for those of you who either tape for someone, or have someone tape your hunt for you, are the cameras you use the top of the line ones/ real expensive ones. i'm wondering if anyone gets decent video from a camera between200 to 500 dollars. i looked at some( from Campbell Cameras) and the decent ones made for taping hunts are all 1000 or way more. just curios if anyone uses anything much cheaper with good results. i'm not looking to start my own show or anything, but i'd like to tape my brother and he'd tape me. thanks for anyone's input
I am just getting into filming and using a Sony Handycam. I plan on purchasing a quality camera next year but figure this is a good way to learn. Understand where to setup my camera arm, how to work with my hunter/cameraman, communications, etc. But you can definetly get some good footage with a cheaper camera. Check out Caleb's youtube page. He has a bunch of videos from in the trees. My page is all from videos from the ground so far.
You can do just fine with a Handycam size camera. Several things you want to look for are 10x or more optical zoom(digtial zoom is crappy), the lower the LUX number the better it will work in low light conditions, 3ccds, etc. Mini DVs(not DVD) are a popular choice for easy filming and editing. You can get the bigger batteries for the handycams and even get a small shotgun style mic with a w/windscreen for pretty cheap.
I actually looked into a shotgun mic for my little Sony but it won't support one. Totally sucks. I was looking forward to being able to get decent sound but that won't happen now. Still just learning how to film so I am not to worried about it.
thanks for the input, i really want to have a decent cam for next seasons hunts, hope i can convince my wife it's something i "need"
I am saving up for the same thing but not sure that it will happen next year. Have a feeling some expenses related to the gf will change that for me!
The best advise that I can give you on a camera is that it has to have a manual focus or it is tuff to get good footage
