Brand, media, etc?

Don't know your budget, but the Canon 5D Mark II is an incredible camera. It shoots relatively high bit rate 1080 HD video and is a killer still camera. For $3K or so you get a solid tool you can use for everything.

It has audio controls (software), ext. mic jack and so forth. Not exactly a camcorder, but it is so good it is worth considering.

Whatever you get, try for 1080p, settle for 1080i. Anything less than this is virtually obsolete already.

Rob

If you spend a few hundred bucks on a decent digital camera you will get video ability. I am very happy with the video from my Cannon Power Shot A1100. I don't like to be bothered lugging around a lot of equipment and this camera is pocket size and does a great job with both still and video. It is on of the few with a view finder and I really like that as well. I was so impressed with it's still and video quality it is all I took on my recent trip to Africa.

I'd recommend a Sony HDR-FX7. It's what I personally use, it a prosumer camera, being a pro-type camera in a consumer price range (and on the very steep end of that) at $2K. It's a great camera, has crystal clear video and has a great integrated mic. The main thing it lacks from being a pro camera is better audio support. It comes with a great internal mic, but if you want a good quality shotgun mic, you need an XLR converter box, preferably one with attenuation adjusters. Other than that it has been perfect for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWc-VYh_YCE

Here's the first video I shot with this camera using the stock built in mic.

Records up to 1080i on MiniDV tapes, which can well available at any Wal-Mart and are very affordable and each are an hour long.
And it uses 3 CMOS sensors which allow great battery lives and clear video, but not so great in low light situations, the only other drawback with this camera. I'm still very happy with it though.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... ber=HDRFX7

I need to replace my current Sony video camera which has served me well for six years, but has developed a tracking problem - records and plays back fine in my camera, but the tapes won't play back right in any other camera/tape player.

I really want to stay with Mini DV. I like having a tape I can keep for awhile, and the cost per-hour to record onto a card and keep the original media is just too high. I also have heard recently that memory cards will degrade faster over time than properly stored tapes. I also just don't get around to downloading raw video into anything else in a timely way, so, having original tapes is really an important thing for me. I have about 35 hours of MDV video.

I currently have a high-end (for the time) consumer Sony camera, have generally liked it, and would like to be able to use some of the same accessories for a new one - like battery chargers. I will be downloading to and editing on Apple equipment. $2G is a little much. Any suggestions?

I'm with Rob, any of the mid to high-end DSLR's out there will give you terrific results. Whether Canon 5D, 7D or Nikon D90 or D300s, the HD video from these cameras is phenomenal.

They're not just for b-roll anymore ;-)

Stephen

I've been out of the movie/video action for a long time--like I have a portable Beta outfit. With all the new happenings, I'm considering getting back in, but am not about to spend $2K on a semi-pro outfit. Are any camcorders in the $500 range any good for rail action? I know some earlier formats had a problem with shiny parallel lines, as in active railways. I could check Consumer Reports, but they're more oriented to units for family home videos. Should I just log into YouTube and figure that'll keep me busy enough?

I am a huge advocate of the HDSLR movement, ordered 5 Canon 7Ds for my university, and sleep with a heavily customized Canon 7D package every night, but for the casual videographer there may be a significant learning/operating curve.

These babies are still pretty new and though incredible assets in the image-making arsenal, can still be a touch more challenging than using your typical ENG/prosumer camera. The ergonomics, depth of field, lenses, storage, shutter, audio, and workflow issues may require extra dedication to the whole discipline. The small form factor, lens choices, image quality, and affordability however are really game modifiers (if not game changers.)

Having said that I threw myself on the mercy of the things the moment I realized what they were capable of and haven't looked back. We'll see how well the 7D endures life on the road behind a 2-8-4.

Or mounted on one...

KL

Kelly makes a good point, both about learning curves and bedmates!

On the lowcost side, if you get a Flip with good "glass" and use a tripod, you might be pleasantly surprised with what $200 will buy.


Rob

Flips are supposed to be decent for under $300, but you're limited on your capacity. Canon has great video camcorders, right now the HV40 is the only one they have listed that records onto MiniDV. In my opinion recording on to these is the only way to go if you don't want to be severely limited on recording times.

HV40: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contr ... elid=17996

But if you're serious on video, I'd definitely recommend a semi-pro setup. I've got some great great video from my setup.

I'd definitely recommend NOT using a still camera to shoot video, each has it's own purpose. I might as well use the still function on my camcorder to grab stills (I don't, I use a still camera for that), they only have these features if you venture out somewhere and don't have the other type of camera with you. It's a mere convenience. I'm not aware of any SLR that records on to tapes or has much support for audio. And I'm sure grabbing stills using camcorder would be quite awkward.

Personally, I'd try and find an HDV camera. Shoots HD (as well as SD), but works on a MiniDV tape. That way, you get the best of both worlds. I'd look for a 3ccd if it's in your price range. Might have to go used, but you should be able to find a nice one in good condition.

Kevin

yep. Very good camera. Know a friend with one, and he is very pleased also. I went with the Canon XH-A1 for the ability to support XLR without a converter box. The box worked but was an awful lot of trouble and went through 9volt batteries like crazy (anybody want a converter box with attenuation??). The ability to do XLR on camera with phantom power is nice.

That said, as much as I like it, the Canon is a beast, and more hassle than it's worth for 99% of the people out there unless you are really into shooting all manual, with a bunch of color presets available. Great camera, but it takes no prisoners, and the Sony is much more forgiving.

For those interested in prosumer HDV, it would be hard to go wrong with the Sony FX series if you are willing to go that far into video.

As far as low-light goes, I'm not sure that anything in HD is all that good yet. Nothing I've seen comes close to a Sony VX2000/2100.
Kevin