Cameras & Camcorders

[KiranS]

Here's the clip I want to start filming:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF1HVlcXBmA

So I want to get the right type of camera, and someone had suggested the HDR-SR12 to me. I look it up and it has great reviews, but it has poor dim light performance, while the movie is mostly in the dark/dusk/dawn. Any suggestions? Not too pricey, please! I'd appreciate any help I could get, so thanks for any suggestions.

[cr_client]

Considering that clip was completely computer-generated, I don't understand how you can find a camera that would produce the same results.

For professional results, a palm-sized consumer-level camcorder isn't going to get you very far...

[Entropy]

As far as generic "dark/horror" - Keep in mind that in many cases, film crews simulate night by underexposing the camera in a well lit environment, or underexposing AND shifting the white balance.

See "day for night" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_for_night as one example.

The things you'll need are:  Manual white balance and manual exposure control.  Most entry-level camcorders don't have manual WB/exposure control (I think about half of the Vixia HF series from Canon do), same with most entry-level video DSLRs.  (My Pentax K-5 has manual WB but not manual exposure control).  Somewhat higher end DSLRs have full manual exposure control for video.

However keep in mind that the techniques for shooting with a video DSLR are very different from those for a camcorder.  (No autofocus while recording, for example)  Pros don't mind this since in professional cinematography no one uses autofocus anyway - in fact Hollywood film crews have a dedicated "focus puller" - A person with the single task of changing the camera's focus settings during a shoot.

[KiranS]

Alright, I suppose I put this topic in the wrong section.

When I'm talking about a camera, I mean one that's meant for filming movies, obviously, and that's intro is what I want to film. I was actually planning on going into an urban setting in Sac and film there; I had no clue night for day even existed.

To tell you the truth I know nothing about cameras for filming, so for right now I'm just looking for a good video camera to film the horror/dark clip above. Do I film outside, or do I do it during the day and use Day-for-night? And if so, what cameras should I get for day-for-night and all that? I'd like to know what you would suggest.

[Entropy · Accepted solution]

---

KiranS wrote:

Alright, I suppose I put this topic in the wrong section.

When I'm talking about a camera, I mean one that's meant for filming movies, obviously, and that's intro is what I want to film. I was actually planning on going into an urban setting in Sac and film there; I had no clue night for day even existed.

To tell you the truth I know nothing about cameras for filming, so for right now I'm just looking for a good video camera to film the horror/dark clip above. Do I film outside, or do I do it during the day and use Day-for-night? And if so, what cameras should I get for day-for-night and all that? I'd like to know what you would suggest.

---

Manual exposure and white balance controls are important, also an external microphone jack is critical for good sound, although you can work around the latter by using a separate recording device for audio and splicing the audio in afterwards - it is more work intensive but what movie studios do.  (That's what the "clapper" is for - it provides a visual cue along with a strong audio cue to permit syncing sound to video)

Video DSLRs are more suited to professional-grade work (at least if you are within the "sane budget" realm - Pro camcorders beat video DSLRs, but are insanely expensive, video DSLRs like the Canon 7D, Canon 5D MkII, and some of Nikon's lineup including the D7000 provide great performance for the price.  Entry level video DSLRs like the Canon Rebel seriesare likely to be missing manual exposure controls and mic jacks.

Honestly, I would strongly suggest taking a videography/film class first at a local college, many schools have loaner cameras students can work with, but not all.  Investigate what courses are offered locally and what equipment is provided vs. what a student is expected to bring.  I have heard many rave reviews of my local community college's photography classes, for example.  Once you have taken such a class you will probably have a much better feel for what you need and what you don't.