What's to know about Digital SLR cameras and High Def Video Recorders?

[samuraiX]

I'm getting ready to pick up either a Digital SLR or a High Def Digital Video Recorder in the next couple weeks and I was hoping to get a little input from people around here on what to look out for.

For the Digital SLR Camera I was basically looking for a piece that I will be able to change lenses on and take pictures in quick succession. I've never owned one but I have used a couple and was impressed generally by the speed though I don't know how well that translates to a low light area. My understanding is that in low light you need a slower shutter speed (and usually a flash) to get a good image and this slows down your picture taking to maybe 1 photo ever 2 seconds?

I've been a fan of the Canon line of cameras for a few years so I was looking at the Digital Rebel XTi (link below). Basically looking for more input or links to websites that might have more information about what I'm looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital...ef=sr_1_2/103-5718254-5523868?ie=UTF8&s=photo


As for the HD Digital Video Camera I'm even more lost as to which format to go with. Hard drive, DVD, Tape etc. I've been considering both the "palm" recorders as well as the more professional style (slightly) large models.

Sony released this one recently with the hard drive built in which is neat:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-SR1-...ef=sr_1_2/103-5718254-5523868?ie=UTF8&s=photo

Personally I'd like something that can take a very nice picture in medium to low light, record sound very well (loud noise without distortion would be ideal), and be on a format that is easy to transfer to a computer and modify. All for $2k or less! hah...


Thank you to those that take a look at my mindless ramblings and thanks even more to those that can offer some input!

-nate

 

[Nesagwa]

I wouldnt worry about the HD- Hard Drive based cameras right now.

The Sony consumer model HD cameras got pretty good reviews (I think I remember the HR-3 being a downgrade from the HR-1 or whatever the model name is).

I would stick to Mini-DV based cameras, theyre cheaper and tapes cost 2~5 dollars each (with the varying LP and SP quality / tape length). The tape doesnt really dictate the image quality, even 5000 dollar pro cameras use DV.

I personally like Canon cameras, and they recently came out with a very small HD video camera.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=14059

I think its within your 2k range, so Id give it a look too.

EDIT: Heres an amazon link to the HV10, its less than 1000 actually.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-HV10-Hi...s_1/103-3317532-3520642?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

[samuraiX]

Thanks for the reply. As far as the camcorder goes I'm a bit torn. I'd prefer to have something a bit more substantial in my hand. The Sony was basically as small as I wanted to go as it is fairly large for a current generation palmcorder. I was hoping to make really nice home videos relating to road trips, band shows and perhaps an amature(ish) movie or two. The reason I was looking at the hard drive encased Sony was for sheer ease of video transfer from the camera to a computer. I don't know a whole lot about the ease of uploading DV tapes, perhaps you do? I have a DV tape camera laying around somewhere I could try to mess around with to see how it works. Don't think i got any cables with it when I purchased it. I personally try to tread away from Sony as much as I can. Had far too many problems with their products in the past but based on my limited knowledge the camcorder I linked seemed to fit what I was looking for pretty well. Maybe I will go with a tape, it certainly seems more reliable then a hard drive or a DVD drive setup.

I was debating if I wanted to dump this much money but I may be swayed if it's the best I can find:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MiniDV-...ef=sr_1_4/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Professi...ef=sr_1_6/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCR-VX21...ef=sr_1_7/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo

 

[Nesagwa]

Thanks for the reply. As far as the camcorder goes I'm a bit torn. I'd prefer to have something a bit more substantial in my hand. The Sony was basically as small as I wanted to go as it is fairly large for a current generation palmcorder. I was hoping to make really nice home videos relating to road trips, band shows and perhaps an amature(ish) movie or two. The reason I was looking at the hard drive encased Sony was for sheer ease of video transfer from the camera to a computer. I don't know a whole lot about the ease of uploading DV tapes, perhaps you do? I have a DV tape camera laying around somewhere I could try to mess around with to see how it works. Don't think i got any cables with it when I purchased it. I personally try to tread away from Sony as much as I can. Had far too many problems with their products in the past but based on my limited knowledge the camcorder I linked seemed to fit what I was looking for pretty well. Maybe I will go with a tape, it certainly seems more reliable then a hard drive or a DVD drive setup.

I was debating if I wanted to dump this much money but I may be swayed if it's the best I can find:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MiniDV-...ef=sr_1_4/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Professi...ef=sr_1_6/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCR-VX21...ef=sr_1_7/102-9021051-4824907?ie=UTF8&s=photo

Well most come with an editing program made by the manufacturer.

I think any of the high end stuff would be picked up by programs like Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut no problem.

At the core of it, its basically like doing a Tape to Tape VCR copy, only from the DV tape to Digital. So, at the longest it takes 60 or 90 minutes to copy a WHOLE tape, but it is easy to do.

 

[channelmaniac]

Get something with a good lens. The Zeiss lenses on the Sony cameras are t3h win! Those are some fantastic lenses.

If you want to transfer the videos to your PC and do it quickly then do the hard drive cameras. If you do the Mini-DV types be aware that they are SLOWER in transferring the video from tape to the PC. If you want good audio then get a boom mic or a wireless mic as the built in one will record you behind the camera as well as the subject in front of it.

As for the Digital SLR: Get what you are comfortable with and what your friends have so you can borrow lenses. Keep in mind that if you don't have a particular lens you can rent one from local camera stores. That's always something to keep in mind if you want to use a 400mm Image Stabilization lens for taking pictures of race cars, sports, etc... yet don't want to lay out 4 digits for a lens.

RJ

 

[DevilRedeemed]

http://gear.ign.com/articles/753/753471p1.html

 

[Lastblade]

We bought a Digital Rebet XT last year, and bought a $450 macro lense for macro shots.... damn, the picture is so amazing, I can't even describe it. Go for it!!

 

[IMTheWalrus]

We bought a Digital Rebet XT last year, and bought a $450 macro lense for macro shots.... damn, the picture is so amazing, I can't even describe it. Go for it!!

Agreed. You can't go wrong with a rebel XTi. It's easy to use and it takes great shots. Plus there are so many lenses available for it.

 

[samuraiX]

Awesome, thanks for the input so far guys. Anyone have one of the high def digicams? Curious to hear some opinions from anyone that might own one (aside from Amazon).

I think I'll grab a XTi in a couple weeks. I may end up waiting until April for that JVC camcorder to come out that Devil linked above. That looks pretty tight.