camera around 2000 bucks in the Vimeo Cameras Forum

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Ralph Lindsen 16 days ago

I've decided to borrow 2000 euro to buy a semiprof (or prosumer) camera. I tend to buy a sony cam, but i'm not sure at all.

These are the desired specs:

i often film concerts so it has to be able to film in low light conditions
good audio (and XLR plugs)
colour viewfinder
manual zoom/focus
autofocus
tape not hdd or something
lasting batteries
as good as possible

i'm would like to have a HD cam, but it's not a must
Eugenia Loli-Queru 16 days ago

If HD is not a must, get the Canon GL2. One of the best camcorders ever released.

If HD is a must, get the HV20 for cheap. It doesn't have an XLR, but it's good enough for what you need.
Ralph Lindsen 16 days ago

isn't that gl2 called the xm2 also? i'm pretty sure i worked with that camera, but the one i worked with was called the xm2

i'm pretty sure i'm not gonna get that one. As i said, i worked with it. It was a good camera, until it began to wear. Which was pretty quick. And if i look around on the internet, there are quite some people complaining about reliability issues.

The HV20 doesn't have manual controls does it?

thanks for your response btw
Eugenia Loli-Queru 16 days ago

Depends what manual controls you need. It has a mic input as 3.5mm port, some audio control, it has shutter speed, aperture, exposure, custom white balance and color control. What it doesn't have is both shutter speed and aperture control at the same time, it's one or the other. Also, it has no gain control.
odd magne nilsen 3 days ago

Will 1/30 shutterspeed give you "30p" in HV20?
Ralph Lindsen 16 days ago

and focus/zoom rings?
Eugenia Loli-Queru 15 days ago

It has a rocker button for zoom, and I believe it's also usable from a second buttons below the LCD screen, AND the remote control! Overall, zoom works well.

As for the focus ring, the HV20 has a small roller to focus. Please view this video to see how the roller button looks like, and what the trick in the video suggests you do to make its usage better: vimeo.com/867919
Eugenia Loli-Queru 15 days ago

BTW, when you reply to a specific comment, please click the "Reply to this comment" link instead of the "Add a new comment" input box, otherwise I don't get a notification that you replied to my comment. I came back here and saw your third question by luck.
Ralph Lindsen 13 days ago

if i go for SD, would a sony p170 be a good choice?
Eugenia Loli-Queru 13 days ago

Yeah, not bad. But the thing is, it's more expensive than the HV20, and the HV20's HD capability will probably yield better quality. In trade of fewer controls.
Stephen Lewis 13 days ago

I had a PD170 and I didn't like the ergonomics, very heavy and hard to use for long intervals. However the PD will have XLR inputs and a zoom/focus ring.
stopint 8 days ago

low light pd170 brilliant plus xlr...but not hd of course...
hd and low light are not on same page...
Ralph Lindsen 5 days ago

that canon x1 a1 has a lux of 0.4 and its an hd cam

the lower the better right?
Mark R. 5 days ago

For the Canadians, Canon hv20 is now in sale for $699 Can funds at Futureshop!
stopint 5 days ago

yes lower the better...did not know that canon hd model rated that low...
Ralph Lindsen 3 days ago

i know, and because i often film in low light conditions (concerts, interviews backstage, old buildings) liked the 0.4 lux a lot