Non-HD video options

[Efliernz]

I'm already shootod stills with an XTi / Canon 400D but we need to shoot some basic video for a website.
While we could go out and spend $1500 on a HD DVcam, I would prefer to grab a small (under 300g so I can use the Trex500 or 600) compact digicam and use 640x480 25/30 fps video mode. There are so many options here, anything I should be avoiding? (like the Casio EX-V8 barrel distortion problem at wide-angle).

Cheers

[Hogster]

Any of the Canon Powershot range should fit your bill (A620, 630, 640, 650)

A sample vid here:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_a650_samples.html


David :)

[Efliernz]

I used to have a 640 but squashed it under the T600... It sounds like it is still one of the better options.
Thanks

[Hogster]

Ouch! :eek: What happened Pete?


David :(

[Efliernz]

I was stupid!!!

Too far away, too close to the sun and nose-in. I thought it dropped the nose (lots of thermals and a breeze over/thru trees) but it had dropped the tail. I pulled back to right it - then my wife/camera driver advises the world was upside down in the video downlink. I got it the right way up and disappeared behind the trees. After I lost sight and it didn't climb above, I hit throttle-hold... and went looking (on farmland).
Minimal damage. Yes, a squshed camera and the TP pack flew 1.5m forward. The gearbox and rearward of Trex600 was ok. One blade lost.

The diy mount was repaired within an hour. New ali sides (and a motor/battery).

What we learnt: Talk to land owners to gain access if it is safer. We are also using the DSLR now with an 18mm lens so we don't need to go as far. When we fly off strangers land, we often shoot and email a shot of there land to them as a thankyou (watermarked). Great pr that has given us more work.

[Tonystott]

Guys, I just bought another Canon 0.7 wide converter lens on eBay for $A82! Now that is a cheap back-up! :)

[Efliernz]

burgler!!!

I have a slightly used one here... :)

[CoastalTom]

Dang Tony................ how'd you find that? I've got a search going on e-bay for one but all it finds is a buy-it-now for $149.

I did get me a brand new A620 for $100 a few weeks ago. Already did the remote switch mod to it thanks to all that described the process. This sucker makes pics as good as my Rebel Xti!

TP

[Efliernz]

Damn :YeaBaby: I just received a request for aerial video promotion work. Time to get a proper camera :) Now the dilema really starts. It doesn't need to be HD (Although that is nice) so time to research...

[Hogster]

Have a look at the Panasonic range ... our family have the GS-500 for general ground work and it's great!

http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/panasonic_nv-gs500.html


David :)

[Efliernz]

Thanks Dave

Going around in circles... I can get the Sony HC5 at a good price and there are several reports of it doing ok in the air (although it isn't 3CCD). The Canon HV20 has mixed reviews in the air... and I am being steered away from the Panasonic SD5 SD-card based compression cameras.
I'm flying off a Trex600E and virtually zero vibrations so where the Canon HV20 doesn't like vibes, I may be ok.

more reading to do...

[Tonystott]

Dang Tony................ how'd you find that? I've got a search going on e-bay for one but all it finds is a buy-it-now for $149.

I did get me a brand new A620 for $100 a few weeks ago. Already did the remote switch mod to it thanks to all that described the process. This sucker makes pics as good as my Rebel Xti!

TP
Hi Tom!
I think I got lucky because the seller was also selling a G3, and the camera buyer wasn't interested in the wide converter, so no-one else bid during the last three days! I have a Canon adaptor for a G3 or G5 going for nothing. BTW, that $82 was in Oz dollars, making the price about $US69 :D

[trackhead]

Thanks Dave

Going around in circles... I can get the Sony HC5 at a good price and there are several reports of it doing ok in the air (although it isn't 3CCD). The Canon HV20 has mixed reviews in the air... and I am being steered away from the Panasonic SD5 SD-card based compression cameras.
I'm flying off a Trex600E and virtually zero vibrations so where the Canon HV20 doesn't like vibes, I may be ok.

more reading to do...

Avoid the Canon's. I've owned the Pany SD1, the Canon HV10, Sony FX1, and now the Sony HC5. The HC5 is by far, the most suitable for AP both for it's price point, image quality, and lack of interferance from subvisual vibrations.

My HV10 worked 75% of the time, but seemed to get wavey footage when I really couldn't afford it. This is on a Trex 600. You couldn't see any vibes in the wavey footage, but the subvisual vibes still affected the image.

HC5, affordable, quality.

[FreeFlow]

I took my old home made training gear and made this mounts setup for a Flip Video camera for my Trex450SE V2. I just need to get some nice high riser landing gear so I don't need to use the training gear. I hope this gives everyone some good Ideas for more fun!

[Efliernz]

Avoid the Canon's. I've owned the Pany SD1, the Canon HV10, Sony FX1, and now the Sony HC5. The HC5 is by far, the most suitable for AP both for it's price point, image quality, and lack of interferance from subvisual vibrations.

My HV10 worked 75% of the time, but seemed to get wavey footage when I really couldn't afford it. This is on a Trex 600. You couldn't see any vibes in the wavey footage, but the subvisual vibes still affected the image.

HC5, affordable, quality.

Thanks Trackhead :thumbup:

Which wide-angle do you use on yours?
I'll go shopping on Wednesday once we have the go-ahead for the job.

Cheers all