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Camcorders forum: Camcorder needed to record kinetic artwork - suggestions?

by: kineticart May 19, 2012 8:56 PM PDT

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Camcorder needed to record kinetic artwork - suggestions?

by kineticart - 5/19/12 8:56 PM

I have been reading and reading and reading about camcorders for the past couple of days, and I'm still having trouble making heads or tails of what I should spend my money on.

The basics are that I need a camcorder to shoot video of the kinetic metal art that I build. I will be shooting indoors often, so lower light capability sounds like something I'd need. I also need to shoot close ups of certain items, say a zoom in on something that is about three to five inches across. I want to take these videos and transfer them to my computer, edit them, and then upload them to Youtube or some other such video sharing site. I am using a Macbook Pro, OS version 10.6.8 and I have an external hard drive. Oh, and I need to add that I have about $500 max to spend.

Thanks for any and all suggestions you my have for me. This stuff is really confusing, and I want to spend my money wisely. I was considering an HD camera, but there seem to be some many different opinions out there I'm not sure where to spend my money, though lots of people seem to suggest Sony and Canon. Thanks again.


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Since you are doing the shooting, why not add more light?

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/20/12 11:30 AM

In Reply to: Camcorder needed to record kinetic artwork - suggestions? by kineticart

It's not at all confusing and if I want a great shoot, I light it up!
Bob


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More light is not always available or practical

by kineticart - 5/21/12 10:16 PM

In Reply to: Since you are doing the shooting, why not add more light? by R. Proffitt Moderator

Often when I am working on a project I am not able to add more light. Trying to light an area while welding, cutting, grinding or doing some other type of work can make for an extremely difficult job and slow down the process a great deal. I was hoping to simplify things by getting a camera that would shoot well in available lighting conditions.


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Sorry but I found it easy to light it up.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/22/12 9:43 AM

In Reply to: More light is not always available or practical by kineticart

And here's where I tell you how I do this cheap. "Walmart" work lights.

No offense but only a beginner tries to compensate for bad lighting with the camera only.
Bob


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Let's assume I can fix lighting issues, any other thoughts?

by kineticart - 5/22/12 11:22 AM

In Reply to: Sorry but I found it easy to light it up. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Let's assume I can fix the lighting issues in one manner or another, either by camcorder, using extra lights, or combination of the two. I suppose I am rather used to shooting with a DSLR in extremely touchy lighting situations where I have to do it all with the camera and have no way at all to manipulate the available light.

That aside, any thoughts on a good camcorder for my situation?


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Then you look at camcorders with

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/22/12 11:27 AM

In Reply to: Let's assume I can fix lighting issues, any other thoughts? by kineticart

Big lenses and big sensors. Figure the cost to balloon to the usual used car prices.
Bob


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Now that we are through the basics.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/22/12 1:08 PM

In Reply to: Camcorder needed to record kinetic artwork - suggestions? by kineticart

I'd like to know what you shot with before that worked. Also what you borrowed to try out and did you try your iPhone 4s?

It's hard to bet the list at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/News/CamcorderInfo-2011-Select-Awards.htm
Bob


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Thanks for the link

by kineticart - 5/22/12 3:34 PM

In Reply to: Now that we are through the basics. by R. Proffitt Moderator

The last video camera that I used was back in 1989. I don't know anyone who owns a camcorder that I can borrow to test. I do not have an iPhone. The Panasonic HDC-TM90 looks like the sort of thing I can afford, but I cannot find information on whether it will work with my Mac or not.


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None usually work with any PC or Apple. More...

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/22/12 4:00 PM

In Reply to: Thanks for the link by kineticart

Almost every modern camcorder uses a new encoding so nothing "works" until I update my video editing software or put it through some conversion.

There are a few that are appalled at such but for me it's the norm.
Bob


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