Hey guys...

I could use some advice on renting a video camera.

I have tons of experience with handheld DV camera, and editing with both Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere.

Now, at work, we want to shoot a short 3-5min clip of a product. They want it to look as professional (clear) as possible.

Should I look into semi-professional cameras like the Sony XL2 (I'm told that I'd get the same quality with any 'good' handheld DV.... is that true?). I'm also told that they're much more complicated to use... so I don't know if I'll be able to figure it out in the short time frame we've set. Any thoughts?

Should I look into a HD camera? (I'm told that a friend had a handheld DV, and the quality was incredible). Is editing HD any different than normal DV?

Whatever I decide on has to be within my capabilities...

Any advice would be great.

Thanks so much,
Dan

An XL2 is as easy to use as a smaller camera. Just set everything to auto.

No point in shooting in HDV unless you hire AT LEAST a sony fx1 (£2500) - below that price the optics of the camera and other bits limit the res.

To edit HDV smoothly, and depending on the editor, you need 2 or 4 cores.

Finally " I'm told that I'd get the same quality with any 'good' handheld DV.... is that true? ".

No - your friends are fools and / or totally inexpirienced. My standard res ( old fashioned DV) JVC pro cam poops all over any HDV camera I have tested, yes it has higher res - dont believe the hype (there again it is a £6000 cam )

__________________
I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.

hahahaha. That seemed a little odd to me too.

So, I'll rule out an HD camera. You think I should go with the more expensive XL2, over a standard handheld? I'll get much better quality out of it?

Yes - XL2 is a great camera.

To get the best from digital video you need to make sure a scene is well it too. I dont mean bright, I mean artistically well lit.

Esp important for product shots.

__________________
I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.

Great - thanks a lot Mark... I really appreciate the help.

I'd like to get an XL2, but I'm having trouble finding a place that has them for a 2day rental in my area (northern NJ - USA).

I need to research more, but right now my options are the Panasonic DVX100A or the Sony VX2100.

All similarly good - but the dx100 is just ahead in my book.

__________________
I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.

Nice - it looks like that's what we're going to be using. Thanks again for the help.