Advice on getting a camcorder for 1st time…?
Question by Layla Wolf: Advice on getting a camcorder for 1st time…?
I’m looking to get a really good camcorder primarily for making good quality videos, movies (sort off make my own On-line programs so not simply home movies). I’ve looked on-line and I think what I need is something along these guide lines;
High Definition
Stored on; Memory Card
Batterys; not compleatly sure -replacable/rechargeable with spares (it’s likely I’m going to be doing a lot of outdoor filming)
Ability to turn of Automatic Grain Control
Ability to change White Balance Manually
Option to have external microphone
Good Zoom
Adjustable shutter speeds?
Basically something versatile, durable and not too expensive (but I guess that depends on how versatile and long lasting it is – I don’t want to have to buy another in a long long time).
I’d prefer answers to have come from personal experience and not simply looking online. any additional advice – whether it be specifications, things to look out for, or a recommendation towards a certain make or model – is more than welcome.
Also, if anyone has any idea what sort of software to get for making movies, doing special effects, etc please could you let me know (must be versatile, not too difficult to use and must be able to be saved/put onto disk easily without it stopping responding).
I’m hoping to mark a best answer – and any stupid/nonsense answers purely to get points are very likely to be reported.
Thanks
Good Zoom means something that isn’t tiny and pointless – I do re-enactments and you cant exactly get detail normally when you’ve only got a low zoom
As for other bits and pieces those don’t really matter at the moment – I’m looking to find out what I need/want and then work everything else out
Best answer:
Answer by Damien L
Panasonic DVX100B is the best/chaepest that I have seen. Of course, it’s prosumer, so it may be out of your price range. I also recommend Final Cut Pro. It’s DV tape, not memory card, but it’s got manual everything and is way better in the long run than any consumer model you can find.
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