Kaido's 2009 Camcorder Guide

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
obligatory dead cat shot

Dead cat

The dead cat for my Rode Videomic made SUCH a big difference in my audio recordings, I just leave it on 24/7...

 

[theblackbox]

i would leave my dead cat on the camera all the time, but my live cats like playing with it and they tear stuff up.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I shot video of one of our shows a while back with my Optura and had the mic attenuator on. I ripped the audio from the clip and burnt it to a CD. The levels are SO loud; I can turn my car stereo on 2 or 3 and its being heard 2-3 cars away. Not that I listen to my music that loud ...all the time... heh, but any normally big label production CD will take atleast 3/4 of the volume nob to even get that high. And the best part is, there is absolutely no distortion of the sound.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Yay!

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Yay!

so, how you liking it? i love mine, it's a great camera.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

It's really sweet!!!! Just the simple differences from my Optura Xi are immensely better! I love the ease of the menu. It's easy to navigate, straight forward and doesn't need a huge learning curve. It's small!!! My Optura would be straining my shoulder 15 minutes into a bands set and I would be asking myself by then; is it worth it - haha I do have a tri pod but its hard to set that up in the middle of the floor with kids jumpin around etc. I was liking the idea of the HDD's when they came out but this the flash is 1000x better!!! It fits nicely. This thing gives me the impression of being a powerhouse in a small package - kinda like anti-matter hehe.

I'm going to have to really start playing around to see what is the best performance per situation. The Subhumans are coming into town and I think that'll be a good show to catch. It's the original lineup.... I'll have the HDC TM300 by then and hopefully will learn which is a better low light overall performer...

Is there any converting program that plays straight .MTF files ... (not sure if i am remembering it right) VoltiacHD is nice but I'd like to be able to break down the file before I convert it for editing. And I think watching for what where and when with the clip will help reduce the file size before the editing. I know it sounds like i'm asking about editing before hand but I'd like to get the files smaller for combining them later through WMM.

can't wait for my TM300!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Got my Panasonic HDC TM300 in and I've got to say I wasn't impressed off the bat. The color at low level light really disappointed me. The ergonomics are sub par to those on the Canon HF S100. I've picked up and held a HF20 and that didn't fit as comfortable as the HF S100. The touch-screen menu is kinda clunky. For someone with big fingers/hands, it'll be a problem. It reminds me of my BB Storm. The Canon has alot more options to fool with and navigating is a cinch. I almost had filled out the online form at B&H to return it until last night after getting home from seeing Star Trek, when I gave it my 4th or 5th whirl to see if there was anything I was missing about it, because I knew I couldn't be that disappointed with a 1300$ camcorder that got a few better reviews over the HF S100. I glanced down at my open manual, had it open to page 82 or 83 when I noticed the AWB mode. My eyes scanned the settings and I read the 'Indoor 2 mode' And that's when this thing sprang to life. For me, the best option is to keep the Recording settings on "Manual" You get control over your White Balance, Shutter Speed, and something ? called iris adjustments that can darken or lighten the surroundings in in the view. Hopefully a few more days and I'll be convinced on keeping both; which I almost already am

EDIT: It's a keeper. The low level noise as described in the review I was reading is correct. The HDC TM300 has less noise in low level light situations than the HF S100. They are both great cams though. Keeping both

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Got my Panasonic HDC TM300 in and I've got to say I wasn't impressed off the bat. The color at low level light really disappointed me. The ergonomics are sub par to those on the Canon HF S100. I've picked up and held a HF20 and that didn't fit as comfortable as the HF S100. The touch-screen menu is kinda clunky. For someone with big fingers/hands, it'll be a problem. It reminds me of my BB Storm. The Canon has alot more options to fool with and navigating is a cinch. I almost had filled out the online form at B&H to return it until last night after getting home from seeing Star Trek, when I gave it my 4th or 5th whirl to see if there was anything I was missing about it, because I knew I couldn't be that disappointed with a 1300$ camcorder that got a few better reviews over the HF S100. I glanced down at my open manual, had it open to page 82 or 83 when I noticed the AWB mode. My eyes scanned the settings and I read the 'Indoor 2 mode' And that's when this thing sprang to life. For me, the best option is to keep the Recording settings on "Manual" You get control over your White Balance, Shutter Speed, and something ? called iris adjustments that can darken or lighten the surroundings in in the view. Hopefully a few more days and I'll be convinced on keeping both; which I almost already am

EDIT: It's a keeper. The low level noise as described in the review I was reading is correct. The HDC TM300 has less noise in low level light situations than the HF S100. They are both great cams though. Keeping both

Care to post some footage? I'm VERY interested to see how both cameras handle low-light (I'm still in the dino age with my MiniDV tapes ).

 

[Kaido]

In case I haven't mentioned in, if you want to learn more about making movies, buy this book ASAP:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321413644/

It's called "The DV Rebel's Guide" and covers all the fun stuff I've been hitting on about cameras, microphones, etc. and shows you how to make a movie from storyboarding to editing. Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY pick this book up if you are getting into this stuff, it's AWESOME!!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

What makes a wider angle? 0.65x or 0.7x ???

