NDR: Video Cameras for Above the Sea

Since all the gear experts are here....

I'm kinda moving away from diving and doing more land stuff.

This means that instead of all my dive gear I have more opportunity to schlep camera gear

I'm now looking for a reasonable Video rig suitable for travel (like safaris and stuff).

HD is not a requirement (but is always nice) and cost probably isn't too much of a concern either...but I'd like some opinions.

Were you to buy a camera that is available right now which one would you buy? Oh, nothing "Red" thank you!

Money not a concern !!... Sony F900R

Not much of a concern... Sony EX3

Dive safe

DeanB

You need to be more specific in terms of size and budget. What is reasonable? Do you want to buy a new computer to go along with the camera etc? What are the lens requirements etc?

No one can give you a serious answer without you asking the serious questions.

Yes abit hard to answer that one, how much money have actually got to spend?

Yes abit hard to answer that one, how much money have actually got to spend?

OK, < $3K USD

Lenses? I didn't realize that video had options there

My main concern is balancing image quality/weight/storage.

Please forgive my video newbiness

My still camera is a Canon 5D and I've got a bit of glass for that one so one of my options is the new 5D but I cannot tell when that is really going to be available. (B&H says approx December)

I'm really torn on whether to spend a grand or so on something that I'll want to ditch in a year or so or to step up to something I'll be happy with for 5+years.

I also don't want to schlep this thing to Africa and then be disappointed with the quality of the output, but I'm using Apple products to build my DVDs so more resolution/quality than iMovie or Fin al Cut can handle might be overkill.

Around the 3K $US is the XHA1, I think that you can get it for $3200 @ B&H... May even come down with the release of the A1s. I reckon it's the best bang for your buck in that league.

Sony FX1000, unsure on the price but it is the consumer version of the new Z5

Sony FX7, they are going cheap at the moment

Or wait till tomorrow and see what the specs of Scarlet will be, however I reckon that it will be a while before you can get you hands on one.

Or if you want a cheaper option there are the single chip cameras like the Canon HV30 or the Sony HC-9.

Are there any other accessories that you want to buy also in the 3K, WA lens, bags, tripod etc?

Jon

Are there any other accessories that you want to buy also in the 3K, WA lens, bags, tripod etc?

Accessories? You mean Video cameras need accessories?

I've got a decent tripod already and I'll just make the wife carry the camera if she gives me too much grief.

WA lens might be interesting.

This is also why I'm so interested in the new Canon 5D since I already have lots of nice fast glass for it...

Also, 5 lbs seems heavy to me but I guess that is what HD takes...

For better quality than HDV, there's the Panasonic HMC150. Shoots 1080/720 up to 60p and is tapeless, going to SDHC. It's about $4-500 more than your $3k limit but it's currently the best looking 3xsensor and definitely is not CMOS.

You will need to bring a drive for backup and your computer has to be pretty new and fast but the quality of the 720P is awesome and the 1080 is still better than HDV for motion.

You just need an octo-core computer and drive arrays to edit. Welcome to the mad world of video.

Well I've decided to wuss out and purchase an "old skool" rig.

I've read and read and read and determined that the next 24 months should bring some interesting products to the market.

Unless someone can convince me otherwise (you guys are all full of opinions ) I'm gonna purchase a Canon Vixia HV30.

Small, light, seems to have good image quality and it uses tape.

Other than the linear characteristics of the tape I cannot see a downside.