Hey, i have been off the forums for a long time now. Now on to my questions;

(Disregard this part if you really dont care about the background:
I am looking to get a new camera. I have had a Sony Digital8 since early 2001, and it hasnt failed me in respect to getting the job done. the only problems i have found with it are the continuous error messages that prevent me from filming or editing until i get them fixed, which takes between about 1 hour of waiting time for it to fix itself (dont ask me how/why), or 2 weeks in the repair shop. Anywho, the digital 8 doesnt give me the best picture, and its losing popularity, aergo i think that it will soon not even be a standard of the industry (the industry of Young pennyless filmmakers, that is.) I need a new camera. i have been around the "business" long enough (meaning i am not stupid in regards to knowing what a good film requires [at least for a 16 year old].))

meaning: i need a new camera. a good one for under 2000 bucks. i know about making movies, but i know nothing about what people are using nowadays, or anything involving equipment. so what im saying is i need some recomendations, but nothing stupid. i dont want a camera whose main big feature are it's special fadings and transitions; i can do that on a computer. so cmon, give me all you got. what kind of camera should i get?

For that budget, you can get a pretty good camera. Mainly, we penniless filmmakers () are using MiniDV. Sony and Canon both make some really good cameras for 2 grand and under. You can get a Sony TRV33 for about 800 bucks, and that will definitely get the job done.

If you want the camera to last a while, I'd reccomend getting one with multiple CCDs. You can also get used stuff on a place like Ebay, or other resellers. Don't be scared about using Ebay - even the pros are selling their stuff on it now. As long as you know what you're looking for, it's completely safe.

Anyway, go to bestbuy.com and look around to get a general idea of what's out there. Keep in mind, those probably aren't the LOWEST prices; but they're good enough, and their website has a lot more than their store does

Hope this helps, even if it's just a little.

Sony TRV950

Now, if you have 2000 dollars you are willing to spend, i strongly suggest getting the canon GL2 or XL1. A lot of my friends like the xl because... well im not sure, but I dont like it because it doesnt have an lcd. I like the GL1 because thats the one I have (or "borrow" from school... shhhhhh). So, yea, if you want to spend all 2000, get the gl2. But, if you want to save some money to buy other stuff like michs, props, yadda, yadda, yadda, the sony TRV is pretty good (but it aint no gl2 if ya know what i mean)

good luck

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Alex Conway -
STOP SIGN RUN Productions

"Vision is the art of seeing things invisible" - Jonathan Swift

I've got the TRV950, which rivals the GL2, so

Obviously, the lower TRV models won't. Also, it might be hard finding the XL1 for less, or even right at 2 grand. For some reason, Canon sells it, or at least USED to sell it, as of about a month ago, for about 5 thousand dollars. EVERYPLACE else in the WORLD has it for cheaper, but I don't think it'll go as low as 2 large. Of course, I could be wrong.

Not only that, but the XL1 is kind of an old camera, and a bit bulky for what it does, in my opinion (which I take very highly ) It's almost the size of your typical news camera, and doesn't really do much more than a smaller, lighter, CHEAPER DV camera will do. Again, this is just my opinion

The GL2 is a good suggestion though - once you get up over 1500 bucks, the qualities of each camera start to get pretty similar, so you really can't go wrong.

Gotta love technology

Oh yeah, and one more thing - if you only have $2000, and that is your absolute LIMIT, make sure that you can cover tax, or have your parents pick it up or something. Tax on one of these big boys can run up a couple hundred dollars extra. Keep that in mind

Sony TRV950

Alex, you friends love the XL1 because its a better camera with a better lens and therfore a better picture. My DVX100 has an LCD screen but I try to avoid using it. Using the LCD seriously drains the battery, and your higher end cameras dont have it (infact, most have a B&W eyepiece.) Its good for stedi cam tyoe shots, but thats it. That lens on the XL! is about another $1,000 worth of quality.

As to the question both the GL2 and XL1 are good cams. Both would be a sound investment. The difference being you could probablly find a new GL2 for that peice and might have to get a used XL1. If you do find an XL1 new for $2,000 make sure it comes with a lens (this is an old scam) Finally nothing is perfectly safe especially not E-Bay. Do your research. Check out the sellers raiting, and so on. If you take the tme to cover your bases you should be fine. Best of luck. Let us know what you end up getting.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans