Movie Props And Costumes
Movie Props And Costumes
Amateur film maker looking for camcorder for zombie movie?
I've spent a year and a half writing the script to my movie, searching for a core cast and gathering required props, costumes and effects. I have taught myself all I need to know in Photoshop and After Effects, and know how to edit video. The last thing I need before I can start my zombie masterpiece: A camcorder!
This isn't really some random project, as I aim to submit it to several prominent film festivals as well as use in my portfolio for college, so I'm going for as movie-like as possible. There will be a lot of motion scenes, low-lighting conditions. Mic input for lav/boom mic would be nice. I've already made a dolly.
Any suggestions? Under 500 bucks would be best - 400 bucks is the sweet spot. HD would be a plus.
The least expensive camcorders with a mic jack are the Canon ZR900 and ZR930. They do not have manual audio control. They are standard definition, entry level, consumer camcorders, only. No 24p or 30p. As entry level camcorders, they behave poorly in low light because they have small lenses and small imaging chips.
The least expensive camcorders with a mic jack and maual audio control (of which I am aware) are the Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. The HV30 does 24p and 30p. The HC9 does not. The HC9 has "SuperNightShot" mode (Blair Witch Project, Ghost Hunters) for zero light monochromatic video capture - the HV30 does not. They both do 1080i high definition or standard definition (4:3 or 16:9 DV widescreen). Both camcorders have medium sized lenses and imaging chips and will do better that the entry-level cams, but still not so great under low-light conditions.
To do well in low light, the camcorder needs large lenses and imaging chips. This starts at the standard definition Canon GL2, Sony DCR-VX2100 and Panaxonic DVX100... and goes up from there.
Star Wars Movie Props and Costumes
