Does the Nikon D3200 camera have a XLR output? so I can hookup wireless microphones to it...?

Thomas

Answer
NO dSLR has an XLR input (you are recording sound, not exporting it)

If you need XLR audio input, you need to either buy an audio recorder like the Zoom H4n or an actual video camera, like those made by Panasonic.

Using DSLR mic to record music?

Dem

I am in a toss up in either buying a mic for my camera or a mic to record music with. I was wondering would it be possible to hook up a camera mic(ex. Rode Shotgun mic) to an audio interface and record music with that mic? Or should I just invest in a recording mic and a video camera mic?

Answer
You did not tell us which dSLR or what you are planning to do. "Recording music" is vague.

Since you did not specify any dSLR, we get to pick.

If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation availble for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they (including a EOS 550D/T2i) will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limted) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing.

Pretend you are at the gig with your dSLR, ready to capture video. The band's set is for an hour, then they take a break. You start recording. 3 minutes later they start recording. 12-18 minutes later the dSLR shuts down on its own because it has over heated.

Plan on investing on more than one mic. My kit includes a couple of handheld Shure SM58 dynamic mics, an Audio Technica AT-825 stereo mic, a couple of Sennheiser G3 wireless lavs with portable base stations and an Audio Technica AT-875R short shotgun mic. The Audio Technica AT-825 stereo mic is best for music because it provides for left/right separation that you won't get from a mono mic.

Basically you end up spending more money and time you would not spend if you use the tool designed for the task.

I am not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. For example, if you take a bunch of short duration videos becasue the project is scripted and you are using a shot list, then you should be OK. The time between the short sequences *might* be enough time for the dSLR to cool down. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder...

And I did not get into the video file compatibility with your computer/video editor (MOV from the dSLR), lighting requirements, steadying devices, power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture.

If you need a dSLR footprint then look into the BlackMagic Cinema cams - better yet, the Canon EOS Cinema cams... They do not have the known problems dSLRs have with capturing video.

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What type of video camera do I need to use to make music videos?

marc

I want a type of camera that can film this type of quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jv9fNPjgk

How much would the cameras price range out to?

Answer
It depends on your requirements and experience.

Set a budget.

Pocket cams, point and shoot cameras and entry-level consumer camcorders start at around $100 and their small lenses and imaging chips prevent them from providing good video in low light. They are "good" because they are inexpensive. There usually is no mic jack and no manual audio gain control. Kodak Z series. (GoPro and Contour up to about $300.) You will need to add light.

At around $600, the mid range of consumer camcorders does a little better in low light because the lens diameter is larger as is the imaging chip, but the better bet is to add light. A mic jack appears and there may be some manual audio gain control. dSLRs start here - the lenses bump you into the high bracket and audio control is limited - as well, they overheat and have file size and duration limitations. Canon HF R series; HF M series. You will need to add light.

At around $1,100, the high end of consumer camcorders have a mic jack, manual audio control and a few other useful features buried in the menu and difficult to get to and use. Canon HF S series. You *might* need to add light.

The "prosumers" start at around $1,500. the lenses and imaging chips are larger, the audio gain control, might move to the outside of the camcorder along with a shared manual focus/or/zoom ring. Sony HDR-FX7.

The high end of the prosumers gets us to about the $2,600 range - like the Sony HDR-FX1000. Large lens filter diameter and large 3-element (in this case 3CMOS) imaging chip. Basically a pro camcorder, but lacking XLR audio inputs relying on 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio input meaning you get to augment that with a XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek. Low compression high quality video. Lots of manual controls on the outside of the camcorder.

Then the pro grade gear goes up to about $80,000. Sony HVR-Z5, Z7; Panasonic AG-HVX200; Canon XF100 and XF300; Red, Silicon Graphics and others... The Balck Maging Cinema Camera and the Canon Cinema camera are nice and not so pricey.

Canon, Panasonic and Sony are "good" consumer, prosumer and professional camcorder manufacturers. So is JVC. GoPro and Contour make "good" action cameras.

Tripods and other steadying devices, mics, and maybe lights and a bunch of other equipment will be needed, too.

dSLRs (like the T3i and 5D Mark 2) are designed to capture still images. They can do well with that. Download and read the manuals from Canon... problems capturing video include overheating (and shutting down - cool down is a long time), motor noise from the zoom and focus motors will be recorded by the internal mic, internal mic is mono, use of good XLR mics requires a XLR adapter (juicedLink or BeachTek), file size limitations, video duration limitations, and more... These can be worked around, but the experience tells you how to workaround... This does not mean they cannot capture good video - they can - but it is a challenging and sometimes difficult environment to deal with. You might save money in the immediate term, until you learn that the video capture device is not the only investment needed...

We don't know what computer you are using, what you plan to edit with (this can do the conversion to the black and white video) or whether you need to spend money for upgrades like external drives...

