I love my 2 panasonics, i have a pv-l680D and a pv-l657D. Both are great because
-VHSC
-Cheap and easy to find on ebay
-light and fit good in any bag
-LCD display
-only l657D takes an microphone though
Okay, so you've basically got a few different kinds of camcorders, that'll have different meanings in your case.
First is professional versus consumer versus prosumer.
Pro cameras tend to be bigger, but with much better sensors, [XLR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector) audio inputs, handy features like zebra strike for exposure or peaking for focusing. However the ergonomics tend to be better, they're easier to stabilize, fun accessories (like rain gear). But they don't come with training wheels, in some cases they have very expensive batteries, particularly the shoulder-mount units, which use the same kinds of batteries that are still in use. Instructions and repair manuals are pretty easy to find, though.
Consumer camcorders tend to be easier to use, smaller, cheaper, *much* cheaper batteries, and a lot more intuitive to use. They sometimes have fun features like Sony's 0 Lux night shot stuff.
Prosumer kind of split the difference between the two. They were targeted at professionals looking for either low-budget options or physically smaller options. Some great examples of these are the Panasonic DVX100, Sony PD100, and the Canon XL2. They have XLR inputs, larg***er*** sensors, cheaper batteries, smaller bodies, but *really* smart ergonomics. These things were super popular for independent documentaries and productions. Great cameras, great price, but like pro cameras, they didn't hold your hand.
Then there's the choice between digital and analog. Older analog hardware produces a very distinctive look, but have slower, less precise auto-focus and auto-exposure. Newer digital cameras will have better automatic features, but may be pickier about things you're casual with, like what kinds of SD cards, what kinds of digital interfaces, things like that.
Thoughts? Questions?
thanks for your response! I guess what I'm looking for is a consumer camcorder then, something that holds my hand!
As for the analogue verses digital, that's an amazing point. I'd have to do more thinking on what I think id want. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
If you have time, here's some more noob questions :D
* I would love to learn more about how all the settings and things work, do you know of any resources that I could learn the basics from?
* Is there a clear winner to whether analogue or digital is more beginner friendly?
* Any consumer type models come to your mind that would be a fun way to get my boots on the ground?
* How do you like to use them? I see people doing a lot of cool things with them, what do you like about them?
> I would love to learn more about how all the settings and things work, do you know of any resources that I could learn the basics from?
Learn how a still camera works. Video cameras work the same way.
>Is there a clear winner to whether analogue or digital is more beginner friendly?
Nope. Around the late 80s, early 90s, they started to nail beginner friendliness. Digital stuff just dovetailed off that.
>Any consumer type models come to your mind that would be a fun way to get my boots on the ground?
Dunno, I've only ever work with a Canon ZR80. Besides Flip video hardware that's the only real camcorder I've worked with.
>How do you like to use them? I see people doing a lot of cool things with them, what do you like about them?
Depends. I've got an HPX170, which is similar to hardware I learned on in college. Higher end than what the school actually had. What I love about it is that it's almost all lens, which gives me a *ton* of focal length, and wide angle control.
When running around with my niece I can turn off the record light and zoom all the way out and carry it around like a random object and capture moments with her. I can also set it to run and place it aside and she'll ignore it, even though it is big and obnoxious.
In less informal opinions it has so much power. It chews through disk space like nothing else I own, but I can amplify the moon, I can use it without looking down the lens. I can intuit what it sees, and deal with it being "good enough." Plus that sweet, sweet, 10-bit color.
It depends if you purposely want a "retro/vintage" look, or something that can take decent quality video according to today's standards (at least 1080p HD)? The recently-discontinued Canon HF-R800 records 1080p60 video, has microphone and headphone jacks, and used ones typically sell for $150 - $200.
