Second Camera

Matthew Buick · November 13, 2006

Hello all, I've been thinking for a week or so now of getting a semi-pro video camera as a second camera for shooting test videos of different lighting techniques and conditions and possibly a couple of short films, due to the enormous cost of Super 8 film (reserved for special occasions).

I really don't like the cold electronic look of CCDs, and I was thinking, will Saticon Tubes be a viable option?

I heard they are warmer than CCDs.

The only semi-pro format I can afford is Hi8.

Thanks,

Matthew Buick. :)

Kevin Masuda · November 14, 2006

Hello all, I've been thinking for a week or so now of getting a semi-pro video camera as a second camera for shooting test videos of different lighting techniques and conditions and possibly a couple of short films, due to the enormous cost of Super 8 film (reserved for special occasions).
I really don't like the cold electronic look of CCDs, and I was thinking, will Saticon Tubes be a viable option?

I heard they are warmer than CCDs.

The only semi-pro format I can afford is Hi8.

Thanks,

Matthew Buick. :)

Well then you should look into getting a Hi8 or even Digital 8 camera.

Kev

Michael Collier · November 14, 2006

If all your interested in is camera tests, I have a 3CCD camera (GL-1) availible for $400. SO cheap beacuse it no longer zooms (a fault in the actual zoom rocker, you can service it for under 300, I just don't use it that much to justify the cost) but for light tests its definatley good enough for what your doing (and if you fix it through canon, you get a great camera for cheap)

David Sweetman · November 14, 2006

For my money, Hi-8 looks really good. I've often tossed around the idea of getting a professional-quality hi8 camcorder, but I haven't seen any go for cheap enough.

Thanasis Diamantopoulos · November 14, 2006

Hello all, I've been thinking for a week or so now of getting a semi-pro video camera as a second camera for shooting test videos of different lighting techniques and conditions and possibly a couple of short films, due to the enormous cost of Super 8 film (reserved for special occasions).
I really don't like the cold electronic look of CCDs, and I was thinking, will Saticon Tubes be a viable option?

I heard they are warmer than CCDs.

The only semi-pro format I can afford is Hi8.

Thanks,

Matthew Buick. :)

I don't thing that a used dv camera will be very expensive and its better for lighting tests than hi8. I am not sure that Tubes are warmer than ccd. I also thing that ther is no way to shoot shorts with a good picture quality going under dv.

Matthew Buick · November 14, 2006

Thanks for the professional respones everyone. ;)

To my knowledge Tubes are warmer than CCDs, and if I'm picking Hi8 then I'l have a choice of both, I'll probably use it for a couple of films where the Super 8 look really don't suit, that's why I want a Tube camera, if anyone can reccomend any models that would be nice.

Thanks again,

Matthew Buick.

TO MICHAEL COLLIER : I think I'll pass on your offer of a Canon GL1, I wil need the zoom, I think, and I need a PAL camera, thanks very much anyways.

Daniel Smith · November 14, 2006

Wow you must have a fair bit of money to go buying a camera just for running lighting tests. I'd personally buy an extra redhead. See how the film comes out and learn from my mistakes.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Daniel Ashley-Smith

Matthew Buick · November 14, 2006

The main reason I want this camera is because of the large cost of Super 8 film, if anyone knows a way to get Super 8 CHEAP please tell me.

Daniel Smith · November 14, 2006

Bare in mind that digital and film see light differently. I'm not exactly sure what the differences between film and tube cameras are... Perhaps someone around here can fill that in for me.

And this Hi8 video camera probably won't have all the settings of the 8mm cine camera. (Shutter speed, ISO, f. stop e.t.c.) So it won't give a very accurate representation of what the 8mm cine camera will see at all.

How about a light meter instead? That way you replicate the settings from the 8mm cine camera and can perform multiple tests to see what's correctly exposed and what isn't. Now THAT, would be impressive from a 15 year old in this modern day and age.

Even if you cock up a few times. We all do it. I've just finished shooting a project. I screwed parts up that I'll never be able to shoot again. But I won't make the same mistakes again.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Daniel Ashley-Smith

David Sweetman · November 15, 2006

I think a cheap video camera can be a great learning tool for lighting and editing. If you get a digital-8 camera, make sure to get one with firewire out so you can capture the video onto your computer for editing. With hi-8 you have to go through some kind of analog to digital converter.

Robert Hughes · November 15, 2006

Matthew-

Tube cameras haven't been manufactured in decades. You won't have much luck finding a Hi8 tube camcorder because AFAIK there never were any. Besides, do you know anything about proper setup and alignment of tube cameras?

Learn to light, frame and shoot with what you have available first.

Kevin Masuda · November 15, 2006

The main reason I want this camera is because of the large cost of Super 8 film, if anyone knows a way to get Super 8 CHEAP please tell me.

What are the current costs of stock and developing in the UK? Or in the EU for that matter?

Kev

Matthew Buick · November 15, 2006

Hmm, I think I'll leave the Hi8 and get a light meter or lighting, I had an idea to get Super 8 cheap, namely, buying up loads of 35mm recans and packaging it into Super 8 myself, heck I'll even process it myself if I have to.