SANParks.org Forums

As requested. Please post your kit here if you feel like it, and discuss it here.

I have none, so my kit is as follows:

None

Panasonic NV-GX7b with polarising filter
2x256mb SD cards (low megapixels so can fit plenty on these)
Lots of spare mini dv tapes*
SD Cardreader
Remainder of gear shared with digital camera.

*I've heard that with camcorders, you should stick to the same brand of recordable media as chopping and changing between brands can cause a damaging build-up on the heads. Not sure how true it is, but I won't risk it! Have always used Panasonic tapes too. Also don't buy camcorder tapes in SA unless it's an emergency. I can buy 3 tapes in the UK for less than the cost of 1 in SA (admittedly, that was at a Spar in Gansbaai, so probably not the cheapest place!)

Hi everyone,
I think there must be more videofanatics but here it is:

Canon XL1S camera with
Canon video lens 16 x zoom XL 5.5-88mm ISII
Canon extender 1.6 XL
Canon EF adapter XL (so I can change my lens and use also a 100-400mm lens which I normally use for our Photo-equipement)
using the EF adapter you must multipy for example 400mm x 7.2 so than you have a 2800mm lens..... but only usable on a tripod
Manfrotto tripod with videohead 503 and remote controle.
Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Is there already someone with a HDV-camera??
Ruud

29 august back in Kruger for 4 weeks

Hi, heres a list of my kit.

Canon XM2
Panasonic NV DS25
Liquid Editon 6 Pro
Photoshop
BluffTitler

I have always two camera's with my.

Canon XM2 and Canon MVX25i.And I use a screen tripod.
I use the MVX 25 for bushwalks and in the camps.
The MX2 is for wildlife filming.

Just received the JVC GR-DX317E
Wonder of technique. Fits into my hand

Had a quick peek in the book.
Has spotmetering and a few whitebalances to choose from.

Like these toys but again buttons and other hidden features to master

Ill report back on this new toy in a few weeks time

I've recently acquired the Canon ZR300, miniDV, 22x zoom, fits in my hand. Has both manual and "easy" (idiot mode) settings and so far I've just shot with "easy" and had good results in quite a few different situations. The camera is very easy to use and I really like it and expect I'll shoot lots of video next year in KNP.

I haven't yet figured out how to transfer the video to DVD, but my Dell computer has a couple of media programs that look like they will work at least for simple transfers and simple editing, but I have to get a firewire before I can try these out.

I know that Canon uses different model numbers in Europe and SA and I will try to find out what that is. The US model is

Canon ZR300

Another plus is that it uses the same battery as my Canon 350D Hence, fewer multiple battery and charger issues.

I believe -but cannot prove- that using Panasonic tapes for a considerable time and then changing to Sony cost me my video head (Sony VX1000). It seems that Sony (25% of market) and Panasonic (75%) are the sole producers of videotape, using a "wet" and "dry" procedure, respectively, with different lubricants. It is those lubricants that do not seem to mix well, giving rise to clogging. You can read more on "Can you Mix brands/manufacturers of MiniDV/DV tape ?"
http://www.zenera.com/reference/dvtape.html and http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/head.txt (a discussion dating back to 1999 ...).

It seems to me that it is wise to stick to tape from one manufacturer and use head cleaner from the same manufacturer.

I had the same advice from the pro camera outfitter when I bought my videocam and am definitely following it. I know that in the US you can get miniDV tapes from several more than just Sony and Panasonic. TDK for sure and I think 1 or 2 others. I'm sticking with Sony tapes

Help needed pretty please! Seems like this thread is the only one on digital video cameras. We're seriously considering buying a digital video camera, but the technology in this field is just moving along way too fast. We're a bit reluctant to just rely on a sales agent's recommendation. Given the hundreds of different models (and the rate at which the new ones come out) and the rapid changes in technology (ranging from changes to the type of recording media, different kinds of image stabilisers, different ways to downloand and edit on your computer, etc.) there is just no way we're going to know when we're being done in.

Does anyone perhaps know where we can find basic info / a basic rundown on the (current) ins and outs of digital video cameras. Or maybe just recommend a decent website where we can compare models (similar to dcresource / dpreview for cameras). I googled, but no luck there.

Thanks

Maybe the following will help Obelix : http://www.camcorderinfo.com

Good advice from Jumbo, Obelix On that website there is a link to easycamcorders, which I also found helpful in researching video cams.

Beyond that, once you've decided on the features you want, it is IMO a matter of what sits most comfortably in your hand. I found the Panasonic, despite excellent features, zoom, and IS, to be too "chunky" for my small hand. IIRC, the Sony Handycam had some sort of extra cradle, which seemed to me just an extra piece of gear to carry unless you were only using the cam at home. The Canon that I chose is small and light, I can reach all the controls really easily and without looking, and it uses the same batteries as my DSLR. So think about where and how you will be using it as well as the camera features.

Obelix - I always check out http://www.cnet.com/ before buying anything electronic. It is an excellent resource. Here is their specific page for camcorders: http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/2001-6500_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir

Also note in the left-hand column the links to camcorder blogs and camcorder forums.

Phil

Thanks Jumbo, Arks and TXDrifter! Exactly what I was looking for.

I don't have much in the line of equipment except my camera which is a Panansonic NV-GS150. I think it is great . The final picture on the TV is really clear. I edit my videos using Pinnacle Studio Plus v 10. Pinnacle is not always reliable and tends to bring out the worst language in me but I persevere . I am mostly happy with the end result. I tend to use a bean bag when filming animals from the car and I use my manfrotto tripod when filming sunsets etc. I dont really use my videocamera to take photographs and I dont go over the 10x optical zoom..I dont find the digital zoom much good.