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Looking for a low budget camcorder for practising in film directing.

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  • Cameras
  • Camcorders
Last response: in Digital Camera
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January 6, 2014 10:30:02 PM

Hello,
It is my first year at university where I am studying audiovisual arts. Film directing and cinematography are more specifically what I would like to study later on. We have been told that we will not need any equipment until the third year but I would like to practice on some techniques and gain some experience. I would like some (professional, if possible) guidance on what camcorder should I begin with and the features the product must have. I can't spend more than 700€ / 950$. I have found a low price camcorder I like and I read good reviews too, it is the Canon VIXIA HF R400 Full HD, but I do not know if it is what I need.
I would be very grateful if you could clear up these questions for me.

More about : low budget camcorder practising film directing

a b w Digital camera
January 8, 2014 6:42:52 AM

You will want to find a camcorder with as many manual controls as possible. I would advise against using things like auto focus and auto anything really if you want to get good at what you do. You would want manual focus, the ability to change the aperture (f/stops), external microphone and headphone connectors, ability to control shutter speed, etc.
The Canon 32GB VIXIA HF G20 Full HD Camcorder might be a better choice though it is a bit more expensive ($849.99) than the Canon VIXIA HF R400 Full HD. As for professional equipment you might be able to find something used but finding a new professional camera for under $1000 is extremely unlikely.
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January 9, 2014 3:00:38 AM

OlgaK said:
Hello,
It is my first year at university where I am studying audiovisual arts. Film directing and cinematography are more specifically what I would like to study later on. We have been told that we will not need any equipment until the third year but I would like to practice on some techniques and gain some experience. I would like some (professional, if possible) guidance on what camcorder should I begin with and the features the product must have. I can't spend more than 700€ / 950$. I have found a low price camcorder I like and I read good reviews too, it is the Canon VIXIA HF R400 Full HD, but I do not know if it is what I need.
I would be very grateful if you could clear up these questions for me.


Hi Olga - if you buy a camcorder, you may have trouble when you get to cinematography class in your third year. A fixed lens, small sensor camcorder will not prepare you to deal with the lens choices, manual focus, manual aperture and depth of field control that are such a large part of cinematography.

For that reason, with a £750 budget, I recommend you get a Panasonic G6 large sensor, interchangeable lens camera body with one or two lenses. You can either:

- get the Panasonic G6 with a 10x 14-140mm kit lens for £642 with £100 cash back until January 19th. This lens is fully automatic, and will teach you how to control your depth of field, bit it will not really teach you about manual focus or manual aperture

- or you can get the G6 with the 3x 14-42mm kit lens for £499 (with £50 cash back until January 19th) plus a £280 Rokinon 85mm T1.5 cine lens for Nikon and a £25 Nikon to micro 4/3 adapter. With this lens combination, you will have an easy to use automatic lens plus a cine lens with manual focus and manual aperture control. You will learn about the different characteristics of the respective lenses and selecting the right lens for the job.

Here is what this camera can do:

Narrative - http://vimeo.com/81339712

and - http://vimeo.com/78037118

Documentary - http://vimeo.com/73561266

Music Video - http://vimeo.com/76081090

Travel: - http://vimeo.com/72107884

For a relatively small investment, this camera can give you a head start on your cinematography career.

Good luck at University!

Bill
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January 11, 2014 5:24:20 PM

You might want to consider getting a DSLR... they give a very nice film look (with some good colour correction of course). You cant go wrong with cannon.

Check out the cannon 60D and 550D really good entry level DSLR's
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