Video Gear

 


How to Choose a Camera

Choosing a camera can be a confusing task considering all the different formats and resolutions available. Here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction in choosing a camera that will meet your needs without going overboard.

Let’s first talk about standard definition verses high definition cameras. Think about what your final use for the video will be. If you are shooting for a web site then a standard definition camera will work just fine. Web sites do not benefit from high definition video. Also, if you will be shooting in a low light situation a standard definition camera might be the right choice because it will not create as much noise in the image as a high definition camera will.

For projects delivered on DVD, you have to think about who you are making the DVD for to better determine the type of camera to choose. For event video work, where the final product might be ten or twenty DVDs for family and friends, standard definition is the way to go. For a corporate video piece, where the video could be repurposed for a trade show booth or will be archived for future use, high definition video is an important consideration. Corporate videos typically have a larger budget than event videos and can warrant the added expense of a higher quality video image.

If your project justifies high definition video then you should consider HDV (usually tape) compared to DVCPro 100 (usually P2 cards) and the benefits of each. HDV, usually being tape, gives you a comfortable workflow for postproduction and if your client wants to take the tape after the shoot, you can just hand it over. DVC Pro100, recorded to P2 data cards, gives you a faster workflow for post production (no more shuttling tape, etc…) and offers a larger bandwidth for color information. The larger bandwidth is especially important for chroma key projects where color information is used to cut a key for the compositing.

This is of course a very brief discussion of what to think about when choosing a camera. However, these points should get you to think about the real reason you want a particular camera. Finally, think long and hard about audio inputs and time code features. A camera that has XLR connectors will allow professional grade microphones to be used without an adaptor. No audio connector on a camera at all means that you are stuck with the cheap camera mic and that’s just no good. If you are going to be editing multiple tapes, time code that you can set and control will make all the difference in your sanity during postproduction.

Camera, VTR Rental

Call 858-356-0200

CAMERAS

 


Panasonic HVX-200
$275.00
Multiple format HD camcorder. Records low-compression DVCPro HD to memory cards or standard definition to DV tape. 16x9 native CCD, Leica Dicomar HD lens.
32 gig P2 cards, $95.00ea
16 gig P2 cards, $65.00ea
Laptop PC for storing media. $100.00
Duel Adapter for newer Macs & PCs $15.00
Century .7 Wide Angle Lens $65.00

HVX-200 Panasonic video camera


JVC HD100U
$250.00
Shoulder style camcorder with MiniDV/HDV format recording. 16x Fuji lens, 24p, HDV and DV record modes, true progressive scan CCD. Complete with 2 Anton type batteries.

JVC GY HD100U video camera


Sony HVR-Z1U
$275.00
3-chip HDV Professional High Definition mini-DV camcorder. Records HDV, DVCAM and DV formats, NTSC and PAL Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® lens.
includes 2 batteries, charger, cables
Century .7 wide angle lens $65.00

Sony HVR Z1U

Canon XH A1 $225.00
3-chip, native 16x9 imager, High Definition mini-DV
camcorder. Records HDV & DV formats, records still images to memory card.
includes 2 batteries, charger, cables
Century .7 Wide Angle lens $45.00

Canon XH A1

Canon XL2
$225.00
3-chip mini-DV camcorder records in 4:3 or 16:9 at 30 or 24fps, interlaced or progressive scan. 20x Fluorite Zoom Lens with Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer
Century .7 Wide Angle lens $45.00

Canon XL2

Panasonic DVX-100b
$200.00
The new “b” version of the venerated DVX-100 line of camcorders. 21 improvements over the "a" version including jam sync time code and underscan LCD viewfinder . Still the same Leica Dicor lens, 24p/30/60i.
Includes 2 batteries, charger, case
Century .7 Wide Angle lens $45.00
Panasonic DVX-100b


Panasonic DVX-100a
$175.00
The “a” version of the highly acclaimed DVX-100. Ideal in low light situations. Records in 24P mode for film look. Three-chip, mini-DV camcorder, Leica Dicor lens 24p/30/60i, 2 batteries, charger, case.
(shown with optional shotgun mic)
Century .7 Wide Angle lens $45.00


Elmo UN43H 12mm Ultra-micro cam
(pdf) $225.00
A super small lipstick camera with a wide selection of lenses. 1/3”, 410,000 pixel, color CCD 3mm, 5.5mm, 11mm, 18mm lenses available CCU, 5 meter cable, AC
W/Sony mini DV clamshell recorder $275.00

lipstick camera

 

Video Tape Recorders


 

Sony
HVR-M25U DV/HDV/DVCam Hi-Def VTR $175.00
Plays and records both mini and standard size cassettes in 1080i HDV, DVCam, and DV formats firewire in/output, built-in 2.7" LCD monitor

 

JVC BR- HD50U
$175.00
Now you have a way to playback HD tapes made with a JVC HDV camera recording 720/24p/30p/60p images. Will also playback mini and standard size DV and DVCam cassettes. Firewire, component, and composite output.

 

Sony GVH-D700 HDV/DV VTR $95.00
Mini HDV/DV clamshell VCR With 7 " LCD Screen, Plays HDV, DV, and DVCam, records HDV and DV, has HDMI firewire and analog in/output, battery or AC powered



Sony GVD-1000 DV VTR
$55.00
Mini DV clamshell VCR With 4" LCD Screen, Plays DV and DVCam, records DV, analog & firewire in/output
 

Sony GV-A500 Hi-8 VTR $55.00
Hi-8 and standard 8mm video clamshell VCR,
4" LCD Screen, Perfect for transferring legacy video
to current formats.
Includes AC power supply, dubbing cables.
 


Sony UVW-1800 Betacam SP VTR $200.00
Full size Betacam SP player recorder. component, composite, s-video inputs and outputs. RS-422 control. Accepts both large and small cassettes.

 

 

 


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858-356-0200