Camcorders???

Q. I have wanted to buy a new camcorder for a while now, but just recently started to actually shop around for one. I have been thinking about the sony handycam dcr sr42, but the reviews i read about it are not very promising. I do not know very much about cameras in general, so I was hoping someone could suggest a good camcorder that they have used before and really liked. I'll probably only use mine for stuff like home movies (vacations, recitals, etc.). I would like it to be a good size (not very large, easy to carry around) and take high quality footage that ca nbe easily transferred to a PC to be edited. I would also like to know which you think is more conveniant and easy to work with: tape, dvd, or hard drive based?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Answer
Hello! Nice to share my hobby with you.

I have evolve from using camera starting from Hi-8, Digital 8, MiniDV, DVD and now Hard Disc base and of more than 8 years using various model and brand.

SONY cameras and CANON are most my preferred brand. Most cameras have pro and cons. But I assume that you are just a hobbyist and not taking picture professionally. You will learn to adapt and familiarized and learn to master the camcorder.

Go for 3 CCD cameras or the CMOS camera. Donât even consider single CCD.

Go for High Definition Camcorder.

As for media, consider seriously Hard Disc Base camera. I have unpleasant experience using Tape and DVD. DVD base camera has a short recording time (about 20 Minutes per DVD). Hard Disc will have longer recording time and generally the hard disc camcorder is smaller in size.

As for Ease of editing, hard disc base Camcorder is the easiest. DVD second. Tape a bit of a hassle.

Only problem travelling with Hard Disc base Camcorder is that you need to have access to a PC on your journey as you need to download and save the clips captured on your camcorder hard disc to a PC or external hard storage before your hard disc space ran out.

As for my suggestion, get these accessories too. They are essential to you.
1. Additional Spare batteries
2. Desktop charger.
3. Good Carrying bag
4. Good Tripod
5. Lighting Accessories

Best Regards.

Camcorders and accessories, were do I go to learn about them?

Leonard

Hey, When I grow up I want to produce camcorders and accessories like fish eye lens is there any online study that I can start with

Answer
There are a few places that will help you with the basics

www.mediacollege.com

www.videohelp.com

learning about camcorders is easy just read the information on websites, but unless you know how they are used and work.

the BBc has always been known for the quality of thier work so for a little more help there is the BBC website they have online courses for nothing (good price) probably some of the best information available anywhere.

http://www.bbctraining.com/onlineCourses.asp

Good luck to you

RR

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What type of camcorder can have a microphone and light?

best camcorder accessories image

swift

I am looking for a camcorder that is capable to plug in a microphone so i can move far back from the camera and people still can hear me and a light incase it is to dark.
I'm looking for something around 800-1500 or close to that range.

And maybe nightvision?

Answer
hi .. i was used for severe years different camcorders and ever prefer use Sony w/ nigh vision the most newer come whit the option of buy extra accessories like mic and big light.
Do you are try to buy something more professionally ..?? That's come like extended mic and different light and bunch of features.

I want to buy a camcorder or digital camera that is good but not very expensive. Any ideas or advice?

blablabla

I want to buy either a digital camera or a camcorder (looking more at camcorders). I want a really nice one, but I dont want to spend preferably more than $400.00 on it. Closer to $200.00 would be best. Can you give me some advice on what to buy and why that particular one?
Thanks.

Answer
I have several camcorders for different uses, including a $2500 Canon GL2. The camera I use most often, however, is a little Panasonic GS39 I found at Costco for "only" $239.00. It is a miniDV with all the necessary cables and accessories - battery, charger, a/v cables, etc. It is small, tough and lightweight and even has a built in LED light for shooting in the dark or low light. It has a nice wide screen flip out LCD, takes digital photographs to a SD card - wow, this is a fun camera to have!!! I highly recommend it.

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What type of camcorder can have a microphone and light?

best camcorder accessories image

swift

I am looking for a camcorder that is capable to plug in a microphone so i can move far back from the camera and people still can hear me and a light incase it is to dark.
I'm looking for something around 800-1500 or close to that range.

And maybe nightvision?

Answer
hi .. i was used for severe years different camcorders and ever prefer use Sony w/ nigh vision the most newer come whit the option of buy extra accessories like mic and big light.
Do you are try to buy something more professionally ..?? That's come like extended mic and different light and bunch of features.

I want to buy a camcorder or digital camera that is good but not very expensive. Any ideas or advice?

blablabla

I want to buy either a digital camera or a camcorder (looking more at camcorders). I want a really nice one, but I dont want to spend preferably more than $400.00 on it. Closer to $200.00 would be best. Can you give me some advice on what to buy and why that particular one?
Thanks.

Answer
I have several camcorders for different uses, including a $2500 Canon GL2. The camera I use most often, however, is a little Panasonic GS39 I found at Costco for "only" $239.00. It is a miniDV with all the necessary cables and accessories - battery, charger, a/v cables, etc. It is small, tough and lightweight and even has a built in LED light for shooting in the dark or low light. It has a nice wide screen flip out LCD, takes digital photographs to a SD card - wow, this is a fun camera to have!!! I highly recommend it.

