Best Video Camera?

[1stwahine]

Hellooooo! I was shopping today for a Video Camera.heheheh

I also bought new furnitures too.

I'm in the buying mood.

I only live once.

K-den. Canon DVD Camcorder? Das all I know. I was trying to look for more information on it but no say. I asked the Salesman and he told me Canon DVD Camcorder. ;) Looks nice.

Anyone familiar with it?

Recommendations.

Reason: I like make My Chinatown Documentary!!! :D

Auntie Lynn

[Miulang]

Here Tita. Some reviews (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Reviews&level_b=Camcorder&level_c=Canon&level_d=DVD.htm) on Canon camcorders (you neva say whether was one mini or one regular camcorder).

Miulang

[pzarquon]

Canon cameras are pretty good. Definitely popular among the videoblogging set. Not sure if I'd go for DVD as a recording medium, though. It's convenient if you're just recording stuff to keep and play at home, but if you're going to work with it at all (edit, distribute, post online), DV tape is cheaper. Harder to share, but you wouldn't be giving away your original media, anyway.

[manoasurfer123]

Aunty... I think that Cannon DVD one might be a bit much more than what you actually need.

The camera that you saw of mine... I have found models on EBay for under $75.00 a few weeks ago! (I originally paid about $400.00 Brand New couple years ago)

Your just looking to shoot some short MPEG movie clips yeah? Or you looking to get all Jazzy and do like long distance type surveilance?

I dunno... however, make sure that the person selling you the camera isn't on a commission... Cause they might try to make you buy something you really don't need!

Let me know if you need help some weekend... we go check some out if you need assistance.

But honestly... don't pay more than you need to.... until you become confident in your photography skills and also no need all the fancy stuff until you learn more about Photography and Video in General...

[1stwahine]

I apologize for not coming back sooner. I got stuck on da odda threads. :D Eh, Tita Miulang how you go from one topic to da odda so fast! Speedy Gozalez moa fast den me today. Luv you.

K-den. The Video Camera I looked fits in the palm of my hand. It's a Canon DVD Camcorder. I said dat already. :o

I would pay $67.00 per month for a year.

PZ, what do you recommend me to buy?

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

argh auntie... no do any rent to own type thing... lose money in the long run!

By the time you pay it off... you gonna be looking for an upgrade!

Heck give me 30.00 a month for a year and you can have mine :eek:

[1stwahine]

argh auntie... no do any rent to own type thing... lose money in the long run!

By the time you pay it off... you gonna be looking for an upgrade!

Das how I got my Hp Computa. Pau pay.

I ain't grumbling. If broke I just it trade in. Like before I paid it off I traded it in for one new one. I not Dumb. I pUpUle!!! Anything breaks ~they responsible until I pay it off.

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

try this one on ebay...current price $40.00 100% positive feedback :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Digital-Camera-Cybershot-DSC-W1-5-1-Mega-Pixels_W0QQitemZ190018821360QQihZ009QQcategoryZ107 892QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I don't knoow much about E-Bay... however, just trying to help you out with a good starter camera... go check the link...and NO that's not me trying to sell it :eek:

[tutusue]

Auntie, if you have to do the rent to own thingie what I'm about to suggest won't be of any use to you...but I'll suggest it anyway!

I use a Panasonic PV-GS 150, 3 CCD camcorder. And, yes it fits in the palm of my hand altho' I don't use it that way very much. It also has a 2.3mp still photo mode. GREAT video quality 'cuz it's 3 CCD, not 1 CCD like the Canon. I bought it at Best Buy over a year ago...high $600. range. It's upgrade has been released so you can buy the 150 cheaper now.

If all you need is real basic, home movie quality, a Canon should be fine. As PZ mentioned, stick with a miniDV camera, not a DVD camera. Those small disks are expensive. The tapes are so much cheaper.

I also have a Canon Elura as a back-up camera. Comparing the quality on a 1 CCDer to a 3 CCDer is like comparing apples to oranges. If you have higher expectations than home movies for your video then, I'd look into a 3 CCD camcorder such as the Panasonic. Your choice is dependent on the end use.

[1stwahine]

Auntie - The camera that I have is all over ebay... the above listing looks to be the best deal at this moment $35.00...(yeah used... but the guy has 100% positive feedback...which means a lot on ebay)

If I BUY - I BUY NEW!!!! I no like somebody's Problem! :rolleyes:

I got enough already. You one of um. :p j/k.

I love youIf all you need is real basic, home movie quality, a Canon should be fine. As PZ mentioned, stick with a miniDV camera, not a DVD camera. Those small disks are expensive. The tapes are so much cheaper.Thanks Tutusue! I want to make a small documentary of The True Story Of Chinatown ~ through my eys, ears and mind. Something in which only I can capture on film.

