film students and filmmakers....i have a question

i was at a camera store here in the states today and saw digital video cameras for less than $500. lots of different models.

here's my question to you:

are these inexpensive digital video cameras of a high enough quality to make films (i.e. documentary type or independent films) or does one need to invest significantly more?

ok...another question....

for editing digital video does one need a mac or is comparable software available for windows or linux?

1. You can do simple work with such cameras, but it is the lenses and not the camera that ultimately limit you. Pro cameras have pro (i.e., expensive) interchangeable lenses for the digital video cam body. Additionally, you need good lighting equipment and a number of accessories.

Check out this book, it will tell you all you need to know and then some about the entire process of making a film.

The Filmmaker's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age, by Steven Ascher

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452279577/qid=1133939648/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl14/102-9897190-5359369?n=507846&s=books&v=glance


2. You can do equal quality work on either Windows or Mac computers. Partisans of each platform naturally think theirs is better, but it's really a matter of individual taste.

Peace.

thanks for the tip. i'll pick up the book.

i want to start filming in the rain forest.

on a Mac with the iLife software package that is included w iMacs and Mac Mini.

Very nicely integrated package, works well together, easy to get going with etc. If you get a mac that doesn't come with (used, etc) then it is 80.00.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/

of most interest to you are these parts:

http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

http://www.apple.com/ilife/idvd/

People who claim that Macs and PCs are the same for working with video probably have not used both. And most everybody I know who has moved from PC to Mac has said 'Why did I wait so long to do this?"

PM me if you decide to go this way and I can point you to bargains.

ON EDIT: If you already have a modern Windows PC, by all means use it. But if you need to invest in a new computer, you owe it to yourself to look at a mac and iLife (or even the more pro packages).

Here's the link. The damned thing actually works pretty well. Steadycam can add a remarkable amount of polish to your finished film.

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

Good luck!

I think it needs to be said that yes, a good quality film can be made with a sub-500 dollar modern video camera. The content of the creation is of highest importance. Plus, compare a modern camera with those used in the 1920's a decade of many fine films. Hell, with software one can recreate the look of a movie made in the 1920's or of various modern lenses.

That said, everything in your post is essentially true. :) On that technical side I'd add that smooth moving mounting/tripod systems and investing in two or more cameras to film action simultaneously also add a lot to a movie makers palette.

Who cares what camera, make your film.

You'll be SAFER and will not worry about losing it as much. For instance, I tucked a Canon ZR70 (22x optical zoom was VERY useful) under my arm as I walked down the street at night in dangerous neighborhoods in Brasil. Yes, the film is grainy at night and jerky at times, but the content is what is more important to me. The camera is nearly 3 years old and still works after about 100 hours of filming/usage. Once you decide that it is impossible to compete with Ken Burns technologically, you will be free to think more about composition, form, and content. I didn't even use an add-on light nor mic and I still got great footage nonetheless.

Good luck and have fun! :)

you'd see significant improvement with a "prosumer" camcorder, which usually price around $3000 and up.

Still, while I wish I could upgrade from my three year-old Sony DV Handycam, it's all I've got for now, and it has proven to be quite durable, filming well over a hundred hours without trouble.

If you compose shots nicely and edit the film beautifully (and have good acting in a narrative), that's all that really matters!

Best of luck!