Inexpensive camera to make short films

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>I’d like to solicit advice for an inexpensive “video” camera to make short films. Specificially, will be making video content for our school’s new on-line newspaper, which is published every . </p>

<p>I used to use an old sony mini DV cam (retail $500) for my small, toss off projects, which was purchased around 2001, and it recently died. For most of my more polished short films, I use my school’s “video” cameras, which are nice, but are very large in size and need to be coordinated in terms of check in/check out. So I am looking for an inexpensive, small camera alternative.</p>

<p>I have considered buying a flip HD, using my Iphone 3GS, using a Nikon D40X (low-range digital SLR camera) in video model, or buying a new inexpensive video camera. Any advice?</p>

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<p>I knew someone with a flip and it seemed to produce decent quality video. Plus, you can put it in your pocket!</p>

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<p>The flip will fit your needs perfectly - you may want a tripod so you do not get shaky camera - but the quality is quite decent for what you need</p>

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<p>Oh, also, from what I remember the flip was good because it was also really easy to transfer to a computer/the internet.</p>

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<p>YoHoYoHo,</p>

<p>Here are some links to low cost video cameras that might fit your needs.</p>

<p>As mentioned, you could go with a Flip product. Not full HD at a resolution of 720 but that’s still pretty good and hey, it’s $79. At that price I might get 2 so you can have 2 camera shoots for dialog sceens.
Flip: [Flip</a> video cameras](<a href=“http://www.theflip.com/en-us/Products/]Flip”>http://www.theflip.com/en-us/Products/)</p>

<p>Kodak announced this new product yesterday, the Playfull. Same resolution as the Flip (720) but it’s waterproof and has a memory card slot. That slot could be very important as you could have a pocket full of memory chips for an all day shoot. $99!
Kodak: [KODAK</a> PLAYFULL Waterproof Video Camera](<a href=“Consumer | Kodak”>Consumer | Kodak)</p>

<p>The Go Pro is more money ($250-ish) but it’s full HD (1080) and it comes with all kinds of mounting hardware. You’ll need the mounting stuff to get your camera onto a tripod.
Go Pro by Hero: [Motorsport</a> Racing On Board Camera: HD Motorsports HERO](<a href=“Action Cameras for Sports, Adventure & Everyday Life | GoPro”>Action Cameras for Sports, Adventure & Everyday Life | GoPro)</p>

<p>Speaking of tripod mounts, here’s a simple way to get any of these cameras onto a tripod.
Shark clip: [Shark</a> Clip](<a href=“http://photographyandcinema.com/products/item/shark-clip?category_id=1]Shark”>http://photographyandcinema.com/products/item/shark-clip?category_id=1)</p>

<p>And check out this super cool mini-dolly. At $99 it’s the same price as a camera but if you have a scene that requires this shot then this is the cheapest way that I’ve seen to get it.
Pico Dolly: [Pico</a> Flex Dolly Kit](<a href=“http://photographyandcinema.com/products/item/pico-flex-dolly-kit?category_id=1]Pico”>http://photographyandcinema.com/products/item/pico-flex-dolly-kit?category_id=1)</p>

<p>Happy hunting,
Wheaty</p>

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<p>Or you could use the newly announced iPhone 4S which shoots video at 1080p 30 fps. Yikes.</p>

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<p>Thanks to all, especially Wheaty, for your advice!</p>

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<p>If you’re going flip, save your money and buy a used Aiptek.</p>

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<p>Hey there’s also this newly announced camera from GoPro –> <a href=“Action Cameras for Sports, Adventure & Everyday Life | GoPro”>Action Cameras for Sports, Adventure & Everyday Life | GoPro;

<p>A couple of new features that would be very useful in this context:
1.) Selectable focal length. 170, 127, and 90 degree viewing areas. The 90 is probably most useful for most short film makers as it would be about the same as the human eye sees.
2.) An external microphone socket. Pick up a used shotgun mike for say 50 bucks with a wind sock and you are ready to rock. Alternatively, you could get a low cost digital sound recorder, add the shotgun mike and combine the sound with the video in FinalCut. The results would be better but we’re adding cost and that sort of defeats the purpose of the ideas in this thread.</p>

<p>Oh and GoPro just dropped the price of their original camera to about $200.</p>

<p>One thing to remember with all of the above cameras: they are very capable as long as you shoot them in light conditions that are in the sweet spot of their tiny sensors. Meaning that these little guys aren’t happy in low light and/or high contrast situations. If that has to be your shot then use bounce cards to even the light between sunlight and shadow. You can make your own bounce cards by making them out of stiff cardboard and taping on some white paper or aluminum foil. Try it, I think you will be surprised at the difference in picture quality.</p>

<p>A last thought… use a tripod with these little guys. It’s more hassle but the results will be much better.</p>

<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>

<p>PS. I want a screen credit!</p>