Video Camera suggestions?

[berrywise]

I'd like to take part in the video contest (and have always wanted a video camera) but don't know where to start looking for a reviews etc. I'd like to spend 400-500 dollars, get something that uses MiniDV and has a Firewire connection. I'd like something that works good enough in low light so I can film at Leb in the trees. Something that would be able to be mounted onto a helmet (thinner than fatter) would also be a plus. Don't mind buying a used one if that is worth it (ebay).

Anyone have any suggestions or someplace to get me started? Thanks!

scott

[jitterjepp]

I would suggest becoming a member of IFP in St. Paul (Independent Feature Project- Formerly MMARC/Midwest Media Artist Resource Center- formerly FITC/ Film In The Cities)
The yearly membership is about $100. They have darkrooms, film (6 and 8 plate steenbecks) and DV editing suites (G4's and G5's) and equipment rentals. You can rent anything from a Arri 16mm film camera to an XL-1. They also have lighting equipment, tripods, sound equipment......the whole works. I think the daily on a GL-1 or GL-2 is around $20 and the XL-1 is around $60. For the darkrooms after you pay the membership it's like $7.50 a day and all the chemicals are set up and they have around 15 enlargers and an annex for large format.

I've been a volunteer there for about four years now and I get a 75% discount on rentals. They are always looking for volunteers and it's not a real big commitment. I work there every other tuesday from 6 - 10 pm in the equipment room. I basically sit there and just hand out equipment when people come in. It's nice because I get to use some sweet cameras that I dont have to maintain for a pretty cheap price. They also have darkroom volunteers and they usually just sit there and do their own stuff at no charge, help people with questions and take the trash before they leave.

[KleinCrazy]

I'd like to take part in the video contest (and have always wanted a video camera) but don't know where to start looking for a reviews etc. I'd like to spend 400-500 dollars, get something that uses MiniDV and has a Firewire connection. I'd like something that works good enough in low light so I can film at Leb in the trees. Something that would be able to be mounted onto a helmet (thinner than fatter) would also be a plus. Don't mind buying a used one if that is worth it (ebay).

Anyone have any suggestions or someplace to get me started? Thanks!

scott
Scott,

A couple of things.

Most of the entry level MiniDV cams out there start in the 400-500 range and will do well for you, but be careful.

All will be hard to helmet mount unless you plan on wearing a big fullface due to weight. they have to be counterbalanced and adding 6 pounds total to your head can be a pain.

You can go the bullet cam route from our local sponsor, but make sure that the cam has analog input or it's no go.

also make sure that whatever you get has the option of attaching a wide angle lense. My Canon ZR45 hav a very tight field of view and at leb I find it very hard to frame things well without getting trees and such in the way from having to stand so far back.

The dv cams out thre that are cheap enough to easily mount on a helmet and have an optical as opposed to digital image stabilization will run you over 1000 min. even on ebay I think. maybe as low as 800 if you are lucky.

I bought my Canon on ebay along with extra long life batteries, 80 min tapes, and am looking to also get a wide angle lense off of ebay. I would go to local stores first to get a hands on feel of cameras and then hit ebay for the purchasing. But if you are looking to enter the contest you might want something sooner.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

James

[berrywise]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Shawn,

The organization sounds like a pretty cool setup though I'm not sure about renting a camera and then strapping it onto myself or my bike and riding around. If I break it I don't want to be out for a few thousands dollars. If I get into doing this a little more seriously though I might have to look into that.

As for using the camera I was definately thinking about mounting it right up there. I have used home made lipstick cameras in the past and because of their limited resolution and color shifts never really liked them. The Bullet Cam is a pretty sweet way to go but that's another added expense I probably shouldn't drop for.

I have a fullface that I don't mind drilling into and fiigured I could come up with some kind of light casing that could go around the camera and mount on the helmet. Then use another weight on the opposite side to keep it stable. This would be a bit of a bear but I think the end results would be worthwhile.

James, if I went with this route do you think it would look to jarring and bouncing around if i had a lower end camera in the 500 dollar range? Or do you think the riders natural suspension and a full suspension bike would be able to keep the video from turning into a bunch of tape skipping broken up pieces?

I'd like to make a purchase in the next week so I can get started on this whole thing so that I can get some decent stuff done before the party. By the way has a date been set for that?

thanks!

[KleinCrazy]

The party is October 2nd

As far as motion, with the bullet cam I get a very definite amount of movement, sometimes almost unwatchable, even when on the Duali, It might be very hard to do but I would definitly look for a cam with Optical/Mechanical stabilization and not just Digital. In your price range I think that might be pretty difficult.

I know that the Optura 300 is optical stabilized, vertical format cam that work great for helmet mount work.

Sony also has a couple I think.

I would look around alot and get just what you need to prevent headaches later.

James

[berrywise]

Well I did it. I ordered myself a Sony PC109. Found a good deal on it from a reputable dealer so I should have it middle of next week sometime (hopefully my extra cash spent on two day shipping isn't for nothing).

Now to just get my computer fixed so I have someplace to put the footage :)

If all else fails I'll do it on my roommates G4

October 2nd. I better get rockin and rolling. Have their been any guidelines discussed (length of movie etc)?

[gopherhockey]

October 2nd. I better get rockin and rolling. Have their been any guidelines discussed (length of movie etc)?
I don't think it has been formalized really... there should be some guidelines for sure. Perhaps we can start another thread on this. I'm not sure everyone knows about the contest still.