On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 19:46:18 -0600, "Leigh Hanlon" wrote:

>Does anybody here have any experience with using units such as the GL1 or
>TRV900 for low-light shooting? We're looking at a unit that could produce
>acceptable footage of urban street scenes and inside vehicles.

There are several Mini-DV camcorders reviewed at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
The best in low light (other than possibly the big JVC
500, not reviewed) are the VX-2000/PD150, and the TRV-900
as "runner-up".

>We've also considered purchasing one of those lower-priced no-lux camcorders
>that can shoot in near darkness and only using it for this type of footage.

This can work well (using B&W-mode to avoid the "toothpaste
green" look), though skin tone and eyes looks rather weird
shot with IR (remember that night-time "Survivor" footage...?;-).
BTW, you still need to provide illumination with these
cameras in IR-mode - but it can be invisible
IR light. Since you don't need to shoot in "stealth"
mode with IR light, providing a low level of visible light
and shooting the VX-2000 in B&W mode (the grain is the
same size as in color, but it looks better in B&W) may work
for you...

>This will be used for documentary-style sequences and high production value
>color and contrast are not necessarily required.

IR color is not what you want...;-)