Pros/Cons of cheaper HD video options... easy to use is a plus

[ift]

I've heard you can get used/refurbished HV-20s, 30s, 40s... and that seems to be what a lot of people are using. Any other suggestions for an easy to use, affordable HD video camera? I'm looking for something not overwhelmingly technical with a nice/smooth zoom feature(variable speed a plus), autofocus, and perhaps a manual focus option? I am admittedly ignorant with these things. I had a roommate sell me a GL-2 for $250 a year or two ago, and I pretty much put all the settings on auto and hit record sometimes messing with volume levels and white balance, so that's where I'm coming from. Suggestions?

[ift]

From Samy's Camera...

JVC GZ-HD500 Everio High Definition HDD Camcorder

PRICE:$549.95



Samsung HMX-H204 Full HD Camcorder (Black)

PRICE:$499.95



Canon VIXIA HF R10 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder (Black)

PRICE: $549.95

[ift]

HV40 uses tapes? not really into that...

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_249403_-1

[AdamPetrov]

I just purchased my Samsung HMX-H204 and I have to say, I love it. For the price range and the raw file quality, it has got to be the best bang for your buck. The raw H.264 files are supported in Vimeo's 1900x1080p settings, which mean you will always have full screen HD quality.

The camera itself is quite small, didn't really matter to me. Buttons / Menu is very very simple, and takes a very short time to understand how to calibrate / white balance in certain conditions. Right away I bought an Opteka fisheye, and an Xgrip for followcams. I am really happy with this purchase, and would definitely recommend it if you are in the market.

Some extra's I didn't mention;

-Touchscreen
-SSD HD, 8 GB on Camera (60 Minutes of HD Footage). I have 16GB Total, giving me more than 110M of full HD Footage)
-Battery life is very long, much better than I expected

http://i55.tinypic.com/2dhsjfp.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/2ed9jwo.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/2vce0s8.jpg

[ift]

How much was that fisheye? Are you happy with the lense?

[ift]

http://opteka.com/optekax-treme58mm03xhdsuperfisheyelensforvideocamcorders.a spx

I just found this one... hot damn that's a nice price.

[AdamPetrov]

Really good price indeed. The fisheye has a tiny bit of vignetting but the HMX-H203 can handle a lot of zooming, even with the fisheye.

[ift]

Feeling pretty sold on an HD setup with a .3 for < $600

Got any edits you have made with your camera?

[s.]

http://opteka.com/optekax-treme58mm03xhdsuperfisheyelensforvideocamcorders.a spx

I just found this one... hot damn that's a nice price.

brahski, that one is 58mm and Samsung has a 34mm filter thread, so I'm guessing you need the 37mm one+step up ring

[ift]

See these are things I need people to tell me before I go buying shit online... thank you Sadura

http://opteka.com/OPTSC37FE.aspx

Opteka Platinum Series 37mm 0.3X HD Ultra Fisheye Lens for Professional Video Camcorders
Your Price: $99.95

- Opteka 37mm 0.3X Ultra Fisheye Adapter
- High Definition HD2 Lens

Includes - Opteka 37mm 0.3X Ultra Fisheye Adapter, 25-37mm Adapter, 30-37mm Adapter, 30.5-37mm Adapter, Screwdriver (To remove hood), Lens Pouch, 5 Year Opteka Worldwide Warranty.


This guy seems legit? Or do I still need a 34-37 mm adapter?

[MITSUBISHI FUJI]

I got canon vixia hf s100.
I bought sdhc 32gig from microcenter for like 60bucks..which gives me about 3~4 hours of full HD recording.
I like the vixia, cuz it has 8megapix still photo, with built in flash..so comes pretty handy at times.

I also bought http://opteka.com/OPTSCFE.aspx this fish eye lens...58mm and vixia is 58mm so no need for adapter.

I have an extra opteka 37mm fisheye lens that I used only for a few weeks...if you are interested..


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs044.snc4/34569_1507551577443_1493911633_31334955_6123816_n. jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs061.ash2/36420_1507552257460_1493911633_31334958_522749_n.j pg

[ift]

It's $99 new from their website, free shipping. What are you looking for?

[AdamPetrov]

Feeling pretty sold on an HD setup with a .3 for < $600

Got any edits you have made with your camera?

PM sent

[ift]

I'd kinda rather spend half that...

[al dolega]

A big consideration is what your computer and software situation is like. Tapes are indeed old technology, but their advantage right now is that HDV (the format that the HV20/30/40 and most other HD-to-tape cams use) is a lot easier to edit with than the formats used by flash and harddrive cams (namely AVCHD). Meaning, you don't need as new/powerful of a computer to edit HV footage, whereas with AVC or other highly compressed formats, you need a pretty beastly computer to do any type of serious-ish editing.

[ift]

So I edit with iMovie... willing to experiment with other editing programs. Also willing to invest in one of those big external hard drives if I have to...

Help me, Dolega... HALP!

[ift]

TOP SOMEONE TELL ME WAT 2 BUY. I HAZ MACBOOK PRO I THINK I HAVE ROOM FOR SOME HD FOOTAGE FOR EDITS AS LONG AS I DELETE THINGS PERIODICALLY AND/OR GET EXTERNAL HD.

[al dolega]

Hard drive space is not really what I was talking about. 1TB drives are consistently under $100 and each should last you at least a few months, unless you're filming a LOT. I was more talking about processing power and RAM. Assuming your MBP is fairly new (2 years old or so or newer), it's probably fine. Maybe slap some more RAM up in that bia.

I'd move up from iMovie to Final Cut Express, I think it's under $100 and I believe the newest version handles HDV pretty well too. Not sure how it does with AVC or other very-compressed formats, Google/Wiki it. Then make your camera choice based on what your editing capabilities will be with FCE.... a used/refurb HV20/30/40 is your fallback option, or if you'll be able to edit AVC, go for a Canon HF- or HFS-series or some other flash-memory-based camera. CamcorderInfo.com has some pretty decent reviews. Grab one of those Opteka fishes and most importantly a decent tripod (these cameras are little, you will never be able to get smooth footage hand-holding them), some tapes or cards and you're good to go.

[rollcam]

Al said what I was about to say. Alot of my friends have gone and brought HD camera and then been shocked that they cannot edit the footage on their 5 year old Mac Book.

Tripod is a must, I almost always use a tripod for my HMC. I have now saving for a Glide Cam as well.

[jonathan]

Glide cam takes a lot of experience and skill to make it look good. But you already knew that rollcam, just sayin' for the others.

[al dolega]

Yea a glidecam is way past the range of caring/effort that Ian is at, I think. Handholding these little cams with a fisheye is doable, so I would not consider a glidecam a necessity here for basic skate filming, but I would say a tripod is.

[ift]

You are correct, Al. Additionally I think glide cams look like crap most of the time. I am down with tripods. I am also down with setting the camera on a ledge, beer can, camera bag, shoe, or whatever else is around and using that as a 'tripod'. I find the shot I want already zoomed in, then zoom out before filming the clip, zoom in while filming, boom.