STG Studios

What is a good prosumer video camera for a film student?

I am looking for helpful suggestions from people who know their equipment. I am entering film school at George Mason in VA. I want to find a good quality prosumer camera, miniDV preferred format, to use in film school and that will last me into my early film career. I'd like something that has a good "film look" to it (cinematic), easy to use, but not a beginner camera--I want professional features. True 16:9 aspect ratio is a must (I heard the Panasonic DVX has a simulated 16:9).

OK, your budget is going to limit you somewhat with getting a camera with all those requirements...especially the true widescreen.
You might find several threads on this subject already in this section of Yahoo answers, but to re-iterate briefly I would recommend that you look at the JVC GYHD110u (GY-HD111e in Europe). I use two of these for my daily business as well as teaching students. Over the years I've used many cameras as I came from the days of shooting 35mm film on feature films, but these new JVC ProHD cameras are really something else for the price. You get a really filmlook result from most of the progressive formats and sharp interlaced DV in SD if you want (as good as Digibeta I reckon). The PAL models shoot in 720p 25p native in HD which gives the closest film look from this class of camera.
If you want to just shoot in SD then the Canon XL2 is worth a look as that does real broadcast quality widescreen too..although not as good as the JVC. I have one here too and I can assure you of that. However to future-proof your camera and the bang for buck goes to the JVC. It seems to be becoming the small filmmakers standard tool quickly now. I use them integrated into 16mm projects too and it's seamless. You just can't do that with any of the Canon, Sony or Panasonic cams.
If I were you I would get Avid Express on the next release (the JVC will be supported) as it's the film and broadcast's favourite platform and way up there compared to FCP...and it's cross platform...Mac and PC.
In any case, don't make a quick decision on cameras...get your hands on one and test drive it...work the footage and compare them all for what you want to do. Even go and hire cameras for a day to get the tests done.
I hope that helps
All the best with your career. Don't forget it's the story that counts, you just need to right tools to tell it.
Cheers

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101642

Sony HVR-Z5E Professionl HD video camera / camcorder (HDV HVR Z5) - www.cvp.co.uk

Joby Gorillapod for Canon 450D, 1000D,500D, Nikon D3000, D5000,D90, Sony Alpha DLSR Range, and Panasonic G1 Series - SLR Zoom £21.99 ...

Freeloader Pro Solar Charger £57.96 Le chargeur solaire Freeloader Pro SC9001 est un outil extrêmement pratique. Livré avec 10 emboutsdifférents, il s'adapte à la plupart des appareils mobiles : téléphoneportable, lecteur Mp3, iPod, GPS et même console de jeux portable, toutesmarques confon...

VANDAL PROOF INFRA RED IR 20m CCTV INDOOR OUTDOOR DOME COLOUR CAMERA 1/3 SONY 480 TVL £36.00 External outdoor and indoor weatherproof Infra Red VANDAL PROOF DOME *A PROFESSIONAL Colour INFRA RED DOME Camera that the professional's use. *This camera is a CCD camera and it has a Sony 1/3 inch image device. *This camera gives a 480 TVL picture. *It has IR so that when it goes dark the IR light up and give upto 20 meters night vision in black and white. *There is a 15" cable coming ...

VANDAL PROOF IR 30m CCTV DOME CAMERA 1/3 SONY 4-9mm £47.99 Professional Colour INFRA RED DOME camera that the professional's use External outdoor and indoor weatherproof Infra red METAL VANDAL PROOF 30m IR DOME With 4mm - 9mm Manual Zoom and Focus Lens Adjustable by using the screws at the front of the camera This is a CCD camera and it has a Sony 1/3 inch image device. This camera gives a 420 TVL picture It has IR so that when it goes dark the IR light...

SONY 1/3 CCD 50m INFRA RED CAMERA CCTV IR 4-9mm Zoom £67.99 You are buying 1 x External and Indoor IP66 weatherproof Infra Red Camera with a 4mm - 9mm Manual Zoom Lens. The lens can be adjusted using the two buttons on the rear of the camera. The Camera also has a CABLE BUILT IN management BRACKET so you have the option to fit the camera and have no exposed cable outside the camera to be tampered with. These cameras are CCD Cameras and they have a Sony 1/3...

Sony Playstation Eye Camera with EyeCreate (PS3) £3.89 PS3 SONY EYE CAMERA / EYE CREATE...

PlayStation Move Starter Pack with PlayStation Eye Camera, Move Controller and Starter Disc (PS3) £34.90 PlayStation Move: Starter Pack Includes: PlayStation Move: Motion Controller PlayStation Eye Camera Starter Disc Introducing the PlayStation Move The PlayStation 3 Motion Controller contains built-in motion sensors, including a colour-changing orb at its head, which interacts with the PlayStation Eye Camera to track movement. This tracking is precise, meaning the PlayStation 3 Motion Contr...

Sony Sharp Shooter - Move Compatible (PS3) £28.94 Designed by Killzone creators Guerilla Games in conjunction with SOCOM developers Zipper Interactive, the PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter attachment adapts both the motion controller and navigation controller into a submachine gun form that is perfect for all your hardcore shooter needs. Custom designed to be fully compatible with upcoming PS3 exclusives Killzone 3 and SOCOM 4. Compatible wi...

The Sony SLT-A77: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide £22.94 ...

Koolertron Canvas Vintage DSLR SLR Camera Shoulder Case Backpack Rucksack Bag for Sony Canon Nikon Olympus DSLR Laptop,Computer,The ipad 3,The new ipad etc.----Yellow Color 40x25x18cm £26.99 Highlight: •This kind of bag is made from pure cotton water canvas,texture is soft, strong and durable, carry comfortable. External vice bags and the ornament of fastener broke the appearance of drudgery, optional but not casually, fashion and brief.it makes the whole bag beautiful and easy, and never lose plain. •This kind of bag is very suitable for photography lovers do for short trip...

Tags:   camera · filmmaking · photo · photography · sony video camera equipment · videoNo Comments