Sperminato
I want to make a video and put music and different effects on it, but i don't want it too be too pricey. Do you know of any which would do that?
Answer
The Canon DC220is a respectable entry-level DVD camcorder sporting familiar specs and features: a single 1/6 CCD, electronic image stabilization, a 2.7â LCD, and a modest but effective array of manual controls. In many respects, the camcorder is identical to last yearâs DC100 , which turned in entry-level performance, but an improved joystick placement and 35x optical zoom have sweetened the pot. Having just come off of the DC50 review, our hopes were high that Canon could coax some great performance all the way down to their entry level. It didnât. And while this does not seem a candidate for best low-end DVD camcorder of the year, but there may be enough here to catch the interest of buyers in this price range.
The Front (5.0)
The Canon DC50 has a tall, slender figure. The entry-levelness of it is apparent from the front. Take a closer look and youâll realize that the DC220 (Review, Specs, $318) lacks a flash or video light, and it features a small lens with no threads for a filter. The 35x optical zoom lens is capable of the following focal lengths:
- 2.6-91mm
- 45.8-1603mm (16:9 movies, EIS on),
- 41.0-1435mm (16:9 movies, EIS off),
- 49.8-1743mm (4:3 movies),
- 43.6-1526mm (still images).
The DC220 (Review, Specs, $318)âs built-in stereo microphone is located below the lensâa position we prefer over top-mounted mics, which are susceptible to sound muffling due to cramped finger placement.
The Right Side (3.75)
Thereâs not much to speak of here, either. Canonâs infamous elongated, oval hand strap is not particularly comfortable. Itâs low strung and therefore the DC220 (Review, Specs, $318) will flop to the side in your hand unless the strap is ratcheted tightâjust make sure you donât sacrifice circulation for grip. Note to Canon: Please revamp your hand strapsâtake heed from Sony.
The round DVD disc hatch is solidly constructed and has a quick response time when ejected. The tape hatch opens to an approximate 50 degree angle, and it has a small finger groove inside for removing a disc. The round DC in-jack is located at the bottom rightâan odd placement that is prone to an accidental yanking.
The Canon DC220is a respectable entry-level DVD camcorder sporting familiar specs and features: a single 1/6 CCD, electronic image stabilization, a 2.7â LCD, and a modest but effective array of manual controls. In many respects, the camcorder is identical to last yearâs DC100 , which turned in entry-level performance, but an improved joystick placement and 35x optical zoom have sweetened the pot. Having just come off of the DC50 review, our hopes were high that Canon could coax some great performance all the way down to their entry level. It didnât. And while this does not seem a candidate for best low-end DVD camcorder of the year, but there may be enough here to catch the interest of buyers in this price range.
The Front (5.0)
The Canon DC50 has a tall, slender figure. The entry-levelness of it is apparent from the front. Take a closer look and youâll realize that the DC220 (Review, Specs, $318) lacks a flash or video light, and it features a small lens with no threads for a filter. The 35x optical zoom lens is capable of the following focal lengths:
- 2.6-91mm
- 45.8-1603mm (16:9 movies, EIS on),
- 41.0-1435mm (16:9 movies, EIS off),
- 49.8-1743mm (4:3 movies),
- 43.6-1526mm (still images).
The DC220 (Review, Specs, $318)âs built-in stereo microphone is located below the lensâa position we prefer over top-mounted mics, which are susceptible to sound muffling due to cramped finger placement.
The Right Side (3.75)
Thereâs not much to speak of here, either. Canonâs infamous elongated, oval hand strap is not particularly comfortable. Itâs low strung and therefore the DC220 (Review, Specs, $318) will flop to the side in your hand unless the strap is ratcheted tightâjust make sure you donât sacrifice circulation for grip. Note to Canon: Please revamp your hand strapsâtake heed from Sony.
The round DVD disc hatch is solidly constructed and has a quick response time when ejected. The tape hatch opens to an approximate 50 degree angle, and it has a small finger groove inside for removing a disc. The round DC in-jack is located at the bottom rightâan odd placement that is prone to an accidental yanking.
Is it better to use manual or auto settings on a wedding video?
UnceasingF
I have been doing wedding videos for a couple years, but now I have some serious equipment and am charging serious fees. I have an XHA1 and a handheld HD camera. Would it be better for me to adjust everything manually (fstop, shutter, white balance, focus) or for something like a wedding where you are constantly moving around, lighting is always changing, etc, is it better to rely on the auto settings to get it right. I've been dismayd a few times in the past when the my shot was ruined because I got the settings wrong. Anyone out there a pro, I'd love to get your advice.
Answer
I would definately go with the manual controls. When shooting something such as a wedding, you cannot rely on the automatic functions. I do not think manually setting the white balance should be any problem when moving around, unless you constantly change light sources- fluorescent, incandescent, outdoor, etc, but I do not think that will be the case. Just set white balance before you start and you should be good. White balance is not nearly as good on auto mode, especially when you are shooting into light sources. Auto white balance can be problematic when shooting indoors next to a bright window, the camcorder will set it to outdoor light, and throw you off!
