torn

[JRock*Girl]

I need some advice, this is really only a question that I can answer for myself I guess, but Im looking for some input.

I currently have a sony dcr-trv120 that i got for my birthday about 4 yrs ago. It works great, but I would like to step it up. I will be attending Full Sail for Digital Media starting November. They have camera's you can use there, but I will be doing alot of filming between now and then. What I can't decide is if I should buy a slr digital camera or a new camcorder. I can't afford the camcorder I want right now, but I can afford the Sony DCR VX2000, which I understand only has a few minor differences from the 2100. I would also love a digital camera, I don't have anything right now. I would spend $800-900 tops on a dig. camera right now...I have to save some money for school and moving...

I definatly want one or the other (well both, but cant afford it). Im just torn between which one. Im reallly into video and photography, and I want to learn how to use the proffesional cameras. I just cant decide which one would make more sense for me to buy...

[JamesWatts]

Dont buy the Vx2000 or the Vx2100. if you are going to film school you are going to want something with XLR imputs for it to be usful.

IF you are going to get a camera, and are looking in the Vx2000 Price range. I would get a DVX100a, or a PD170. very solid camera's, both have XLR. and will be nice for those quick projects/ times you dont want to rent a large ENG type camera from the school.

I think that the DVX100a is a better camera, and has better picture quality than the PD170. It has a little better depth, and deals with blacks better. On top of the fact that it does 24p. which gives you a more "film like" image, because it is shooting 24 full frames a second. instead of shooting Interlaced(each new frame uses half of the picture from the previous frame) like other DV camera's.

-James

[RD]

I would agree with James but I also wouldn't expect her to be able to get either of those 2 units anywhere near VX2000 pricing. You can always add a Beachtek XLR adapter to the VX2000 if you need to use balanced audio gear. I know it's not near as good but it is workable.

[JamesWatts]

Yah. Those 2 cameras are a little more. but in my opinion worth the money. or worth the time to save the extra penny's.

I think you can even get the balanced audio adapeter that RD was talking about from a used from a camera store for like 20 bucks or something. ive seen them for pretty cheap.... Ebay?

-James

[JRock*Girl]

Full Sail provides cameras. Im guessing then that you would say wait to buy a camera until I graduate, because I definatly can't afford either of the two you mentioned at the moment...I already looked into getting the DVX100a....Im sure when I graduate too there will be something even better anyways...

Whats the XLR adapter? Im just getting into this...

Im sure there will be plenty of cameras for sale at the school anyways...mabye it is an all around better idea to wait....

So now I guess its a matter of finding the best digital camera + lens for the price I'm willing to pay...

[RD]

XLR is really a connector type used by a balanced audio signal (vs an RCA jack which you'll see on all your TV, VCRs etc or in the case of a camcorder an 1/8" stereo mini plug). Without getting too technical a balanced audio signal tends to be stronger and cleaner.

Hopefully full sail will have something for you to use besides a 10 year old BetaSP rig!

[JRock*Girl]

lol RD, i'm sure they have sick camera's....they have g5 labs....and all kinds of reallly cooool expensive gear

[Zach M]

My buddy works for the guy who created Full Sail. The guy is freaking loaded. He has multiple airplanes, and created a record label just 'cause he wanted to do something new.

[Josh R]

Chase's dad runs Full Sail BTW.

Anyway, focussing on the decision to go still or movie... Seriously it is one of those things that only you can decide. I know it would be so tough for me to choose, I don't think I could give up either of my cameras.

If you're going into Full Sail, it may be better to grab a DSLR now. Not only will you be provided with cams that will make the VX2000 feel silly, but you will have gained experience in dealing with F-Stops, Depth of field, comosition etc. before you arrive. This will help a crap load. The best cinematographers all started out with an SLR. Thats where they trained their eye.

So maybe the DSLR route is the way to go. I know taking photos has helped the way I film a lot.

[RD]

Since it's a private school I'm sure they're better equipped then some of the public programs.

Your post just brought memories of Bryan Barton showing up a couple of years ago at Schwenne's houseboat with a couple of huge cases full of old 3/4" gear on loan from SF State just to shoot an interview with Mike and Cody Ramsey.

Needless to say I let him use my DVX100, which I had just gotten, and he was very happy to not have to unpack all that stuff! He ended up helping us with a lot of footage for Delta Sessions and then did his own vid Untouchable Sound with a DVX he bought for himself.

I hear he's now got a couple of 100a's and has a nice little video business going with them. They are really all you need for most work.

[JRock*Girl]

Its a pretty killer school, I can't wait to get started. I just thought it might be nice to get some experience with a proffesional camera before I went there, but I guess they start you from square one regardless so it wouldn't really make a difference....I actually talked to Chase about it a while back and he fully recommended the dvx100 as well.

Yes, it was a decision I could really only make for myself but you've helped alot....thanks. I can't afford the dvx100 right now and Full Sail will have what I need, I think I can make do what i've got until I start there.

So the next question would be for some recommendations for a digital SLR camera...I don't want to spend over $1,000. I'm looking for the best I can get with that, body and a lens...Any recommendations?

Thanks for all the help.....

[MattyBoyR6]

As for DSLR's in your price range you are looking at mostly, Canon D Rebel or 10D, or Nikon D70. Look at getting them used so you have extra $$ for lenses, filters, memory (both CF card and hard drive space, bags ect. The Rebel XT is in your price range but wont leave any $$ left. A great wakeboarding lens is a 70-200. The Canon 70-200f4 runs about $600 new.

I think all 3 of those camera are in the low 6 Mp range and about +- 3 fps.

[JRock*Girl]

So now I am looking at the Canon Rebel 300D, Canon Rebel XT 350D, and the Nikon D70....

I graduate in 3 weeks so my dad is telling me to hold off but I still need to know which camera and lens to tell him...

Before deciding on the camera itself, lets say I can only get one lens for now, what would be your recommendation? I will be shootong everything from action (wakeboarding etc) to scenic, everything really. And I'm not exactly ready to drop $600 on a lens. I just want something decent for what I'm shooting, I hear the lenses that come with the cameras arn't that great. I've been looking around and eading stuff but I don''t really know enough to make a good decision lol

[MattyBoyR6]

I personaly don't think that the kit lens' are that bad. I have seen a print from a 300D using the kit lens at 16X24(?) and it looked pretty damn good. I have used my 70-200 as an everything lens including sceenerey, portraits, wildlife. The lens listed below may fit your needs. For reference a lot of my wakeboarding shots are at 135mm.
http://photographyreview.com/pscLenses/35mm,Zoom/Canon/PRD_83426_3128crx.aspx

http://photographyreview.com/pscLenses/35mm,Zoom/Sigma/PRD_286766_3128crx.aspx

Check the rest of that site for more info on other lenses. I personaly like Canon and Sigma lenses. Also www.fredmiranda.com has a lens review section. I would say that a lens or combination ranging from 28-200 would be good.