OT: Camera Recommendations

Galeng wrote on 3/11/2005, 3:50 PM
My brother is going to Africa later this year on a 3 week trip starting in Kalari Desert and ending up at Etosha National Park. He asked him for recommendations for a video camera for the trip. Naturally, I will turn to the experts here.

He is looking for a price range up to $1500. Will be carrying it with him the whole trip with lightweight tripod. Is looking for a camera that will have reasonably good optical zoom as he won't be able to get real close to wildlife and 3 ccds if possible.

He said that he would consider buying a used camera also.

I have already talked him out of any that save to disk, but was hoping others here would be able to give some recommendations for possible cameras that fit that price range......if possible.

Thanks for your help!!

Galen

Comments

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/11/2005, 4:09 PM
well, what are Used GL1/2's going for? could be close to that range. (I see some GL 1's on Ebay for around 1K. That might be a good solution for the money.)

Other wise Panasonic has some consumer 3CCD's for around a Grand or so. they could be ok (a lot smaller chips in those though).

Dave

(EDIT: Also the JVC GY-DV300U has a $100 Dollar rebate on it, and if you can find it for reasonably lower price from a legit seller, then you you might be able to get it from BH - they match prices with legit lower prices; for close to that price range too (after rebate) ). (or here's a used one on ebay)
Jessariah67 wrote on 3/11/2005, 4:44 PM
Everybody has their favorites, but the GLs are nice. I have both a 1 and a 2. 20X optical zoom/100x digital (if you HAVE to really go a long way). Great color, great picture, in-camera Frame (progressive) mode, if that's your thing. Audio handling on the GL1 is not very strong, so a shotgun, XLR adapter and VU meter would be recommended if audio's important. If you're just looking for a top-rate, reasonably compact "grab-n-go" camera that's gonna give you a great picture, the GL1 will definitely do it for you.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/11/2005, 5:28 PM
just to clarify here, I don't think the GL1 has progressive (that would be the GL2 that you're talking about right?)

Dave
farss wrote on 3/12/2005, 1:43 AM
I'd look into the Panny DVC 30, I don't know the price in the US but I'm thinking it's pretty close to what you're after. You can strip it down for travelling light or fit all the audio bits for more serious work. Although I think the lens doesn't go out very long, might be a problem.
Bob.
Grazie wrote on 3/12/2005, 2:52 AM
"Kalari Desert and ending up at Etosha National Park." - Actually Kalahari . . anyways .. fab tour! Did it often in the 70's and then back in 1997. Etosha - take a range of filters and a matte box. Shoot with and without - you will see the difference. Rely strongly on the pros out there to warn as to getting the best light .. . golden rule still applies - 2 hours around sunrise and 2 hours around sunset. If you can get a good tele go for it - lions at a distance just don't cut it! HAHA! Also a good wide angle . . you WILL want the whole elephant herd splashing in the water hole . . believe me! - Also look for the smallies out there .. insects, small birds ... foot prints and yes . .DUNG! . . . Don;'t forget close ups of thoirn bushes and the various bits of dried bones out there.

THEN YOU got the Etosha Pan! . . . Pppphoarhhhh . .am I jealous or what? I just wish I was out there now WITH my pair of XM2s and my WDs and my matte box and filters! . . . Jealousy doesn't EVEN come CLOSE!

Sprokkies Wood (?) - This is a dried and desecated forest of trees . .REALLY wierd!

Pictures and movement of people too!

Think strongly STRONGLY about sound. Make a cheap parabolic reverse reflector and get the mic in the centre facing into the bowl. I used a plastic hemi washing up bowl - perfeckt! Bird song out there IS outrageous!

Oh yeah . . before I forget and get toooo angry .. nah not really . . think water holes at night .. think low light cammies for this .. BUT the main camp Okaquau (?) at the western entrance, has or at least had, a spectacular viewing vantage pint for viewing game ALL night - with seating! PLease get to Halami too! . . oh too much . .. .

Oh, are you gonna enjoy this one . . superb! Can I come too?

Best regards,

Grazie
Jessariah67 wrote on 3/12/2005, 8:24 AM
The GL1 does have FRAME mode, which is progressive.
Coursedesign wrote on 3/12/2005, 9:31 AM
Frame mode is not progressive.

The camera takes one interlaced field, say all the odd lines, and interpolates the missing even lines to create a full frame.

This reduces resolution somewhat and it doesn't have the same feel as progressive.

Is it bad? No, I don't think so. I shot for years in both frame mode and regular interlaced mode with a Canon XL1. For some things, frame mode works quite well.

wakiyan wrote on 3/12/2005, 11:00 AM
I think GL2/XM2 would be ideal for his trip plus he'd have a sweet camera when he got home .( 20X optical ) Might have to go over $1500 with extra batteries, filter, maybe 12v adapter if he will be on the road alot, case if he don,t have one. A warranty might not be a bad idea.You can live with sound quility with the onboard mic if he's not going for quality. Obviously for $1500 he's not.
The GL2 would be worth a little extra $ to bring home some good video.

Jon
Jessariah67 wrote on 3/12/2005, 11:14 AM
Didn't realize there was a difference. I always thought de-interlaced & progressive was the same thing. Learn something new every day...
Spot|DSE wrote on 3/12/2005, 11:18 AM
I always thought de-interlaced & progressive was the same thing.

Depending on the camera, they can be the same thing. Depends on the electronics and CCDs of the cam, but many cams shoot "progressive" but are truly not. They're just blending, interpolating fields, shifting framerates, or shifting pixels. Only the DVX cams in the sub 10K bracket are true progressive, and even then it's a tapdance around processing.
craftech wrote on 3/13/2005, 6:17 AM
I would recommend a used VX2000. So many of us own them and few have any real complaints about them. Three 1/3 CCDs is the key here and in the $1500 price range nothing new is available that can compete with that camera.

John
Galeng wrote on 3/13/2005, 11:15 PM
Thanks for the great suggestions. Can alsways count on this forum.

I think I will just give him the link to get to this site and have him read the responses.

Now you've got me thinking it's time to move up to a nicer camera then what I have.

Thanks again!

Galen