Author Topic: Decent Filming Camera Recommendation? (Read 4922 times)

PG Yoshi · « **on:** January 30, 2011, 04:51:24 PM »

Hey SLAP,

I'm sure many of you will know a lot about this.

I'm thinking about buying a relatively inexpensive video camera to do a little filming. Nothing too serious, but I've never owned a video camera before, and I'm not sure where to start. There seem to be a lot of different price ranges. Is there any hands-down-best camera on the shelves, or a couple that anyone would recommend? Anything to watch out for? I wouldn't want to spend the money only to find out I'm missing something essential. I'm thinking of putting in a few hundred bucks, but right now I'd just like someone with experience to tell me what's up.

Also: Sorry if this is the wrong category for this type of thread. I wasn't sure whether to put it here or in the gear section, but figured I'd go with here because there are probably more people who know about filming cameras in the skate section. And, yes, I'm thinking that there may have been a similar thread in the past, but I'm sure technology has changed, right?

BriDen · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:52:57 PM »

No, technology has not changed ever.

Buy this

and take this shit to skate perception

ScreamingHand · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:25:29 PM »

filming camera?...

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:27:13 PM »

Nevermind SLAP, nevermind.

codithou · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:11:07 PM »

inb4 vx1000/mk1

TheFreshSC · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:24:55 PM »

Sony HVC 2000 is a good place to start

ticklefingers · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:13:05 PM »

ruiner2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:53:54 PM »

Red Epic X
http://www.red.com/products/epic

layzieyez · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2011, 09:07:25 PM »

Canon 5d Mark II makes a good filming camera. Just uses shit ton of memory for full HD (1GB=approx. 5min).

If you get that old timey camera, make sure you pair it up with a wax roll for the soundtrack. Fuck that gramophone shit with 78rpm records. That is the fucking devil eating the penis off of your soul.

jildo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2011, 09:18:58 PM »

are you wanting to go HD or stick with SD?
let me know and give me an approximate price range and i'll try to help you out.

mandibleclaw · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2011, 09:23:28 PM »

just be sure to get a fisheye for it though

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:35:20 PM »

Hey, thanks for the real responses!

Everyone who gave advice/suggestions, but this one in particular, thanks!

Quote from: jildo on January 30, 2011, 09:18:58 PM

are you wanting to go HD or stick with SD?
let me know and give me an approximate price range and i'll try to help you out.

Like I said, I'm really just beginning to scratch the surface on the camera market (and wanting skateboarders' opinions, not just general consumer reports), but I had come up with the price range of $200 to $300. However, if it's better to spend a little more to get a lot better gear, I'm down with that for sure. As for HD vs SD... I suppose HD would be the way to go. I've got a decent computer, and memory shouldn't be a problem (for editing). Are there any other downsides to HD?

Thanks again!

TheFreshSC · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:52:57 PM »

since you're looking at spending less than $300.

the good:
-compact, light
-nearly indestructible
-excellent image quality, 60 fps recording
-takes photos

downsides:
-permanent fisheye
-no viewfinder
-terrible microphone
-form factor doesn't lend itself to skate filming
-no viewfinder

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:59:55 PM »

Wow, just watched the video, and that thing looks pretty tight.
Thanks a lot for the heads up, pyrex vision. I'll definitely check that one out when I get a chance!

Bubblegum Tate · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 11:04:58 PM »

Nowadays it's all about HD

Bronson · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2011, 11:36:12 PM »

Quote from: mandibleclaw on January 30, 2011, 09:23:28 PM

just be sure to get a fisheye for it though

Thats a zoom lense, this is the fisheye and it`s great

.

mattofallmatts · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2011, 12:14:41 AM »

plus

I personally film with

and

cool spot · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2011, 12:34:32 PM »

sony dcr 950 is what i use. similar to vx quality, but a hell of a lot cheaper. i got mine for about 500, the it only takes 37 mm thread size lenses so you have to use a slightly smaller fisheye. I got a century fish that fit for free, so this was a good choice for me.

natenola forever · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2011, 04:05:10 PM »

VX-2100s and 2000s show up on craigslist all the time now from $1000-600, a lot come from wedding and event companies that are switching to HD. i got a perfect one with a wide angle battery and a bunch of tapes for $1000 about a year ago. If you take care of those they'll last you until they stop making mini dv tape.

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:25:52 PM »

Cool, I'll check that out too! Thanks again.

jildo · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:55:24 PM »

I'm running a Canon HV40 with a 43mm Opteka. I also have a handle and shoe mount light from Opteka.
All of that and the setup has ran me close to eight hundred dollars. It's pretty great.

You could also go with the VX/MK2, if you're feeling like sticking to standard def and don't want to fuck with purchasing a bunch of cheap accessories.

I dunno, I'm fairly new to filming, so that's about all I've got. Listen to some of these other posters or visit skateperception (even though a lot of those dudes are pretentious, know-it-all assholes). The classified section is pretty rad though and you can learn a lot from reading.

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:08:42 PM »

Cool, thanks! I need to catch up on the details of this thread more when the work week is done.
I'll check out skateperception sometime too, thanks for the heads up.

Mostly · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:04:51 AM »

I like my GoPro. I have a VX, but I'm not so serious anymore, so the GoPro is super easy and doesn't really require any thinking. Post 22 has two good gear guides. http://post22.com/514 http://post22.com/1620 here's what I shot with my GoPro.

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:33:00 AM »

Alright, so this GoPro is sounding pretty cool. (Thanks for the post22 links as well.)
I was wondering, since it looks like the lens is permanently attached, and maybe the casing too (?), how would you deal with the potential scratch caused by a board being kicked out into the camera, etc? Or is there a way of replacing the casing, etc?
Thanks!

TheFreshSC · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:43:41 AM »

the transparent plastic part is an easily removable case. i've heard that the microphone's sound quality drastically improves without it

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #25 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:45:37 AM »

Ok, cool. Oh yeah, I guess I hadn't thought too much about sound quality before. Good point.

Mostly · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:59:09 AM »

The GoPro lens can be replaced for like $20. There are two doors to the GoPro case, one for under water and one with holes for better sound. My clip had the underwater door on, so it doesn't sound as good. GoPro also just came out with an LCD screen for $80, so there's that too...

PG Yoshi · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2011, 09:05:59 AM »

Awesome. This is sounding better and better.

snickers · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:44:36 PM »

VX-2000

rawbertson. · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2011, 09:50:10 AM »

I have a canon GL1 i wouldnt mind selling just cause im so broke... looks like they are going for about 800 on ebay... get at me with an offer.

Author Topic: Decent Filming Camera Recommendation? (Read 4922 times)

BriDen

TheFreshSC

TheFreshSC

TheFreshSC