Camcorders for wildlife

russell01 · #1 (**permalink**) 29-05-2008, 08:02 PM

Hey all
Ive been looking round the net for a camcorder to use for getting wildlfe shots, things like hawks and deer that live round my area, ive only had a dslr with a 70-300mm lens but want to move up to a video camera. Does any one know a good entry level or lower range camcorder they could recomend for this use between the £100-£800ish. There was a shoulder mount one i saw in jessops (Bath) about 5 months ago for about 600 i think but cant remember the name, anyone know it. A shoulder mount one would be ideal only because its much easier to use but not essential. If any one knows any good cameras or even has one and would recomend it id love to hear from you.
Many Thanks

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 29-05-2008, 09:22 PM

I only recently bought a Panasonic SDR H20 a hard drive (no tapes)
video camera which I have found to be excellent, its bigger brother the
HDC-SD9 gets really good ratings and is a 3CCD recorder

deer boy · #3 (**permalink**) 29-05-2008, 11:52 PM

Hi russell01
I bought a new camcorder & camera recently & shopped around for the best price.
I went into jessops & they said they wouldn't do any discount for me

so i went to warehouseexpress & got a great deal

so check them out & see what u think

RobinP · #4 (**permalink**) 30-05-2008, 11:24 AM

I've got a JVC Everio which has a 35x optical zoom which is great but the quality isn't as good as a 3CCD camcorder and editing the hard disk isn't as straightforward as mini DV.

I'm thinking of changing to the HDC-SD9, not as much zoom (only 10x) but it's a 3CCD and recording to SDHC card sounds interesting, apparently you can get an hour's worth on a 4 gb card.

russell01 · #5 (**permalink**) 30-05-2008, 11:52 AM

Thanks all
ill have a look around at ur suggestons and see what i find
Thanks

BigBadger · #6 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 10:32 PM

Hi Russel. I use a Sony handycam DCR-HC45E. It has a 40, yes 40 times optical zoom and has nightvision with a built in short distance IR illuminator. It is the was £290 I have ever spent. Great for Birding footage and fantastic for night time Badger footage. Being partly disabled I love how small and light it is and it's so simple to use. I was going to invest in another model so I could connect my parabolic mic as this model has no external mic socket, but to be honest its optics and value for money outweighed that need. Very happy with it mate.
Hope the above replies can help you in looking around for your new camera. Happy filming.