monsterfan99 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Hey everyone. I am looking to get a digital video camera. Any advice using these guidelines: - It will be used to film at theme parks mainly - Will not be used for still photos - Not a Sony (a personal thing) - Does well in low light (think Disney dark rides or Fireworks) - My maximum budget is $600-$700 Any advice would be wonderful. Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 You might look into what Canon has to offer. I don't personally have a Canon camcorder, but I know a few people who do and have been happy with them. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMontu Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I've had a couple of Canon camcorders and had all sorts of problems with them. I'm actually surprised that my current one still works (sometimes). There's the possibility that things have changed more recently and I don't tend to have much luck with video cameras anyway. I have had much better experiences with their still cameras. I would shop around and read review. Sites like Amazon and Newegg would make a good starting point. Aside from the brand, do you have a preference for format? MiniDV had been the format of choice for many people on TPR for many years, but flash is becoming more popular (no moving parts) and high-def camcorders are coming down in price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 ^I'm looking towards a flash or internal hard drive model. More of a convince thing then anything else. My main problem with the reviews is lack of low-light reviews. This would be my best guess as to a place where people have used a camera in a theme park in low light. Thanks for the advice so far, I'm always open to any suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I'm pretty sure Robb is moving to flash memory cameras. He's been using MiniDV. As for lowlight, I'm not sure there's a camera out there that takes really phenominal low light footage, unless you want to spend a major chunk of cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Here you go...research this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=598098&Q=&is=REG&A=details I haven't found a better handheld, fully HD, handheld camera on the market. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 For $449. That's a pretty good deal too. Matt "I don't need more toys " Jacobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 Thanks for the link Robb. I am not a Sony fan, but the price might be too good to pass. Right now I am between that and the Canon VIXIA HF200. Decisions, decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklingscribe Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I bought a Canon Vixia a year an a half ago but returned it because Canon practically made it so you'd have to buy the some $100+ accessories in order to get usable video. The lens was so narrow that any hand-held footage was too shaky to use. The wide-angle conversion lens they sold for it was $160 dollars. Canon had purposely made the threading around the lens a propitiatory size (something like 47 1/2 mm) so you had no choice but to go with their own accessories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Thanks for the link Robb. I am not a Sony fan, but the price might be too good to pass. Right now I am between that and the Canon VIXIA HF200. Decisions, decisions. Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about Sony? Every TPR video has been filmed with a Sony product or a product containing Sony chips (our SD lipstick cameras were all custom built with Sony CCD chips) If there is anything I can say positive about Sony cameras, just watch anything on TPR or our DVDs...the proof is in the pudding. I have used just about every video camera manufacturer known to man and I have yet to find a camera out there that offers as much "bang for the buck" then Sony. Panisonic, JVC, Cannon - all crap. I've litterally watched a JVC camera fall apart, Cannons don't seem to like roller coaster G-Forces, and Panisonic, I dunno, they just feel so "cheap" to me. And I'm not a wacked out Sony fanboy or anything as I have had products from them that were crap and I've returned or sold. I can tell you that I have put no less than 20 different Sony cameras to the test doing everything imaginable with them on roller coasters, flat rides, and water rides, and they have all pretty much stood the test. Anyway, that's my pitch. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 ^My problem is the amount of issues I had with Sony digital cameras I've had over the years. I've had 2 different camera models that I had to return multiple times for issues with them. However, this was 4 years ago, so maybe things have changed. Right now I am leaning towards the Sony due to low light. I just want to get into a store to play around with each before I decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklingscribe Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Were those issues to do with moving parts? I have a little Sony Mini DV Camcorder I bought years ago that broke down on me several times simply because little pieces of dirt had got in and jammed the gears that play the tape. Other than that it has been a great work horse. I think the new Sony cameras that record onto a solid state drive would be even better in reliability because of the lack of moving parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 ^My problem is the amount of issues I had with Sony digital cameras I've had over the years. I've had 2 different camera models that I had to return multiple times for issues with them. However, this was 4 years ago, so maybe things have changed. I have actually found that the Sony digital still cameras do not blow me away. I use them mainly so I only need to carry one type of memory card, but I feel their video product is far superior to their still cameras. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 ^ That's good to hear. The memory card format is the only other issue for me as everything I own is SD. Were those issues to do with moving parts? I have a little Sony Mini DV Camcorder I bought years ago that broke down on me several times simply because little pieces of dirt had got in and jammed the gears that play the tape. Other than that it has been a great work horse. Dirt inside the cameras from the factory getting on the lens was a huge problem with them. With the point-and-shoot style cameras, they are a pain to get open without breaking anything and no camera place would work on them. I also had one of them that just flat out erased everything on a memory card when the camera was shut out. Needless to stay, I moved onto another brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklingscribe Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Sound like you've just had bad luck with the brand. If you feel like you want extended trial with a camcorder try to get it from Costco. They'll let you return electronics you don't like within the first 90 days and won't charge a re-boxing fee. It's convenient and has allowed me to decide on a couple of my bigger purchases. I've even used it to exchange an iPod, which I suspected was a lemon (the hard drive made ominous sounds), for one that has been lasting me a couple of years. The downside is that once you are past the 90 day period you can only rely on the manufacturer's warranty and whatever product protection American Express can give you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share Posted December 26, 2009 Robb, if you see this, I got a question. You have any videos online that were made with the Sony HDR-CX100 camera? I was reading ok to below average for it's use with moving objects. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 All of the offride and non POV shots in these videos were shot with that camera. The onride footage was shot with Sony's new HD lipstick camera and from what I can tell, it seems to mostly be a lipstick version of the CX-100: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share Posted December 26, 2009 Thank you very much for the video. It puts any worries I had to rest. I am trying to find a store in central IL to play around with it, but looking like I will have to wait until I back to Chicago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Also if you're wondering how it shoots in low light, all these Yo Gabba Gabba clips were shot with it: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=826474#826474 --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 I got the Sony HDR-CX100 yesterday and LOVE IT. It is outstanding and the size is perfect. I want to thank Robb for all his help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Let me also recommend a fantastic lens for you that works great on rides - VCL-0630X It's just wide enough to help stabilize your shots, make rides look even better, and it's not too wide that it's distorted. Again, all our off ride shots usually have this lens attached. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 ^Added to the list to buy along with an extended battery and memory card. Any advice on a case to protect the camera on ride? Not for POV's at all, but for riding in my pocket during the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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