Jay
Hey, I'm looking a for a new video camera. I intend to use it for short films, but not professional, just for fun.
However, it should have good quality (doesn't have to be HD)good audio, manual zoom option. I would like it to also have a mic output so I can attach a mic to it.
If possible, I would like it to be able to hold a shotgun mic.
Most importantly, I edit on a mac, so it needs to be compatible.
My max is $350 (for just the camera)
Thanks!
Answer
Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You will need a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer (your MAC has a Ieee1394 port already). To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.
These ZR series camcorders have no shoe for to mount anything on top, but I own 3 of them and have never had a problem with mics, mind you if I was using a shotgun Mic, it would be on the end of a boom pole, not attached to the camcorder. You can turn this camcorder on, press record and it will record to the end of the tape or until you press the button to stop it. Put the camcorder on a tripod, you can now be the boom pole person. When you get tired of staying within the limits of your cable, consider going wireless or get a Digital Audio Recorder and record audio separately .
When using a device to capture audio that is not your camcorder, use this tip to be able to SYNC your audio and video together once both are put on a timeline for video editing purposes. Standing close to Microphone, in front of your camcorder, with both recording devices recording the video and audio, CLAP, LOUDLY. Now so long as the recorders stay recording, you have a sync point so when you get back to the computer, it is much easier to sync the audio and video together.
Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You will need a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer (your MAC has a Ieee1394 port already). To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.
These ZR series camcorders have no shoe for to mount anything on top, but I own 3 of them and have never had a problem with mics, mind you if I was using a shotgun Mic, it would be on the end of a boom pole, not attached to the camcorder. You can turn this camcorder on, press record and it will record to the end of the tape or until you press the button to stop it. Put the camcorder on a tripod, you can now be the boom pole person. When you get tired of staying within the limits of your cable, consider going wireless or get a Digital Audio Recorder and record audio separately .
When using a device to capture audio that is not your camcorder, use this tip to be able to SYNC your audio and video together once both are put on a timeline for video editing purposes. Standing close to Microphone, in front of your camcorder, with both recording devices recording the video and audio, CLAP, LOUDLY. Now so long as the recorders stay recording, you have a sync point so when you get back to the computer, it is much easier to sync the audio and video together.
What kind of video camera should I buy to shoot a sporting event?
Larry
I may be hired to work as a freelance videographer for high school sporting events. The company wants me to use my own equipment to shoot the games, which I am in the process of getting. They recommend I have an HD Prosumer camera. I've done some research, and I saw the Canon VIXIA HF G10 was pretty good and not overly priced. Does anyone have any recommendations about what other types of video cameras I can buy or give any more input about this camera I've look into? Also, is it best to get a camera that has the viewfinder on the side of the camera or on top of it?
Answer
For sports/fast action, generally something that does not do high compression AVCHD. Like a Sony HDR-FX7. Of course, this assumes your computer has a firewire port. If it does not and you are not willing to add one, then the Canon HF G series is decent.
You will also want a tripod (it can double as a monopod is you only extend one leg). You really should not capture video handheld. And your computer may need upgrading (CPU, RAM, fast external hard drive, video editor) to deal with the AVCHD compressed video.
If you are capturing on a bright sunny day, the LCD panel can be difficult to see - so the eyepiece viewfinder is much more useful.
An optional high capacity battery from the camcorder manufacturer is a good idea.
A shoulder-mount rig may be helpful, too.
If someone runs into you and breaks the camera, who pays to fix it?
Good luck.
For sports/fast action, generally something that does not do high compression AVCHD. Like a Sony HDR-FX7. Of course, this assumes your computer has a firewire port. If it does not and you are not willing to add one, then the Canon HF G series is decent.
You will also want a tripod (it can double as a monopod is you only extend one leg). You really should not capture video handheld. And your computer may need upgrading (CPU, RAM, fast external hard drive, video editor) to deal with the AVCHD compressed video.
If you are capturing on a bright sunny day, the LCD panel can be difficult to see - so the eyepiece viewfinder is much more useful.
An optional high capacity battery from the camcorder manufacturer is a good idea.
A shoulder-mount rig may be helpful, too.
If someone runs into you and breaks the camera, who pays to fix it?
Good luck.
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