Question by Sam: Amateur Film-Maker HD Video Camera?
I am entering my freshman year of high school, and I am taking a class called Broadcasting. In Broadcasting, we work with TV and Radio. Part of the class is making short films on a regular basis. I am looking for an inexpensive HD camera, that has options such as external microphone inputs, Manual focus rings, and manual aperture and shutter speed settings. Also, I can’t spend anymore than $ 1000 on the camera.
Best answer:
Answer by coolcash2005
Canon’s Vixia HV line of cameras are awesome. I bought the HV20 for 400 off ebay some weeks back, and the quality is astounding. If you have a budget up to 1000 dollars, I recommend you buy the new one, the HV40.
Why is it good for the amateur film-maker? Because it can record in 24P, which means 24 progressive frames per second (which is what film uses; typical amateur youtube video and television uses 60i, which gives it a smoother bleh look).
It has an external mic plug on top, and you can adjust the focus, but honestly if you are working on a 1000 dollar budget then you won’t find much. Consumer and prosumer camcorders work with deep focus lenses because its cheaper and easier. There are ways you can get around this, most pertinently being a Depth of Focus adapter (or called a “35mm adapter”). You screw it onto the front lens, then buy a shallow focus camera lens that attaches onto the adapter.
I personally paid 420 for my HV20, then 120 for a Jag35ST adapter, and then 55 dollars for a Canon FD 50mm lens.
On the HV20 series you can adjust the aperture and shutter speed (not both at once, but there is a workaround so that you can).
For more information go to www.hv20.com. I spent many nights reading up on the content. In fact, I’m amazed I’ve typed all this out for your simple question.
If you want to ask more questions, no matter how specific, email me at coolcash2005@yahoo.com. I’m the best.
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