Video but not the K-7. Looking for advice on a video camera

Peter Zack · 09-09-2009, 04:55 AM

I'm considering adding a video camera to my wedding package. I get more and more requests for a basic coverage of the service and reception speeches. I'm getting some corporate clients asking the same as well. I find most people don't really care about big productions but just want something that captures the video and sound of the service as well as the speeches that might be interesting to see later on.

It could be used for a video booth at the reception as well.

So the idea is this. I could get a decent camera and set it up on a tripod. Maybe add a wireless Mic to the groom. Then just hit record and let it take a static shot. Then take it to the reception for the same thing. Head table static coverage.

I have no interest in running around with a still camera and a video camera. Both would suck for sure.

I was a co owner of a video production company about 10 years ago but we used CCD 3 chip Beta Cams and I'm totally out of the loop as to what would be a decent camera today.

So the minimum would be:
1) HD camera.
2) Ext Mic input
3) some form of remote ability.

Anyone have any suggestions on a good model and other features I should look into?

Last edited by Peter Zack; 09-09-2009 at 02:53 PM.

Peter Zack · 09-09-2009, 11:45 AM

No advice anyone?

jogiba · 09-09-2009, 12:42 PM

Celebrated event cinematographer Mark Von Lanken, who runs Tulsa, OK-based wedding video studio Von Wedding Films with his wife, Trisha, has embraced shooting with Panasonic’s new AG-HMC150 professional handheld AVCCAM camcorder. Having recently shot two weddings and a Life Story treatment with the HMC150, Von Lanken will soon take delivery of three of the professional AVCHD handhelds.

“There isn’t another camera on the market that offers the affordability of solid-state recording to SDHC cards, light weight, excellent low light performance and features like XLR audio at this price point,” said Von Lanken. “I’ve fallen in love with how the HMC150 feels and how it helps me do my job.”

http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.com/briefingroom/2009/03/10/von-wedding-f...mc150-avccams/

* Wireless Remote Control
* Microphone

Panasonic | AG-HMC150 AVCCAM Camcorder Shooter's | HMC150SHOOTER

Peter Zack · 09-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Very nice but at $3400.00 that's quite a distance from my comfort zone. I'm looking more at a high end consumer unit because I'm not getting into video productions again. Just a basic static sequence.

jogiba · 09-09-2009, 03:40 PM

The high end consumer video camcorders from Sony and Canon have zoom lenses that start at 43 or 43.5mm so interior shots would be a showstopper IMHO.
HDR-XR520V | 240GB HD Handycam® Camcorder | Sony | SonyStyle USA

VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder

Arpe · 09-09-2009, 05:25 PM

SimplyDV: Camcorder Reviews, News and Information

jogiba · 09-09-2009, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by Arpe

SimplyDV: Camcorder Reviews, News and Information

Right, show up at a wedding to shoot video for hire with that.

Lazaruscomeout · 09-10-2009, 04:18 AM

Check this Sony out.

Sony HVR-HD1000U HDV Camcorder Pro Camcorders HDV10 - Vistek Canada Product Detail

It's a lot of camera for the money. It may not have a pro lens or incredible low light performance, but it's a joy to use due to the shoulder mount.

It has a 1/3 CMOS sensor and a focal range of 40mm - 400mm (a little wider than most).

I don't know if it matters to you or not, but it looks completely professional which can make a big difference when you're the "official" videographer. Guests with camcorders will get out of your way. The large size might also be an inconvenience for you though.

Gerry

pixel r0n1n · 09-10-2009, 07:35 AM

I would stay away from hard drive camcorders and go with SDHC cams.
I have a Sony consumer cam with hard drive, with the drive that crapped out on me. No drops or bumps, and had 1 and half years of light use only.
Also, make sure the output is something like AVCHD, which is editing friendly. Some Sony cams output MPeg, highly compressed and has tech issues for editing.

Arpe · 09-10-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by jogiba

Right, show up at a wedding to shoot video for hire with that.

It's a website with reviews.

Peter Zack · 09-10-2009, 06:22 PM

Thanks guys the 1000 looks interesting. I wonder how hard it is to replace a failed hard drive if that happens. I guess they can't take rough handling nearly as well as a card without moving parts.

osv · 09-11-2009, 11:29 AM

the hmc-150 would have been my recommendation as well, but since it's out of the budget, i'd say go with a canon, not the sony, for two reasons.

the problem with sony hd consumer camcorders is that they cripple the avchd bitrate to 18Mbps, they don't use the full spec of 24Mbps.

canon also has much better manual controls than the sony does.

most of these consumer camcorders will not go wide enough, you'll have to locate the tripod away from the subject.

Lazaruscomeout · 09-11-2009, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by osv

the hmc-150 would have been my recommendation as well, but since it's out of the budget, i'd say go with a canon, not the sony, for two reasons.

the problem with sony hd consumer camcorders is that they cripple the avchd bitrate to 18Mbps, they don't use the full spec of 24Mbps.

canon also has much better manual controls than the sony does.

most of these consumer camcorders will not go wide enough, you'll have to locate the tripod away from the subject.

The Sony I recommended is not an avchd camera.

