ok, I am in dire need of all of your expert help.
ok, I am in dire need of all of your expert help.- special effects and filmmaking
In reading many posts here I notice that the majority of people here own some pretty good cameras. All I have is a little digital camera(the kind you use for family reunions and soccer games).
The problems with the camera I have:
- the main problem is the color quality. The color is faded, greyed out, and dull. I tried filming a sunset, but only got oversaturated muted colors.
- The image is not as sharp or clear as I would like.
I really dont know ANYTHING about video camera formats. I honestly dont know the difference between 8mm digital, 35 mm, etc.... 
My specialty is fx, but I would really like to learn more cinematography.
Could someone please give me a direct URL link to a specific camera. I want a camera that has very good color, almost perfect to real life, I also would like a sharper picture, but that is not AS important as the color. If you know of a really good camera for color but has semi decent sharpness, than that is good enough!
Please dont just recommend your camera brand. Im asking all you all cause I dont know what all the little numbers mean. xl135mm8mmhifidv8DV blah blah....
I have about $5,000 saved from a part time job, but I dont want to blow half of it on some jazzed up camera. Im not interested in digital fades, wipes etc... just the above specifications.
I would really not like to spend over $800 on a camera, Im already buying a new computer, and Premeir. Thanks for the help.
web-cyan aka sean cannon...
pushing it to the top....
do you all just skim the topics, I know that I read EVERY SINGLE ONE.
I need to get a life
I thought you were using that really expencive camera that your dad gave you. You know, the one from "Sleepy Hollow"'s second unit (BTW, I thought they used film
). I don't really have time to post everything about video formats but I'll look for a good link or article. Anyway, remember that video has a lower latitude than film. It really doesn't matter what camera your using, because some scenes are almost impossible to on video (i.e. the sunset).
Seeing that you have $5,000 (and a rich dad), your options are pretty open. If you're looking for good color clarity and saturation, get a Canon (as opposed to a Sony). Sony's camera's are somewhat sharper, but the colors often look tired. Two good Canon models are the GL1 ( http://www.canondv.com/gl1/index.html ) and XL1 ( http://www.canondv.com/xl1/index2.html ), $2000 and $3500 respectively. If you really want a Sony, I'd say get the DSR-200 ( http://bpgprod.sel.sony.com/model.bpg?cat=Cameras+%26+Camcorders&subcat=Camcorders&model=DSR200A ). It's pretty big (like the SVHS prosumer cameras). It's like a jazzed up VX-1000. It's about $4000.
As for the color quality, i have a nice D8 camcorder that records great color, but when I import into Premiere, the color is all washed out. I solved this problem by noodling around with the brightness/contrast controls. It really brings the color and intensity back into the picture.
Hope that helps!
Mr. Hutt
Check these guys out: http://www.visualproducts.com/
they have a lot of nice cameras new and used.
check out their 16mm and super 8mm cameras.
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Get the Low Budget bible. I just got it at B&N, its great... Ill get you an author and the exact name if u email me and remind me (its up staits by my bed)
And i thought your dad was like a big FX guy, ask him. He would know.
NJR, I looked it up for you so you don't have to find it. The author is Cliff Roth. There are 3 different versions of the book.
Here's where they are on B&N website:
http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=low+budget+bible&userid=1P6OLVO6FF
For the best quality, at a reasonable price, you really can't beat an old 16mm Bolex.
Tough, reliable, they put all digital cameras(image quality I'm talking about) to shame. And most are at least 50 years old.
To quote Harry Who..."Amazing"
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