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Looking to help Rowen buy a *CHEAP(er)* Camera.

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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Hello Friends.
I know a a reasonable amount about big, fancy expensive cameras, but nothing about smaller, more user friendly ones. So here's the deal: Rowen needs a camera. I told him we could help.

This is the message he sent me:

"Build a video camera for under $1000.

- Follow cam able
- Steady/Glide cam able
- Simple lenses + fisheye"


I know that's not much to go on. So I'm filling out the buying a cam form for him:

Number one thing to remember - He DOESN'T want a T2i.


1) Budget - about $1000. Budget includes a glidecam or some other handheld stabilizer.

2) Minimal experience. He's played with cams before and filmed but not more than pointing and pressing the button I would assume.

2) zero gear already owned.

4) Camera would be used mostly just for shooting skiing. Mostly handheld. Not looking for a tripod. Mostly for fun edit stuff.

5) A camera that could be handed off would be prime.

6) Mostly filming follow cams, as mentioned above.

7 -8 most editing would be done on a simple machine with a simple software. Pretty sure Rowen owns a laptop that's a couple years old.
Jul 28 2011 3:32AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I told that man to get an HV30/HV40. He'd still have enough money left over for a steadicam and wide angle, and his computer can most likely handle the footage.
Jul 28 2011 3:36AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,842
Anything for Rowen!

I like the look of Panasonic's cheaper options. An hv30/40 would be ideal but it is 2011 and dealing with tapes is the worst.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749854-REG/Panasonic_HDC_SD800K_HDC_SD800_High_Definition_3MOS.html

For 600 bucks. It shoots 1080p 60p and seems pretty decent. Only issue that stands out to me is that it includes a touch screen. Touchscreens don't like snow.


The raynox wide angle converters are pretty popular, and I think those go for around 130ish or so.


I don't know if this would weigh enough for the glidecam 2000pro, so I would almost be tempted to say flycam nano. I personally have not used one of them and I doubt the quality is comparable to a glidecam, but I hear they are good for the price. I think they cost about 115-150ish.

Budget wise this would be:
600 for camera
130 for wide angle
150 for flycam
50 for 16 gb SD car


The total would be in the $950ish range. Right on budget. My main concern would be if his computer was capable of editing the footage.

Jul 28 2011 3:53AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
HV40 ($650)
Glidecam HD1000 ($330)
Raynox 6600PRO ( $140)

= $1,120

This will give you banger shots (assuming you're diligent enough to learn how to use a glidecam). If you buy used you could easily keep it under $1k.

Or if you really want to have some fun and not pay for/learn to use a Glidecam, you can get this:
http://www.adorama.com/CZSS.html
Jul 28 2011 3:58AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,842
Also really solid, I loved my HV30. I just have no idea how he would feel about using tapes. I would personally hate using them again but that is just how I feel about it. Plus the 1080 60p sounds glorious although I know that you are not exactly a proponent of that frame rate.
Jul 28 2011 4:02AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,842
and if he was willing to pay more, this would be a much better option in stabilization.
Jul 28 2011 4:04AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
Click for larger image
Jul 28 2011 4:08AM
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kalum.ko
Posts: 585 - Karma: 1,672
My HV40 with raynox wide DCR-6600 550?
Jul 28 2011 4:09AM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
I've heard about this company that specializes in going pro. They make these video cameras that you can tape to your helmet and I'm pretty sure they're HD. And the best part is that they have a fisheye already on them.

I can't remember the name right now, but it's a pretty underground company. You probably haven't heard of them.

No but really, like said above, the HV40 with glidecam 1000HD would be perfect. A kid that I ski with has one and I've used it quite a bit and it's ridiculously easy o use and it gets awesome shots. For the price it's a solid camera.
Jul 28 2011 4:12AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
For someone who is shooting casually, tapes aren't so bad. They are still a hinderance, but they aren't a major pain for someone who isn't fiddle deedee'ing with cameras a lot.

Also the Panasonic looks nice, but I have two concerns:
1) All the specifications I can find on it tiptoe around what framerates it shoots. They are pretty keen on advertising that it shoots 1080p60, but nowhere do they explicitly say it shoots 1080p24. Considering the deceiving nature of consumer camera advertising, this leads me to believe that it doesn't shoot 24p.
2) I can guarantee Rowen's computer can't edit 1080p60.


Kalum's HV40 + Raynox sounds like a steal! That would leave plenty of money for a Glidecam 1000 (anything more is overkill).
Jul 28 2011 4:21AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,842
Yup, with a deal like that it would be silly not to jump on it.
Jul 28 2011 4:25AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
7/8 - its a recent Asus, intel i7, 6Gb ram, 64bit OS.
Jul 28 2011 5:51AM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,281
For if you don't like tapes just get the tapeless version of the hv40, its like the hfs200 or something
Jul 28 2011 8:42AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Oh wow, you're more set up than I thought you were. I didn't pay enough attention when I was there.
Jul 28 2011 11:27AM
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