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Camera Advice-Yes I Know its Another One

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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
Ok so I came here to Media and Arts in search for camera advice. I realize that my requests may be irrational, but if you can just help me out because I am just getting into filming/editing. SOOO

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future? Alright I want to spend hopefully from 150-250

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own? No experience but I have time to learn the ways.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc) I can get a couple of tripods from my dad and such but thats it.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc) I just want to make some short ski edits---less than 5 min. All skiing.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming? YES my friends need to be able to use it, so not TOO complicated.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc) I like follow cams and shooting from a tripod.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great. Just a pc with windows 7.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
I have no editing experience and no editing software SOO please reccomend me one that doesn't have to be costly or fancy, just needs to be able to slap together edits.


I realize I am a noobie at this and thats why I need your help, so if you come to hate, maybe just give me some advice instead, or tell me that my hopes are unreasonable.
Sep 8 2010 8:48PM
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Bukkakeskitrip
Posts: 5677 - Karma: 95
since your price range is so low, sorry, i dont know what to recommend camera wise. and for an editing program, it wouldnt hurt to get vegas or something for the long run, but if you want an easy basic program download cyberlink powerdirector. really easy for throwing a few clips together with basic transitions etc. its what i use when i dont need to do anything fancy, and it works a treat.
Sep 8 2010 8:59PM
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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
ok cool thanks, i mean as for a camera, i just want something that can take some shots, doesn't have to be high quality, whatever just want to start filmin myself and others a little this winter.
Sep 8 2010 9:02PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
with a price range like that you might as well just get something simple like a flip mino then upgrade to something in the $600+ range once you have the money. 150-250 will get you nowhere.
Sep 8 2010 9:02PM
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A.Eberhard
Posts: 4426 - Karma: 415
Your price range is way to low, get up to like $300 and you can at least get a gopro.
Sep 8 2010 9:05PM
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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
ok thanks for the truthful replies!
Sep 8 2010 9:05PM
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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
haha yah ik it just sucks with all this shit I gotta buy, needed skis, bindings, boots, and outerwear this year bc I grew like 5 inches and now i have no money...cool.
Sep 8 2010 9:07PM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
Anything under 600 wont really get you anywhere. Your best bet is a GoPro 960 for your price range they're 180 I think. But I would spend the extra 120 and get a normal GoPro so you can shoot 720 60.
Sep 8 2010 9:47PM
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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
man now i really wish i had $600 but that might be a while. How is the gopro 960's quality? I mean is it decent or can you tell how crappy it is.
Sep 8 2010 9:52PM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
960p HD so not quite 1080 but nicer than 720. But you can't shoot 60 fps so you won't be able to do a lot of slowmo. Just watch a gopro edit. I used one before I started shooting HDSLR and you can definitely make a good edit. There's be some GoPro edits in my profile.
Sep 8 2010 10:00PM
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grilledsteezeyo
Posts: 1419 - Karma: 72
this, i know someone who has one, its decent quality for the price and size and is really easy to use
Sep 8 2010 10:40PM
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qgmc4
Posts: 426 - Karma: 61
dude im in the exact same posistion .... get a kodak playsport.... 1080p,720p 60 fps it is amazing and only for like 140 get it that is what i am getting
Sep 8 2010 10:57PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,947
It's been said before, but unless you need a camera NOW, just keep saving, its not even worth it. Not to be THAT guy, the debbie downer, but yeah...not worth it.

If you're actually into filming/editing (enough so for you to make this thread, right?) save your money for a long time, and when you get enough cash spend it on items that you can actually learn on. DON'T get to $300 and buy a GoPro because you're oh so desperate to start making edits. If you're serious, apply yourself to getting a real camera, make some money, and get something that you'll be truly happy with.
Sep 9 2010 12:22AM
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MeLoveULongTime
Posts: 55 - Karma: 15
http://www.aiptek.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ZHD21X-CS&Category_Code=HDC&Store_Code=AS This is the best full hd video camera. I got mine on amazon for 199. You can go on youtube and fine some test video and more info on it but aiptek makes another video camera that look just like it but not full hd http://www.aiptek.com/GVS/ I say buy from amazon it's the best price for both video cameras
Sep 9 2010 12:39AM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
This.
Sep 9 2010 4:57PM
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eheath
Posts: 61084 - Karma: 117,924
Thousand of people did slowmo before 60p was ever available for video cameras...
Sep 9 2010 5:00PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Yea, if you are serious, save your money and get an ill camera. but if you are thinking about only spending 150-200 to begin with, likely you aren't that serious and don't care.

Truth be told, you can do amazing things with GoPros. Just look at Abe's videos. They are ALL filmed with GoPros.

anyways, if you don't care that much, get a GoPro and duct tape that shit to the end of a ski pole, and start having fun!

Sep 9 2010 5:03PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
granted, abe know's what he's doing and does a lot of post in above edit.
Sep 9 2010 5:04PM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
are they like partnered, because they always drop a logo in the intro, and one guy has that giant sticker. seems like they rep pretty hard, is there like a mutual deal like free cams for publicity?
Sep 9 2010 9:40PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
It used to be a deal with Abe and the ski team, but now Abe actually works for Go Pro. It's the illest job ever, and he kills it with those cameras.
Sep 10 2010 1:24AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
Yeah, that's like comparing footage from everyone on ns who got HDSLRS with stuff from say Stept. Some people just REALLY know their stuff.

I'd say you should save up a bit more.
Sep 10 2010 1:29AM
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kzrstf
Posts: 2778 - Karma: 695
your best bet would be to buy an used camera from someone on NS
Sep 10 2010 1:54AM
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rankstank
Posts: 1033 - Karma: 223
Aight well i'll prob just start saving, but I do want SOMETHING for this winter,b/c i am getting really stoked on at least filming a little. I'll prob get the cheaper gopro coming out. Just a question-how do you guys film other people with them? Do you attach them to a pole to reduce shaking or put them on your helment and basically just look at the other person? Whats the best way to get clean footy with a gopro b/c I imagine just holding it can be sketch mcgetch.
Sep 10 2010 7:33AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
ski pole is generally the easiest way.
Sep 10 2010 2:06PM
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