Tray

Hi, I've been able to hunt down some great tutorial type information for working with the Sony PD-170. I'm wondering, however, if anybody out there knows of people who gives classes on the ins and outs of operating the camera. There is a woman in London who does this, Christina Fox, but I am looking for someone state side, preferably on the east coast. Many thanks.

Thanks Riku. You're a film student? Know of any good books that give a run down on using digital video cameras?

I'm working with a Sony PD 170, and after having gone through the owner's manual I find that I am still wondering about some of the camera's functions. The manual is written assuming a higher level of knowledge than I have. Does anyone have any recommendations on tutorials or books that will explain, for instance, under what conditions it makes sense to shoot in manual instead of automatic (someone told me that you can get broadcast quality video by setting the camera to 30 and shooting manually, but then I have to deal with things like gain, whitebalance, and plenty of other functions I don't know anything about). Thanks for any and all recs.

Many thanks to everyone who responded. This is very helpful. Drew, are you saying that the PD-170 only shoots on film and that this is a disadvantage? I have to study the tech side of this stuff so I can learn the lingo. Spent close to two hours at Borders looking over books, but found nothing that is both up to date and helpful.

I'm gearing up to make a documentary. I'm new at this, so I'm doing research on what kind of video camera to buy in the 3-4 thousand range. People have recommended the Sony PD-150, but it looks like the more up to date Sony PD-170 is what is available now. I've read, however, that the PD-170 is not a great camera for indie-filmakers. Anybody have an opinion on the PD-170 for indie filmmakers, or on another good camera in this price range?