another camcorder question

[RonC]

Yeah, for your needs, shooting and editing product/information videos at home for distribution on YouTube and standard DVD, that would be fine. So your list would look like this:

$229 - Canon ZR-930 MiniDV camcorder
$135 - Azden WLX-PRO Wireless Lavalier (clip-on mic if you're going to be talking on/off camera)
$69 - Velbon Videomate 607 Tripod (the cheapest tripod I'd actually use)
$11 - Smith-Victor TR-56 Camcorder Accessory Mounting Bracket (to attach the Azden wireless receiver to the camera)
$99 - Pinnacle Studio Plus version 12 software

And later, you could add the $149 Rode VideoMic if you want better general purpose sound. Oh and of course, don't forget you'll need to put together one of those $50 D.I.Y. lighting kits.

This setup will get you shooting and editing great looking/sounding videos in no time, and will do it on a budget too boot!

is this the homemade porn industry standard? you really didnt think i was going through this effort for cigar accessories, did you?

 

[tuffy]

is this the homemade porn industry standard? you really didnt think i was going through this effort for cigar accessories, did you?

For that, you want to make sure you have a lens filter and a plastic bag on the camera to protect it during the final scene of the movie you will be "shooting".:thumbsup:

 

[Electric Sheep]

Uh... porn, eh? :scratchhe

Gee, that's totally out of my element, but if I were going to shoot porn, I'd definitely get a higher-end camera with a wide-angle lens. You know, to shoot CLOSE and, uh, "enhance" the size of things in the center of the frame.

And now I'm definitely not flying out to Tampa! :nodlaugh:

 

[RonC]

this will be "humidor porn"

 

[Electric Sheep]

Then don't bother with a wide-angle lens; you'll want a realistic image of the cigars, I'm sure. The cheap Canon ZR-930 camera setup listed above will be just fine for cigar porn.

 

[RonC]

speaking of wide angle lenses, but would be the benefit? all joking aside, i will be using it for product videos. will a wide angle lens help or hurt my videos? does the 930 have a wide angle lens built in?

 

[Electric Sheep]

No, the 930 doesn't have a wide-angle, and you most likely cannot attach one to it as an option. You'd have to seriously step up to a larger camera (like the HV20 or HV30) to get one that could meet your other needs AND take a wide-angle lens.

BUT...don't worry, you don't need a wide-angle lens. They make small interior spaces look slightly bigger, and they make small objects look slighter bigger if you're close up to them, but they do it through OPTICAL DISTORTION...meaning they kinda "warp" the real world (some more than others).

In the case of product or cigar videos, I wouldn't use a wide angle lens unless it was a minor amount that kept things rectilinear and didn't present any noticeable barrel distortion...and that that point, you might as well not use one at all.

 

[RonC]

thanks again

 

[Fresh50]

WOOT!

Canon HV20 High Definition Camcorder
$549.99 + $5 shipping

Warranty: 6 Month Canon

Features:

* Captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. Made for HD widescreen television
* 10x Canon optical zoom with 200x digital zoom and 3 pre-set zoom speeds for professional looking zoom shots
* Lens is covered in a super spectra coating that minimizes flare and ghosting
* True HD CMOS Sensor reproduces high resolution images at 1920×1080 and uses an RGB Primary Color Filter with Bayer Pattern that separates light into red, green and blue color components
* DIGIC DVII image processing improves color reproduction especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. Also uses a hybrid noise reduction system for clear high definition images
* Can shoot 5 (3.1 Megapixel still) images per second and save to a MiniSD card
* SuperRange OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) corrects multiple types of camcorder motion, fast vibration you’d experience while recording from a moving car; the medium-speed motion of hand-held recording; and the slower motion of body sway
* Instant AF feature uses an external sensor, in combination with Canon’s autofocus system, to help significantly decrease the time it takes to find focus, even in low light conditions
* Level and grid markers to line up any horizontal lines in your shot and you can be sure your camcorder is level
* Ultra Video Light lets you shoot subjects in color in low light up to 4.9 feet away
* 24p Cinema Mode provides the same frame rate as movie film
* Capable of capturing stunning 3.1 Megapixel photos in 4:3 aspect ratio to a miniSD card (2.07 Megapixels at 16:9)
* HV20 uses the IEEE1394 protocol to transmit video to your Mac or PC, there’s no loss of picture or audio quality in the process
* Has an HDMI port to connect to a TV for the highest quality playback (video and audio)
* Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminal allows you to attach extra accessories such as a video light or a directional microphone
* HV20 makes it easy to store digital photos on an optional miniSD Memory Card
* Analog-Digital Converter lets you convert videos you have stored on analog videotapes to a digital format
* 2.7” Widescreen LCD Screen makes it easy to compose and review your shots

