Least Expensive Dv Cameras w. Shutter Speed F-Stop

[zozer]

Is it possible to have adjustable shutter speeds and manual f-stops (somewhat like a digital still camera) on a Mini-Dv camera. And at what price point?

 

Thanks.

[Rik Andino]

As a Director of Photography (that you claim to be)

You should already be aware of this. ;)

 

Most prosumer DV cameras have shutter-speed options

And of course manual exposure control (F-stop options)

This is a very basic demand for any camera promoted to filmmakers

 

Some camera brands have these features on really high-end 1-chip cameras

But usually you should expect to find it in most 3 chip cameras.

 

I think the cheapest cameras with these features in full effect are

 

Canon: GL2

Sony: VX2100

JVC DV300u

Panasonic DVC30

 

All of these cameras have a starting price of aprox. $2000US

But you might find them cheaper if you search around the internet.

 

You can also search for early models of these cameras

Which will be equipped with some of the same feature.

 

Eitherways you should do your own research.

 

 

 

Good Luck

[zozer]

Rik, thanks for the reply. Actually I don't know where the "Director of Photography" thing came from but I guess that's me.

 

I did several searches on technical sheets for camcorders etc. but came up a little short on some of the specs and pros and cons of real world use of the cameras. Some spec sheets might say "Shutter speed up to 1/15000 s" etc but I guess I need to get some hands on just to see how user friendly and useful they really are. I didn't fine anything like dprewiew.com for digital still cameras. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough.

 

I just discovered this site today and it looks like an excellent resource.

[David Mullen ASC]

Most consumer DV cameras have menu functions that adjust the f-stop, a + /- button usually, but the only consumer DV camera lens with a physical, external f-stop ring with non-servo manual focusing ring is the manual zoom sold for the Canon XL1, XL1S, XL2.

 

Most cameras allow you to change the shutter speed. I don't know of any that don't.

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

Or theres the Sony PD-150, great camera that. Only does interlaced though unfortunatelly.

[zozer]

Thank you David and Daniel. Very helpful.

[John Hall]

Be wary of some cameras offering 'manual exposure control'.

Some of these don't have an f-stop relative exposure control, just an arbitrary +-10 adjustment range (i.e. +1 on the 'exposure control' is not one stop).

Almost all prosumer, and even some consumer cameras let you adjsut the exposure in stops, but it is something to be mindful of.