For manual focus, I always keep in on manual. Especially with a camcorder as good as the Canon XH-A1, it should be easy focus quickly. Manual focus can be crucial because for one thing, auto does not always utilize the full potential of your camcorder's picture quality (which in your case is important), but more importantly, you could shoot hours of irreplaceable footage to later find out that the camcorder's auto mode was focusing on the wrong thing!! This is particularly important with many subjects at different distances from the camcorder. However, auto focus is usually not bad, and can be very helpful in hectic situations, which may be the case. If you do decide to go with auto, I do advise that you try to turn your aperture to a high f-stop, because the higher the f-stop, the greater the depth of field, meaning, more subjects will be within your depth of field. Take caution though, a higher f-stop means a smaller iris, meaning your picture may be dark, so try and find a happy medium.
Regarding Aperture/ Exposure, I would probably keep that on manual as well. Like the white balance, you would probably only need to set it once, making sure everything you need is properly lit. You may need to tweek it if lighting varies, but I cannot see a wedding hall having drastic changes in light- that may be the case though.
The auto aperture is usually quite good, but I try to avoid it indoors. It can totally mess you up when shooting a subject infront of a bright window; the camcorder will properly expose the window light, making your subject WAY too dark.
I don't see why you would need to adjust shutter speed, unless you notice your subjects blur to much, and in that case, make it faster, or if you need to make the scene brighter to compensate for a high f-stop, and in that case, make it a slower shutter speed. However, I would NEVER use a shutter speed slower than about 1/30 of a second, unless it is for the affect. Once again, if you want to bother with shutter speed, it is easy, and you probably won't need to fiddle with it all throughout the shoot. I would stick with 1/60th or 1/90th of a second to be safe- you can go a bit higher if it is outdoors, and a little lower if your picture is too dark.
In conclusion, I would most definately manually control white balance, and aperture (or f-stop), I would consider shutter speed, and manual focus is completely preference and I will leave it to you to consider the pros and cons I have previously addressed. These are simply recommendations, so use what you want, or totally disregard it if you want. Good Luck and have fun!!!!
I would definately go with the manual controls. When shooting something such as a wedding, you cannot rely on the automatic functions. I do not think manually setting the white balance should be any problem when moving around, unless you constantly change light sources- fluorescent, incandescent, outdoor, etc, but I do not think that will be the case. Just set white balance before you start and you should be good. White balance is not nearly as good on auto mode, especially when you are shooting into light sources. Auto white balance can be problematic when shooting indoors next to a bright window, the camcorder will set it to outdoor light, and throw you off!
For manual focus, I always keep in on manual. Especially with a camcorder as good as the Canon XH-A1, it should be easy focus quickly. Manual focus can be crucial because for one thing, auto does not always utilize the full potential of your camcorder's picture quality (which in your case is important), but more importantly, you could shoot hours of irreplaceable footage to later find out that the camcorder's auto mode was focusing on the wrong thing!! This is particularly important with many subjects at different distances from the camcorder. However, auto focus is usually not bad, and can be very helpful in hectic situations, which may be the case. If you do decide to go with auto, I do advise that you try to turn your aperture to a high f-stop, because the higher the f-stop, the greater the depth of field, meaning, more subjects will be within your depth of field. Take caution though, a higher f-stop means a smaller iris, meaning your picture may be dark, so try and find a happy medium.
Regarding Aperture/ Exposure, I would probably keep that on manual as well. Like the white balance, you would probably only need to set it once, making sure everything you need is properly lit. You may need to tweek it if lighting varies, but I cannot see a wedding hall having drastic changes in light- that may be the case though.
The auto aperture is usually quite good, but I try to avoid it indoors. It can totally mess you up when shooting a subject infront of a bright window; the camcorder will properly expose the window light, making your subject WAY too dark.
I don't see why you would need to adjust shutter speed, unless you notice your subjects blur to much, and in that case, make it faster, or if you need to make the scene brighter to compensate for a high f-stop, and in that case, make it a slower shutter speed. However, I would NEVER use a shutter speed slower than about 1/30 of a second, unless it is for the affect. Once again, if you want to bother with shutter speed, it is easy, and you probably won't need to fiddle with it all throughout the shoot. I would stick with 1/60th or 1/90th of a second to be safe- you can go a bit higher if it is outdoors, and a little lower if your picture is too dark.
In conclusion, I would most definately manually control white balance, and aperture (or f-stop), I would consider shutter speed, and manual focus is completely preference and I will leave it to you to consider the pros and cons I have previously addressed. These are simply recommendations, so use what you want, or totally disregard it if you want. Good Luck and have fun!!!!
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