Specifications:
Power Supply (rated)
CA-570 Compact Power Adapter
BP-2L13 Battery Pack
Image Sensor
1/2.7" CMOS Sensor
RGB Primary Color Filter
Total Pixels
Approx. 2,960,000
Effective Pixels
Movie HDV/DV (WIDE): approx. 2,070,000
Movie DV (NORMAL): approx. 1,550,000
16:9 still images: approx. 2,070,000
4:3 still images: approx. 2,760,000
Maximum Recording Time (with an 80-min. cassette)
SP: 80 min
Lens
Zoom Ratio: 10x Optical
200x Digital
Focal Length" f=6.1-61mm
Zoom Speed: Variable
3 Fixed Zoom Speeds
Max. F/Stop: f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used)
Filter Size: 43mm
Focusing System
Manual Focus Assist Functions: Magnifying
Peaking
Manual Exposure
Yes
Programmed AE
Auto
Program
Av
Tv
CINE
Portrait
Sports
Night
Snow
Beach
Sunset
Spotlight
Fireworks
Supported Playback Modes
1080/60i
1080/24P
1080/30F
1080/24F
Max Shutter Speed
1/2000
1/500 (card)
Auto Date/Time
Yes
Record Search/Review
Yes
Minimum Focusing Distance
10 mm Wide
1m Tele
White Balance
Daylight
Shade
Cloudy
Tungsten
Fluorescent
Fluorescent H
Image Stabilization
SuperRange Optical (lens shift)
AF System
Instant AF
Through the Lens/Manual Focusing Possible
Viewfinder
Widescreen 0.27" Color Viewfinder
Approx 123,000 pixels
LCD Screen
2.7" Widescreen LCD
Approx. 211,000 pixels
Recording Media
High Definition miniDV (recommended) (63min.)
miniDV cassette
Audio
DV: 16 bit 2ch 48kHz
12 bit (4ch) 32 kHz
4ch synchronous recording not possible
HDV: MPEG1 Audio Layer II (2 ch)
4-channel playback of tapes containing 4-channel recordings possible
HDMI Terminal
Type A (19 pins) 480i/ 480p/1080i Format Supported
Microphone Terminal
3.5 mm Stereo Mini-jack
AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal
3.5mm 4 Pole Mini-jack
Dimensions
WxHxD 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in
Weight (not including lens and battery pack)
1.2 lbs

In the box:

* Canon HV20 HD Camcorder
* Power Adapter
* Battery Pack
* Remote Control
* Users Guide
* Component Cable

 

[Electric Sheep]

Damn, I've got a house full of cameras--more than I really need or can even use--and yet I still want one of those because of the price!

Damn....must....resist....ordering.....

 

[Fresh50]

Bump for the end of day before the deal is over.

 

[Electric Sheep]

Ron, if you see this WOOT! deal before it runs out, and you haven't bought a camera yet, then I'd say it's well worth buying. It's *exactly* what David bought and what I recommended earlier, except it's a refurb model.

FYI -- I've always had good luck with refurbs.

 

[Fresh50]

FYI...Warranty: 6 Month Canon