HD Camcorder
 

I just bought a Canon HV30... any thoughts? Did I make a mistake? I am using this to shoot amateur content.

Price/features are right, but I have been using SDHC cards for over a year now, and LOVE not using tape anymore. Tape will be dead soon (too bad interlacing couldn't go with it). No moving parts. No dropouts on tapes (my '97 -'99 tapes aren't holding up well).

I just replaced my first generation AVCHD camera with the new Canon HF11. 60i/30p/24p 24Mbps. Love it! I just use 8GB cards, and then burn off the footage to DVD+DL for storage/backup. The Editing programs are finally catching up with AVCHD editing.

I was also looking at a Sony Handycam HDR-SR12 and JVC Everio GZ-HD6 but I read alot of reviews that said that using DV Tapes were best because of quality and editing. Almost every review I read said that the HV30 I bought was best for low light conditions (like a hotel room). I just hope I bought a decent camera for the job. :P It can record in 20p and 30p...

It's ok for the price but there are other nice options

Well, AVCHD has caught up to HDV in quality since the latest cameras record Mpeg-4 at 24Mbps (HDV is 25Mbps Mpeg-2), but yes.... HDV is much easier to edit then AVCHD is. You got a good camera, and should be happy with it. I just don't want to deal with tapes anymore or cameras with excessive moving parts (hard drives), so that's why I went with AVCHD recorded on SDHC cards.

BTW - I've found in low light if I set my camera to Shutter Priority mode and lower my shutter rate down to 30 then it lets in a lot more light without too much noise. Just watch out for excessive motion blur. Here's an example video shot with the shutter rate at 15 in a normal dimly lit living room (I wouldn't suggest for lots of movement or pans):
http://vimeo.com/1943820

I looked at your other vimeo clips. The one with the flowers and the bees looks amazing.This maybe my next camera.

Thanks alot for the responses guys. :D I feel alot better... I am not a wealthy person and $700 is an investment for me. I already have a nice SLR (Olympus e-500) with a few lenses and I have some constant lighting... which should be good for shooting video. We are starting a swinger/amateur paysite where models can have their own site... kind of like an AVS.

Speaking of lighting... do any of you use constant lighting? If so... what bulbs and lenses do you use? I was going to go today and buy some of those white lenses that disperse the light better... any suggestions would be great.

We have two HV20's and had no problems with them.. Also have a couple of sony HDR-HC5 and had no problems either...

We use them primarily for copying mini hd tapes though...

Yeah, isn't the color on that amazing? I'm loving this little camera. When you're shooting in 30p it's great for getting perfect video grabs from it too. These pics are all video grabs (resized down from the 1920x1080):
http://michellelynnpictures.com/teen.../?nats=Mzo2OjQ

I have heard nothing but good things about it for the price

I have a HD Sony Z1U and have been impressed with it so far :thumbsup

thought everyone would find this article interesting
http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Read...rticleID=51338

Thos grabs are really nice. :D

Post a clip. Lets check it out.