Anyone use a compact camcorder?

Mexico · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2009, 09:26 AM

Hi
I've been into photographing birds and wildlife for a while now and just enjoy being out there watching and listening. I like the challenge of stills photography and carry around a rucksack full of bits and pieces. However, sometimes I see something that a photograph cannot do justice to. For example, I can watch dragonflies for hours, but a stills photo, even in flight, just doesn't do it justice, especially when they start fighting in mid air. I am therefore considering getting a camcorder which must fit in my rucksack, so an XL2 isn't an option! I've been looking at camcorders up to about £500 and wondered what others out there are using? It seems if I go HD I am limited on zoom to a maximum of 20x. This may not be enough for small subjects. Macro would be a must. I could go for non HD which can get me optical zooms up to 70x, which sounds amazing! I think sound is important with video and a mic jack would be nice to improve sound quality. What would a good camcorder, maybe with some manual control, be? Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Mex

Mexico · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 06:18 PM

Just replying to bump this up posting.

Thanks,
Mex

nytecam · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 09:46 AM

Clearly you can spend as much as you like on gear but you might consider another option - movie-mode on most digital compacts. I've recently discovered this setting button and am amazed at the results - see my YouTube - nytecam's Channel that includes bug close-ups with a handheld simple lens over the camera to get within a few inches. Mine [Fuji E550] has only x4 zoom and VGA res [640x480] @ 30fps but for the moment is suits my needs

Using software like MS MovieMaker [it may already be on your computer] you can edit your movies to slowdown a fly's flight or even freeze a lightning strike

loripo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Have a look at Fujifilms s5700 (there might be an updated version by now). Its a bridge camera and has macro/supermacro both of which can be used in movie mode. The movies are.AVI format, 640X480 30 frames per sec. and they are good enough to display full screen on a PC, or as DVD if you have the software to burn one. They look OK on a school whiteboard as well. Only 10x zoom though and the movies are auto settings and SD cards not SDHC.
No way to send a sample here. I havent gone Youtube!

Mexico · #5 (**permalink**) 13-07-2009, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the info, guys. My daughter has a Nikon compact on with movie mode, but that one isn't too good. I'm also looking for a zoom lens of at least 16x, if not much more (if I go standard definition). I'd like to use it to film, or snapshot, beasties beyond the range of my Sigma 50-500mm which is equivalent to a 750mm on a 35mm camera. It would be nice to get something of a shot of an unusual bird which my SLR setup would not magnify enough.

Mex

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 16-07-2009, 05:25 PM

Iv gone schoolstube as my clips are for school use. See if you can watch this one
Schools Tube

Full screen would be best but I cant get that on my PC for some reason. IT will give an example of macro video clips with a camera rather than camcorder. (the tags aren't mine!)