From: Michael Strong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: what kind of video camera
James,
Dennis is right on the mark. You don't need anything very expensive or high
quality for the purpose of converting to streaming media on the web. The output
capability on the web is already so very low that almost anything has more than
enough quality for this purpose.
A properly lit scene and steady camera work are more important than the camera
itself, up to a point. For that matter, very well done 8mm and Hi-8mm work can
be tough to tell from more professional and costly video cameras even on studio
monitors. This depends of course on various factors (light, stable camera
platform, focus, dubbing equipment, etcetera).
I've also seen very expensive equipment either 1) not get used because the
buyers found it too intimidating or 2) produce truly lousy results because the
operators didn't know the basics of how, what and when to shoot. Often they had
asked for a good camera assuming that a good camera made good pictures. The
sales clerk sold them his or her own wish list rather than a piece of equipment
which would work well for the purchaser. (Years ago used to buy very nice used
equipment because folks cleared out their closets after years of just looking
at those "best" cameras - best for me, not them. My first Leicas were bought
that way.)
I should also note that artistically, if the subject is really very interesting
the interest will survive even bad reproduction. At one point I used that as a
criteria when judging works; that is: if instead of being a superb technical
piece of work would the print or film be as interesting if it were smudged,
scratched, viewed through a dark glass, and so forth.
All that said, buy the best piece of equipment that you WILL use and KNOW HOW
to use. Buy with an eye for what you intend to use it for. If it is only the
web, you know the web shows poor quality. You might want something better for
archive purposes or for dual use including video production. You could still
remain in the consumer market area with low cost (well under $1,000) Hi-8 or
digital for quality that a few years ago would have cost mucho thousands for
professional equipment. For heavy-duty needs, that is a whole other set of
areas.
Let me get back to simple and straightforward. At the low price of an 8mm you
have a nice piece of equipment to use which will should you more than enough
quality for the web and with very careful work enough quality for more
demanding usage. In addition you will be able to get lots of inexpensive
shooting experience and when you do have the need or interest for far more
expensive equipment you 1) won't have so much invested in the 8mm that it will
be a drag on any later purchase and 2) will have a much better idea of what
kinds of equipment will make your next step work well for you.
You might also look for features on this camera and your computer which will
make it easier to connect to your camera to your computer. Examples could be an
s-video output (with s-video input on a capture card) and a remote control
method your computer can operate via a program. Remember, for now you can do
this fairly simply. Later, when you become addicted and you've bought all the
equipment you can imagine, you will have only yourself to blame - ha :-)).
Good Luck from me too!
Have Fun!
Mike Strong
RealForum wrote:
> From: "Dennis Lembree" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: RE: what kind of video camera
>
> James:
>
> I just use a regular Samsung 8mm camera (refurshed from eBay for $260) that
> I'm capturing directly into my computer. Works great for me. I even have it
> running through a VCR and TV so I can tape/broadcast/record between the
> media. Good luck!
>
> -Dennis Lembree
>
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