OT: Camera needed for church projection

Julius_ wrote on 2/21/2012, 10:23 AM

Hi All,

My local church wants to buy a camera so that the sermon can be projected in the basement for those late-comers.

The stage is not well-lite, and it's only with indoor lights. The camera can be mounted in the back of the church, that is about 40 feet back. They already have a 4000 lumens projector but no camera.

I want to suggest those communication camera like this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302318-REG/Sony_EVID70_EVI_D70_1_4_CCD_Color.html

(Hope I get this link right...sorry can't get the link right)

It can pan/zoom/tilt...but I think at full zoom it might be dark.

or

Should I go with a little camcorder with remote control and buy a motor mount.

Any help or recommendation with someone who has already done this?
I need good low-light capabilities, to be able to zoom/pan/tilt and the budget is under $1,000

Thanks

Comments

RalphM wrote on 2/21/2012, 10:42 AM

Julius,

That camera should be fine for your needs. In my church, we're streaming video with a temporary setup of a donated camcorder on an inexpensive pan tilt unit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/64399-REG/Bescor_MP101_MP_101_Motorized_Pan_Head.html

We're about 70 feet from the subject area with a 12X zoom camera and it's very adequate. Also, the light sensitivity of the proposed Sony EVI-D70 should be fine.

The big disadvantage of the Bescor unit is that the pan and tilt functions are way too fast. If you intend to set it and not move it during the video transmission, it's fine, but if the need to follow action arises, it's very jerky.

The Sony EVI-D70 comes with a remote that can do 6 presets which is very advantageous.

RalphM