I was looking to start filming my hunts next season but figured I could pick up a camera for cheaper than usual because of the holiday sales. Just looking for a primary camcorder to use, not a gopro or epic cam. Looking to spend around 300 bucks. If anybody could lead me in the right direction I would really appreciate it. Thanks
There is no best. All depends on how much you are willing to spend. Go with what your budget allows...
Go with anything you have is the "best". Don't burden yourself with spending money on something you've never done before only to not like it. I'll be hitting the woods this coming spring for turkeys with a cheap Sony Handycam and a small HD video cam (similar to a go pro type dealio)...we'll see if I like it and go from there.
Actually excellent advice. Videography/photography can get ridiculously expensive if you want it to. There are tons of craigslist and ebay ads out there that prove too many jump in feed first without any idea of WHAT they want to do with their equipment, or even if they'll like what they're doing. I would take ANY camera you have, or can purchase on a low budget and get in the field. Take it with you. See if you like carrying the extra equipment, setting everything up, packing up, etc., Some love it, some don't. If you fall into the latter category, you're now in it for a couple grand.
After watching the BowHunt or Die videos after last season and listening to Todd say {guys you got to try and film your hunts} I wanted to do it myself. I hunt public land and pack a lot as it is. So I just got the Epic Cam to see how it went. It seemed like a lot extra as far as carrying out and setting up but I did like it a lot. Just getting deer that I wasn't going to shoot was cool. I ended up getting two different videos. No kills just some small bucks. The videos came out ok. I stopped taking it because I would like to have a better quality of video. Something I can zoom in with. Just wasn't worth the extra work. I do want to try something different next year. I got my feet wet anyways. I tried to put the video of the four bucks on Youtube. I'll put a link here but don't know if it will work or not. Still new to all of this. Let me know if it works. Thanks [video=youtube_share;plZiKwKHtwY]http://youtu.be/plZiKwKHtwY[/video]
I just went with a Canon VIXIA HF R400, bought the camera by itself for $200. Then added a Azden SMX-10 Shotgun Mic and Wrap Around mount for another $120. Now I'm waiting on my Lone Wolf Camera arm. Think its a pretty good starter set up, as I am in the same boat as you. Just wanna get some extra SD cards and batteries right now...oh and don't forget a LED light as well for the times you need the extra light for night time blood trailing. Good Luck!
Great footage with the epiccam! Love the quality of it! I have two and would love to add a 3rd next year! As for the original question I would just get the best camera your budget will allow remembering that you need to include a camera arm. All the other stuff can wait till after you decide how serious you want to get with it! Good luck!
Just as other have said, it all depends on your budget, the more you pay the more you get. However carrying in all the extra equipment and setting it up does become a burden after awhile. I would do as other have said and start with something cheap to make sure you will enjoy the experience. Go in knowing that filming will cost you a few opportunities each year (if you take it seriously) and I think in the end you'll find it to be another awesome hobby!
