HDR-FX1E is a high-definition DV camcorder, but unlike the Sony, it has a standard lens mount, and you can fit almost any type of lens you like to it.
I agree with Simpo that DV is the format to use, whilst not as good as DigiBeta, the costs are far, far lower (including blank tape stock!)
Bacardi said:
I'm thinking about trading up my XL1 to either one of these. The Z1 is the pro version of the FX1 already mentioned by ErnestM.
I am supposed to be getting a free trial for a couple of weeks of the JVC GY-HD100 when they arrive in the country(!)
Will post feedback here if anyone is interested in this level of camcorder.....
meeja said:
I'm thinking about trading up my XL1 to either one of these. The Z1 is the pro version of the FX1 already mentioned by ErnestM.
I am supposed to be getting a free trial for a couple of weeks of the JVC GY-HD100 when they arrive in the country(!)
Will post feedback here if anyone is interested in this level of camcorder.....
Yes please!
meeja said:
I'm thinking about trading up my XL1 to either one of these. The Z1 is the pro version of the FX1 already mentioned by ErnestM.
I am supposed to be getting a free trial for a couple of weeks of the JVC GY-HD100 when they arrive in the country(!)
Will post feedback here if anyone is interested in this level of camcorder.....
Yes please. The appeal of the Z1 is size but I hate electronic 'manual' focus on these types of camera. Much nicer to pull focus on a proper lens.... where the JVC comes in. Although it, like the XL cameras, looks front heavy, leading to arm ache. Be interested in what you think.
imperialism2024 said:
...it has a standard lens mount, and you can fit almost any type of lens you like to it...
Hmm would that include camera lenses?
With the Canon video cameras you can, via an adaptor, fit still camera eos lenses for some super long focal lengths. There may some adaptors for other lens/ camera combo's but I'm not sure.
Bacardi said:
Yes please. The appeal of the Z1 is size but I hate electronic 'manual' focus on these types of camera. Much nicer to pull focus on a proper lens.... where the JVC comes in. Although it, like the XL cameras, looks front heavy, leading to arm ache. Be interested in what you think.
My thoughts exactly..... I always feel that I am not in full control when using anything that is electronic (lenses I mean!)
As for it being front heavy...... it looks that way, but I would hope that the design has taken this into consideration and put a bit of weight towards the battery end to counterbalance it.
It also is shoulder-mountable which the Sony isn't.... much easier to get "smash and grab" shots....
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