I would also use it for my Blog.

I will take your advice and Pz's.

Also, I've decided not to go with the Rent-to-Own option.

Mahalo

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

make sure you copyright the footage before someone takes it from you!
Be careful what you put out on your blog if your planning to make an actual film...

You need to leave me at least a few suprises!

[1stwahine]

make sure you copyright the footage before someone takes it from you!
Be careful what you put out on your blog if your planning to make an actual film...

You need to leave me at least a few suprises!

Ainokea if anybody like use or takes. I share what I have. Das the Aloha in me. :D

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

Posted By 1stwahine:
The camera Manoa had last night as well as the ones I saw Ryan and Kimo55 using at HT's Annual Picnic would be sufficient enough for what I have in mind.
so you needing something more now then???

Just wondering cause mine is about 150 new if you can still find it... 5.1 mega pixel isn't cr@p now.

[pzarquon]

First of all, don't listen to Manoa. :p

Secondly, "rent to own" is a bad idea... if that's what you're thinking of doing. That is, one of those "no credit check!" outfits where you'll end up paying three times the cost of the camera over the term of the contract. However, payment plans aren't all bad. For example, a "zero percent for three years" deal from Circuit City or CompUSA. Just remember to pay it off in that period, 'cause otherwise all the interest comes back to bite you in the end.

Thirdly, do think of what you're going to do with your footage. I don't know what the heck "copyright your footage" means -- if you film it, you own the copyright. But, if you put it out there, say on YouTube, you are distributing it or licensing it and unscrupulous parties could try and make money off your work. Since your intent is public interest and exposure, this might not bother you... but you still could look into, for example, using a Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org/) license for what you put out there. I do this, to specify that you can use and redistribute my stuff if you credit me and if its for non-commercial purposes. Of course, I also post to YouTube and other sites, which according to some folks means I'm technically screwed. :confused: I doubt I'm giving away anything priceless, though, and I too simply like sharing stories and scenes rather than making money.

If there are any legal issues you need to study up on, it'll be to get rock solid on what and where you can film. Public spaces like public streets, you're generally in the clear, but other venues can get complicated. And, of course, you need to be prepared for the different ways people will react to being filmed. But I know you are, 'cause you're Aunty Lynn.

But, of course, all this doesn't answer your actual question, which is, which camera to get.

Like Tutusue, I reiterate the recommendation against a camera that records direct to DVD. There are only a limited number of scenarios where that makes sense. Still, what camera to get depends on what you intend to do with your footage.

Are you planning on just taking short clips as you spot them, and pop them online as is? In this case, you probably don't even need a digital video camera. A still digital camera with a movie mode would be fine. You can take the movie right off the camera and upload it and you're done. For this I might recommend one of the Casio Exilim models -- 30fps, decent resolution, affordable and small. The advantage of this approach is that these cameras are small and unobtrusive, and won't intimidate like a conventional video camera.

But, if you're planning on collecting extensive amounts of footage, archiving them, posting some as clips but saving the rest for documentaries or other productions that'll require editing and the like, you definitely want a MiniDV camera. You can fill up tape after tape after tape... but also connect it to a computer to grab the bits you want for a one-off clip.

Tutu's camera is a great one. The key there, I'd say, is the 3CCD chip. That basically means there are three sensors collecting video information rather than the usual one. Video captured on those cameras are rich and gorgeous. You could even go looking for HD video cameras, but personally that level of quality is probably overkill. The only thing about higher end cameras, of course, is that they're expensive. And, you know, maybe not the sort of thing you want to tote all over Chinatown and MWH.

You can get a very good, very reasonable MiniDV camera for $300-600. And, like I said, Canon's are well regarded. Post your price range and I could give you specific model recommendations.

One final caveat: If you're going to be doing video editing, you're probably going to need a computer with more horsepower. The fastest way to get into editing and publishing multimedia is on a Mac, but that's also the most expensive. You can also do well with, say, Adobe Premiere Elements on a relatively new PC.

[adrian]

Auntie, where you stay shopping?

If you like, I can tag along so you no get ripped off. Some salespeople do mean things to people who don't know.

[manoasurfer123]

The fastest way to get into editing and publishing multimedia is on a Mac, but that's also the most expensive.
As much as I hate Mac's auntie... he is correct above! :(
And once you buy the computer...there is also the cost of the software that can run you big bucks :rolleyes:

[1stwahine]

Auntie, where you stay shopping?

If you like, I can tag along so you no get ripped off. Some salespeople do mean things to people who don't know.

Adrian, when I ready again. I'll let you know. I going concentrate on my New Singles Pad the next few weeks. I bought New Furnitures today.heheheh

I just read your post PZ. Wow! So much information. Ok. I want to film and collect then put together. So I would definitely need what you suggest and therefore need a bigger computer that would handle editing and whatevers. Hala! I no tink my PuPule mind can handle all dat on my own. I going need assistance after all.

