Me, my first shop-stop is usually Overstock.com.

[Link]

You might also check out these threads: Filmmaker's: What type of camera do you use? and Switching Video Cameras.

~ GaySatyr

[Link]

Both the VX2100 and PD170 can have a place in professional production, but neither can rightly be called professional cameras. Lenses for professional often (usually) cameras cost more than the price of either.

B&H rocks. They often have the best price. When they don't have the best price, the difference is usually so low it doesn't pay to shop around.

-T.C.

[Link]

And their customer service is so incredible, that if they are a couple of dollars more, it's worth it.

[Link]

None of these replace a $60K steadycam rig, for a few dollars some of them can really improve the way these new tiny cameras move.

Good luck!

-T.C.

[Link]

But what you can do is really improve the way your camera moves when using it for handheld stuff. Shakey little handicam shit can look a lot more like it was shot with a full-sized camera (more mass) by someone who knows what they're doing.

Good luck!

-T.C.

[Link]

DVCAM runs tape through the machine about 50% faster and has SMTP locked audio. Faster tape speed means tape issues are less of a problem. SMTP locked audio means the audio won't drift.

Both use the industry standard DV 5:1 compression 4:1:1 codec, as do all other MiniDV cameras. In the case of the VX2100 and the PD170, I think they have very similar chipset, all though the PD170 is a more modern camera, so there may be some improvements.

There may also be ergonomic difference, and pro-feature difference. The PD150 (and presumably the 170) has both free fun and runtime based time codec, 100%/70% zebra, bars, balanced XLR audio inputs. All of these things make it a more versitile tool than a camera that doesn't have them. I'm not sure what the VX2100 does or doesn't have in this respect.

You can't go wrong with either, but depending on your needs one may be a better choice that the other.

Good luck!

-T.C.

[Link]

Old models: VX2000/PD150 = identical optics & CCD chips
New models: VX2100/PD170 = identical optics & CCD chips

VX series = MiniDV - high-end consumer or "prosumer" with consumer oriented features
PD series = DVCAM - "prosumer" or low-end semi-professional with some professionally oriented features

As TonyC pointed out earlier, none of these are truly professional cameras; however, they represent a great deal of bang for the bucks spent and are reliable, quality, work-horse products.

~ GaySatyr

[Link]

One other thing. The reason that people spend $25k, or $50K or $75K for a video camera isn't for how those cameras look when shooting under ideal conditions. Any modern 3 chip camera (even the PD100a I use) will give a good image when used under ideal lighting conditions. No, the reason that people pay big bucks for cameras is for how those cameras look when shooting under less than ideal conditions.

Unfortunately, less than ideal conditions describes the way a lot of gonzo porn is shot. This is a real shame, because much like the gimicks on homebuiltstablizers.com, there are a lot of inexpensive things you can make/buy to get much better performance out of a VX1000 or DVX100.

If you want to chat about this in greater detail, shoot me an e-mail.

-T.C.

[Link]