PC1000 Newbie

Okay, first thank you to anyone who reads this, and especially thank you to anyone who can help me.

I was the proud owner of an old TRV20.... don't laugh, a poor coolege boy lucked out five years ago and his dream of shooting movies started. I turned it into Best Buy for a cleaning (free with my inboarded service plan), and they "lost" it. To make a long story short, they tried to offer me $350 comp and I fought up to the VP to get $1000 credit. Best Buy did not have any of Sony's semi-pro cameras in store, so I had to go on thier website, stretch my funds and get the PC1000.

Thus far, it has sat in the corner, an mocking me, an evil reminder of Best Buy's sins. Now I'm moderately skilled at a VX2000, and can use a cinekodak and bolex with ease, but this is the worst camera interface ever! So my problem:

I am going to Japan & Germany for the month of November (hence why my budget is already stressed). The PC1000's redeeming factor is the compact size. I know its extreme flaw is low light shooting (I want my TRV20 back!). I purchased the light and the inexpensive VCL-0630x lense for dark indoor shooting. Meager but passible. I an usure and cannot make heads or tails of the shooting condition features on this camera. I will be shooting in these conditions:

1. Night- Tokyo is a gorgeously bright city, so what's the best way to handle the contrast of neons to black?

2. Bright landscapes- Bullet train rides, mountains, and rich sky. I'm presuming this camera will excel here, but what are the best settings?

3. Shadows in daylight- Temples, gardens, and deep forests will offer incredible contrasts, but how will a CMOS camera handle these?

4. Dark interiors- Bars, Karaokes, clubs. These are where the light and lense will help.... I hope. Wishful thinking?

5. Snow- How well will whites and reflections transfer? I've always shot 16mm for these types of situations. The TRV-20 was forgiving though.

I have a million other questions. Stumbled across this website and forum and spent the last 5 hours reading your posts. You guys are awesome, and quite knowledgable. I've been well surpassed in my tech info.

Also, a side question. I am thinking of graduating from Adoge Premiere 6.5 to something (inexpensive) but more versatile software. And a DVD authoring program. Any suggestions.

Thanks

I have excellent results with the PC 1000, usually using automatic settings, though often at -1 exposure in bright sunlight. The LCD screen is a good indicator of what you will get, I find. I bought a cheap little video light on eBay that works well at close range (but using it means you can't use an external mike).

My results look so good on a 60 inch HDTV that I am being quite patient about getting into HDTV filming.

Good luck!

use a EA Program (see manual) together with your manual botton function (exposure and balance) . Look att the Histogram to se if the picture is well.
In low light you might want to lower the shutter one step (in the digital effects menu). This will get you little more light. I woulden't use the "color slow shutter" because it slows the shutter to much, giving you a bad motion.

my best tip is to shoot and try as much as you can. With more material there are a better chanse of good cuts.


I also have a question about your sony wide angle lens. How is the quality? Do you lose crisp? Around the edges? Its not a High Grade lens, but does it really matter?