Shhhhh...I just want to make one video of My Chinatown! :(

Reality check. I can't afford one right now. I just bought New furnitures.heheheh I will be able to afford it in two - three months probably sooner. I'll check back with you when I'm ready.

MAHALO

Auntie Lynn

BTW: On the 3rd of September I'm buying a new cell phone. I'm in the buying mood. I'm making my own "Second Life". ;)

[manoasurfer123]

off topic... but auntie... you single now? :confused: :)

[1stwahine]

off topic... but auntie... you single now? :confused: :)

No. I just like decorate my Hale like one Singles Pad. I never had one. :D

Auntie Lynn

[pzarquon]

I will be able to afford it in two - three months probably sooner. I'll check back with you when I'm ready.No problem with waiting, Aunty Lynn. More time to read up on video cameras, scour detailed online reviews, window shop at electronics stores, and think more about what you want to do with all that Chinatown footage! When you're ready to buy, you'll still have more help and advice here than you want.
As much as I hate Mac's auntie... he is correct above! And once you buy the computer...there is also the cost of the software that can run you big bucksHate Macs, huh? That's a reasonable stance. :p

Here's the thing about Macs, Auntie. They come with the software you need to create great multimedia, ready to go, out of the box, optimized to work well with the system. You could get a cheaper Windows PC, but there, yes, you'd have to invest in video editing software (and the good stuff ain't cheap), and possibly add in video capture hardware. My feeling is, in the end, the two platforms are very comparable on simple price... but when you add in how intuitive and powerful the integrated Mac experience is (even for an untechie tutu, right Tutusue?), Mac is the way to go.

But, whatever works for you is best. I'm sure Adrian could help you upgrade your current machine to something NASA would envy!

[tutusue]

As much as I hate Mac's auntie... he is correct above! :(
And once you buy the computer...there is also the cost of the software that can run you big bucks :rolleyes:
iMovie comes pre-installed on Macs. It's terrific for the entry level editor and even those of us who use it 'professionally'! I edit my casting tapes in the FREE iMovie! Auntie...it's a great piece of software and if I can use it...YOU can use it...Guarranz!!!!!! Kimo uses Final Cut Pro as he outgrew iMovie. FCP is another great piece of software but a bit pricey. It's an overkill for what you and I need.

Save up for that 3 CCD camcorder, a Mac laptop with iMovie pre-installed and you'll be on your way to becoming THE Chinatown documentarian! ;)

[manoasurfer123]

pz... you making me dizzy and I deal with some of this stuff daily...

Let's just start off more basic so Auntie can post mpg's to her blogs for now!

A simple upload is all I think she needs for now... however, if she chooses to win the oscar next year then so be it!

Giving auntie advice on cameras is great... however... those that have met her... know she tries to lead a simple life... so lets give her some simple options and not to expensive!

No listen to manoa if you want... but you seen my camera and liked what it could do... If you do wanna get fancy...it will cost some dinero.

(P.S. It's not for sale!)

[1stwahine]

Save up for that 3 CCD camcorder, a Mac laptop with iMovie pre-installed and you'll be on your way to becoming THE Chinatown documentarian! ;)

Sounds a winner! I shall save and also ask my children to pitch in. I going make Sad face to dem so dey pay um all!

Eh, I just read your comment Manoa!!!! Who says I live a simple Life???? I may live MWH but I don't live a simple Life!!! Don't presume what you see. I not what all I appear to be. Da nerve! :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn ;)

[pzarquon]

Giving auntie advice on cameras is great... however... those that have met her... know she tries to lead a simple life... so lets give her some simple options and not to expensive!The iMovie/iDVD combo on Apple OSX is about as simple as video editing can get. I'd recommend not giving advice related to a platform that you openly admit to hating, since it's therefore quite obviously something you know nothing about.

The fact that you're saying you deal with multimedia at your day job, in the DOE, and think like this is doubly disturbing.

I'd feel comfortable putting a Mac Mini and a Canon ZR500 camera in front of my mom (total outlay under $1000 for a great computer and a camera) and getting a nice edited video out of her in a weekend. Try that with the same camera, but with a Dell, Adobe Premiere, and probably an add-on firewire card. Could you get going for under a grand? Yes. Could a beginner have a decent video assembled anywhere near as quickly? I doubt it.

Yes, Aunty Lynn, you could find a $100 digital still camera with a "movie mode" and use your current system if you like. That'd get you about as far as Manoa's gotten. Plenty of videobloggers do quite well that way. But I get the feeling that your ambitions reach considerably further.

[manoasurfer123]

Let me rephrase "simple" to...

From as I know auntie...

she liked my camera.... it was a simple camera that functioned.