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What microphone is good for my camcorder?

best camcorder accessories image

Mike Terfo

I have a Canon FS20 camcorder and I don't like the little buzzing sound it makes when recording and the audio isn't that good. I want to find a new microphone for this camera. Any suggestions?

Answer
There is no single "best mic"

The FS20, flash memory, consumer camcorder, has built-in stereo mics - and no manual audio control.

Since we don't know what the video/audio capture environment is that is causing the "little buzzing" you report, it is a bit of a challenge to suggest anything without having to buy something. Because we know the camcorder uses "auto mic gain" to control the audio levels recorded, we also know that if the audio levels are low, the auto mic gain will turn up the gain while "listening" for audio. This can result in the "buzzing" you report being recorded.

The FS20 also has a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack to connect an external mic. If the audio you are capturing is "normal level" (not loud bands and not someone 10 feet away whispering), then a stereo condenser mic is probably a good idea. If the audio is really loud, then you need a way to control the audio level so it is not overpowering the auto mic gain. If the audio is from far away or very low, then you want to be able to get the mic closer to the audio source without having the camera so close.

What is your budget?

Since the FS20 does not have an accessory shoe to mount a mic, you need to add one. A camera bracket (search "camera bracket" at amazon to understand what I mean). The Bower or Adorama camera brackets are inexpensive and add two accessory shoes to your camcorder. Then you can add a condenser stereo like the Audio Technica PRO-24CM.

Or... if the audio is low, getting the mic closer to the audio source might mean using a wireless lavaliere. They are expensive. But best are UHF and a portable base station that mounts to the accessory shoe you added. I use Sennheiser G3 systems.

If the audio is loud, you can use an XLR adapter (with XLR connecting mics) like the BeachTek DX-A2T or juicedLink units to control the mic gain, but that gets expensive, too... need to get mics, too.

What type of camcorder can have a microphone and light?

swift

I am looking for a camcorder that is capable to plug in a microphone so i can move far back from the camera and people still can hear me and a light incase it is to dark.
I'm looking for something around 800-1500 or close to that range.

And maybe nightvision?

Answer
hi .. i was used for severe years different camcorders and ever prefer use Sony w/ nigh vision the most newer come whit the option of buy extra accessories like mic and big light.
Do you are try to buy something more professionally ..?? That's come like extended mic and different light and bunch of features.

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What are some alternate methods to outdoor lighting for filming with a camcorder at night?

best camcorder accessories image

Boneeva

Could I try to use some sort of lantern or flashlight, what are some realistic options besides a camcorder light?

Answer
Depends on how much you want to spend, and how much you want to light up an area.

try here it will give you some ideas and prices

http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/Camcorder_Lights___Lighting_Kits.html

http://www.dsmpower.tv/video-lights/Video_Lighting_Kit.htm

http://www.jr.com/category/cameras-and-optics/camera-accessories/camcorder-accessories/lighting/

Unless you want to go for a full flood light then the above options are probably the best.

Flash lights the light is concentrated into a beam.

lantern not that effective

Good luck

RR

What microphone is good for my camcorder?

Mike Terfo

I have a Canon FS20 camcorder and I don't like the little buzzing sound it makes when recording and the audio isn't that good. I want to find a new microphone for this camera. Any suggestions?

Answer
There is no single "best mic"

The FS20, flash memory, consumer camcorder, has built-in stereo mics - and no manual audio control.

Since we don't know what the video/audio capture environment is that is causing the "little buzzing" you report, it is a bit of a challenge to suggest anything without having to buy something. Because we know the camcorder uses "auto mic gain" to control the audio levels recorded, we also know that if the audio levels are low, the auto mic gain will turn up the gain while "listening" for audio. This can result in the "buzzing" you report being recorded.

The FS20 also has a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio-in jack to connect an external mic. If the audio you are capturing is "normal level" (not loud bands and not someone 10 feet away whispering), then a stereo condenser mic is probably a good idea. If the audio is really loud, then you need a way to control the audio level so it is not overpowering the auto mic gain. If the audio is from far away or very low, then you want to be able to get the mic closer to the audio source without having the camera so close.

What is your budget?

Since the FS20 does not have an accessory shoe to mount a mic, you need to add one. A camera bracket (search "camera bracket" at amazon to understand what I mean). The Bower or Adorama camera brackets are inexpensive and add two accessory shoes to your camcorder. Then you can add a condenser stereo like the Audio Technica PRO-24CM.

Or... if the audio is low, getting the mic closer to the audio source might mean using a wireless lavaliere. They are expensive. But best are UHF and a portable base station that mounts to the accessory shoe you added. I use Sennheiser G3 systems.

If the audio is loud, you can use an XLR adapter (with XLR connecting mics) like the BeachTek DX-A2T or juicedLink units to control the mic gain, but that gets expensive, too... need to get mics, too.

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