Good inexpensive video camera?

[Ksandra]

So I am not very technological and I was looking at video cameras and I feel overwhelmed.

They look so different now ;_;

Here's what I want/need:

So for my wedding the church doesn't allow people to move around with a video camera (regular camera is fine). It has to be set up on a tripod. Talking with my photographer he said that I would need to also attach a mic to either the groom or the priest, because the camera will probably be too far to pick up the sound very well.

I don't want to have to pay for a videographer because they usually charge around $900, and then they do a bunch of crazy stuff to the video I don't want (like clips and add music n' shit I just want the raw video so when I'm 60 I can sit and watch my whole wedding). Paying $900 for someone to sit at the camera and can only turn it doesn't seem worth it to me.

So I want to get one where I'll just have it viewing the altar, and have it run the full time.

So basically I need video camera, tripod, and a mic for this. Again I have like ZERO knowledge about video cameras this day and age. I would like a nice one not only for the wedding, but since I'd be buying one might have it for video taping my future kids.

I don't know if this is reasonable, but ideally I'd like it to be under $400 if possible. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Darus Grey]

You realize that those "videographers" often have tens of thousands of dollars of camera equipment that will blow away anything you can buy for even $900, let alone $400?

If you just want the raw footage, you could probably...you know, ask them for it.

I only say this because you obviously care about it, but you're going to cheap out and be unhappy with the result going down this path, and you only get one shot.

You could also rent a much better camera just for your wedding if you're confident someone knows how to use it(and I wouldn't be that confident, if photography was so point and click simple the profession wouldn't still be around).

[Ksandra]

You realize that those "videographers" often have tens of thousands of dollars of camera equipment that will blow away anything you can buy for even $900, let alone $400?

If you just want the raw footage, you could probably...you know, ask them for it.

I only say this because you obviously care about it, but you're going to cheap out and be unhappy with the result going down this path, and you only get one shot.

You could also rent a much better camera just for your wedding if you're confident someone knows how to use it(and I wouldn't be that confident, if photography was so point and click simple the profession wouldn't still be around).

See you sound just like them. I DON"T CARE ABOUT NICE FOOTAGE.


That's what the photographer is for....why is this so hard for people to get?

I don't mean to bitch but I am tired of having to keep explaining it to EVERY person who seem to think I want what THEY WOULD WANT. I want home movie-style stuff. Why is this so complicated? I DO want one shot, I WANT to see the wedding. I don't want fancy stuff.


And I do ask for raw footage and they still want to charge $900, which I am not willing to pay.

Keep in mind I'm trying to keep my budge under $5000 which is not that easy. I am more than willing to cut corners on shit.

Please understand this is what I DO want. I don't care if the video quality is bad if I can see us and hear us I'm happy.

[Blabj]

It's basically double your budget but you'll get good quality out of this: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...p?product=1461

Also, the Panasonic GH1 and GF1. You can also look into getting a second hand DVX100, which again is out of your price range, but ridiculously good quality.

[BinaHades]

I would try looking into the sony handycam HDR-CX110/L. Unfortunately it doesn't come with an audio output (so no exterior mic can be added) however the video quality is superior for it's price, about $500, and is incredibly small and portable.

[BarthelloSylph]

I don't know your financial situation, but I'd say drop the bucks for your wedding.

[SnickySnacks]

Kodak Zi8 is a nice little HD camera with external mic support for $150 or so, although for the life of me I have no idea how you'd work out the microphone situation

Maybe throw in a Rode Videomic or something.

end up with something like this...
(spoilered for size)

Spoiler: show

http://cache-06.gawkerassets.com/ass...era_rigs-2.jpg

[Mizango]

Ksandra is such a bridezilla. Watch your step Darus, you have aggro.

[Mizango]

Just buy some disposable Kodaks if you don't care how shitty it looks. There is not middle ground, just shell out the money or go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and buy 2 cameras for 3.99 from Walgreens.

Darus spoke absolute fact, but a video camera on a tripod will have shitty sound, echos and will miss a lot of things since it is forced to be stationary. Is till love you and all but the truth hurts lol, many of us have been there done that a few times

[Logain]

You could always do what we did. We contacted a local university's film/art department and asked if any students were trying to break into videography/photography. If there are any enterprising students you can usually get them to do it for EXTREMELY cheap/free and you get all the raw footage.

[Mizango]

You could always do what we did. We contacted a local university's film/art department and asked if any students were trying to break into videography/photography. If there are any enterprising students you can usually get them to do it for EXTREMELY cheap/free and you get all the raw footage.

See, this is another fantastic idea.

[Ksandra]

Ksandra is such a bridezilla. Watch your step Darus, you have aggro.

yaya I know, but no one wants to listen about what I want XD Everyone seems to think I must want something better, and I don't. How is that so hard ><;

Just buy some disposable Kodaks if you don't care how shitty it looks. There is not middle ground, just shell out the money or go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and buy 2 cameras for 3.99 from Walgreens.

Darus spoke absolute fact, but a video camera on a tripod will have shitty sound, echos and will miss a lot of things since it is forced to be stationary. Is till love you and all but the truth hurts lol, many of us have been there done that a few times

I think you're getting confused. I have a photographer for photos, what I'm talking about is having a video camera for video. Since I have a professional for the pictures I don't need/want one for the video camera.

Secondly, I HAVE to have it on a tripod. No ifs and or buts about it. It's what the church requires. You guys can say it sucks as much as you want, I don't have any choice in the matter...

[Mizango]

Not confused, I was just being an asshole and feeding your primal wedding rage. Think of it as me throwing salt instead of rice <3

[Ksandra]

Not confused, I was just being an asshole and feeding your primal wedding rage. Think of it as me throwing salt instead of rice <3

I should have just eloped ;_;

[wop]

Ksandra, try out Sanyo's Xacti range, they do HD ones from USD150 and it goes up in specs according to your $$$ increment. Quality is bang for buck.

Here are some footage shot by the Xacti.

(watch in 720 HD)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-sscLWcxhU

Good value for money imo for a 150 bucks cam Xacti VPC CG10... What do you think?

[Ksandra]

Ksandra, try out Sanyo's Xacti range, they do HD ones from USD150 and it goes up in specs according to your $$$ increment. Quality is bang for buck.

Here are some footage shot by the Xacti.

(watch in 720 HD)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-sscLWcxhU

Good value for money imo for a 150 bucks cam Xacti VPC CG10... What do you think?

Holy shit that's nice :O


Thanks! Lemme take a look into whether I can attach a wireless mic to it.

[zoobernut]

I would recommend renting a good video camera that will be cheaper and better quality than if you cheap out and buy a video camera. Or ask your photographer if any of their cameras also take video, the Nikon D300s and the Canon 7D both take very good video and have great lenses that you can attach to them including telephoto lenses so even if they have to be on a tripod they can still get in close to the action.

[Balthasar]

Ksandra is such a bridezilla

beat me to it ;(

[Ksandra]

;-; I don't mean to be!