Thought & Theory

While working on a new client project (Mase Engineering), I slowly became obsessed with finding a new Video Cam to use on new projects. I’ve always wanted to buy a video cam but the ones that actually did anything resembling film always cost about 3k or more. That doesn’t even include the software or hardware needed to power a video editing setup. We didn’t have 5k to spend on this setup, but we did have about 2k.

Pictures by: Cinevate | Tunerzine

About a year or so ago, Canon released the HV20 Video Cam. It was an HD Camcorder capable of producing 1080i output and most importantly film in 24p (gives it the film look). Before this camera came out, you had slim pickings in the sub 1k level for getting this level of video quality. Like I mentioned before, most cams capable of producing video like this were in the 2 - 3k + mark. So it was great to see Canon push the market and release a great camera like this for us normal folk.

Here’s one of the more famous examples of what’s possible with just the stock camera:

by Soloman Chase

Now, that alone would be enough to make me want to buy this camera but it gets better. People have taking a liking to this camera and have come up with some serious hacks/work-flows to extend the abilities of the camera to almost match those more expensive 3 - 5k range cameras (Hence the Honda Civic reference). DOF Adapter Hacks, Slow Motion Processes, Viewfinder Additions, etc etc. The list goes on for days. You can make this camera as simple or as complex as you need it to be. All with an affordable base foundation. Can’t get any better than that.

Here’s some links for you guys to get started:
DIY35mmPro Nikon E f1.8
Slow Motion Workflow
HV20/30 Forum

BTW. Camera does not come with post-rock soundtrack. See Explosions in the Sky, M83, etc etc for your slow-motion soundtrack needs.