[1stwahine]

Yes, Aunty Lynn, you could find a $100 digital still camera with a "movie mode" and use your current system if you like. That'd get you about as far as Manoa's gotten. Plenty of videobloggers do quite well that way. But I get the feeling that your ambitions reach considerably further.

You're absolutey correct. I've got too much information to share. Mahalo for the advices. ;)

Let me rephrase "simple" to...

From as I know auntie...

she liked my camera.... it was a simple camera that functioned.

Manoa, that was for a different purpose. Not for My Chinatown Project!

Nuff said. You giving me one headache. :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

That'd get you about as far as Manoa's gotten.
one can only work with what tools is given to him.

and thus our kids fall behind as us employees do:(

[manoasurfer123]

Honestly.. I don't know shlt about cameras!

Take others advice... my bad.

I too simple for you auntie... I forgot how much you have learned about computers. :)

So when you gonna start teaching computer classes at the rec. center?

[TuNnL]

Mānoa, I like you. But I really have to put this all in perspective. Macs are faster and easier to use when it comes to video editing on a budget. Video editing software and iPods are the main reasons Apple didn’t go bankrupt. Final Cut Pro is the poor man’s Avid.

As far as a 3 CCD camera, the price has really come down recently. I spent more than $1700 just a couple years ago on a used Sony PD-150 on eBay. Now you can buy a brand spankin’ new Panasonic PV-GS500 for less than $500.

All I know is if you’re learning how to do something, you should learn to do it right. A champion of education like yourself should understand this, yet you say “the kids are falling behind the employees.”

On the contrary, Mānoa. The DOE could learn a thing or two from Wai‘anae High School’s Searider Productions. If you read MidWeek, then you know they’re just a stone’s throw away from taking all of our jobs (yours included). Guess what they use? (Rhymes with “shack.”)

[manoasurfer123]

Mānoa, I like you. But I really have to put this all in perspective. Macs are faster and easier to use when it comes to video editing on a budget. Video editing software and iPods are the main reasons Apple didn’t go bankrupt. Final Cut Pro is the poor man’s Avid.

As far as a 3 CCD camera, the price has really come down recently. I spent more than $1700 just a couple years ago on a used Sony PD-150 on eBay. Now you can buy a brand spankin’ new Panasonic PV-GS500 for less than $500.

All I know is if you’re learning how to do something, you should learn to do it right. A champion of education like yourself should understand this, yet you say “the kids are falling behind the employees.”

On the contrary, Mānoa. The DOE could learn a thing or two from Wai‘anae High School’s Searider Productions. If you read MidWeek, then you know they’re just a stone’s throw away from taking all of our jobs (yours included). Guess what they use? (Rhymes with “shack.”)
I talked to HT's own Liberty about this issue about a week ago. There is a lot of politics involved... I don't really know that much about it.
Tunnl you said yet you say “the kids are falling behind the employees.”

Please re-read... I actually said thus our kids fall behind AS US employees do The DOE does have some nice equipment... however, we are not able to purchase the newest things as they come out.

With all of the cutbacks that the DOE has faced recently... The DOE is not capable of staying up to date with new equipment every year.

Waianae Searider Productions is receiving Federally Funded Grants as well as several other agencies... and they are also selling there product (very smart... wish we could do the same... however, the politics of the whole thing interferes with us being able to attempt to sell our "product" to the public at this time.)

Tunnl - you should know for yourself that the Waianae Searider's High School has been better than the UNIVERSITY of HAWAII's own SVFA for quite some time.... Why.... once again... politics. (and I must give credit to the hard work of the teacher that has brought Waianaes Video Class to the National Stage) Why would the DOE have nicer things than UH? Our mission is not to teach kids video production... I would like to say our mission is to teach a general education... Therefore the money get's spread out and not just all funneled into one department. It would be nice if it was that way...and we could have kids graduate with degrees in video production... but wasn't what that film school up at UH is suppose to do?

I hope Liberty comments on this... would love to hear her aspect.

[1stwahine]

Eh, Good Morning Manoa! You can write good wen you MAD! :D

Have a Nice Day!! :)

Auntie Lynn

[kimo55]

Final Cut Pro is the poor man’s Avid.

Just because an avid setup is overpriced doesn't mean FCP is an also ran, cheap or substandard. Many who very obviously could choose and afford avid, but opt for Final Cut are very happy with its performance and capabilities.
Esteemed Academy Award winning film and sound editor/designer, Walter Murch chose FCP for "Cold Mountain" the $100 million film lensed on location in Romania.

