Looking for budget video camera

[Jtalk4456]

I'm going to start a small youtube channel to talk out some stuff outside of my own head. I don't expect to get big or anything and this is more an exercise for my own mental health. But I need a camera to use that doesn't look like crap in case anyone does see it. I'm not looking fancy or 4k, just making sure the video is reasonably clear for a face talking youtube video. Looking for a camera under 100, preferably usb connection with stand so I can set it in front of me and just go instead of transferring from sd card.

[SimplyChunk]

you got an old android kicking about anywhere?

 

Time stamped

 

[SimplyChunk]

Oh, and if Gorfield isn't in the background somewhere on it i'll be upset

[Levent]

7 minutes ago, SimplyChunk said:

you got an old android kicking about anywhere?

 

Time stamped

This is pretty much what I have been doing for the last 4 years. I have an barely working LG G4, I am able to stream to OBS via "IP Webcam" app through local network (and also through USB but I am not sure if that app still works).

[sub68]

Just start with a phone.

 

[Origami Cactus]

Camera is the least important part of the equation, audio and lighting are more important.

You can use the most expensive Sony a1 6000$ camera, but if your lighting is , then your video will be too, the same goes for audio.

No matter how good your image looks, if the thing you are doing is talking head, and audio is hissy unlistenable garbage, then no one will last longer than a minute watching your videos, no matter how cinematic they are.

 

And as an example, if your lighting is spot on and audio is good, you can use a Nokia 3100 recording in 240p, it will still be watchable. If you need a further example of this, go watch older Captain Disillusion videos. They are ancient, in 240p, but because audio and lighting are on point, they still hold up nicely.

 

So don't buy a cheapo camera, worst mistake you can make.

Instead put that 100$ into a 3 point lighting system and a lav mic.

[Zodiark1593]

For primarily a talking show, invest the money into audio and lighting. Audio is critical to a talk show. And inexpensive lights (don’t need studio lights, just go hit the Home Depot of w/e) offers a lot of bang/buck for improving video quality with a smartphone. 

[Jtalk4456]

6 hours ago, SimplyChunk said:

you got an old android kicking about anywhere?

Not an old extra, but I have my current.

5 hours ago, Origami Cactus said:

Camera is the least important part of the equation, audio and lighting are more important.

I have a blue yeti mic, not sure how good or bad that is. Lighting, I know nothing about. So as long as the yeti is reasonable, I only need a camera and lighting. I do have my current phone, but not an old extra. I suppose that's probably pretty good since it's a pixel 6 pro, but I have no clue about how to mount it and get it connected to record from computer software. And again I have no knowledge in lighting, so any suggestion there is greatly appreciated.

[Origami Cactus]

Just now, Jtalk4456 said:

Sadly I don't

I have a blue yeti mic, not sure how good or bad that is. Lighting, I know nothing about. So as long as the yeti is reasonable, I only need a camera and lighting. I do have my current phone, but not an old extra. I suppose that's probably pretty good since it's a pixel 6 pro, but I have no clue about how to mount it and get it connected to record from computer software. And again I have no knowledge in lighting, so any suggestion there is greatly appreciated.

Blue Yeti is really good, nice!

Again, the pixel 6 pro with it's AI video enhancements will beat any sub 500$ video camera you throw at it into the dirt, and then spit at it, even if you go with the used market, so unless you really need a separate camera, I would stick with your phone. To mount it you would need a smartphone tripod adaptor, but you would need a tripod anyways with a camera, so it is a wash.

If you need a separate camera, the camcorder market crashed really hard a few years ago, so you might be able to pick something up on the used market, but again, it will have a phone sized sensor, but a way older one, and don't expect any blurry backgrounds.

 

I also don't have the formal education in lighting, I take it more like painting with light. You get a few LED panes, maybe softboxes, and then move them around, see how it affects the final image, and then experiment. Or you can get a 3 point lighting system if you want to be a "youtuber", but usually you can do good with a window, right time of day, and maybe one fill light.

[Jtalk4456]

4 hours ago, Origami Cactus said:

Blue Yeti is really good, nice!

Again, the pixel 6 pro with it's AI video enhancements will beat any sub 500$ video camera you throw at it into the dirt, and then spit at it, even if you go with the used market, so unless you really need a separate camera, I would stick with your phone. To mount it you would need a smartphone tripod adaptor, but you would need a tripod anyways with a camera, so it is a wash.

If you need a separate camera, the camcorder market crashed really hard a few years ago, so you might be able to pick something up on the used market, but again, it will have a phone sized sensor, but a way older one, and don't expect any blurry backgrounds.

 

I also don't have the formal education in lighting, I take it more like painting with light. You get a few LED panes, maybe softboxes, and then move them around, see how it affects the final image, and then experiment. Or you can get a 3 point lighting system if you want to be a "youtuber", but usually you can do good with a window, right time of day, and maybe one fill light.

strike that, I have the snowball not the yeti...
Do you think something like this would be passable for lighting?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8FBZC2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07T8FBZC2&pd_rd_w=5pORt&pf_rd_p=57cbdc41-b731-4e3d-aca7-49078b13a07b&pd_rd_wg=aVbt6&pf_rd_r=CGNH4Z7RB66MNHYRCDMR&pd_rd_r=08181ef7-0db7-48fc-885c-e43cf4af1e4f&s=photo&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZUEkwTEE2OEVQTVEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NzI2MDMySlFXWE1LWllVTFRSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2NjA0MjAyQlVIVENOVUFYRUVBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[Origami Cactus]

6 hours ago, Jtalk4456 said:

strike that, I have the snowball not the yeti...
Do you think something like this would be passable for lighting?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8FBZC2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07T8FBZC2&pd_rd_w=5pORt&pf_rd_p=57cbdc41-b731-4e3d-aca7-49078b13a07b&pd_rd_wg=aVbt6&pf_rd_r=CGNH4Z7RB66MNHYRCDMR&pd_rd_r=08181ef7-0db7-48fc-885c-e43cf4af1e4f&s=photo&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZUEkwTEE2OEVQTVEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NzI2MDMySlFXWE1LWllVTFRSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2NjA0MjAyQlVIVENOVUFYRUVBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Whatever, Blu makes good microphones non the less.

 

They seem fine yeah.

[rrats]

Buy a cheap camcorder and lightning.

[Vilacom]

On 4/6/2022 at 9:57 PM, Jtalk4456 said:

strike that, I have the snowball not the yeti...
Do you think something like this would be passable for lighting?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8FBZC2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07T8FBZC2&pd_rd_w=5pORt&pf_rd_p=57cbdc41-b731-4e3d-aca7-49078b13a07b&pd_rd_wg=aVbt6&pf_rd_r=CGNH4Z7RB66MNHYRCDMR&pd_rd_r=08181ef7-0db7-48fc-885c-e43cf4af1e4f&s=photo&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZUEkwTEE2OEVQTVEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NzI2MDMySlFXWE1LWllVTFRSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2NjA0MjAyQlVIVENOVUFYRUVBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Those will be fine to get you started, if they’re a little too harsh for you then just put a white bedsheet up between you and the lights and that’ll soften it up nicely.  

 

[WebStyle]

As told already, smartphone is the best idea to start and the lights