Gerry

09-09-2009, 04:55 AM	#1
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Video but not the K-7. Looking for advice on a video camera I'm considering adding a video camera to my wedding package. I get more and more requests for a basic coverage of the service and reception speeches. I'm getting some corporate clients asking the same as well. I find most people don't really care about big productions but just want something that captures the video and sound of the service as well as the speeches that might be interesting to see later on. It could be used for a video booth at the reception as well. So the idea is this. I could get a decent camera and set it up on a tripod. Maybe add a wireless Mic to the groom. Then just hit record and let it take a static shot. Then take it to the reception for the same thing. Head table static coverage. I have no interest in running around with a still camera and a video camera. Both would suck for sure. I was a co owner of a video production company about 10 years ago but we used CCD 3 chip Beta Cams and I'm totally out of the loop as to what would be a decent camera today. So the minimum would be: 1) HD camera. 2) Ext Mic input 3) some form of remote ability. Anyone have any suggestions on a good model and other features I should look into? Last edited by Peter Zack; 09-09-2009 at 02:53 PM.

09-09-2009, 12:42 PM	#3
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Celebrated event cinematographer Mark Von Lanken, who runs Tulsa, OK-based wedding video studio Von Wedding Films with his wife, Trisha, has embraced shooting with Panasonic’s new AG-HMC150 professional handheld AVCCAM camcorder. Having recently shot two weddings and a Life Story treatment with the HMC150, Von Lanken will soon take delivery of three of the professional AVCHD handhelds. “There isn’t another camera on the market that offers the affordability of solid-state recording to SDHC cards, light weight, excellent low light performance and features like XLR audio at this price point,” said Von Lanken. “I’ve fallen in love with how the HMC150 feels and how it helps me do my job.” http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.com/briefingroom/2009/03/10/von-wedding-f...mc150-avccams/ * Wireless Remote Control * Microphone Panasonic \| AG-HMC150 AVCCAM Camcorder Shooter's \| HMC150SHOOTER Last edited by jogiba; 09-09-2009 at 01:53 PM.

09-10-2009, 04:18 AM	#8
Lazaruscomeout Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Check this Sony out. Sony HVR-HD1000U HDV Camcorder Pro Camcorders HDV10 - Vistek Canada Product Detail It's a lot of camera for the money. It may not have a pro lens or incredible low light performance, but it's a joy to use due to the shoulder mount. It has a 1/3 CMOS sensor and a focal range of 40mm - 400mm (a little wider than most). I don't know if it matters to you or not, but it looks completely professional which can make a big difference when you're the "official" videographer. Guests with camcorders will get out of your way. The large size might also be an inconvenience for you though. Gerry Last edited by Lazaruscomeout; 09-10-2009 at 04:42 AM.

09-11-2009, 05:24 PM	#13
Lazaruscomeout Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Originally posted by osv the hmc-150 would have been my recommendation as well, but since it's out of the budget, i'd say go with a canon, not the sony, for two reasons. the problem with sony hd consumer camcorders is that they cripple the avchd bitrate to 18Mbps, they don't use the full spec of 24Mbps. canon also has much better manual controls than the sony does. most of these consumer camcorders will not go wide enough, you'll have to locate the tripod away from the subject. The Sony I recommended is not an avchd camera. Gerry Last edited by Lazaruscomeout; 09-12-2009 at 08:26 PM.

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09-09-2009, 11:45 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	No advice anyone?

09-09-2009, 02:52 PM	#4
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	Very nice but at $3400.00 that's quite a distance from my comfort zone. I'm looking more at a high end consumer unit because I'm not getting into video productions again. Just a basic static sequence.

09-09-2009, 03:40 PM	#5
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	The high end consumer video camcorders from Sony and Canon have zoom lenses that start at 43 or 43.5mm so interior shots would be a showstopper IMHO. HDR-XR520V \| 240GB HD Handycam® Camcorder \| Sony \| SonyStyle USA VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder

09-09-2009, 05:25 PM	#6
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	SimplyDV: Camcorder Reviews, News and Information

09-09-2009, 06:24 PM	#7
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by Arpe SimplyDV: Camcorder Reviews, News and Information Right, show up at a wedding to shoot video for hire with that.

09-10-2009, 07:35 AM	#9
pixel r0n1n Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 514 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 123	I would stay away from hard drive camcorders and go with SDHC cams. I have a Sony consumer cam with hard drive, with the drive that crapped out on me. No drops or bumps, and had 1 and half years of light use only. Also, make sure the output is something like AVCHD, which is editing friendly. Some Sony cams output MPeg, highly compressed and has tech issues for editing.

09-10-2009, 06:07 PM	#10
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Originally posted by jogiba Right, show up at a wedding to shoot video for hire with that. It's a website with reviews.

09-10-2009, 06:22 PM	#11
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	Thanks guys the 1000 looks interesting. I wonder how hard it is to replace a failed hard drive if that happens. I guess they can't take rough handling nearly as well as a card without moving parts.

09-11-2009, 11:29 AM	#12
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	the hmc-150 would have been my recommendation as well, but since it's out of the budget, i'd say go with a canon, not the sony, for two reasons. the problem with sony hd consumer camcorders is that they cripple the avchd bitrate to 18Mbps, they don't use the full spec of 24Mbps. canon also has much better manual controls than the sony does. most of these consumer camcorders will not go wide enough, you'll have to locate the tripod away from the subject.