Try telling the producers and editors of these theatrical release films, they are poor men:

Corpse Bride
Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story
Fay Grim
Full Frontal (film)
George Washington
Gunner Palace
Happy Endings
Hoot
Intolerable Cruelty
Jarhead
The Ladykillers
What the Bleep Do We Know!?
Little Manhattan
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Open Water
Napoleon Dynamite
The Rules of Attraction
Shaun of the Dead
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Spellbound
Super-Size Me
Wesley Cash
You Me and Every One We Know
Zodiac

[manoasurfer123]

You can write good wen you MAD!
I not mad... you see what time it is...! I never have my coffee yet!

[pzarquon]

As the one who dragged the DOE into this, I should clarify that my comment was about how flatly closed minded Manoa was, about Macs overall, given how some school programs are doing great stuff with them. He hates them, but feels qualified to advise against them?

I certainly don't expect a school system that can't even provide enough pencils or clean bathrooms for our kids to be investing in Mac Pros and 3CCD cameras. So "poor me, poor kids!" isn't even the issue here. It's "keep it simple, keep it cheap!" I'm pointing out that Macs are simple, and comparatively priced for a Windows-based solution.

There's nothing wrong with the "$40 used digital camera with movie mode" solution. I love playing with video, but I don't have a video camera, either. It's all "movie mode" with me, too. But Aunty Lynn asked for recommendations, and it seemed clear to us that her plans would call for a more robust system.

[manoasurfer123]

but feels qualified to advise against them?
I never advised against them!
I simply stated costs...

I actually agreed with you pz! :)

Dang you wake up early too!

[idvfilms]

Auntie Lynn,
you could also use that money and find someone with Pro gear and knowledge to shoot it for you, it could be "First Friday w/ Auntie Lynn" and then you could host it! (*wink*)

[manoasurfer123]

I offered to do it for free w/ good cameras a while back! Auntie thought they might be too big and to intrusive for some of the footage that she wanted.

Then she said she wanted me to do it with my rinky dink cybershot... I told her I didn't want to do a good shoot with a crappy camera.

We go back and forth... I told her...you get the camera and do it yourself already!

It's all in her blog a few days back!

Hugs,

Manoa :)

[kimo55]

go to videolab or video life. above wahoo fish tacos ward/auahi. Pick up sony dcr hc36 or something like that. good lens. good quality.

[tutusue]

go to videolab or video life. above wahoo fish tacos ward/auahi. Pick up sony dcr hc36 or something like that. good lens. good quality.
Video Life (Sony electronics sales...great customer service)...Video Lab (duplicating services...also great customer service!).

[Composite 2992]

Don't forget the services that Olelo makes available.

Take the classes. They'll teach you how to shoot and edit. And they'll also provide a forum, as long as it's not a commercial production.

But if you do go into commercial production, at least you'll get the training and experience for free!

By the way, I have to also recommend Macs. My mom is more than 70 and she surfs the net and emails with one -- and she's not technical at all.

And when it comes to a productive tool: my Macs are paying for my house, my car, my small boat and motor. Feeds my wife, my dogs and me. It's a great tool. Just as reliable as my growing collection of woodworking tools...

[liberty]

I hope Liberty comments on this... would love to hear her aspect.

Hey, thanks for the name-drop, Manoa. ;)

First off, Searider Productions didn't just come out of nowhere. It started in 1993 with a single editing bay in a tiny closet space, and a couple of Hi-8 video cameras. These were some of the things that our teachers remided us of all the time when I was a student there... knowing where we came from.

I don't think anyone - students, teachers, or anyone else - was intentionally trying to reinvent Wai'anae's image, although that certainly may have been a result of the program's success throughout the years. The program's founding teachers simply recognized technology's potential of enhancing education. Using the visual medium, especially with a generation that's grown up with it, was a way to help students learn. One founding teacher (now the program's coordinator) taught Spanish, and with a VHS camera, filmed kids acting out scenes they wrote in Spanish to apply what they learned.

Over the years, different people in the community saw the program's potential, resulting in the funding that would come from various companies, organizations, federal grants, et al. SP is definitely fortunate for everything it has - not just financial backing and the equipment it has, but the fact that alumni who have worked professionally in TV production have come back on their own will to pass on what they've learned to younger generations.

Today, SP isn't just a video production program; it also encompasses student newspaper and yearbook publication, web publishing, motion graphics, audio/music recording, and more recently, Flash animation. I spent my four years in SP working on the newspaper, yearbook, and video production. Working on the newspaper was especially instrumental in helping develop necessary writing skills, not only in producing a good video, but in college, work, and life. This summer, I've been freelancing for them on a video project, and going back there just makes me nostalgic... even if it's only been two years.

The program's going through some mighty changes (as they always have)... you can read more about that in a recent Honolulu Advertiser article (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Aug/03/ln/FP608030356.html).

