I'm looking for a digital video camera...can't spend too much. $700-800 tops. I'd like to have "professional" options on it. I just got back from film camp (actually it was "video camp") and I learned how to do everything manually...whitebalance, focus, timecode, etc. etc. etc. I'd like to have those capabilities on said camera (I have no idea if these things are all standard on digital cameras....the only times I've used digital everything was on auto). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Make sure it can take an external mic. My first digital camera was a JVC 720u (I forgot some of the other letters!) anyway, It doesn't have a mic jack which sucks! I would imagine any camera you get for 7-800.00 will have manual w.b./focus on it. I don't use timeline from my camera... hahaha I like fishing for my scenes, I may change my mind about which takes are best after watching it again. Peace.

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

My help. SAVE THAT MONEY.

I agree...you already got $800 bucks...save up like 2 or more months and you can get something even MORE kick ass.

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TacoWagonProductions
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Just make sure it's miniDV so you can edit it in post. Don't worry about "professional" options too much, because for 700 bucks, you won't get too many.

If it's your first one, it doesn't have to be the best. Just go to Best Buy or something and get a cheap Sony one or something. Sony has really really good low end camcorders. Then take that camera and film to your hearts delight.

Saving money means that you can't have the camera NOW lol. It's really up to you, but filmmaking is so much fun, that'd I'd say just go out and get a camera now, and then maybe start saving for another one later.

Unless you can make money really fast or something and it'll only take a week to have another 800 or something weird like that.

The faster you get your camera, the faster you can start having fun with it.

Sony TRV950

I agree with AFC,

Save up your money a little bit more. I mean is it absolutly neccessary to have a camera right this second. While you wait, write a couple screenplays. Thats what I am doing this summer, because i usually rent out the GL1 from my tv teacher in my high school. The cool part about that is noone knows that they have it to rent...so shhhhhh

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Alex Conway -
STOP SIGN RUN Productions

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

Well, the thing is is that I DONT have ANY money. I need to get a job. I think I can take a "loan" out from my parents as soon as I get said job, and then pay them back in installments. But, there's no way they'd spring for a $1500 camera. I'd have to buy that all on my own. Which, since I don't have a job yet, will take much more time than I am willing to wait.

I've been looking seriously at the Sony DCR-TRV38. Oppinions?

Whatever you do don't charge it. I made the mistake in my early college years of racking up quite a large credit card bill.

I've only just recently in the past 2 years or so paid it all off.

A friend of mine racked up around 13k in credit card charges financing his film that never went anywhere. He's still paying it off and probably will be for a while.

Avoid charging to credit cards as much as you can unless you are sure you can pay it off in less than 6months.

Your adult self will thank you!

You could also look for a used camera to save some money...or even pool together with some friends to get one.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

^^That's a good idea. Find some friends that are at least somewhat passionate about it, and see if they'll help you pay for it. This might be hard, since most people will probably only make a movie if someone provided the camera; but give it a try anyway.

Sony TRV950