video camera or still camera

What can I get in either config, for ~8-1000 bucks. I am thinkin the ones like the "dvd guys" use are out of that range as I have only seen them atleast 25k and up but is there a electronic store buy that I can get that quality out of?

Also, I am guessing a nikon dsl-r for the still camera?

I shoot with a Nikon d3, I don't do the automotive stuff tho- the new Nikon D90 does still and it also shoots hd video. I think it will also shoot a picture while filming in hd at the same time

most of the dvd guys are using higher end consumer cameras...the pro cams cost 25k and up...you can get a great miniDV in HD for less than 2k.......i was lookin at a Canon XL-2 before HD came out and it was a production level cam for less than 4k......u could easily get a production quality cam for what your lookin to spend in either format.....but keep in mind the video isnt just about shooting....you can shoot shit and edit it to look great....or you can easily shoot great and edit like shit....you need skills in both.....same goes for still except editing can be a lil faster....either way you need an eye or learn what and how to shoot.

look at these brands

Still:
Canon
Sony
Nikon
Pentax
Panasonic

Video:
Canon
Sony
JVC
Panasonic

there are others but those come to mind

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

check it out!

Sony dominates all electronics. Thats where I would start.

Edited: 10/3/2008 2:34:56 AM by hitncry

We're using Canon Rebel still cameras: click here



And for video we're now using High Definition Canon HV20's which you can find around $600 on ebay.click here The HV30 is the replacement, but it's basically the exact same camera.



We filmed all of re-introduction with a Sony vx2000 which is a "prosumer" camera, it was awesome and picked up great at night, but it was heavy and only records in standard definition. When we bought the HV20 we we're so blown away with its HD quality that we immediately sold all of our old camcorders. The HV20 basically sees what your eyes see so it looks incredible on playback. IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A HIGH DEF TV SHOW. Plus its small and looks like most home camcorders, so it's inconspicuous and lightweight. This is also good if you just want to film day to day stuff. Also the lens is behind a built in hood so the sunlight doesn't hit the lens directly which is what causes all the lens pits to show up in the footage that you see in a lot of minitruck video coverage.



Here's some test footage of people using the same camera. We don't have any new stuff edited yet but it's the same camera so you get the idea:

(HD is actually turned off in the streams below but if you click "turn HD on" you can see full res on the host site VIMEO.com. You can even enlarge to full screen there and it still looks amazing.)

HV20 - Rainy Day Cinematography from Solomon Chase on Vimeo.

HV20/COLOR Grade TEST from aswilliamson on Vimeo.

Casinos of Reno from Eugenia Loli-Queru on Vimeo.

Pt. Dume from bigd1971 on Vimeo.

A DAY AT THE BEACH from Brad M. on Vimeo.

Hanoi crazy night traffic from v!Nc3sl4s on Vimeo.

Canon HV20 Missing Reel from karl frederick mattson on Vimeo.

Fireworks HV20 from Vedran on Vimeo.



Hope this helps. We should be posting some new stuff soon with minitrucks and such, just to show the kind of stuff we're working on. We also have an HD Sony cam and it does not dominate. The Canon kills it so we're selling the Sony.

ya...sony doesnt dominate electronics from my experience. good, but like most everything else, theres better for the same price.

thanks for all the help guys. im lookin for christmas

i like my panasonic hdc-sd9 HD camcorder. crazy small and was $389 shipped off ebay, brand new. but i like canon too.

The real question is... How will you be using it?

If you just want something to take high quality shots, create decent sized prints and just enjoy, a D-SLR is a waste of money.

I see more and more people with expensive ass cameras shooting them on full-auto with no idea of the capability in their hands. I agree most D-SLR's are extremely smart machines and will provide you with a good shot on auto... but why spend $1,000 to do the same thing you would do with a $500 camera.

Not saying that you don't know what you're doing, but why waste the money on an SLR camera for your first one? Many people don't realize that after the camera, there are lenses and filters and many other things to buy. These are not $100 accessories, quality glass is anywhere from $300 and up. The 16-35L series lens that I want is around $1,300!

If this is not for professional use I would recommend to you the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. It's $400 and a bad-ass camera! 10mp, 20x Optical zoom (much better than digital zoom), Digic 4 processor and image stabilization.

Sorry I don't know shit about digital video cameras.

It's personal use, but I hate coming home after using a shitty still camera at shows. I've always like photography, and could get into it if I had the right equipment. So yea, its personal use but if I got better, it could go somewhere bigger.

I'm still lookin at the HV20 too.