Camera...advice please

[JoeyUnity]

Was looking to add a camera to my church. I am currently looking at the Canon XF105HD. Anyone recommend this camera or one similar? I require an HD/SD-SDI output and need to stay in the $4000 or below price range. There does not seem to be too many offerings out there. All input is appreciated!


Thanks!

[petereit]

How far away Is the camera going to be from the pulpit? A non-interchangeable 10x lens doesn't offer much practical zoom range.

For $4,000 you could find a VERY nice refurbished JVC GY-HD250U with a 17x interchangeable lens. Also has a great shoulder-mount form factor which helps tremendously with capturing stable shots if you go portable. It also uses Anton Bauer gold-mount batteries which give you a lot more shooting time (once again, if you're running and gunning.)

[JoeyUnity]

It will be approximately 60ft from the pulpit. It will be very hard for me to convince the committee to buy anything refurbished. Definitely looking for a new product. It seems very hard to find a unit at a cheaper cost that contains an HD/SD-SDI output.hoping there are other options available but having a hard time finding any.

[petereit]

At 60ft, the 10x lens is going to give you a very wide shot. At full zoom you'll still have a foot above and below your subject.

The JVC at full zoom would give you a tight head to waist shot.

If I had my choice for a brand new consumer camera or a refurbished professional camera for the same price, I'd go for the pro camera any day.

[Esoteric]

I am with you there Petereit.

[tkpeterson12]

Panasonic is releasing 2 new cameras that might work. The AG-AC160 includes HD/SDI and has a MSRP of $4795 while the AG-AC130 comes in with a MSRP of $3895, but doesn't have the HD-SDI. Both cameras have a fixed 21x zoom lens.

Depending upon what the street prices are when they drop, the AC-160 may work for you.

http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/sales_o/broch_pdf/ag-ac160_130.pdf

[JoeyUnity]

Originally Posted by petereit

At 60ft, the 10x lens is going to give you a very wide shot. At full zoom you'll still have a foot above and below your subject.

The JVC at full zoom would give you a tight head to waist shot.

If I had my choice for a brand new consumer camera or a refurbished professional camera for the same price, I'd go for the pro camera any day.

I myself am willing to check out that option. Do you have any place to suggest looking at possibly purchasing one of these? Also, what is the warranty like on these units do you still get at least a year. From my experience most refurbished units only have a 90 day or so warranty. Thank you in advance.

[Esoteric]

We deal in used gear of all all kinds just FYI.

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by JoeyUnity

Do you have any place to suggest looking at possibly purchasing one of these? Also, what is the warranty like on these units do you still get at least a year. From my experience most refurbished units only have a 90 day or so warranty. Thank you in advance.

When you call vendors use the following phrase: "I would like to know if you have any _________ in B-stock, demo or used inventory."

[petereit]

Originally Posted by JoeyUnity

I myself am willing to check out that option. Do you have any place to suggest looking at possibly purchasing one of these? Also, what is the warranty like on these units do you still get at least a year. From my experience most refurbished units only have a 90 day or so warranty. Thank you in advance.

We bought three JVC-GYHD250U's from G&G Video two years ago. You'd have to check with them on the warranty terms.

[JoeyUnity]

found this one today...

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...oduct-HXRNX5U/

any thoughts? seems to have a better zoom than the Canon i believe?

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by JoeyUnity

found this one today...

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-bro...oduct-HXRNX5U/

any thoughts? seems to have a better zoom than the Canon i believe?

This Sony or the HD250 JVC have lenses that are about twice as telephoto as the Canon.