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Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

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Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

Postby sonya » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:09 am

Hello,

Help!!

I am looking for a semi-professional/full professional camcorder for wedding videography. Most shooting will be indoors therefore i need a camcorder that is good in low light conditions. I also want one that i don't need to use a flash light for. Ideally i want a HD one. What i have found so far is that HD camcorders in general are not good for low light conditions (apart from the fully pro ones which are beyond my budget). I think i'll either get a Sony or a Canon. But if anyone has any other ideas...? Can someone point me in the right direction please?
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Re: Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

Postby Chuck Engels » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:51 am

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Ca ... eview.htm#

You might still have to consider a good light with a defuser, they really aren't that annoying if used properly.
This should only be necessary for footage shot before and after the ceremony of course.
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Re: Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

Postby jackfalbey » Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:09 pm

The best low-light camcorder is the prosumer-grade Sony DSR-PD170 http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/so ... eview.htm# and its consumer cousin the DCR-VX2100 http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/so ... review.htm. No question about it. They shoot beautiful video in bright daylight and in the dim glow of a candlelit reception.The only drawback is that they're not HD. Most wedding videographers that haven't gone to HD yet use these cameras.

When HD cameras first came out, they didn't have very good low-light capability, but they have gotten better. The Canon XH-A1 http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Ca ... eview.htm# is a good low-light performer, and if you can afford it the Sony PMW-EX1 and EX3 http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/file ... l_4-08.pdf are great with their big 1/2" sensors.

The main thing to remember for good low-light performance is that 3-chip cameras are better than single-chip cameras, and bigger chips are better too. You'll want to go with at least 1/3" CCDs; 1/4" just don't give the same low-light sensitivity.

You can find lots of camera-specific info at http://www.camcorderinfo.com and http://www.dvinfo.net.
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Re: Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

Postby sonya » Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:20 pm

thanks for your reply Chuck & jack...

I think the Canon XH-A1 is so far the best option. I've been looking at that one for a while now. I do want a HD one. Althought the Sony PMW-EX1 & EX3 are excellent camcorders all round and superb in low light, i just can't pay that much!! I'm going to do a bit more research on the Canon XH-A1 (it would be great if i could try before i buy) then probably make a decision later...

Thankyou
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Re: Wedding Videography Low Light Camcorder

Postby jackfalbey » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:24 pm

Take a look at the XH-A1 forum over at DVinfo: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-g1- ... amcorders/. There are a ton of reports, posts, and comments from real-world users, most of whom shoot video for a living.
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