How do they shoot music videos?

What camera is decent enough to shoot music videos or short films?

• Im looking to purchase a camera ranging from $400.00-$600.00, that has all the major specs needed to shoot great quality pics and videos. One with good stability, that has a good ...show more

• Answer:

  If the environment for the camcorder is good enough, then any will do just fine. The problem happen (usually by rookies) when the camera or camcorder is expected to do something it was net designed to do. For example, camcorder range from $80 to $80,000. As they get more expensive, the lens diameter and imaging chip get bigger. At the low end, low light behavior is poor, but as the lens and imaging chip increase in size, low light behavior improves. There are several reasons goo, pro grade, equipment has lens diameter of 67mm or larger and huge imaging chips... If you expect a low end camcorder or camera to record good video in low light, you are using the low end gear in a way it was not designed to be used. A "Music video" can be a story - like a short film - are live performance. Low end cameras and camcorders have poor (loud) audio behavior. An eternal mic and manual audio gain control found in more expensive cameras and camcorders are required. We don't know what kind of music video you are making or what sort of music it is. Expecting a low end camera or camcorder to behave well under loud audio conditions without using some sort of manual audio gain control means you are using the low end gear in a way it was not designed to be used. Do not capture video when the camera or camcorder is handheld. The professionals don't - at the very least, they have a shoulder-mount... always use a tripod or other steadying device. Using a camera or camcorder handheld and expecting steady video means you are using the low end gear in a way it was not designed to be used. There is no optical or electronic stabilization available in consumer grade gear that will be completely steady when the camera is handheld. None. In addition to the camcorder or camera you will need to budget for: Tripod and other steadying equipment. Mics - there is no single "best" mic. Plus, music audio is typically stereo - so that means two mics connected at the same time, using a stereo mic or capturing the video and audio separately - then importing them together and editing... Lighting. This may be as simple as a camera mounted video light, a couple of worklights from the hardware store or a full blown stage lighting system using PAR56 cans on light trees and trusses and a nice dimmer control system... Cases, cables, power supplies and LOTS more... and we have not even gotten to the computer to be used for editing and the video editor needed to deal with the captured video... Yes, I have done music videos. And documentaries. And short subjects. The camera or camcorder is just one part of a very large system of equipment that all work together - and is only as good as the weakest link... None of the Pros I know would be using an entry-level consumer cam (that's your price range)... but could if they had to - by using the equipment within its design capabilities. Lots of light, decent audio gear and not hand-held...