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Cheap Backup Camera ?
I’m setting up to do a relatively complex shoot. My budget is a limited. I’m shooting mechanic videos this one will be showing how to over haul AC system on a Corvette.
I figure I’ll need at least 3 cameras. One on the engine compartment, another on a flycam w/ operator, and at least one more focused on me explaining and doing the repairs.
So I’ve got one camera already it’s a Sony Handy Cam. Camera isn’t the best but it does get a great picture if I setup the lighting just right.
I wasn’t sure where to post so I figured I’d post in here… I’m looking for another cheapo HD camera like the handycam. I went to Best Buy the other day, and saw they had a whole slew of them for $200 from Panasonic, Sony, Canon, etc.
Has anybody had experience with these cheapo’s and one to recommend. Or a set of features I should be looking for ?
Thanks!
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27 Replies
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If you are just looking for a cheap match to your handycam (you didn’t specify what model you are currently using or whether it’s HDV, HD or what), any of the low end models like your old one are likely to match up ‘good enough’. If it’s for Youtube, and you don’t have a lot of experience in getting highest quality, or don’t care to, then you will likely be fine if you light everything the same and simply have three of the same manufacturers cameras from the same price range. Your wildcard is if your old camera is HDV or even SD. Then any new cameras, even cheap ones, are likely to be noticeably better picture. But you can do some things in post to soften them up (G).
Alf
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Thanks… My current camera is HD. It’s a HDR-SR5 from Sony. It’s a nice enough camera but has a few nuances so I’d never get it again.
The film will be a full out production DVD for sale on my website. I’m sure the video won’t be of cinematic quality. The last program I shot my cameras were loaners including my HDR-SR5, a Go Pro Hero HD, and Sony VX2100 SD pro-sumer camera.
The picture from each was dramatically different so I dropped the saturation on them all to 0.65 and added a soft contrast. What is it you do to clean the cameras up in post? Do you do similar things?
Eventually I want a set of t2i cameras for stationary cameras and then a nice HD prosumer canon or the Sony NEX-VG10… Do you know is Cannon going to do a setup similar to the NEX-VG10? Ultimately I’m a cannon guy and I like the opportunity to reuse my lenses.
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I would hire film students with their own equipment to shoot for you.
Correct me if I’m wrong but that cam has no mike input.
On the cheap I’d try 3 of these: CANON HFM40.
I’d get three
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/628720-REG/Libec_TH_650DV_TH_650DV_Head_Tripod_with_Brace.htmlThen I’d figure out how much money you have and get a decent mike/miker/audio recorder.
This will cost more than your cams. Can’t go wrong with sound devices mixers. Get the mix pre d.
which will help you with good sound live and in post for added voice overs.But seriously get a student film crew who can handle this pre through post and you’ll up the bar. Ask them for a reel of their work to make sure they know what they are doing. Ask for a sample of an instructional video. SFX is not the point here.
OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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I’ve got a Olympus LS10 recorder. I figure I’ll eventually need a couple more.
Nice camera but I’m not sure I want to budget that much for backups if I don’t have to. I see there’s lots of HD cameras on the market now that retail for around $200 – $300 each.
Here’s my feature list…
– USB plug on camera (not on a crappy dock station like my current camera)
– shoots in full 1080p @ 30fps and 720p @ 60fps
– wide angle lens (so I don’t have to backup 20 feet to get a picture like with my handycam).
– Mic plugin on camera
– Tripod screw on bottom (I’m sure most have this).
– And preferably it would have a hot shoe mount but not absolutely necessary.I think if I end up spending around $500 / ea. I’ll just get SLR cameras for stationary video backups.
I had budgeted around $200 for each backup. And I’ll probably get 2 making a total of three backups and an SLR for primary.
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Not sure what you mean by back ups. If it’s a 3-cam shoot you should have three matching cams. I would not shoot a for sale video with $200 cams. Good to know you’re recording sound separately. You might want to invest in a jib arm. Expensive but the perfect piece of gear for helping you get the right angles for auto work.
OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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I guess let me rephrase my question here…
I’m totally with you and would love more than anything to use all this really nice equipment. My budget is VERY though. I have sales around $50 – $100 / month with my first mechanic tutorial. I want to create more at this point but don’t have much capital to do so.
Say I get the CANON HFM40… I’m wondering if the cheaper versions Cannon sells have very similar technology but not all the bells and whistles. All I need is to get a few more angles of the mechanic repairs I complete so the clients can tell how to do them as well. The camera need only provide a clear HD picture in ideal lighting (I setup my own lighting).
I’m just curious which lower end cameras are decent enough to fit my bill. Consumer reviews of some of these cheaper Cannon cameras are really good but they aren’t camera savvy so I asked on here.
Also, when I go to the store they have more $200 – $300 HD cameras from manufacturers like Sony, Cannon, Panasonic, etc than I can count. However, nobody seems to be able to answer a single questions about any of them beyond what’s on the tag.
I suppose another thing I should ask is there a store you know of that let’s a person test the equipment out… Kind of like a try before you buy?
Thanks for the advice. I’ve added some of the equipment you recommended to my dream list 🙂
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If you record sound separately and clearly and light well then you are more than half home. You could use one camera and reshoot at different angles. If you truly want a 3 camera shoot and want to spend $200 a camera and the only purpose of these cams is a clear image, then I would do searches on consumer sites and see what folks say. I don’t think any of the pros and prosumers here have much experience at $200 price point. I would seriously consider getting a partner in this production and let them bring their gear to the party. Since your mechanically inclined I would do a search and look to build a homemade jib, which is what is used for the angles you need.
OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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Great advice.
I have one friend who loaned me a pro SD camera. Which has best light performance by far. I also bought a color card to see how well I can touch up the cameras I have in post (should have done this a long time ago).
When I look at the consumer reviews the lower end cameras have similar color performance to high end ones. I think higher end cameras have much better optics though and collect better light.
I totally agree with you. I may just skip the $200 stuff, squeeze the performance I can out of my current camera and see what money I can make out of them yet. I’m working with a Sony VX2100, Sony HDR-SR5, and Go Pro HD Hero (really bad performance). None of the cameras are quite up to snuff, but with ample lighting they seem to perform OK.
Unfortunately, I’m a laid off engineer though just tinkering at home to make a few $$ right now. I REALLY REALLY enjoy this stuff though. My previous job sent me to school for editing. I should get a hold of my old professor and see if she cannot help out someway. She has GOBS of high end equipment.
And maybe I’ll have to make a program on how to make your own dollies, jibs, etc for cinematography next 🙂 I really like your ideas!
Curious what do you shoot with?
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Back in the SD days I used sony pd150/170s and vx2100. and canon xl2. the xl2 had a more powerful lens and I liked the image better if i provided the cam with enough good lighting. It was a little soft however and canon was a pain at times to get into your NLE. the sony’s were the best run and gun cams around. so forgiving in low light and rugged and easy to use.
Now i am using canon hv30s/40s sony z7u-s Panasonic AG HPX170s. there a folks that would consider all of these toys. On higher end shoots I connect these to AJA KiPro to record in Apple ProRes.
The key to production however is good content good light and good sound.
OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
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Wow those are some nice cameras in my book.
The Canons look relatively affordable, I see used HV30’s on amazon for under $400. I’m curious what you think of the SLR setups. And have you played with the NEX-V20?
I’d like the ability to reuse my camera lenses for video. Currently when I get some $$ I’m going to spring for a t2i, but wish canon had a professional format video camera like the NEX-V20 that could accept my lenses from my SLR camera.
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