Video Cameras

[DiscoDan]

Not sure if this is the right area and the last posts seem old

I am in the market for a video camera and am after one with a wide angle lens, this way I can be next to the track and film the action rather than be in the bush.

Only other thing I want is image stabilisation (seems like a good thing)

Any other things I should consider?

Or avoid?

Thanks

Danny

[Redback]

I bought one of these recently, very easy to use, has mounts for every where you could think of and it can be worn on the head like a head torch or even on a bike helmet.
GoPro Official Store: Wearable Digital Cameras for Sports (http://www.goprocamera.com/products/hd-motorsports-hero-camera.php)
They have 170 wide angle lense.

Baz.

[DiscoDan]

Thanks Redback,


Maybe I should add more information, my kids play instruments at school and I would be using it for their performances. The wide angle here will also help and as I am shaky so would the image stabilisation. I have an old tape style camera and I have to stand at the back of the church or school hall to get the whole group in, and then zoom in to get my children as you can only just make out the children. Secondary use would be for four wheeling.
I would be looking for a camera that has good auto features but with the ability to go manual as I get better at using it, and I would prefer one that is easy to convert to either DVD, AVI or Blue-ray. These formats I can play easy at home, or send to grandparents. Also good sound quality would be a benefit as I said the kids do music and the current camera is mono (and sounds like it) so from this I think I am locked into HD camcorders


I take it that a 170 wide angle is 170deg? If so that is brilliant however this looks more suited to car mounting as a set and forget setup. I have seen some cameras advertised with 25mm and 33mm lenses however the 170 deg makes more sense to me. The range seem to have 25x to 80x optical lens then the digital on top of this. The better optical would be good but for me this would not be a selling point.

I am not sure whether to go for an Hdd model or SD card; they both would have good and bad points. Would battery life be reduced running an Hdd?

Long battery life would be good but more important would be a battery that does not get a memory, as my current camera has that and I need to try and clear this memory. Mind you as it is a 10 yr old clunker I am not too worried about this.

Thanks for your input so far, the more I think about it the more questions or ideas pop in the grey matter (more like black hole)

Danny

[p38arover]

Consider getting a monopod (rather than a tripod) for the camera. That will help with the shakes, too. I have a Velbon RUP-L43 with a ball head. A monopod would allow you to sit and film without getting in the way of others, as you would with a tripod.

See Velbon Tripods (http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/monopods.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/354.jpg

[Tombie]

Panasonic make a nice digital with 3D (dual lens) :cool:

[DiscoDan]

Thanks Tombie but I don't think I need to go that good. I am however looking at the Panasonic range, the HDC-SD60 and HDC-SD20.

The 60 has a wider lens @ 55deg but not 170deg as above

[juddy]

You can pick up some very good Sony DSR 300/500 series cameras, for around 2/3 k these are shoulder cams but are broadcast quality, and are built to last, plus you can swop len's to suit your needs, there taped based but the later models have firewire out.....

There as good as any consumer HD camera with regards to quality....

[DiscoDan]

Thanks, the pro range did cross my mind however videoing the kids at school might make me look like a poser. Even a bit over kill for all the other stuff I doing.

But they look great though:eek: be like all the people running around with SLR cameras

[alexturner]

**** me mate

[Bigbjorn]

I have a "Flipvideo minoHD" which is about the size of a pocket calculator, 8 gb memory, HD, two hours record time, 2x zoom. Marvellous little gadget. Has a tripod screw in the base, inbuilt USB stick, downloads and charges battery through a computer USB port. Records stereo sound. I bought it to hand hold with a pistol grip when riding mechanic in vintage race cars. It is going to Milkwaukee with me this July for the Harry Miller Club annual meeting. My cinematographer (ASC) s-i-l recommended it.

[richard4u2]

i just got bowled with a panasonic it is about 4 years old, i have just bought a new computer win7 64bit panasonic dont right software for it to suit win 7 64bit so looking around for a new one another brand didnt write software for 64 bit what i did learn anything that has a hard drive you must use thier software but anything that uses a sd card only you dont need software as you can just bung the card into your computer and all of windows software will read it and you can use win movie maker . just something to think about, i now have a sony dcr-sx43 with a 4gig sd card

[Redback]

GoPro have the HD Hero on special at the moment from Torpedo7

$299 + $9 postage
GOPRO HD Motorsports Hero Camera - Torpedo7 (http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/G6CMCN0HD/title/gopro-hd-motorsports-hero-camera)

AND

You can get this from GoPro to view what you have taken

GoPro LCD BacPac?: Removable LCD Monitor for HD HERO Cameras (http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/lcd-bacpac/?gclid=COKk9-rJlagCFQbbbgodzmRxCQ)

Baz.