[Sampdoria]

Hi,

Am considering purchasing a sony pd 100a for documentary use. The camera is on the old side, but still excellent 3 ccd chip specimen with solid specs for even today's standards.

It only records is dvcam, even when using minidv tapes, (although it does play minidv-so could become useful as deck when second camera is eventually purchased)

I just want to make sure I can import directly from the camera...some of you may remember the problems I posted about with footage converted to mpeg-2 dvd, and I don't want similar hassles when I start this latest project.

It does have firewire, and I believe the camera was released by sony in late 1999 or during 2000.

Any info would be great help.

[wulf]

Yes, the PD100 should work absolutely fine with FCP, FCE or iMovie. DVCAM presents exactly the same information to the Mac as Mini-DV (the only differences between the two standards are in how things are recorded to tape) so there is no compatability problem.

They are great cameras for the size - the pro version of the (sadly defunct) TRV-900 which was an absolute stalwart Mini-DV camera. I know a DigiBeta cameraman who used to keep his TRV in his bag "just in case".

We've used PD-100s and PD-150s for many years, often using the PD-100 as a 'B' camera on shoots, and sometimes just on its own where the PD-150 would be too obtrusive. They have quite good low light capability too.

One thing to bear in mind: if you are planning to produce widescreen video, the PD-100 (and the PD-150) widescreen mode is fairly poor quality - it uses an electronic 'squeeze' from the 4:3 chip. I find results are better shooting 4:3 and doing the scale & crop in FCP.

Hope that helps!

[Sampdoria]

Thanks Wulf,

I am aware of the 16/9 limitations, but have read on some DV sites that it is not really an issue if you don't intend to go to a bigger format than regular television. The guy I am buying from is a pro soundman, and he did great demo for me, reinforcing all the good thinsg i have read about the camera.

The reason I want to buy it is that it will allow me to start some small projects for a low price (maybe US$800), and will help me gauge just what I need and don't need in a camera. Shopping for one can be daunting, and I don't want to commit to an expensive model until I get some real hours of shooting done.

The bonus is that it can serve as a deck and a "b" camera when i do get a new one, and that it will play minidv as well as dvcam.

Your enthusiastic endorsement makes me feel even better about buying the thing, since it is about 5 or 6 years old. I am truly impressed with how many people still use it , and I even found a documentary called "Gladiator School" at dvinfo.net that looks really good.