What is a good DSLR Camera that records HD video for around 300$?

Cody

Answer
There is none - unless you are oen to a bridge camera (can't change lenses). But...

If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation available for download from the camera manufacturer's web sites, you will find they will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limited) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing.

There are no camcorders under about $1,500 that have an interchangeable lens system (Sony NEX VG series).

I am not saying bridge cameras can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. For example, if you take a bunch of short duration videos because the project is scripted and you are using a shot list, then you should be OK. The time between the short sequences *might* be enough time for the camera to cool down. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder... If you can plan properly, the a bridge camera might work.

Be sure to include lighting (flash and video) requirements, steadying devices (tripod - especially for video), power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture.

For $300 you are in the low range of consumer camcorders. Something in the Canon HF R series should fit quite well. We assume your computer and video editor can deal with the AVCHD compressed video for editing...

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What type of video camera do I need to use to make music videos?

marc

I want a type of camera that can film this type of quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jv9fNPjgk

How much would the cameras price range out to?

Answer
It depends on your requirements and experience.

Set a budget.

Pocket cams, point and shoot cameras and entry-level consumer camcorders start at around $100 and their small lenses and imaging chips prevent them from providing good video in low light. They are "good" because they are inexpensive. There usually is no mic jack and no manual audio gain control. Kodak Z series. (GoPro and Contour up to about $300.) You will need to add light.

At around $600, the mid range of consumer camcorders does a little better in low light because the lens diameter is larger as is the imaging chip, but the better bet is to add light. A mic jack appears and there may be some manual audio gain control. dSLRs start here - the lenses bump you into the high bracket and audio control is limited - as well, they overheat and have file size and duration limitations. Canon HF R series; HF M series. You will need to add light.

At around $1,100, the high end of consumer camcorders have a mic jack, manual audio control and a few other useful features buried in the menu and difficult to get to and use. Canon HF S series. You *might* need to add light.

The "prosumers" start at around $1,500. the lenses and imaging chips are larger, the audio gain control, might move to the outside of the camcorder along with a shared manual focus/or/zoom ring. Sony HDR-FX7.

The high end of the prosumers gets us to about the $2,600 range - like the Sony HDR-FX1000. Large lens filter diameter and large 3-element (in this case 3CMOS) imaging chip. Basically a pro camcorder, but lacking XLR audio inputs relying on 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio input meaning you get to augment that with a XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek. Low compression high quality video. Lots of manual controls on the outside of the camcorder.

Then the pro grade gear goes up to about $80,000. Sony HVR-Z5, Z7; Panasonic AG-HVX200; Canon XF100 and XF300; Red, Silicon Graphics and others... The Balck Maging Cinema Camera and the Canon Cinema camera are nice and not so pricey.

Canon, Panasonic and Sony are "good" consumer, prosumer and professional camcorder manufacturers. So is JVC. GoPro and Contour make "good" action cameras.

Tripods and other steadying devices, mics, and maybe lights and a bunch of other equipment will be needed, too.

dSLRs (like the T3i and 5D Mark 2) are designed to capture still images. They can do well with that. Download and read the manuals from Canon... problems capturing video include overheating (and shutting down - cool down is a long time), motor noise from the zoom and focus motors will be recorded by the internal mic, internal mic is mono, use of good XLR mics requires a XLR adapter (juicedLink or BeachTek), file size limitations, video duration limitations, and more... These can be worked around, but the experience tells you how to workaround... This does not mean they cannot capture good video - they can - but it is a challenging and sometimes difficult environment to deal with. You might save money in the immediate term, until you learn that the video capture device is not the only investment needed...

We don't know what computer you are using, what you plan to edit with (this can do the conversion to the black and white video) or whether you need to spend money for upgrades like external drives...

What is a good DSLR Camera that records HD video for around 300$?

Cody

Answer
There is none - unless you are oen to a bridge camera (can't change lenses). But...

If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation available for download from the camera manufacturer's web sites, you will find they will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limited) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing.

There are no camcorders under about $1,500 that have an interchangeable lens system (Sony NEX VG series).

I am not saying bridge cameras can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. For example, if you take a bunch of short duration videos because the project is scripted and you are using a shot list, then you should be OK. The time between the short sequences *might* be enough time for the camera to cool down. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder... If you can plan properly, the a bridge camera might work.

Be sure to include lighting (flash and video) requirements, steadying devices (tripod - especially for video), power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture.

For $300 you are in the low range of consumer camcorders. Something in the Canon HF R series should fit quite well. We assume your computer and video editor can deal with the AVCHD compressed video for editing...

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What is the diffrence between d-slr cameras and camcorders?

dslr camera with xlr input image

Matthew

Regarding film, what is the diffrence between say, a 5d and an hvx200a, it seems like some of the cannon cameras offer very good video and picture quality. Why wouldn't you get one of those instead of a bulky camcorder that can't even get pictures. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

Answer
First, a few clarifications:

1) Current dSLR cameras and camcorders record to digital media. There is no film involved.

