Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder?

magicdragon · 13th February 2007

First off I'm a manual kind of guy. I like my film cameras to be manual (Olympus OM-1N and Nikon FM) and as many manual functions on my digital camera (Konica/Minolta A2).

The thing about my Canon MV4i MC that I like are the progressive mode and shutter control. I think I'll stick to mini-DV tapes for now.

The thing I dislike about my Canon MV4 is it's very difficult to focus manually.

My budget is flexible but what I want is a good value manual camcorder that's not too bulky.. Digital zoom is not for me. Optical stabilization is for me.

The the question is this if you are a pro or semi-pro - what camcorder would you bring on your holidays? I think that would be the camcorder I would get for my daily use.

I dont mind 2nd hand equipment but where should I go to get it.

Am a bit confused with the info overload on the web am am getting a little tired.

From what I can gather the Panasonic NV-GS 400 (last year's model) shold have been my cup of tea. This years NV-GS 500 seems too auto for me. Also both models dont have progressive scan in video mode.

Any suggestions under 2K would be nice but if there's a rally good model priced slightly abouve that then please tell me about it.

melvinch · 14th February 2007

GS-400 the best enthusiast camera you can buy now. Saw it selling at Clementi Central a while back for S$1299. Really cheap as hell.

Manual focusing ring -checked
Manual shutter speed - checked
Manual aperture - checked
Manual White Balance - checked
Zebra-lines for white clipping -checked

Best thing is that it is top loading.

Like you, I'm a control freaks too....

shojibake · 14th February 2007

Wow it's still available? Yeah get it now if it's new. It's the lower budget indie folk's camera of choice. In fact all other iterations of the GS series is a step down, even the latest gs500. However it could be larger than what you might be comfortable with, so perhaps a gs200-250 would be a better choice for you. But it doesn't have as many manual controls.

lwm · 21st February 2007

GS-320 has just launched here. Not too sure whether it meets your requirements. You might want to check it out.

tommon · 22nd February 2007

If you like manual then go all the way with the DVX102be. It give broadcast quality image (bigger CCDs) and most of all the cine-like gamma settings. Check it out here:
http://panasonic.com.sg/web/Pid/214

Anyway, it's not as expensive as it used to be, about $3.8k or lesser. It's well build with a metal alloy body and yet light to hold. I'm using one now that's why I know.

magicdragon · 22nd February 2007

Thanks for the response guys. Am looking for the Panasonic GS-400 now but so far no luck.

As for the Panasonic DVX102be it looks real nice but I keep that in mind as the price is a little more then what I want to pay - maybe I'll just splurge on it and get it to serve me for several years. It's really nice in looks manual control and esp progressive scan.

Anyone see a GS-400 please let me know ok. Thanks again

13th February 2007	#1
magicdragon Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 114	Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder? First off I'm a manual kind of guy. I like my film cameras to be manual (Olympus OM-1N and Nikon FM) and as many manual functions on my digital camera (Konica/Minolta A2). The thing about my Canon MV4i MC that I like are the progressive mode and shutter control. I think I'll stick to mini-DV tapes for now. The thing I dislike about my Canon MV4 is it's very difficult to focus manually. My budget is flexible but what I want is a good value manual camcorder that's not too bulky.. Digital zoom is not for me. Optical stabilization is for me. The the question is this if you are a pro or semi-pro - what camcorder would you bring on your holidays? I think that would be the camcorder I would get for my daily use. I dont mind 2nd hand equipment but where should I go to get it. Am a bit confused with the info overload on the web am am getting a little tired. From what I can gather the Panasonic NV-GS 400 (last year's model) shold have been my cup of tea. This years NV-GS 500 seems too auto for me. Also both models dont have progressive scan in video mode. Any suggestions under 2K would be nice but if there's a rally good model priced slightly abouve that then please tell me about it.

14th February 2007	#2
melvinch New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 49	Re: Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder? GS-400 the best enthusiast camera you can buy now. Saw it selling at Clementi Central a while back for S$1299. Really cheap as hell. Manual focusing ring -checked Manual shutter speed - checked Manual aperture - checked Manual White Balance - checked Zebra-lines for white clipping -checked Best thing is that it is top loading. Like you, I'm a control freaks too....

14th February 2007	#3
shojibake Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 385	Re: Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder? Wow it's still available? Yeah get it now if it's new. It's the lower budget indie folk's camera of choice. In fact all other iterations of the GS series is a step down, even the latest gs500. However it could be larger than what you might be comfortable with, so perhaps a gs200-250 would be a better choice for you. But it doesn't have as many manual controls.

21st February 2007	#4
lwm Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 135	Re: Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder? GS-320 has just launched here. Not too sure whether it meets your requirements. You might want to check it out.

22nd February 2007	#5
tommon Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Currently, Singapore but hope Posts: 729	Re: Could you guys help an old fart pick a new camcorder? If you like manual then go all the way with the DVX102be. It give broadcast quality image (bigger CCDs) and most of all the cine-like gamma settings. Check it out here: http://panasonic.com.sg/web/Pid/214 Anyway, it's not as expensive as it used to be, about $3.8k or lesser. It's well build with a metal alloy body and yet light to hold. I'm using one now that's why I know.