Hey Guys, So if I'm starting out and testing the waters on whether I want to self film and whether it's right for me, would this be a good camcorder to start out on? https://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-...ncoding=UTF8&refRID=RYRTXW7V7VKT38F6R3WN&th=1 Originally I was looking at the Canon G20 but know very little on what makes a camera good. I don't really understand the technical specs on them.
read read read here on this forum. If you can afford it get the g20 to start. awesome cam. they have them sometimes on the cannon camera refurbished site. I bought a refurb g30. love it and no problems at half the cost.
I know the G20 is way better, but other than price I honestly can't explain why. My wife was gonna get me the 200 dollar one for a xmas gift, but I told her I'd probably end up getting the G20 anyway cuz it was better, so it'd be a waste.
yes if you get into it. you can go thru some gear pretty quick. Better to spend a lil more now than to have to upgrade later. couple things to consider. Your gonna need a cam with a LANC controller which is basically remote control . Also some kind of tree arm to hold it all. a shotgun mic and a fluid head. Heres a pic of my present setup.
I am definitely considering all the accessories. For the camera arm I'm looking at the basic 4th arrow and for a mic looking at Rode. Not sure on the Lanc or the fluid head. I'm looking at the 4th arrow fluid head possibly. And I'd like to get a decent tripod for doing product reviews and or B footage. Something I've been wanting to explore for awhile.
Tim I don't think that Camera will accept a Lanc. I filmed with a camera like that for a year. It was nice because it was small but the footage was terrible because I didn't have a remote, good camera arm, and fluid head. I would definitely read up on here. There are some good threads and knowledgeable guys on hear to point you in the right direction. Its fun but its also adds more work. Being sick the first part of the season killed any chance of me doing any filming this year. I haven't decided if I will keep my set up or sell.
Just so you know the fourth arrow “fluid head” is actually a friction head. Can’t go wrong with pretty much anything manfrotto
Also the fourth arrow arms are very short. There’s an in depth review on a thread here about 4th. Arrow
What is the difference between fluid and friction head? Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
fluid is just that fluid.....smooth as butter. Friction is two surfaces grinding against each other.....very bad for smooth panning. like I said before can't go wrong with almost anything manfrotto. I had a friction head. Threw it in the trash in about 3 days. Go to your local camera shop and try some of the heads in 2 seconds of trying them both you'll see the difference.
My head I won from a Fourth Arrow giveaway doesn't seem rough at all...perhaps they've changed maybe?
I spoke in person to the guys at 4th arrow when I was researching a new video head and was told by them that what I was using a vanguard 123 video fluid head and the new one manfrotto 502ah are far superior to their friction head. However so is the cost compared to theirs. It all depends on personal taste. For me I needed butter smooth at all temps. Thats why I was looking for a new head to begin with. My vanguard would stiffen up in the cold. The manfrotto has been a dream so far. Once again all I can tell you is go to a local camera shop.Pan and tilt with a friction head. Then pan and tilt with a fluid head.
There is a real nice starter setup for sale in the classifieds on here right now. I'd jump on that before buying something else if you are just starting out. Not a large investment and if you don't like filming you can recoup most of your money.
