Should I get a new Camera?

[MissRayne]

So a couple friends and I decided about 3 months ago to shoot a short movie. By that I don't mean a short video like the ones on YouTube but something more on the lines of and 30min-1 hour film. We have casting worked out and a script written up already. Still changing some stuff here and there.

But then I realized we didn't have a decent camera. We usually use one of those flip pocket camcorders. Its fine for a video here and there and for filming random stuff now and again but i dont think its sufficient for what we're planning. Main problem is its a horror film and thus need a camcorder with pretty good light detection or some way to film in the dark.

After digging through my garage for a couple days I found my old "Sony CCD Trv118 Handycam" http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/373-4/sony-ccd-trv118-review-specs

The question is, should i use this or should i spend some money and get something that I think would be a little better (Like a Zr800)

[Sam_rocks321]

The ZR800 is pretty good, if you can try for an HV20 It will give you24p and HD

[KMProductions]

If your planning on editing I would get another camera. The Sony is a Hi8 camera. Not the easiest to import.

As for the lighting the main thing you want to look for is the lux number. That's how low light it will operate in. The lower the number the better.

Check out my camera thread that I made and PM me if you have any questions.
http://forum.indymogul.com/showthread.php?t=7166

[Rejewvinator]

The ZR800 is pretty good, if you can try for an HV20 It will give you24p and HD


24p, AND HD!!!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/StaleCrackers_photos/eyes_001.jpg

[Fisherking]

I've got to suggest against shooting an hour-long film with a handycam -- unless the DV look is part of the aesthetic, it's going to be neither suitable for film festivals (awkward length; anything between around twenty minutes and an hour-ten is in the movie 'dead zone'), nor for commercial release (shot on handycam), nor for internet (too long).

I should know, I shot a thirty minute film on handycam.

Edit: Did you really need that huge image?

[MissRayne]

The Hv20 is a bit out of my price range right now. I've looked at your thread multiple times and its mainly because of that thread that i started researching about the Zr800. Also this isn't as much a "which camera is better" but a "Should i keep" thread =P. I've been wanted to get a Zr800 for a while but I'm not sure if the Trv118 would be sufficient for now (In case any missed it, I already have the Trv118) As for the Lux #, taken from sonystyle.com "It also includes the Nightshot® 0 Lux system for precision recording, even in the dark!" and if the lower the number the better I'm guessing this is good?

[Skycarl]

Personally, I went from VHS to miniDV so I don't know that much about the hi8 tapes.
Is it convenient to capture to your computer? If you can get it in your editing program,
I would think for now you would be good to go. If that's going to be a problem, then I
would consider your thoughts on the ZR series of cameras or what ever looks good at
a price you can afford. If you've taken your time with your script and have been
blessed with a cast to perform,, it would be a shame to get stuck in post production.

Best of luck.

[KMProductions]

Like I said you will have more trouble getting stuff to digitalize your Hi8 footage than if you just bought a new camera.

[toppie34]

i would say sae up for the zr series because i have the zr 950 and its pretty good (buy the zr 930 not 950) but you also buy a shotgun mic but its not the camera its the script thats gonna selll it

[MitchellStafiej]

Keep in mind that you could always rent a camera to shoot your films.

It really depends what your budget is.

Mitch

[sonnyfromda02]

Is it Hi 8 or Digital 8. I have a Sony Handycam that is Digital 8 and captures pretty easily to computer with either USB or Firewire. I think you should step your camera game up though.

[JackLawrence]

I'd highly recomend the HV20 or HV30. If you're putting that much effort into a film there's no point in letting it go to waste because of poor footage. A bad camera might simply ruin your movie.

[elscottomagnifico]

I'm guessing you guys haven't made many short videos to begin with; by the sound of it, you're jumping into the idea of a near-feature. I'd say condense your idea into a time between 10 and 20 minutes (It'll be easier to make it flow and keep the story from bogging down). Hi8 can be a pain to use, as you'll have to digitize it - you can find a capture box pretty cheap

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VM60I8/ref=pd_cp_e_2?pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0007LBMR2&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CCEJ6VT3NNKNP1AX6AW

A newer video cam will look crisper, have better color rendition and be easier to use (maybe even have an external mic input). A newer cam will also cost more money than the capture box for the camera you already have.