Another thing too... Wai'anae High School isn't the only Hawaii school that's doing video production. Off the top of my head, there's Nanakuli, Kalaheo, Kalani, Wai'anae Intermediate, and Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School on Kaua'i. Those schools also have some budding storytellers - videographers, writers, editors, etc. Video production is being embraced by schools because of the improved accessibility and relatively lower cost of equipment (compared to, say, 10 years ago). Plus it's helping kids tap into their creativity, enhance their education, and explore possible career paths.


...and I must give credit to the hard work of the teacher that has brought Waianaes Video Class to the National Stage...

Again, the program is fortunate to have advisers that are so supportive of their students. But I think the credit should also go to the students... they're the ones producing the actual projects that have launched the program into the national spotlight. :)


Gosh... I write too much!

[liberty]

The DOE does have some nice equipment... however, we are not able to purchase the newest things as they come out.

With all of the cutbacks that the DOE has faced recently... The DOE is not capable of staying up to date with new equipment every year.

I don't think it's necessary to keep equipment up to date every year. Tempting, but not necessary. If you have the capacity... by all means. Using the operational equipment you already have to make compelling stories or execute interesting or humorous concepts - those are the most valuable assets any program can have.

As for the original thread topic... I'm not sure what else I could add because there's already been a lot of good advice given in this thread. :)

[TuNnL]

Pick up sony dcr hc36 or something like that. good lens. good quality.You forgot no headphone jack. No microphone input. No built-in light.Not exactly something you’d want to buy even for an amateur production. But decent enough for “you tube.” ;)

Can you manual focus on that thing? I couldn’t figure it out, but I assume you have one since you are recommending it.

[kimo55]

You forgot no headphone jack. No microphone input. No built-in light.
Nope. did not forget any of those. Have them firmly in mind. as much as I have the query this is in answer to:

"Recommendations.
Reason: I like make My Chinatown Documentary!!! "

Not exactly something you’d want to buy even for an amateur production.
it is one of the many cameras... that would be exactly something for an amateur production. The more stuff you have, the less innocuous and the more visible you are. Chinatown documentary would require something like this.

Can you manual focus on that thing?
absolutely. But again, one of the many reasons this would be ok to employ for aunty's purposes is, good nightvision, for scenes where you do NOT want a light shining at people.
stereo mic is sufficient.
I can't see aunty going, "yo. ice dealer, hang on. lemme set up my focus, and position this lapel mic on you.... now i put on my headphones... ok, Now, give us something off the cuff an spontaneous. uh, where you goin?!"

[tutusue]

[...]Gosh... I write too much!
Quite the opposite, Liberty! If you're any indication of the quality of students Waianae High School is producing then I'm very, very proud to be living right next door to it! ;)

[adrian]

So auntie, will this be a one time documentary, or like a "this week, we'll go to restaurants" and "next week we'll see the people" etc thing?

I seen a few camcorders @ Best Buy for about $400 (all miniDV). Just make sure you get the accessories like a tripod, extra battery and charger (that'll hopefully double as AC power cable for the camera).

Oh, and find something with optical zoom. That'll get you a clear zoom, not a blurry one like what a digital zoom will give you.

[1stwahine]

So auntie, will this be a one time documentary, or like a "this week, we'll go to restaurants" and "next week we'll see the people" etc thing?

Adrian, It will be a One Time documentary. A story that has been written in my Blog many times. Now it needs to be recorded and seen. Only I can get access to the True Chinatown like no other. It is my wish to share The True Story of My Chinatown through my Eyes, Ears and MIND!!!! ;)

Auntie pUpule :D

[manoasurfer123]

The only real problem I see auntie... is the whole lighting and sound thing...

but then you can always do "voice overs" for audio that isn't very good.

The Chinatown that I think you want to shoot...is the Nightime Chinatown... (well I'm sure you want daytime shots too...)

However, lighting is going to be a factor!

Also, if you are going to show your production in a Public format... you may have to "blur" out faces and stuff to keep you from getting in trouble... unless you plan on saying to the crack dealer..."will you please sign this consent form to be on camera" :rolleyes: Even if it is just a one time public showing.

I still offer help on the project... however, there are many others that could do it better than me...

[manoasurfer123]

auntie...others have suggested to me to take the olelo classes...and often times I blow them off telling them I no need.

Maybe this would be something for you! Then you can learn how to tell the story as well as use the instruments available their....w/out having the big costs.

You can become a certified producer through their training classes and then use their equipment and even have it broadcast on one of the olelo channels.

I didn't mean to answer snobbish to those that recommended to me that I get trained at olelo... I truly think this would be a good oportunity for you to learn some video stuff... and that way your production that you want to do will be that much better...

manoa.

[1stwahine]

Also, if you are going to show your production in a Public format... you may have to "blur" out faces and stuff to keep you from getting in trouble... unless you plan on saying to the crack dealer..."will you please sign this consent form to be on camera" :rolleyes: Even if it is just a one time public showing.

