Where can I buy a cheap good quality camcorder?

I want to buy a camera/camcorder and I need one that's cheap but great quality.?

• So me and my friends are starting a movie(have it worked out) but all we need is a good camera/camcorder (how ever you call it). Where can I get one that is not expensive but has ...show more

• Answer:

  There are a few pieces missing in your question that might be helpful. First what is your camera budget? It sounds like very little but to do good work there is much more then just a good camera needed. Good audio is something most amateurs forget about and this will kill your video no matter how good everything else may be. You will need to consider either getting your camera close enough to people to get the audio or buy an external recorder like the Zoom H1 and sync it in post with your in camera audio. I would not consider recommending a DSLR or interchangeable lens camera if you have a small budget but they give a very different image then does a camcorder. Since you budget is low I would recommend the Canon HF-R400 for $200. This gives a lot for the money in a simple package. To be honest though the camera is such a small part of the process. There is so much more to good storytelling that far exceeds the camera specs or quality. I have seen great work done with bad quality cameras and horrible stuff with very expensive high end cameras with a lot of resolution. I would encourage you to go to a website like the Hurl Blog (http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/) and check out some articles there. If you have access to the Flipboard app on Ipad or Iphone I have a magazine I created there called "Cinematography Journal" where I am always flipping articles related to filmmaking and cinematography. Learn the craft first and then you will make a better then average film.