 

[theblackbox]

0.65x makes a slightly wider angle

 

[Kaido]

Woooooooooow, watch the video for a surprise ending!

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009...obile-video-workhorse/

I'd buy that for $49! :Q

 

[viewton]

Originally posted by: Kaido...both the HV30 and HF-100 were/are going for $529 (an incredible price all around).

Hey Kaido, thanks for this thread, I haven't read it all yet, but I'm having fun going through it.

Question for you...did they discontinue the HV30 for the HV40? I'm trying to find it for that price you mentioned, but I can only find it for $799 on b&h unfortunately.

BTW, the link to the crane shot alternative is not working, but the video is on youtube now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqPX0gH2id0

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: viewton

Originally posted by: Kaido...both the HV30 and HF-100 were/are going for $529 (an incredible price all around).

Hey Kaido, thanks for this thread, I haven't read it all yet, but I'm having fun going through it.

Question for you...did they discontinue the HV30 for the HV40? I'm trying to find it for that price you mentioned, but I can only find it for $799 on b&h unfortunately.

BTW, the link to the crane shot alternative is not working, but the video is on youtube now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqPX0gH2id0

Yah, the HV40 is the latest iteration. They're all the same camera though. So whatever you can find cheapest. Even the HV20 is great - you just have to tick a box when you're transcoding your footage for it to be reverse/inverse telecined.

I'm busily converting the Guide over to Wiki format for easier editing & navigation, so I'll add that updated crane link to it, thanks!

 

[Kaido]

Canon HF-S11 and HF-21 AVCHD camcorders announced:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...sh-more-memory-in-jap/

The HF-S11 has a new night-shooting mode and improved image stabilization. Both cams feature 64-gigs of memory (5.5 hours @ top quality) plus an SDHC slot.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Canon HF-S11 and HF-21 AVCHD camcorders announced:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...sh-more-memory-in-jap/

The HF-S11 has a new night-shooting mode and improved image stabilization. Both cams feature 64-gigs of memory (5.5 hours @ top quality) plus an SDHC slot.

Same thing practically cept more memory

 

[theblackbox]

well, i got my fcs3 and logic upgrades today, so i'll be busy installing new stuff.
as a plus, i was at best buy and they had a table with stuff on sale, and they had flip mino 2gb for 129. the only thing was, two of the boxes priced like that were flip mino hd 4gb, so i grabbed them both. when they checked me out, she canned the regular barcode, then saw the sale price and corrected the price to the sale price but the receipt still shows mino hd. so i got two at 129 each so i can now build a 3d rig. happy happy mood.

and, yes it was probably wrong of me, but i didn't misprice them.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
well, i got my fcs3 and logic upgrades today, so i'll be busy installing new stuff.
as a plus, i was at best buy and they had a table with stuff on sale, and they had flip mino 2gb for 129. the only thing was, two of the boxes priced like that were flip mino hd 4gb, so i grabbed them both. when they checked me out, she canned the regular barcode, then saw the sale price and corrected the price to the sale price but the receipt still shows mino hd. so i got two at 129 each so i can now build a 3d rig. happy happy mood.

and, yes it was probably wrong of me, but i didn't misprice them.

Awww <--- Jealous

I just shot my budget for the next couple months on music equipment for my computer like 2 days before the updates came out, D'OH! Ah well. I've been studying the manuals online though, at least I can be ready when I upgrade!

 

[Kaido]

Kodak announced the Zi8 HD pocket camcorder:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...080p-mark-adds-facebo/

-$179.99
-1080p
-Available September 2009
-Youtube and Facebook uploading
-Red, Blue, Black colors
-Face tracking
-Image stabilization
-SD card slot
-2.5" LCD

Holy dude...a 1080p pocket cam with IS!!! I'm VERY anxious to see some footage from this puppy! This would go perfect with my new Apple Tabl-, er, Snow Leopard upgrade

 

[Kaido]

Canon EOS 7D Camera: End of September, $1899, 1080/24, 1080/30, and 720/60. Holy buckets batman :Q

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...eo-specs-get-detailed/

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...tly-what-you-expected/

 

[Kaido]

New Creative Vado HD announced: (scarce on details atm)

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...-os-x-compatible-vado/

Looks like they'll have a Mac-compatible app with "easy import into iMovie", which I'm guessing is some kind of auto-transcoder that flips it over to iMovie when it's done.

 

[Kaido]

Apitek pen cam announced: (no price/date)

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...s-more-like-a-highlig/

 

[Caecus Veritas]

Kaido,

any updates to your jag35 setup? i'm really interested in seeing how it turns out.

EDIT: DOH!! sorry kaido, theblackbox and your name are so similar i got confused!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Caecus Veritas
Kaido,

any updates to your jag35 setup? i'm really interested in seeing how it turns out.

Must be thinking of someone else, I'm not doing a Jag35 setup...I have a D90

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Kodak announced the Zi8 HD pocket camcorder:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...080p-mark-adds-facebo/

I just picked this up off Amazon for $179.95.

I also got the gorillapod, microphone and 32GB SD flash card.

I have a photobucket pro account and I'll upload some demo HD content, if I can.