I still offer help on the project... however, there are many others that could do it better than me...

Manoa, When I say, "True Story"...I mean "True Story!" I don't intend to block out anything. I know the people. I don't intend to tape anything that will cause anyone to be in trouble. However I will show what Life is in Chinatown. There are ways to capture the essence of what I want to share without having to put anyone in jeopardy.

I not dumb. I pUpUle! :rolleyes:

As far as having you or anyone assisting me. Some members have given advice on what to do and where I can even go to recieve training in how to use equiptment. I shall look into it.

My quest is to bring and share what I have been part of for many years. Our Chinatown is like no other in the world. Yes, we have the bad amongst the good. There is the Silent Community that exist ~ it is my hope and dream that I bring both to Video to share with everyone.

Auntie Lynn of Chinatown

[tutusue]

Auntie...at the risk of redundancy, you'll want to know who you want your audience to be and what you want your end product to be. And, it would be a good idea to have a rough outline of the story you want to tell. It's extremely difficult to edit a 'documentary' into something that means something to you without some kind of a plan. This is a cute book that I highly recommend (http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Young-Producers-Video-Book_W0QQprZ1134376QQtgZinfo). And I recommend it 'cuz both you and I are 'young'! :D Seriously, it will help you make your efforts worthwhile as there are some logical steps to take before you even turn on a camera. And the best part of that book is it's easy to understand. No 'Dummies' in the title...only 'Young'!!! That's us! ;)

[1stwahine]

I will definitely read and learn. I have a plan all thought out. However, any advice from an expert like you is well appreciated. Mahalo Big Time Tutusue! ;)

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

Posted by Tutusue:
And, it would be a good idea to have a rough outline of the story you want to tell. It's extremely difficult to edit a 'documentary' into something that means something to you without some kind of a plan.

I don't know how often Tutu reads your blog... but I think it makes for a great outline. Auntie... I know you have written your blog as thoughts from your mind... however, I have read it for a long time...and often times I think...this lady needs to make a Movie out of these blogs! :)

The "Storyboard" is literally written in your blogs... You tell the truth through your blog... No need for any glamorization or anything... your blog is compelling enough to hold an audience for a little while...

and dang... if we tried to recreate your blog... that wouldn't be a short movie...it would be a long epic!

[manoasurfer123]

This is a cute book that I highly recommend. And I recommend it 'cuz both you and I are 'young'!

Well it is a cute book... the cartoons make it almost an Idiots guide...etc..it was something I read about 10 years ago... however, I think many of the concepts in that book are outdated... although many will never change.

I wish my memory was good enough to recall some of the stuff said in it...

I remember reading it in one of my first production classes thinking...duh!

However, knowing auntie the way I think I know her... I think she likes the hands on approach.... and having someone personally assisting her instead of reading from a book may be more helpful. It is common knowledge stuff for the beginning producer...however...things have changed a lot in the last 10 years.

And I understand aunite is just breaking into the biz...so maybe this would help her... however, I see a more hands on approach in helping her...

[tutusue]

Well it is a cute book... the cartoons make it almost an Idiots guide...etc..it was something I read about 10 years ago... [...].
Manoa...you have such a way with words. Naht.

The book is written for YOUNG people, as in grades 4 to 6. Idiots? I don't think so. I recommend that book often, esp. for children AND people of Auntie's and my generation. It's a fun read and very basic. It doesn't get into high tech terms or film industry buzz words. It's understandable and, again, very basic.

That said...I just went thru last weeks mail and found my Sept. issue of MacWorld magazine. It's a 'Home Video Superguide', 6 video cameras reviewed, lots of tips, tricks and recommendations for digital video use. Good stuff; right up Auntie's alley. Yours, too, Manoa, 'cept you hate Macs! :D

It sounds like Auntie's blog can be used for the start of an outline. She still needs a basic shot list of some sort and a storyline. If she already has it in her head, that's fine.

[manoasurfer123]

Yours, too, Manoa, 'cept you hate Macs!
where does everyone get this concept that I hate macs....??? I said they suck... this comes from working with PC's for 15 years and then having to figure out mac's for the last 10.... I have never told anyone not to get one... I just get frustrated with them sometimes... 10 years ago I wasn't able to tweak them as easily as a PC... and I still can't! My suck statements stem from my own in ability to do what I wanted to do with a Mac about 8 years ago!

I don't hate mac's... they are friggin great for many things.... It's just that I was used to a PC for some 15 years and then had to learn a new operating system... That sucked for me...and still to this day... I say Mac's suck.... cause I fricking so used to my pc habits....however...

Mac's rule right now in the video industry and for Mr. TuNnL to call fcp the poor mans version of avid was a ludacris statement....I guess I'm a poor man... cause I'm still learning fcp!

