On Thu, 01 Nov 2001 03:22:49 GMT, "Barry Comer" wrote:

>I have been working at putting a small video business together
>in Ottawa (www.ottawavideo.com) and at a crossroad about
>which camera to buy. I currently have a JVC DVL-9800u which
>has served me well as an amateur but do not feel it will make
>a good impression showing up at a shoot with this small of a
>camera. I am going to keep it as a back up and it does do
>progressive scan for web based stuff. So far my research shows
>the Sony VX2000 or PD150 to be a good choice. Impression is
>very important from a customer point of view. People identify
>with Sony and realize that a camera like the 2000 is not the same
>as the one uncle Bob has. We know that when we get hired
>we are being paid for our experience and skill set but Joe
>public just sees a guys with a camera and a finished tape a
>few days later. Most do not appreciate the skills involved.
>
>I know the Canon XL1S is also in the same category as the
>cameras I mentioned but I do not want to spend that much
>just starting up. I still need to buy a wireless mike setup.
>Here in Canada a 2000 costs $4300.00 plus 15% sales
>tax.
>
>Camera shake really bugs me and find it very hard to keep the
>9800 steady when using any amount of zoom. I have invested
>in a good Manfrotto tripod and fluid head and have been looking
>at the VariZoom controllers to use with the 2000.
>
>Not that you have read my babbling do you have any thoughts
>about the 2000 as a good camera to start with.

Remember that it is not just the camera, but necessary
supporting accessories that must be considered...
A VX-2000 (I would look at the PD-150 version also,
for its different sound set-up) is the best choice in
a fairly compact camcorder in terms of basic picture
quality (image sharpness, relative freedom from
unpleasant picture artifacts, and low-light ability),
in addition to being able to customize the picture
characteristics, if desired (sharpness, warm/cool
balance, AE-bias, color saturation) to meet particular
needs - it is just plain the most versatile, except
for some particular specialized uses. Add an
inexpensive VERY high capacity NPF-960 battery,
a good WA lens converter (Canon WD-58), and a suitable
mic (for VX-2000, possibly not for the PD-150) and you
are ready to shoot. For the XL-1, a high-capacity
battery pack is VERY expensive, a good B&W finder is
VERY expensive, and a good WA (the interchangeable one,
since the WA converters for the standard zoom are
marginal, and not cheap) is VERY expensive - and when
you are done, you have a cumbersome, expensive, and
not-particularly-able tool. I would look at the JVC
shoulder-mount cameras instead... For Lanc controllers,
look at the Canon, and the cheaper one supplied with
the cheapest Sony tripods - or the Sony RM-95
wired remote. The Sony remotes have the advantages of
lower prices and the ability to start up the camera;
the Canon has the advantage of selectable zoom rates
(one rate, allowing you to "mash" the control and
still have a very slow, steady zoom, or you can
have variable zoom, as with the Sonys...).
BTW, the 2000 and XL-1 (not "s") and others are
critically reviewed at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm