Camcorder, hire or buy?

[Giles]

No problem Paul. Don't forget to use Panasonic stock only with a Panasonic machine, ditto for Sony.

[John Mason]

I've got a Canon XL1 and a Canon XM2 which I've used for most of my shoots, but I recently bought a Panasonic NV-GS70B for ?800 down Tottenham Court Road. It's got a Leica lens which means that you've got quality, it's very small and easy to use (even the models had no trouble using it!) AND it's a 3CCD camera.
The end results are very good as well.......shame I can't say the same for my 'shoddy' camera work!

[paul d]

Even more food for thought, thanks john for the tip about the NV-GS70B, that?s a model I had missed.

My question is,

In your professional opinion would you say the NV-GS70B was good enough to use on shoots intended for broadcast.

With the money I would save on the NV-GS70B as opposed to the NVMX500B I could almost afford to buy two GS70?S and save my money on hire costs.

The type of material I will be shooting will be quite gritty so no need to worry about having the most polished end result,

The smaller the camera the better for me with regards to the type of locations I will be filming in.

I look forward to your (and anyone else) opinion.

Thanks

Paul D

[John Mason]

Well, lets put it this way, I shot every scene on my recent Portugal trip on that camera, and there is no quality loss, because it is a 3CCD camera after all. Those scenes are going out on video and DVD, so if I can use it I don't see why you can't!

[paul d]

My thoughts exactly?.. thanks John that has helped to make my mind up.

[Klimer]

Does anyone have any opinions on buying used camcorders? A quick search on eBay showed eight here in the UK, including VX1000's ranging from ?255 to ?670 and an XL1 currently at ?1,320. Are used camcorders typically thrashed or is this a good deal in the making? Anyone had any experience either way?

By the way, this is my first post on BGAFD. Thanks to everyone who posts useful information like that on this thread, it's great especially for someone like me just starting to get serious about production.

[Bill Malone]

Mr Klimer

I think you'd be lucky to get something from ebay that worked perfectly, camera wise. Someone may say otherwise but I'd say if they're selling it there, it's because they want to get rid of it for a reason. (ie. it's on it's way out). Sony VX-1000 is a pretty old warhorse, first ones came out in 1995, you may be bidding for one of them, which means it's probably coughing steam by now. VX-2000 is out now if it's Sont you're after. Or if it's a mini DV camera for ?339.00 you want, try


Reliable but not broadcast quality; but still damn good on your telly at home.

[Steven]

Perhaps consider a Canon XM1/XM2. I have the XM1 (no longer available) which is a smaller and more portable version of the XL1 with a LCD screen attached to the side. These are also 3-CCD cameras and produce excellent quality video ideal for broadcast. In my own tests and in other tests I have read online, the Canons most definately have the edge over the Sony PD150 and VX100 models when used in poorly lighted situations. In professionally lighted situations results are almost identical. John Mason may speak for the quality of the XM2 he has.

Note: The XM1 can be picked up second hand for about a grand these days. Have a look on ebay there are often some on offer, but watch out for people selling American NTSC models and not staing it. Make sure you check with the seller that its a PAL model first.

If you need any broadcast quality editing doing please bear me in mind.

Thanks.

[John Mason]

My advice, for what it's worth is DON'T touch a second hand camcorder with a barge pole, unless you personally know the person who is selling it (and even then it's still a risk!).
If a second hand camcorder goes wrong, you have little or no waranty, and sods law says it will go on a shoot that is costing you shit loads of money!
If you're looking to start producing for yourself then buy new, even hire camcorders have been known to be faulty on shoots that I've been on in the past.

[Klimer]

Bill, John, Steven, thanks for the advice.

Steven brought up NTSC vs. PAL, which reminds me of yet another question: if selling to a US distributor, does the footage need to be shot on an NTSC cam or can they (or I) transfer it from PAL?

Also, John your point about hire cams is well taken, but unfortunately for the next couple of shoots that is my only option financially. Any highly-regarded hire outfits come to mind, preferably in London?