Video camera suggestions???

[mtcham]

Heading to Africa to shoot wildlife in a few months and am in the market for a lightweight good quality video camera. We'll have some gopros and Dslr's but I need a dedicated video camera. Been looking at the Canon VIXIA HF G10. Any thoughts on the Canon or other suggesstions are welcome.

Thanks

[grskier]

Budget around $1,000?

[mtcham]

Budget around $1,000?

Trying to keep it under $1500 with SD card storage.

[Supermoon]

Canon XA10 would be a good option of you could find one lightly used.

Internal flash memory and SD expandable.

[mtcham]

Thanks Phildo-I'll take a look at that one.

System, Tippster, any recs? I know you guys are into video.

[kidwoo]

Thanks Phildo-I'll take a look at that one.

System, Tippster, any recs? I know you guys are into video.

They'll speak up when you start looking at video cameras, not pocket accessories

[mtcham]

They'll speak up when you start looking at video cameras, not pocket accessories

Haha-ur a funny guy!

Ok-no budget on cost but it must be light enough to carry for 30 days in the african bush.

[Tippster]

What are you looking to shoot with it? If you're just documenting the group and camp life then any little camcorder will do. I'd go with Sony or Panasonic, the best model you can afford.

If you are looking to actually shoot wildlife you'll need a long, fast lens and a very good tripod & head... neither of which is light (or under $1500.)

[systemoverblow'd]

Yeah, you're at that financial line where you can get a pretty decent camera to do basic shit but won't be a rock star at anything. Hell, even our XF100 isn't a stud and it's twice that budget. What's important? low-light? length? weight? frame-rate? bitrate? There is a massive give and take for options that are important to you and in that category of camera it is more important to know your needs.

If you're looking at that Canon you may want to check out the new Panasonic HC-X920. Since it isn't out yet there aren't much comparisons out there but something to think about. Again, what you need will help us with what you should get. Basically anything in Sony, Panny and Canon are a good bet, but one may be better than the others at certain specs

[mtcham]

Yes, video will be mostly be used for in camp and stalking animals. I need to be able to put together a nicely done documentation which will include video, perhaps some gopro footage, maybe some timelapses and stills from the DSLR. Wildlife and scenics will also be shot with my DSLR and presented in book form and Dvd's(no problem with this aspect of it).

I do not have access to stores that carry this equipment where I can handle the stuff and am a jong to video. I will be talking to some of the Profs at our film dept here at the University and also gleaning info from wherever I can find it.

Requirements I think I need.
1. Large storage capacity easily transferred to a hard drive without a lot of extra equipment.
2. Lightweight and somewhat compact.
3. A carry handle
4. External mic
5. Good lowlight capability
6. Good battery life
7. Good smooth autofocus and manual focus
8. Framerate-most seem to be at 24 and 30. Is there an advantage to higher framerates?

So far Phildo's rec for the Canon XA10 seems to fit the bill pretty well but feel free to throw out any other models to consider. I'll have 14 days in Kruger NP to practice and see what I can put together.

[Tye 1on]

Go talk to Gianna at MSU, she did this for Nature all over for years and is an awesome chica.

[systemoverblow'd]

Yes, the XA10 is a watered down version of the XF100 (basically). It will serve your purposes. But now you're adding a different format and medium depending on which DSLR's you choose. This means difference in storage and final edit.

I do hope you realize editing footage isn't just a walk in park. I've created a show from 4 different types of source cameras and it took me longer to match the footage than it did to actually create the storyline.

You mentioned if higher framerates matter. Are you planning on slow-moing anything? If you are you probably want something that runs 720p60 at bare minimum.

External mic. Does it need to be XLR's or are 1/8" acceptable? Are you running powered lavs/booms/etc? Do you need an external audio recorder for length issues or to work with the DSLRs? Remember that wired is always better than wireless.

And the big thing is large storage. Remember that digital media isn't tape. You have no backup. If it is important you want to shoot to small capacity cards and constantly switch them and back them up. You don't want to shoot all day to a 64GB card just to ruin the day because you mess something up that evening. Media ia cheap as hell nowadays. And cameras like the XF100 actually plan for that by having dual card slots that record simultaneously to both cards. You fill them, transfer one card and replace the other and reformat (If you haven't had an error while recording). If this stuff is important.... you don't trust this once in a lifetime to a single $50 card...

[bfree]

I will be talking to some of the Profs at our film dept here at the University

See if they'll let you borrow something. Students at my school can borrow a Panasonic AG-HMC150 HD for a week, with longer periods granted for cool trips like this.

[Supermoon]

When we were shooting for our movie with the XA10, we had five or ten SD cards that we would rotate through. You can record to the internal flash memory and both SD cards simultaneously IIRC to make instant backups. every night we'd capture the footage and back it up to an external drive. Then the next day we'd cycle to a new set of cards. That way, even if the computer and external drive failed for some reason we'd still have the last few days on the cards.

You may or may not want to be that anal about it, but it wasn't really that big of a hassle to have all the footage backed up daily. That's also assuming you have access to a laptop with final cut or similar and a hard drive.

[Tippster]

I know it's yout of your price range but I've heard nothing but good things about the JVC GY-HM600. Really good low-light performance, a 23x lens (vs 10x on the Canon) and shoots to SDXC/SDHC cards which are dirt cheap.

See if you can sell someone on this camera.

[systemoverblow'd]

I know it's yout of your price range but I've heard nothing but good things about the JVC GY-HM600. Really good low-light performance, a 23x lens (vs 10x on the Canon) and shoots to SDXC/SDHC cards which are dirt cheap.

See if you can sell someone on this camera.

"Hey guys, I have max $1500 to spend."
"Here, this one is only $4500, buy that."

[Tippster]

Yours is $2900...

[mtcham]

Thanks for all the good advice and tips.

[time2clmb]

Hey if you want to save some money I have a Panasonic HDCTM900 with spare battery and case I can sell you. Purchased it at the start of last season and didn't use it at all since last spring which is why I want to sell it. Excellent camcorder. Excellent condition, and has a focus ring on it.

[ddsnake]

mtcham ,what did you end up getting ? I'm in the market for a similar type camcorder . I'm considering the Canon XA20 which is being released in a few weeks . If you did end up going with the AX10 , I would like to hear your opinion , or your opinion on whatever cam you got .
Any other input is welcome .

[mtcham]

mtcham ,what did you end up getting ? I'm in the market for a similar type camcorder . I'm considering the Canon XA20 which is being released in a few weeks . If you did end up going with the AX10 , I would like to hear your opinion , or your opinion on whatever cam you got .
Any other input is welcome .

Ended up getting the Panasonic HC-X900M. I chose this one for ease of carrying and the video quality is very good and has manual controls also. On our Kruger trip my son was shooting most of the video and as I am editing the video I am pounding into my head to make sure and have a steady rest or use a tripod when I'm using it. He is used to strapping a gopro on his helmet or kayak and not worrying about steadiness. Thankfully I offer my still photography to clients, not video, but I will provide some video as the kind of trips I am hired for warrant the video for some situations.