Video Camera + SLR Camera (Money is no option)

[The Fresh Prince]

Ok, so I'm in a situation where I need a tv quality video camera and a decent SLR camera. Money is not an option and I can keep both pieces of equipment after i'm done. I need expert help on what to buy.

1. I'm not an expert.

2. I've downloaded a load of books on the subject which I am yet to read.

3. As I've mentioned, I'm not paying.

4. I need to be able to upload everything I've shot that day to an FTP server for editing. I might be in a jungle in Sumatra or something so do they have some kind of compression programs on them?

5. Has anyone got a mate that works for Nat Geo Adventure.

6.I get to keep said items so this is something that I want to get into in the future. I want them to be kind of technical so that I can learn about them.

The Gentleman known as Scamp has been very helpful so far and has told me what he shoots with and he has recommended that I get a Go-Pro camera. This is something that I would probably buy in addition to what I want but I can see that this is just going to take up a shit load more uploading time when I should be drinking beer.

All help appreciated.

I really want Bobcock to weigh into this conversation also.

Thanks

[The Fresh Prince]

Any chance that this could be moved to the TV or lounge section? I've got no resposes and need to have this done by Tuesday morning.

[blue]

sorry cant really help in your choice , at the moment I like easy to use super zoom compacts, rather than SLR
but when I was choosing my camera I visited

Forums: Digital Photography Review

They have some good discussions there.
Though for some reason photographers tend to staunchly support a certain make
and stick to it .

[The Fresh Prince]

Cheers for the link Blue. I've been told that Panasonic make the best video camera's so going to look into those.

[funfun123]

with you saying tv quality maybe phone howard at pattaya one tv, hes very helpful and he maybe able to point you in the right direction, i have used him before for adverts and they turn up with all the modern equipment and accessories etc although i haven't got a clue what it all is it plays back spot on.

as for slr my mate bought a nice nikon, with an added big zoom lens, if it wasnt so tecnical i have bought one, the photos from a large distance were brilliant. but that would be a camera you probobly couldnt use to the max in a day, as your short of time.

anyways good luck with your project.

chris

[Bangyai]

Cheers for the link Blue. I've been told that Panasonic make the best video camera's so going to look into those.

Panasonic do make cameras with very good HD quality video capabilities. HD means you want 720p definition.

Once you have narrowed down your choice , you can check out the sort of quality you can expect by entering the model number on a Youtube search.
That was one of the reasons I bought my Sony H20 after seeing this test video :






Got the sony as it was significantly cheaper than the panasonic but still gives very good results.

Also any reviews you may want can be found on youtube





The panasonic reviewed above is better than mine as it stays in focus when using the zoom. My Sony suffers a bit from lag and will drift out of focus on long zoom.

[The Fresh Prince]

This is the one that Scampy recommended for me. Panasonic AV HMC 152



It looks like the kind of thing I'm thinking of but I'm worried about the size of the files I'll have to upload to the internet everyday.

[Bangyai]

^ Hmmm...that is serious stuff. Um, ,if you need any actors for the er , ' cultural '
movies you plan to make , put my name on the list

[The Fresh Prince]

What I'm thinking is that that camera looks like a bit of a beast.

Does anyone have a rough idea of how many mb's or gb's 1 hour of footage would take up on that thing?

Also, If I had a sat phone, would that be able to tether to a computer and give me internet from anywhere?

[The Fresh Prince]

^ Hmmm...that is serious stuff. Um, ,if you need any actors for the er , ' cultural ' movies you plan to make , put my name on the list

Your on the list!

[The Fresh Prince]

with you saying tv quality maybe phone howard at pattaya one tv, hes very helpful and he maybe able to point you in the right direction, i have used him before for adverts and they turn up with all the modern equipment and accessories etc although i haven't got a clue what it all is it plays back spot on.

I'm not allowed to have a tv crew. I think it breaks the rules but thanks for the tip.

as for slr my mate bought a nice nikon, with an added big zoom lens, if it wasnt so tecnical i have bought one, the photos from a large distance were brilliant. but that would be a camera you probobly couldnt use to the max in a day, as your short of time.

Yep, I want a Nikon.

[blue]

how long do you have to get the hang off all this new equipment ?
Make sure you do some weight training too ...

Don't forget to order a spare battery for the camera too

[Bettyboo]

tv quality video camera

Sony HD (JVC HD are the second best; according to TV makers...); they can be quite small with many automatic functions - you don't need many bells and whistles unless you are planning to take a camerman course...

[withnallstoke]

Pity you didn't get a camera before you started to try and take out the dishwasher.

[Marmite the Dog]

I'm missing something here.

You want HD/broadcast quality and then want to convert it to mediocre quality so you can upload it to a server?

I suggest you either pay for the best internet connection you can get or just buy a cheap camera and don;t worry about it.

[sabaii sabaii]

Does anyone have a rough idea of how many mb's or gb's 1 hour of footage would take up on that thing?

Maybe about 1 and a half Gig, if HD