What low-rent camera would you recommend for a low-budget doc in Iraq?

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi all. . .

A friend of mine at the university is going to be heading off to Iraq to do some research on entrepreneurship. She's wanting to take a small, hand-held camera that can shoot HD footage, has some way to get decent audio from a wireless lav into the camera, and can record very long takes on tape.

She doesn't have a lot of money, and the final result will be available only on the web.

I don't know these small cameras well at all (at least not since I sold my HVX-200 a year ago).

What would you recommend? Try to keep the price WAY down.

Thanks much.

Stephen

 

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

Canon HV-10 perhaps, it records a very good image for the price and size...

By the way, did I mention, I would stay very far away from Iraq?

(You can get a HV-10 used from B&H at around 450 US$)

 

[Tico Llaurador]

Stephen, as you know, audio will be a problem with cameras at that level, I can tell you that. She'll need to think things through pretty darn well to avoid regrettable mistakes.

 

[Tom Lowe]

Does she specifically want tape? The new harddrive Canon HD cameras can record like 100 hours of H264 1080p. Check out the Vixia HG21, etc.

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/5619/canon-vixia-hg21

It can also shoot to SDHC cards, if she needs to be able to mail or stash footage.

 

[Davide B.]

The Academy Award nominated Iraq documentary "Iraq in Fragments" was shot on the DVX100. Here's an interview with the director about his choice of the camera: http://digitalcontentproducer.com/desktoppost/video_oneman_pipeline/

 

[Chip G]

Here is a 6 part interview with James about Iraq in Fragments he shot on the dvx 100. He used a single tram-tr50 lav and a shotgun mic.

http://www.siffblog.com/other/iraq_...view_pt_1_introduction_background_003042.html

I think she should at least take a good look at the dvx-100, they can be bought for $1200, $1500 with a pelican case, extra batteries, filters and misc acessories off eBay or dvxuser. There is something about the SD dvx 100 image that I still really like to this day! The mojo! If it's for the web SD is fine.

I spoke to James L a couple times and he really liked his setup.

I have a great little kit with a similar size camera (hvx200) in a Kata 207 back pack. In it I have my camera, 2 lectrosonics wireless kits, 4 LAV mics, 6 batteries, 3 chargers, shotgun mic, litepanels LED light, headphones, several filters, all kinds of misc stuff, it has several pockets for about anything you need, a rear lap top compartment for up to a 17 inch laptop, a side tripod holder, it is one tuff backpack. It fits in the carry on for airlines and optional stroler wheels can be bought for it.

If that setup is to big for her or to expensive I'd go with a hdv canon hv20 or 30, they can be bought off amazon for around $500, she can ad a lav via 1/8 inch input and have a really small light weight mobile package. Beechtek even makes a small audio adapter with pre amps and xlr inputs for it.

If it were me I'd try to swing the dvx100, if she is a savy shopper she can use it for 6 months and resell it on eBay when she is done and not lose much money on it.

What is her budget? Knowing how much she has to spend could open a lot more doors.

 

[Chip G]

Have her read the article in my post, James has some really good tips for going over there and filming. In the article I posted the link to the next part (6 total) are on the top. Hard to find.

 

[Chris Pickle]

A close friend edits a travel show called, "Departures". It's currently being broadcast on National Geographic. The show looks absolutely stunning. I can't express how fantastic the show looks. It has won several cinematography awards.

It's shot with the HVX 200. Now I was very familiar with the camera and had seen tonnes of footage from it, but the stuff from this show blew me away.

Chris

 

[Chip G]

Steve, since I live in your guys hood I'd consider renting my hvx kit to her. I'd need to know more about her schedule and lenght in Iraq. Insurance would be a must

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I would think that the HVX, with its P2 recording, would be a far better choice from the talcum-powder-like dust and sand in that harsh environment as well, less moving parts.

 

[Chip G]

I think the hvx would also be the best camera for this but Steve said to keep the price WAY down. It's hard to make recomendations until we get a price range.

 

[jetaddiction]

i use the hpx170 in alot of places .comes with a 5 year warranty because it is just p2 and no tape. great images.speed of set up for a place like that would be a good idea. balance of run and gun and great image for interviews , matt box filter kit, mike blimp ,good sticks and go.

 

[Evin Grant]

The new HMC-150 seems like a great choice considering the chap and available SD card media, as well as good sound.