Camera Equipment????

[KOWATERFOWL]

For those who film a lot of your own hunts, what is the best, not too expensive video camera that you use? Can you edit you video easily? Do i need a DVD Palmcorder - if so how many GB's do i need? thanks< OZ
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[Coldfronts]

Flip Video.... Unbeliveable! Easy to use and great video footage. That being said this is my next purchase. I own a HDD Sony hard drive Camcorder and also a Sony Mini DV Camcorder neither compares to the ease of the flip Video Camcorder. The size is also something to consider. This is a compact little Camcorder and will fit in your shirt pocket.

[Jeremy DeVries]

I use a Sony HDD HDR SR5 with 40 gig hard drive. I have gotten some pretty good footage of hunts, and the HD quality of the recordings in tremendous. However, the AVCHD format is REALLY difficult to work in. The software is simply a couple years behind the cameras. Also, not many people have HD or Blue Ray players yet, so sharing the HD quality video with others really sucks. So for the money, my VC is WAY overpriced for the usability of it. Once the AVCHD fomat becomes more readily available, and editing software uses this format I'll be in good shape. But for now, I am stuck recording most things in SD (standard quality) but paid 800 for it.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd wait to see editing software catch up to the AVCHD format. Panasonic, JVC, Canon and Sony are all going this way. All their High Def cameras shoot in this format, BUT there is no great (cheap and easy) software to edit it.

If you are getting a VC right now, I'd go with a tape model around the $400 mark. That is where the software is at right now. Just my .02

[LOTW Smith]

I agree with Jeremy, we bought a Sony HDR-FX1 last year and still don't shoot in HD for editing purposes. It was a bit on the pricey side but depending on what you plan on using your footage for it may be worth it. If its just for you and your friends a nice $500 miniDV is easy to use and easy to edit. Here is a picture of my buddy Ross logging some footage.

http://geeses2pieces.com/images/Photo/Lewellen06_116[2].JPG

[hoosierhunter2]

Yeah if it is just for fun and not anything professional, you won't need too much, here is a good inexpensive camera that is very capable with 3 CCD, optical image stabilization, only 10X optical zoom, but a great camera for the money. It isn't capable of external mics, so only the built in mic. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panasonic-Palmcorder-PV-GS320-MiniDV-Camcorder-PV-GS320/sem/rpsm/oid/170875/catOid/-13063/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[hoosierhunter2]

By the way Adam Smith, Nice looking setup there!! Those are great cameras, Sony has really caught up with Canon!! I'm still a Canon man, but if I wasn't that is the camera to have, I've got the same mic system, Senneheiser EW112 G2 wireless? Is that camera capable of 2 external mics into it or do you need a mixer box? I've got a mixer box for mine, sometimes we run 2 wireless mics and receivers on big spreads and mix it and one lead into the camera. ;)

[Jeremy DeVries]

Matt.

Have you had any trouble with the mini dvd's not working in freezing weather. I had one, (a Sony) and it just flat wouldn't work in the cold. I've also had a portable dvd player for my kids sit in the car overnight, and it wouldn't play until it heated up. Never had that trouble with tape or hard drive.

By the way, all of the professional shoots I have been on are being recorded in TAPE. OLN's Cast n Blast, Suzuki Great Outdoors and Fox Outdoors were all shooting in tape for that main reason. I went with the hard drive just because of the ease to get it onto my computer. Yeah great, I can get it on my computer with one button, but I can't do jack with it. Unless I upgrade to a mega computer. The money just never ends. Its a tough deal for the guy who wants to make some "home video". The quality is fair but you can work with it. OR The equipment is there to make great quality, then the software won't do it or the average computer is too slow to really run the software. What a mess. If you guys have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

[Robert Nelson]

Jeremy, have you thought about getting Final Cut Pro software, and recording in tape. I have a very good friend in the hunting production business, that does everything with Final cut pro, and even made my Real Estate commercial on it. I know he has several High end camers, but now is going crazy over a 289.00 cannon Palm Corder of some kind. He said it was the best unit he has used, and the video/audio quality was as good as his panaasonic and Cannon. I will try to find out which cannon it is.

Hope this adds some insight.

Robert

Matt.

Have you had any trouble with the mini dvd's not working in freezing weather. I had one, (a Sony) and it just flat wouldn't work in the cold. I've also had a portable dvd player for my kids sit in the car overnight, and it wouldn't play until it heated up. Never had that trouble with tape or hard drive.

By the way, all of the professional shoots I have been on are being recorded in TAPE. OLN's Cast n Blast, Suzuki Great Outdoors and Fox Outdoors were all shooting in tape for that main reason. I went with the hard drive just because of the ease to get it onto my computer. Yeah great, I can get it on my computer with one button, but I can't do jack with it. Unless I upgrade to a mega computer. The money just never ends. Its a tough deal for the guy who wants to make some "home video". The quality is fair but you can work with it. OR The equipment is there to make great quality, then the software won't do it or the average computer is too slow to really run the software. What a mess. If you guys have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

[Jeremy DeVries]

Sure. I'll listen. Let me know what you have come up with.

[LOTW Smith]

Matt,

You are correct on the setup. That camera setup actually belongs to Avery/RNT pro-staffer Jake Latendresse. I also forgot to give the photo credit to Troy Bailey. I didn't have a good picture of our camera but since the two cameras are so similar and I really liked that photo I threw it up there. Jake's camera has two built in mic jacks so he runs the shotgun and wireless. My camera will only run either the built in mic or an external mic, and will not mix both. I am planning on buying a mixer box for mine this summer so I can run a similar set up. As if guns, camo, and decoys aren't expensive enough we decided we might as well go all out on the camera equipment too!