Cheap DV camcorder recomendations?
07 June 2003, 01:04 PM
#1
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Hi,
I'm looking to buy a cheap-ish DV camcorder for family movies (fairly occasional use). I've seen Canon DV models from around £400.
I would prefer a DV model (must have Dv in/out), but not really sure what other features are desirable.
Anyone recently bought one, and if so, what do you think of it?
How much do I need to spend to get good quality and a USEFUL feature set (600x digital zoom is pointless)? What accessories do I need to include in a quotation?
Any hints or recommendations would be welcome..
Thanks in advance,
Alex
I'm looking to buy a cheap-ish DV camcorder for family movies (fairly occasional use). I've seen Canon DV models from around £400.
I would prefer a DV model (must have Dv in/out), but not really sure what other features are desirable.
Anyone recently bought one, and if so, what do you think of it?
How much do I need to spend to get good quality and a USEFUL feature set (600x digital zoom is pointless)? What accessories do I need to include in a quotation?
Any hints or recommendations would be welcome..
Thanks in advance,
Alex
07 June 2003, 01:27 PM
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Sony PC8
Being discontinued so you can pick it up on the internet for <£600 if you can find one in stock.
I paid £650 from Currys.
Take a look at SimplyDV.com for info.
Cheers
Mark
Being discontinued so you can pick it up on the internet for <£600 if you can find one in stock.
I paid £650 from Currys.
Take a look at SimplyDV.com for info.
Cheers
Mark
07 June 2003, 02:40 PM
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I gotta agree with Gizmo555!
Co-incidentally, i bought a PC8 on Wednesday from John Lewis. Although the "sticker price" was GBP650, they kindly priced matched the offer of GBP569 at ASK Electronics
The PC8 not only has DV in/out, but also AV in/out (few camcorders do all four) which means that you can use it as a mobile video recorder for, e.g. a bullet camera!
Just bear in mind that the camcorder is just the start of things. You will almost certainly want spare batteries, a protective filter (to stop the real lens getting scratched) - and then maybe external microphones, lights, telephoto lenses, tripods etc.
Even the DV tapes cost a few bob each!
mb
Co-incidentally, i bought a PC8 on Wednesday from John Lewis. Although the "sticker price" was GBP650, they kindly priced matched the offer of GBP569 at ASK Electronics
The PC8 not only has DV in/out, but also AV in/out (few camcorders do all four) which means that you can use it as a mobile video recorder for, e.g. a bullet camera!
Just bear in mind that the camcorder is just the start of things. You will almost certainly want spare batteries, a protective filter (to stop the real lens getting scratched) - and then maybe external microphones, lights, telephoto lenses, tripods etc.
Even the DV tapes cost a few bob each!
mb
07 June 2003, 05:04 PM
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Just got the panasonic gs30.Fantastic camera for around £450. easy to use, and tiny in comparsion to my old ds28.
check out http://audiovisual.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/...ic/123501.html
check out http://audiovisual.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/...ic/123501.html
07 June 2003, 09:28 PM
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07 June 2003, 09:42 PM
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Hey,
if i am not mistaken, Dan Cruickshank (presented "On The Road To Armageddon" on BBC2 half an hour ago) was using a PC8 to shoot some of his footage in Israel.
If it's good enough for broadcast, then it is good enough for me
mb
if i am not mistaken, Dan Cruickshank (presented "On The Road To Armageddon" on BBC2 half an hour ago) was using a PC8 to shoot some of his footage in Israel.
If it's good enough for broadcast, then it is good enough for me
mb
07 June 2003, 10:38 PM
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Alex, if you want interchangable lenses you'll need something like the Canon XL 1, they're over 2 grand, you can get add on wide angle adaptors etc that should screw in to most camcorders though.
06 July 2003, 04:26 PM
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Do consumer DV cameras typically use interchangable lenses?
Thanks for the links - I know nothing about them really, so I'm trying to get up to speed to allow me to make an informed choice.
Can't seem to find Sony PC8 info online... I'll keep trying. Any opinions on the Panasonic NVGS30B? I have a slight bias towards Panasonic as I've always found their products well made and reliable (unlike Sony!).
Keep them coming!
Cheers,
Alex
[Edited by AlexM - 6/7/2003 4:31:49 PM]
Thanks for the links - I know nothing about them really, so I'm trying to get up to speed to allow me to make an informed choice.
Can't seem to find Sony PC8 info online... I'll keep trying. Any opinions on the Panasonic NVGS30B? I have a slight bias towards Panasonic as I've always found their products well made and reliable (unlike Sony!).
Keep them coming!
Cheers,
Alex
[Edited by AlexM - 6/7/2003 4:31:49 PM]
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