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low end camera, FCP compliant
looking for a low end HD camera for the family, was hoping to get something for under $1K. i’ve looked a bit but it seems they all record to an internal hard drive (and/or a flash card) in the mpeg4 code. i’ve never used that FCP…how well does FCP handle it?
it would be great to find a camera in that range that could also take an external mic for those down and dirty super low end corporate jobs as well, but it looks like i might just have to go up a bit for that into the $2-5K range? anyway, any favorite low end model ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks again!
J. Tad Newberry
Big Ya Productions
Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Quad-Core
3 GB RAM
http://www.bigya.tv -
7 Replies
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I bought a Canon VIXIA HF S100. The image quality is simply amazing for such a tiny camera. I bought it for under $1,000. In comparison, the HF S10 is the same camera except it has a 32 GB hard drive in addition to SDHC card recording and has a street price of about an additional $150.
Initially FCP would not recognize the media in log & capture. I tried again a few days later and it worked perfectly. I am not sure why it did not work the first time.
I highly recommend this camera for a personal camera, but the image quality is so good I have actually used it as a second camera on some of my pro shoots.
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You might check out the Sony 1000u. I have 2 of them, along with some higher end cams, and for home video and event stuff it works great!!!! HDV cam but I capture to proress and it always looks awesome!!!!! Check b&h for it. Just my 2 cents.
Tony Brittan
Apple Certified Pro – FCP
islandshoreproductions.com -
I second the HFS100 suggestion. Great little camera!
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hmmm….and you can plug in one mic…pretty dandy! thanks for pointing me towards this one. as for recording only on a harddrive or flash card, how are you archiving your footage? just transfer it all (raw) directly to DVD’s, a hard drive on the shelf…what?
any update on the mystery of capturing? can you go back and capture “frame accurately” from a flash drive…any time code on this?
Thanks again!
J. Tad Newberry
Big Ya Productions
Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Quad-Core
3 GB RAM
http://www.bigya.tv -
So far I haven’t done any archiving. I bought one 32GB class 6 SDHC card and haven’t filled it up yet. I am considering archiving the SDHC cards and just buying a new one. My local Micro Center sells the class 6 32GB cards for $75@ and the 16GB cards for $35@.
I have no idea on why FCP log & transfer wouldn’t work at first. It worked this morning. I am not sure what you mean by “go back and capture “frame accurately” from a flash drive”. The media is transferred just like a P2 card – using log and transfer. As far as time-code, every clip starts with 00:00:00:00.
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I just saw that B&H is selling the HF S100 as a holiday special for $899. They include a 16GB SDHC Card, an additional Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, and ship for free. That’s a great deal.
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Ken –I called Apple to see if the Canon HFS100 worked with FCP 6.0.6 and the Tech guy went to the FCP Creative Cow forum, saw your initial post that you weren’t able to import from the HFS100 to FCP, and told me not to buy the camera since the media wouldn’t be supported.
Since then, I see that you ARE using the HFS100 with FCP and it’s working fine. I’ve bought the camera but was afraid to open it (15% restocking fee) until I get the definitive word on whether it’s FCP6 compatible. Did you need any additional software or just use Log and Transfer? Any advice? Need to return camera by tomorrow if I can’t use it with FCP easily. Thanks!
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