Have been using an older JVC Everio from 2004 or 05, which does ok bur is falling behind. The stills it takes are maximum of 2 MP and the video res is small, t'boot. So have been doing the net surf and found this thing here, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/bell-an...1311338370.p?id=mp1311338370&skuId=1311338370 and am wondering if anyone has experience with the manufacturer and/or the camera. I hope it's ok to post the link???
I wish I could give you a better recommendation, but I haven't bought any kind of camera (8mm camcorder back in 2004, digital point/shoot back in 2008) for quite some time. In fact, I've retired all my handheld cameras and just use my phone since it has a great camera. As far as video, I don't know how well it does. Do you have a smartphone? I won't judge, I finally got my first back in July. If so, have you tried it? The way I look at it, the svelte thickness of most smartphones makes them great for model railroad photos.
I have a similar video camera from Cannon and like it a lot. Mine is an HD and takes 1080 p video. I got it as a gift so I have no idea on the cost. The three videos in my signature was taken using it. If you watch, make sure you go to 1080p in the lower right. My only complaint is that it's too large to fit through my tunnel portals on a regular flat car. I'm sure I could cobble some sort of camera car together but all that would be seen was hidden track. You should be happy with it.
Yes. Looks like they've added a lot of stuff. Without those items, it's an inexpensive camera. Reviews seem good. I am wondering about the lens add-ons. Does it have a zoom, or are those (manual) the only way? I tried to get specifications, but nothing loaded to read.
I don't own a decent camcorder these days, and don't have a smart phone. I found that the little "Flip" and then "Bloggie" HD recorders did just fine for videos to attach here and other places on the net. The smart phones are amazing these days.
Thanks for the input guys, am going to pinch the pennies. I have gotten spoiled with the camcorder that takes decent stills too. It is way too much fun and easy to use. Having learned all this stuff on on old Minolta 35, and shooting a LOT of film at Livingston, MT and Glendive and just hoping they turn out, this digital is . . . . well, spoiling! fitz - My daughter just used her smart phone to take a bunch of photos for me for publiction because my camera is too old! And the publisher was super happy with the size. But, my working in dusty, wet, dirty environs required a tough phone, so don't have one of them smart ones yet. Someday..........
I believe that most new camcorders take stills also. Check out the specs on the one you posted earlier.My Cannon I posted earlier does take excellent stills, but I also have a few other digital cameras and only use the Cannon for videos. I still have some old film cameras, on old Speed Graphic that takes 5x7 film, a Hasselblad and an old Minolta SRT 101. I still use them from time to time, but it can be a hassle setting up the dark room in a bathroom or paying for processing. I usually have a digital with me at most times "just in case" and there's always the smart phone.
Well, them smartphones are awesome little things! My daughter showed me how high the rez from hers is. Wow. But doing the work I do would probly destroy it. Have heard from and listened to multiple contractors talking about their destroyed smartphones. Dirt, grit and moisture don't do them well, it seems. One day... I learned on an old Miranda 35mm and then used a good old Monolta for years. I have boxes of photos from MRL, LRC and BNSF that I am going to need to move to digital.....but that is another subject! Thanks for the input! Hope to see you at the railfair in Helena. I will be in the lower level corner near Dan, the organizer.
They say research counts for something. Been doing that online a bit over the last few days, and that there camcorder posted earlier has color saturation issues, among others.... so, more time spent reading and searching. Leaning back towards a well known name brand, Sony. Will definitely keep y'all posted.
I was looking at a couple of different Sony units, a few years back. Before we ran short of money. They all seemed to have good reviews. Another thing to check- Can it accept an external microphone? If so, good. So many videos I watch have a lot of wind noise. An external microphone can be shielded, to cut that down or eliminate it.
Well, went and ordered a JVC GZ-R70 HD camcorder. It has 1080p video at 24mbps and does 10 woo woo woo stills. A 40x optical zoom and low light capability are a big plus too. Hopefully it will be here before I leave for Helena. :frustrated:
Thank the Good Lord and Fed Ex the camera showed up this evening. Sooo, after finishing packing the van up for the Helena show, finishing up the mower, showering etc...then I will ook at it and do some comparison checks later. Weeee!
Going to practice tonight and we will see! It is very similar to the old JVC I have used for ten years, just hasn't got all the buttons! Touchscreen technology and such....wow, I am behind the times. Must be why I like steam!!!
My shaky fingers don't get along well with tiny touch screens. Some days I have a hard time with the little old el cheapo Vivitar recorder. Which is why I rarely use it.
So I have been using this for a couple of weeks now, all the vids and pics from Liv-Helena weekend were taken by it. The vids are pretty good, tho it is a bit more sensitive to my motion. I guess it;s time to keep the tripod attached... The photos are much better than the old one. Only issue I have with it is that the old unit has a shutter that protects the lens when not in use, and this one does not. So I have to go find an old fashioned lens cap to fit it! Overall, it is a good one!
Have you ever considered a monopod? I have one and love it. It has a quick release head which can stay attached to the camera at all times. Only drawback is it blocks battery access.
My video camera is old technology they say. It's a SONY Handicam 650. It records on DVD discs. I can get half a hour of video on a disc The camera also has the ability to do stills but they come out small so I only shoot video
I borrowed on of the Sony Handicams, about two years ago. Using disks I could not get it to do other than record scenes which were too dark, grainy and all motion was slightly blurry. Read and re-read instructions. Experimented for hours, with no luck. It also had a card in it, and those would come out OK. But that card was so small, I could not do much at all.