[pzarquon]

where does everyone get this concept that I hate macs....???Probably when you said, "I hate Mac's (showpost.php?p=90859&postcount=16)." Or went on to say they suck in the very same message. Though with that apostrophe there, I realize now you might've meant to say you hate Mac's PC. Or Mac's hamburger recipe. Who's Mac?

Manoa, it's not always about you. And why you can't resist any opportunity to enumerate the ways in which others' views are inferior just boggles the mind. Especially since your views, on balance, seem to be as dopey as they come.

You say Macs suck, because you can't figure them out. You tell us to take it easy on Aunty Lynn, because she's a simple person. You pooh-pooh a book Tutusue recommends, because you read it 10 years ago, it reminded you of an "idiot's guide," and because it made you go "duh." Well, I'm sorry, Manoa, but not everyone is as brilliant as you. Because not everyone is you, thank god!

If you'd focus more on the shared objective, which is trying to help Aunty get started on her Oscar-winning documentary, and less on what you think about everyone else's advice, things might progress a bit better.Mac's rule right now in the video industry and for Mr. TuNnL to call fcp the poor mans version of avid was a ludacris statement....I guess I'm a poor man... cause I'm still learning fcp!Ludacris? The rapper? Never mind. Manoa, have you looked at how much Final Cut Pro (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/) costs? And how much an Avid editing system (http://www.avidstore.com/us/index.cfm?) costs? Voila, the "poor man's" option. It was a statement of cost, not at all related to your mental capacity.

I actually think iMovie/iDVD are pretty great for the price -- free with any Mac!

[TuNnL]

stereo mic is sufficient.
I can't see aunty going, "yo. ice dealer, hang on. lemme set up my focus, and position this lapel mic on you.... now i put on my headphones..."
I would strongly disagree with you on this point. Much lauded Crystal Meth documentarian Edgy Lee would too. You don’t need to “pin a lapel mic” on his shirt, just use a handheld mic, Einstein! Of course if the crappy little camera (dcr hc36) doesn’t even HAVE an external mic input, then you are *SOL* Built-in Stereo mic is sufficient?! *lol* Maybe for nat sound. But if you’re trying to interview someone with the noise of Indigo’s, police sirens and car stereo systems blaring in the background, trust me: you NEED a uni-directional mic such as A. a handheld mic, B. a shotgun mic, or C. if you’re Kimo, a “lapel” mic.

As for a pair of headphones, you wear them around your neck and it takes about 1.7 seconds to put them on when you need them.

I love it when amateurs try to teach amateurs.

[kimo55]

I love it when amateurs try to teach amateurs.

Hehe... :)

or...

well, we're just here to entertain ya.




also forgot aunty was Edgy level...

[manoasurfer123]

I would strongly disagree with you on this point. Much lauded Crystal Meth documentarian Edgy Lee would too. You don’t need to “pin a lapel mic” on his shirt, just use a handheld mic, Einstein! Of course if the crappy little camera (dcr hc36) doesn’t even HAVE an external mic input, then you are *SOL* Built-in Stereo mic is sufficient?! *lol* Maybe for nat sound. But if you’re trying to interview someone with the noise of Indigo’s, police sirens and car stereo systems blaring in the background, trust me: you NEED a uni-directional mic such as A. a handheld mic, B. a shotgun mic, or C. if you’re Kimo, a “lapel” mic.

As for a pair of headphones, you wear them around your neck and it takes about 1.7 seconds to put them on when you need them.

I love it when amateurs try to teach amateurs.
I love it when amateurs try to teach amateurs.
Reply With Quote
So when is someone considered a non amateur?
When is someone qualified to give an appropriate response?
Just kind of confused a bit... What qualifies an amateur from a professional?
Anyone care to elaborate?

[MadAzza]

So when is someone considered a non amateur?
When is someone qualified to give an appropriate response?
Just kind of confused a bit... What qualifies an amateur from a professional?
Anyone care to elaborate?

By definition? An amateur does it for free; a professional is paid. This works for athletes, videographers, singers or whoever.

"Professional" doesn't necessarily mean "better at it." It just means the person gets paid for it.

[manoasurfer123]

Posted by Liberty: But I think the credit should also go to the students... they're the ones producing the actual projects that have launched the program into the national spotlight.

You are correct Liberty...with out dedicated students like you... the program wouldn't have gone anywhere.

Sorry I forgot to give mention to the students.... as they truly are what it's all about.

Thank you for your first hand input on this...and it's my bad I forgot to give credit to the students also!

[TuNnL]

also forgot aunty was Edgy level...Maybe not yet, but it sounds she’s not ruling it out.Who says I live a simple Life???? I may live MWH but I don't live a simple Life!!! Don't presume what you see. I not what all I appear to be. Da nerve!Yeah, I think she wants more than private home video kine stuff.