Best camera for large academy documentary on "The Essence Of Highschool"? i am going to do a documentary on a
i am going to do a documentary on a student POV on the essence of high university next year for my senior project. what is the best type of video camera you could suggest? i want right video quality and audio also. preferrable near attachable external mics. i plan on spending 500-600 on this camcorder? any ideas or suggestions on solid cameras? any tips or any help is appreciated. thank you
Answers:
I recommend the Canon HV-20. It is close to your price length, and offers amazing features and video talent. It is a MiniDV camcorder with a see - High Definition. It would be great for such a documentary. Good luck with your Senior Project. Oh, and don't forget the appurtenances, Zoom Microphone, a must have for crisp clear directional Audio. Another Battery for extended use, and a nice big stack of MiniDV tape.
I have also hear that Pinnacle Studio is a good editing software. First, some "don'ts...":
For your budget, near are no good complicated drive (HDD) or high definition (HD) camcorders available unless you step down the "previously owned" path.
DO NOT GET A DVD base camcorder. They provide the worst available video quality of the adjectives storage formats.
Next best video quality are complex drive and certain flash base units.
Now for the "Do's":
Best available video competence comes from miniDV tape base camcorders. They connect to your computer using the DV port on the camcorder and a firewire (IEEE1394a, i.Link are all alike thing) cable to the firewire port on your computer. If you don't have one, incorporate one.
For your budget, check out the Canon ZR800 and ZR950. These cameras do not have brochure audio control - the least expensive cameras beside manual audio control -preferred - are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9. Manual audio control is especially defining when recording loud audio (bands - march and rock/hiphop).
In addition to the camera, you will want:
** a wired and/or wireless external mic. Both these cameras own a mic-in jack.
** a monopod, tripod (which can be used as a monopod) or SpiderBrace. Humans were not designed to stay still.
** a elevated capacity rechargeable freestyle.
** a video light.
** a sturdy crust.
Tips:
If you must pan (left/right/up/down), do it S L O W L Y.
If you must zoom, do it S L O W L Y.
Pay attention to what the camera is doing on TV - not on music video... on the news, or sitcoms... Very few pan and zooms. Lots of cuts.
If you enjoy any scripted scenes, shoot them at tiniest 4 times. And just when you ruminate you have the right shot, do it again. And again. And again. And again.
When you pick a miniDV cartridge type, stay with it for the energy of the camera. I use Sony Premium tapes. They are going on for $3 each within an 8-pack...
There's more, but this is a good start...