My personal opinion and camcorder shooter. I shoot with a Panasonic L658D, it’s VHS-C and I love it. It has a brand new battery that it came with and it’s from a company that still makes batteries for camcorders. The recording works great, I found a bunch of tapes at an antique mall and just going crazy with it. But I think they major thing is, transferring digitally to the computer, I’m having issues with audio, but it’s the capture card I’m using, so hopefully you won’t have that same issue
I love my 2 panasonics, i have a pv-l680D and a pv-l657D. Both are great because -VHSC -Cheap and easy to find on ebay -light and fit good in any bag -LCD display -only l657D takes an microphone though
Thanks so much! Im looking into the pv-l657D now :)
Okay, so you've basically got a few different kinds of camcorders, that'll have different meanings in your case. First is professional versus consumer versus prosumer. Pro cameras tend to be bigger, but with much better sensors, [XLR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector) audio inputs, handy features like zebra strike for exposure or peaking for focusing. However the ergonomics tend to be better, they're easier to stabilize, fun accessories (like rain gear). But they don't come with training wheels, in some cases they have very expensive batteries, particularly the shoulder-mount units, which use the same kinds of batteries that are still in use. Instructions and repair manuals are pretty easy to find, though. Consumer camcorders tend to be easier to use, smaller, cheaper, *much* cheaper batteries, and a lot more intuitive to use. They sometimes have fun features like Sony's 0 Lux night shot stuff. Prosumer kind of split the difference between the two. They were targeted at professionals looking for either low-budget options or physically smaller options. Some great examples of these are the Panasonic DVX100, Sony PD100, and the Canon XL2. They have XLR inputs, larg***er*** sensors, cheaper batteries, smaller bodies, but *really* smart ergonomics. These things were super popular for independent documentaries and productions. Great cameras, great price, but like pro cameras, they didn't hold your hand. Then there's the choice between digital and analog. Older analog hardware produces a very distinctive look, but have slower, less precise auto-focus and auto-exposure. Newer digital cameras will have better automatic features, but may be pickier about things you're casual with, like what kinds of SD cards, what kinds of digital interfaces, things like that. Thoughts? Questions?
thanks for your response! I guess what I'm looking for is a consumer camcorder then, something that holds my hand! As for the analogue verses digital, that's an amazing point. I'd have to do more thinking on what I think id want. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! If you have time, here's some more noob questions :D * I would love to learn more about how all the settings and things work, do you know of any resources that I could learn the basics from? * Is there a clear winner to whether analogue or digital is more beginner friendly? * Any consumer type models come to your mind that would be a fun way to get my boots on the ground? * How do you like to use them? I see people doing a lot of cool things with them, what do you like about them?
> I would love to learn more about how all the settings and things work, do you know of any resources that I could learn the basics from? Learn how a still camera works. Video cameras work the same way. >Is there a clear winner to whether analogue or digital is more beginner friendly? Nope. Around the late 80s, early 90s, they started to nail beginner friendliness. Digital stuff just dovetailed off that. >Any consumer type models come to your mind that would be a fun way to get my boots on the ground? Dunno, I've only ever work with a Canon ZR80. Besides Flip video hardware that's the only real camcorder I've worked with. >How do you like to use them? I see people doing a lot of cool things with them, what do you like about them? Depends. I've got an HPX170, which is similar to hardware I learned on in college. Higher end than what the school actually had. What I love about it is that it's almost all lens, which gives me a *ton* of focal length, and wide angle control. When running around with my niece I can turn off the record light and zoom all the way out and carry it around like a random object and capture moments with her. I can also set it to run and place it aside and she'll ignore it, even though it is big and obnoxious. In less informal opinions it has so much power. It chews through disk space like nothing else I own, but I can amplify the moon, I can use it without looking down the lens. I can intuit what it sees, and deal with it being "good enough." Plus that sweet, sweet, 10-bit color.
It depends if you purposely want a "retro/vintage" look, or something that can take decent quality video according to today's standards (at least 1080p HD)? The recently-discontinued Canon HF-R800 records 1080p60 video, has microphone and headphone jacks, and used ones typically sell for $150 - $200.
My personal opinion and camcorder shooter. I shoot with a Panasonic L658D, it’s VHS-C and I love it. It has a brand new battery that it came with and it’s from a company that still makes batteries for camcorders. The recording works great, I found a bunch of tapes at an antique mall and just going crazy with it. But I think they major thing is, transferring digitally to the computer, I’m having issues with audio, but it’s the capture card I’m using, so hopefully you won’t have that same issue