2) A "cannon" is a weapon. "Canon" is the name of the company that makes various electronics items.

Now for my opinion...
A dSLR is designed to capture still images. Capturing video (an audio is a secondary "convenience feature". This is why most have known problems overheating when capturing video for long periods and have poor manual audio-gain control. This is not to say they cannot capture good video, they can - but using this secondary convenience feature requires the user to workaround these and other known issues. Along with this is the fact that they mostly capture video compressed video. More compression = reduced video quality.

A camcorder - in this case, you selected a pro-grade Panasonic AF-HVX200. It is designed to capture high quality, low compression video. It has a lens diameter of 82mm (which is much wider than most dSLRs) and a very large 3CCD imaging chip system (also much larger than most dSLRs). This combination allows the HVX200 to operate in a much wider lighting window - its low light video capture is great where a dSLR would normally record video grainy video. The HVX200 has pro-grade XLR audio inputs (a dSLR with only a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio input can add an XLR adapter like those from BeachTek or juicedLink) and manual audio gain control on the outside of the camcorder. The camcorder can capture video for as long as there is available memory and power with little worry of overheating.

If the primary reason for the equipment is digital stills, then the dSLR is preferred. Video capture is an afterthought. If the primary reason for the equipment There is no single device that can provide both functions (especially for a prolonged period) well.

If the goal is "best available quality", then use the proper tool to meet the goal. If the goal is to compromise based on bulk, then video quality is irrelevant... For example, if I want loud music, using a small boombox is silly if I have access to a 2,000 watt PA system... or... using a CTS to haul 1,000 pounds of stuff is silly when a large pickup would do a much better job. In both examples, both "tools" can do the job - one is right for the task, the other is not.

I am looking to buy a nice video camera for filming short videos for college portfolios. Any suggestions?

hailey

I would like HD and under $800. I would like video to come first and pictures to come second if that helps. I also already own a nikon lens so if theres a good nikon video camera around that would work great with the interchangeable lenses! Thanks!

Answer
If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation available for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limited) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing.

There are no camcorders under about $1,500 that have an interchangeable lens system (Sony NEX VG series).

I am not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. For example, if you take a bunch of short duration videos because the project is scripted and you are using a shot list, then you should be OK. The time between the short sequences *might* be enough time for the dSLR to cool down. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder... If you can plan properly, the Nikon D3200 might work - but we don't know which lens you have and that has a huge impact on what is possible.

Be sure to include lighting (flash and video) requirements, steadying devices (tripod - especially for video), power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture.

For $800 you are in the mid range of consumer camcorders. Something in the Canon HF M and HF R series should fit quite well. We assume your computer and video editor can deal with the AVCHD compressed video for editing...

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I am looking to buy a nice video camera for filming short videos for college portfolios. Any suggestions?

dslr camera with xlr input image

hailey

I would like HD and under $800. I would like video to come first and pictures to come second if that helps. I also already own a nikon lens so if theres a good nikon video camera around that would work great with the interchangeable lenses! Thanks!

Answer
If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".

If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation available for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limited) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing.

There are no camcorders under about $1,500 that have an interchangeable lens system (Sony NEX VG series).

I am not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. For example, if you take a bunch of short duration videos because the project is scripted and you are using a shot list, then you should be OK. The time between the short sequences *might* be enough time for the dSLR to cool down. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder... If you can plan properly, the Nikon D3200 might work - but we don't know which lens you have and that has a huge impact on what is possible.

Be sure to include lighting (flash and video) requirements, steadying devices (tripod - especially for video), power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture.

For $800 you are in the mid range of consumer camcorders. Something in the Canon HF M and HF R series should fit quite well. We assume your computer and video editor can deal with the AVCHD compressed video for editing...

What camera and lens should I buy for short films?

John Crow

I'm a freshman film student and have limited knowledge of cameras and accessories (lenses, mics, etc). At the end of this semester, I will have around $1500 to spend on a camera and a lens.
I've looked around a little bit, read and watched some reviews as well as tests for each camera and lens but I have mainly been looking at DSLRs.
Most of what I'm wanting to do is Fictional films if that helps to narrow the type of camera and lens any.

Answer
As a film student, I would think that your instructors would have the best answer to your question. With your budget of only $1500, whether you are shooting drama or documentary the camera you buy will not matter.

Just the accessories you will need to turn a dSLR with a video feature into a viable video camera will eat up your whole budget.

I would look for a good used Panasonic video camera with 3-CCD's and all the on-board accessories needed like built-in SMPTE color bars in interlace and progressive modes, zebra settings, XLR audio inputs with a 48-V phantom power supply for external microphones, built-in SMPTE time-code generator/reader and others

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