Looking for New or Used Camcorder suggestions

[Al Bergstein]

If you want run and gun, with those specs, I’d look on eBay for used Canon xf300s. They are selling for close to $2k in some cases. They were over $6 a couple of years ago. They are a great run and gun, with the limitation of not being a great low light camera. The small sensors can’t compete with larger ones on DSLRs. But for overall use, it’s been a great camera for me. Depends on what you plan to shoot.

Al

[John Taylor]

Al,

I’ve been looking at the Canon. A buddy of mine has one and likes it. The use for this camera would be shooting available light walkarounds with wireless mike and other situations where the DSLR application would be too much hassle with audio and no zoom capability.

Thanks, John

[Al Bergstein]

I’d say that if your available light interviews were in daylight, that would work well. Not sure what I would recommend if you are shooting in low artificial light, or at night. I usually shift to a C100 for that kind of work, but you lose the 4:2:2 workspace, if it is critical. The 300 can work, but you would need supplemental light. Just an FYI, on almost all interviews, I carry a battery operated LED 12×12, so I can punch up faces on overcast days or in shadow. That’s used on both my DSLR and 300 shoots. It makes a huge difference, and if used properly doesn’t appear overly “lit”.

Al

[Blaise Douros]

Check out the new Sony PXW X70. Small camcorder format, 10-bit 4:2:2, and XLR inputs. 1080p up to 60 fps.

[John Taylor]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
JT