I'm thinking it's time to start filming my hunts and get a decent filming setup. Does anyone have any information on these two cameras? are they worth it? will they cut it? is it worth a few hundred for the 30?
I've never used either one, but I've played around with the XA10 and the XA20. The G20 and G30 are very similar to those cameras, just missing some of the more professional features like the XLR inputs. I think these are great cameras that perform pretty will in low light conditions. In my opinion, I think the G30 is worth the money compared to the G20. 10X optical zoom is the absolute bare minimum. The 20X zoom of the G30 will give you a lot more flexibility. If you hunt any open spaces you will really, really regret not having the extra zoom. I know several people that have sold their XA10's and replaced with the XA20's for that exact reason.
I just want to make sure I get something that I can put a Varizoom Lanc controller and a mic on so I could use it for a few years before up grading. I have looked at the XA series but I just cant afford the new ones yet <- college budget
Either camera will work with a verizoom and a mic like the Rode VidoeMic. The initial investment in the difference between the G20 and G30 should be able to be made up when reselling later due to the longer zoom range and more popularity of the G30.
On the canon refurbished website the 30 is 780 (out of stock) and the 20 is 540 (in stock). Are those good deals? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As long as it carries a warranty, I don't think you can go wrong getting a refurb direct from the manufacturer. That's a really good price on both models.
I'll have to check but I thought I saw 1 year for a warranty. If I decide to go this way I think I will go with the 30, at 780 I should be able to set it up for about 1k with a varizoom and camera arm, right? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pretty close, and if you check w. Campbell's Cameras, they have all their Varizoom remotes on sale/clearance. You will need an Arm, and a Fluid head so figure $150 for the head and $150-$200 for an arm. Plus $100 or so for the LANC.
I have an arm right now, it's not amazing but it may work, what's the fluid head? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is what you put on your Tree arm to allow you to have smooth pans and tilts. Without one, or with a cheap pan and tilt head, the footage will be jumpy when you try and pan or tilt. http://www.manfrotto.us/product/MVH500AH
yes, depending on what kind of deal I can get on the camera a new arm and for sure a fluid head will be on the list. My arm is a cheap one, maybe I will use it as a second angle
I bought a refurbished g30 from canon and so far I love it. I use it with a rode videomic, varizoom stealth lanc, and muddy pro camera arm. This setup works great and will produce tv quality footage in the right lighting conditions.
Well sky pretty much covered everything really well. He is spot on going with the 30 over the 20. I have the 20 and The only thing I have to complain about is the 10x zoom. Other then that I have nothing bad to say about with this camera.
Keep an eye out at http://www.campbellcameras.com/. The are liquidating all their inventory, so there should be some good deals throughout the summer.
I have a 10x zoom camera because when I bought it that's what I could afford. I'm now thinking of upgrading to 20x because you run out of zoom really fast at 10x. Then I could use the other as a second angle or something. It really doesn't effect the end quality of the video. It would just be nice to film things that are a little farther away. Any time we have killed something on film the video is great because we never shots that are vary far away.
