eBay?

[03SVT_COBRA]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for an HV20 and it looks like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-HV20-MINI-DV-CAMCORDER-W-ULTIMATE-ACCESSORY-KIT_W0QQitemZ120174760812QQihZ002QQcategoryZ20330Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is a good deal. It seems like the cheapest price just for the HV20 is around $800 so it seems like even though the quality of the rest of the stuff won't be great, it will be enough to get me started. What do you guys think?

[JoeInBH]

The seller has great feedback, so I don't think they're going to rip you off outright. I'm a little concerned through that the listing includes a description for a completely different camera. Also, as you've pointed out, "the quality of the rest of the stuff won't be great." Many would consider the cheapo lenses, tripod, etc. to be completely worthless. I wouldn't go that far, but I for one was glad I got to shop around for accessories individually. For example, I couldn't afford a good tripod, but did a lot of research on the best tripod I could find for under $100 and settled for a well-reviewed SLIK. I couldn't afford the WD-H43 wide angle lens, but after seeing comparison footage, was happy to pick up a used (but mint) WD-43 lens for under $100.

So personally, I'd get the camera at the cheapest possible price by itself and then shop for accessories yourself one at a time. However, if you already know you're going to buy the cheapest accessories you can find (which I would caution against, especially for things like lenses and filters), you can save yourself the time by buying a package like the one advertised.

[Little-Big Sound]

Patience my slithery friend. I'm seeing prices on Ebay that approach retail. I've managed to buy both of my Canon HV20s retail for under $800 by simply waiting and watching. Circuit City regularly has good sale prices and combining their sale prices with third party coupons from AAA and their like. If you're dieing for a deal today, Alpha Electronics (the owner is a poster here I think) has a great combo deal for $899 that includes a Rode SVM ($250 retail alone) which is a pretty good deal for both item.

As for the stuff that comes with the package on Ebay, with minor exceptions it is crap. I know 'cause I bought one of the accessory packages for the HV20 off Ebay, and the lens REALLY suck (distortion on the wide angle lens; a huge "hole" in the telephoto lens). The advice to pick up quality accessories from JoeInBH is a good one. I'm going to have to read up on the quality stuff available and slowly pick it up as I can afford it.

I want to pick up a 3rd Canon HV20, and will wait for the right price.

[03SVT_COBRA]

Ok thanks guys, that is what I was expecting to hear. I guess it would be dumb to buy a $800 piece of equipment and buy cheap crappy accessory parts for it. I have a AAA membership, so how would I take advantage of that when I go to buy?

[harkangelproductions]

CC and AAA (http://ww1.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline?page=AAACircuitCity&association=aaa&club=2&zip=85085)

[SpiritCatcher]

"Hey guys,
I am in the market for an HV20 and it looks like THIS is a good deal. It seems like the cheapest price just for the HV20 is around $800 so it seems like even though the quality of the rest of the stuff won't be great, it will be enough to get me started. What do you guys think?"


Cobra
Little Big Sound is right. The camera/Rode Svm would be the best thing you can do with your 900 dollars. The onboard mic is not great on the HV20 so the first thing you will want is a better mic, not a flexible leg mini tripod. You have direct recourse with 10 oz guy, as he is a member on here, not just some random NY company.

I got the exact same kit your pondering(though I knew better)

The tripod is horrible unless you just want to set the camera up and not pan/tilt. Foot came off 10 days out of the box! Reviewing footage shot on the tripod I can hear myself wrestling with the thing and jittery pictures/me cussing.

Even the filters do not screw on right! (having used others on the same camera)

I have a battery from the same co. (shown in the ad) it is rated 100 mah more than the Canon battery that comes with it, yet dies much quicker.

The lens....the wide is the only thing you would possibly use (be sure to zoom in just a hair, as it vignettes even though it does not show on your lcd ) The telephoto is worthless in my opinion.

So I agree with Joe BH, if I had it to do over, I would just get the camera as safely and cheaply as possible and build your kit from there. (Mic, tripod/monpod/Wide Angle/TelePhoto)
If you really need a basic accessory, go on ebay and buy pieces from guys like us, who get the "deluxe kit" realize it is crap and sell on ebay for even less!
Anyway good luck and have fun.

[03SVT_COBRA]

^ Ok thanks allot guys for the great information and quick response!

I will just buy the camera and I will build one of those "poor man" camera stabilizers until I find a good tripod, and I will immediatly upgrade to a new microphone because I will mainly be shooting my car, and the video MUST do the sound justice. Any reccomendations on a microphone or should I just search around?

Thanks again guys/girls!!!

[Little-Big Sound]

Patience is a good thing... www.dealmac.com shows that Tiger Direct has the HV10 refurb for $499 plus $21 shipping, and a link to HV20 (new) for $839 plus shipping. Thinking about the HV10 as a lock down wide shot for my concert film package (already have two HV20s for held held, etc.).

[03SVT_COBRA]

Thanks for the help so far guys and I have 1 more question. I am mainly going to be filming my car which is loud and sounds amazing so I want really good sound. I have been searching different threads about external mics but I want a more personalized answer. Basically I don't want to spend over $175 and like I said, the sound will mostly be loud and there will be wind because there will be in-car footage and the windows may be down sometimes. Any suggestions?

[Little-Big Sound]

Don't know what you're going to do with the footage, but the Rode SVM is very cool for capturing the "being there" sound, AND it comes with a "dead cat" windscreen that's pretty effective at the whole wind thing. You can get the Rode SVM WITH the HV20 at Alpha Electronics for $899 combined, a pretty good deal since the Rode sells for $250.

[03SVT_COBRA]

OK thanks. I forgot that you mentioned that earlier!

[03SVT_COBRA]

I looked around but this was all I could find there: Canon HV20 (http://www.alphaelectronics.us/product.asp?pf_id=2059B001AA)

[Ten Ounce]

I looked around but this was all I could find there: Canon HV20 (http://www.alphaelectronics.us/product.asp?pf_id=2059B001AA)

All of the current specials can be found on the HV20 member page. Last weeks special included a Rode Videomic, not the Stereo videomic. It was still a great deal though. The upcoming deal (this Friday) is going to be pretty good too. :hv20-smilie77:

[03SVT_COBRA]

Thanks!!!