Big Orange Box

I’ve just placed an order for a second Canon HV20. This second camera will allow me to shoot Leonard Who? microsodes with a bit more freedom on the editing side of things, since I generally allow the actors a lot of freedom to improvise.

The plan is to do two camera shoots with a crew of one. One fixed camera on a tripod and another on a shoulder mount with an external mic. I just picked up a zeppelin and fuzzy windscreen for the ME66 mic so audio in external locations should improve as well.

The decision to get a second camera was a tough one after buying the RNG35 adapter. Shooting with the adapter produces a great look, but we needed to add more editing options and more freedom for actors in short, quick shoots for the web like we do for the Leonard Who? show.

I was watching Craigslist for a good deal on an HV20 for about a month in both Orange County and Los Angeles (HINT: do searches on Craigslist then subscribe to the search results with Google Reader). The least expensive HV20 I saw was $625 and most were listing for nearly $700 for a used camera. I took a chance and tried B&H Photo Video (where I bought my first HV20 new) and lucked out — a refurbished camera that was only $609 AFTER shipping. I was quite surprised to find a better deal on a used item at a retail store and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new gear.