On 21 May 2002 16:06:47 -0700, waterbot@omsoft.com (Greg Thrasher) wrote:
>d_ruether@hotmail.com (Neuman - Ruether) wrote in message news:
<3cea44dc.2625689@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu>...
>> On 20 May 2002 21:51:15 -0700, waterbot@omsoft.com (Greg
>> Thrasher) wrote:

>> >what's the minidv camera that I could find for under $1500 that will
>> >give me the shortest depth of field?
>> >
>> >well, actually my general question is simply what is the sub-$1500
>> >minidv camera that will give me the most professional, movie-like
>> >pictures?

>> Uh, whatever "movie-like" is...;-)
>> Some of us prefer good "video-like" images from
>> our video cameras...;-)
>> Best video buys $1500 and under for best image:
>> new/used Sony TRV900, used Sony VX1000, and with
>> careful low-contrast lighting choices, maybe the
>> 1.5 megapixel Sony one-CCD models (TRV30/50,
>> PC115/120). The VX1000 of the above has the
>> largest chips (by a bit...), so theoretically
>> (not much in practice, though...) should have
>> somewhat lower DOF, all else being equal
>> (it rarely is...). BTW, for information on
>> *video* image characteristics and faults, see:
>> www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm.
>> For more on the cameras mentioned, see:
>> www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm,
>> www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm, and
>> www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm.

>hehe what I mean by "movie-like" is something that will give me a
>really professional looking picture, and doesn't look like it was shot
>on a camcorder.

Then my answer is again what I wrote above, but
with the added comment that video looks like video,
and film looks like film - these are different
media. Only at the very high end of video can you
begin to interchange these media. Trying to make one
look like the other (especially with cheap gear) is
silly, unless there is a *very* specific need that
can best be satisfied by doing this. Best: take
advantage of the particular advantages video offers,
and optimize *its* images to do what you want to do
in the *video* medium. Otherwise, shoot film...

>I was looking into the Canon Optura Pi...any thoughts on this one?

Not in the same league as the cameras mentioned above...