| Author | Message | ||
     Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 55 Registered: 11-2002 |
Anyone here play with Mini DV Camcorders? I am looking to get one to replace my dieing compact vhs machine and wondered what everyone was using. Mike G. 96 Disco SD | ||
| ken knebusch (Charlotterover) Member Username: Charlotterover Post Number: 159 Registered: 02-2002 |
Mike, I have a Sony Mini DV Digital Handycam and love it. Digital photos, mpegs, and tape recording. It does everything I need. Ken | ||
| Nathan Hindman (Nathanh) Member Username: Nathanh Post Number: 50 Registered: 07-2002 |
I've been using a Cannon GL-1 for the past year or so and absolutely love it. Just got back from Africa, and a video guy with me was running a Sony VX-2000. Both are very robust cameras that held up to the intrusive Kalahari dust quite well (which killed quite a number of other electronic items in two and a half weeks). GL1/GL2 seems to be a bit more compact and great for on the go footage, while the VX-2000 is a bit more full featured... Both cameras are a bit on the pricey side ($2000+) but well worth it if you're into good quality footage. My 2¢ Nathan Hindman http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com | ||
| Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yeah I think that the GL1 is out of my price range even tho it is an awsome machine. I am kind of leaning towards the canon optura 20, it seems to have everything on it I want and I am partial to canon products, EOS 3, FS4000 film scanner, BJC6000 printer(soon to be an i9500), G1 digital, not to mention an assortment of canon glass and accessories. My asociation with canon goes way back (FTB that I wish I still had). Mike G. 96 Disco SD | ||
| Tommy Dougherty (Skydiver) Member Username: Skydiver Post Number: 131 Registered: 03-2002 |
I've got a few MiniDV's. I use a Sony PC9 for my skydiving (air to air) videos. Most skydiving videographers use Sony's, as they seem to handle jolts and sudden shocks quite well. This is my 2nd Sony used for skydiving... my other one was a PC1. I've got a Sony TRV10 for a small home movie camera. And I've also got a Canon XL1 (3chip). The Canon is way overkill for 'home use'. We might have used it 20 hrs or so in about 4 yrs. Quality is excellent, but too much crap to lug around for shooting the kids. If you'd like a deal on the XL1, let me know. I'm think of selling it to fund either LASIK eye surgery or an old RR.  -Tommy | ||
| Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2002 |
The XL-1 is even more out of my price bracket than the GL-1!! I doubt that you would let it go for under a thousand, thats what my budget is for this new toy. Another quick question, I have been hang gliding several times and loved it, But why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Mike G. 96 Disco SD | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 386 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sony PD150 is a good all around camera - supports 16:9 ratio and has L/R balanced XLR inputs too. The Canon is nice for its pro functions and lens compatibility. Also good is the new Panasonic 480p progressive-scan DVCam unit. The HD1 from JVC (not available in US until next year) does 720p with a street price of $3000. | ||
| Tommy Dougherty (Skydiver) Member Username: Skydiver Post Number: 132 Registered: 03-2002 |
Mike, I tried skydiving when I was 20 on a whim, figuring it'd be a one time thing... I loved it, and just kept at it. Now I get paid to shoot air-air videos (my weekend job). I've been at it for almost 10yrs now, have over 700 jumps, and it's still tons of fun. The $$ I make doing this is my play $$. A few more MINIDV things.... I'd stay away from JVC's. I've had 2, and while the prices are attractive, the quality isn't there (unless you're getting the XL1 comperable model). JVC's seem to have alot of problems with humidity... I missed getting video's of my son's birth because my damn JVC MINIDV cam wouldn't turn on due to humidity. A few other folks I know have had JVC probs as well. The other thing is that SEARS will price match any price, including internet, if the cam is one which Sears stocks. When I bought my PC9 (2yrs ago or so), sears had it for $1499. I found it online for 760+50 s/h = 810.00. I printed the web order and the dept manager matched the price without blinking. The floor sales guy said he couldn't authorize more than $300, and he didn't think the dept mgr would go for a $700 off match, but he did. Good luck with your search! -Tommy | ||
| Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2002 |
Another thing I am looking for, or plans/ideas to build one, is a decent dashboard mount to stick the camera on. That would be a great setup to record some trail runs, and the occasional swamp donkey that gets in the road. Mike G. 96 Disco SD | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 133 Registered: 02-2003 |
Mike, There are better alternatives for mounting a camera. I'll let you poke around, but if you spend much time looking at how the pro's do it, you'll find some very good solutions. I will be ordering my in-vehicle mount in a few weeks from England. -P | ||
| Mike (Gfy) New Member Username: Gfy Post Number: 15 Registered: 07-2002 |
Mike- I have a Sony PC101 that has been great. I've had it for about a year with no issues...The memory stick is very cool and allows me to send small clips of my son to the family... It helps that I have a VAIO though... Good Luck! Mike | ||
| Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2002 |
I came accross this mount while poking around and I do like the simplicity of it and the portability factor. http://www.psalmgear.co.uk/camcordermount.htm Mike G 96 Disco SD | ||
| Mike Goodell (Mikegoodell) Member Username: Mikegoodell Post Number: 60 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well, the decision is made, I picked up the canon Optura 20 yesterday. It is a small camera, not much larger than my G1 digital still camera. An added bonus is the fact that I can use the spare G1 batteries in the Optura, the Optura uses BP512 which is a flat backed version of the BP511 that my G1 uses. Also there is a rebate of sorts happening on most canon DV stuff. the one for the camera I got is to receive free video editing software, and a 32meg SD card for the card slot on the camera. Mike G. 96 Disco SD | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 425 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have the JVC digital vid cam. It takes still shots as well. The only improvement I would make would be to have slow-motion playback. The next model up has it. If your computer has the software, you can put your movies on DVD. |
