Camcorder recommendations
Discussion
Hi - I film firework displays, currently with a Canon 600D with a Canon 10-18mm wide angle lens (16mm equiv with 1.6 crop factor).
I need a real camcorder solution as the 12 minute (4Gb) limit is a problem, as is trying to focus the thing with the lens (infinity goes "behind" the fireworks so I have to manually focus then put tape over the ring to stop accidental adjustments).
I need a camcorder that I can setup, dial the focus to infinity, set the relevant shutter speed, press record, and let it do its thing. The world of camcorders seems very confusing and I can't seem to find any useful sites.
My reqs are these
- 1080p is fine - all my content goes on the web
- I MUST be able to screw on an affordable wide angle adapter to get it down to less than 16mm equiv
- it must have manual focus, and manual shutter speed override.
That's it really. I am looking at the Panny HC-V770 - but only because I randomly ended up there. I see Sonys for £100 less etc but just can't find any decent buying guides or reviews.
I don't want a Chinese cheapo 4k pretend cam - which seem to dominate searches. I have cheap Chinese action cams and the colours and detail are aweful in comparison to the Canon 600D.
Any suggestions where to start?
I need a real camcorder solution as the 12 minute (4Gb) limit is a problem, as is trying to focus the thing with the lens (infinity goes "behind" the fireworks so I have to manually focus then put tape over the ring to stop accidental adjustments).
I need a camcorder that I can setup, dial the focus to infinity, set the relevant shutter speed, press record, and let it do its thing. The world of camcorders seems very confusing and I can't seem to find any useful sites.
My reqs are these
- 1080p is fine - all my content goes on the web
- I MUST be able to screw on an affordable wide angle adapter to get it down to less than 16mm equiv
- it must have manual focus, and manual shutter speed override.
That's it really. I am looking at the Panny HC-V770 - but only because I randomly ended up there. I see Sonys for £100 less etc but just can't find any decent buying guides or reviews.
I don't want a Chinese cheapo 4k pretend cam - which seem to dominate searches. I have cheap Chinese action cams and the colours and detail are aweful in comparison to the Canon 600D.
Any suggestions where to start?
Absolutely has to be a "real" camcorder.
I've filmed with all sorts of go-pros and i need a real lens, with a real CCD. The small action cams, no matter how clever, just don't catch night colours properly , have little or no control over shutter speed etc. The results are very noticebly weak compared to cameras with real glass lenses and a half decent sized CCD
I've filmed with all sorts of go-pros and i need a real lens, with a real CCD. The small action cams, no matter how clever, just don't catch night colours properly , have little or no control over shutter speed etc. The results are very noticebly weak compared to cameras with real glass lenses and a half decent sized CCD
The best option might be just to upgrade your DSLR body e.g. the 750D has the same video duration limit but automatically creates a new file once the limit is reached and continues recording.
For your application you shouldn't have to worry about focus so carefully. The hyperfocal distance of your setup (10 mm lens @ f/4.5 on a typical crop sensor DSLR) is only 1.2 metres. Look up online for more detail, but basically this means you should be able to focus your lens on a spot anywhere between 1.2 metres in front of the camera and infinity and you'll be sorted for the fireworks being sharp.
As you've mentioned you'd likely notice a big drop in low light performance switching from a DSLR to a camcorder like the HC-V770 due to the massive reduction in image sensor size. This will be an issue for pretty much all consumer camcorders - they tend to be aimed at people that want a massive zoom range and this limits the sensor size to avoid overly expensive lenses.
For your application you shouldn't have to worry about focus so carefully. The hyperfocal distance of your setup (10 mm lens @ f/4.5 on a typical crop sensor DSLR) is only 1.2 metres. Look up online for more detail, but basically this means you should be able to focus your lens on a spot anywhere between 1.2 metres in front of the camera and infinity and you'll be sorted for the fireworks being sharp.
As you've mentioned you'd likely notice a big drop in low light performance switching from a DSLR to a camcorder like the HC-V770 due to the massive reduction in image sensor size. This will be an issue for pretty much all consumer camcorders - they tend to be aimed at people that want a massive zoom range and this limits the sensor size to avoid overly expensive lenses.
Sparkov said:
The best option might be just to upgrade your DSLR body e.g. the 750D has the same video duration limit but automatically creates a new file once the limit is reached and continues recording.
I thought all 'stills' cameras that shot video were 29'59" limit? Some legal thing.Simpo Two said:
Sparkov said:
The best option might be just to upgrade your DSLR body e.g. the 750D has the same video duration limit but automatically creates a new file once the limit is reached and continues recording.
I thought all 'stills' cameras that shot video were 29'59" limit? Some legal thing.The OP could always carry on using his existing camera and use a video editing software package such as iMovie or Final Cut Pro to seamlessly join the video clips together, and perhaps add in a few fade effects for good measure, as far as I'm aware iMovie is supplied as standard issue on all Apple phones, laptops and desktop computers, plus can be downloaded onto Windows PCs, am sure it would be more than capable of performing such a simple task.
Take a look: https://www.apple.com/uk/imovie/
TheRainMaker said:
Regards the Canon camera, does magic lantern get around the time limit?
It looks like it has a 'movie restart' option that would help:https://wiki.magiclantern.fm/faq#how_do_i_record_f...
It can also show DoF info which would help the OP to focus manually.
Another +1 here for Davinci Resolve and Magic Lantern, I use a 600D as well and can confirm it does still have the 4gb limit using ML but it creates a new file after automatically and doesn't seem to drop frames when doing it so just link them back in post.
Magic Lantern has prolonged the life of the camera for me quite a bit, would have changed a while back if it was still on the stock firmware.
Magic Lantern has prolonged the life of the camera for me quite a bit, would have changed a while back if it was still on the stock firmware.
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