Good Camcorder Ideas?

Q. The camera I have now takes amazing pictures but the video quality is horrible. It needs ALOT of light to have okay quality. It also doesn't focus so when im trying to take a video of something up-close its very blurry. In addition it has some weird video file whenever I upload it to my computer so I can't put it into my editing software (I think its like .avi ) I have to convert the files which makes the quality even worse and takes too much time.

What I would need:
be able see myself when I take videos/pictures as well as the scenery if I could flip it (does that even make sense?)

Focusing

The file name when I upload it to be something common so it will upload to adobe premiere elements

Anyone have Ideas? My budget is 250$ preferably a little less

I will chose best answer

A. You did not tell us which camera you are currently using so we don't know what not to suggest.

Point and shoot cameras, bridge camera and dSLRs are designed to capture still images. Video and audio capture are secondary "convenience" features.

We don't know what your budget is. Camcorders can range in price from less than $80 to over $80,000. The top end of consumer camcorders is around $1,500.

Less expensive camcorders (and still image capture devices) have a small diameter lens and small imaging chip. If low light capture is important, then a large diameter lens and large imaging chip are required. They are what make camcorders expensive. Good glass and good silicon yield for the imaging chip are expensive to manufacture. This also makes the camcorder more expensive.

Audio is a huge deal for video. With built-in mics, audio capture can be good - but then the video framing may not be appropriate - but when the video framing is good, then the mics may not be positioned properly for good audio. Use of an external mic can decouple the two dependent positioning items and make them independent. So the camcorder should have a mic jack - and some sort of manual audio gain control in case LOUD audio is recorded.

Most consumer camcorders capture MTS files for high definition. There is an importing process to get that into a format the video editor can deal with. You did not tell us which computer or operating system. AVI files are a Windows proprietary format. Most editors prefer WMV or MOV files. Some can deal with MP4 and a few others.

Converting - transcoding - the video files with a proper transcoder (like HandBrake from www.handbrake.fr will work just fine and not "lose quality" if the correct settings are used.

You did not tell us which version of Premiere Elements - but I do know it can deal with DV and HDV format from miniDV tape camcorders, WMV files and a few others.

The closest I can get for you is the Canon HF R400. But with the limited information you provided, it is a stretch to say this is the only camcorder out there to do the job for you.

Please use a tripod or other steadying device when capturing video. Add light with a video light. Use an external mic...

Original Question

what camcorder is best for...?

Q. I want to shoot me riding. it MUST have good quality (better than the Flip) and work in dim lighting from a distance. Anti-blur. I would prefer that you **not** have to charge it in an outlet or computer. so here is a summery:
*Anti-blur
*works well in dim-lighting
*Battery powered (optional)
*Zooms in with OUT being blurry

Sorry this dosent really belong in the horse section :( but I thoought i could get some oppinions. :/ THANKS!!
whoops: take the last thing out about it being in the wrong section. Sorry!

A. What is your budget?

There is no "anti-blur" - there is "auto focus" but in low light there is no camcorder that will do that well. Bigger camcorders with big glass and big imaging chips handle low light WAY better than a flip or any consumer cam.

Small lenses and imaging chips on small pocket camcorders or low-end consumer camcorders will not meet the first two and fourth requirements. Even prosumer and pro camcorders will be challenged, but since they have large lenses and imaging chips, their "operating environment" is much wider than the small cams.

Sony HDR-FX100, Canon XHA1. 72mm lens filter diameter; 1/3" 3CCD (or 3CMOS) imaging chips. They are battery powered, but as with any camcorder battery, the one in the box is not beefy enough. Get an optional high capacity battery from the camcorder manufacturer. I did - My HDR FX1 can shoot for nearly 6 hours. If you need more shooting time, then get more high capacity rechargeable batteries...

If you don't charge from an outlet (none charge through the computer) where does the power come from? Please don't say AA batteries...

Yes, I have captured riders to video. Yes, I have already learned the hard way. You can choose to repeat my mistakes or use this information and not waste your money on any camcorder less than about $2,500.

And you do not want a hard disc drive, flash memory or DVD based camcorder because the video file format they use is VERY compressed. Video compression and fast motion do not get along. You need a low compression format to effectively deal with fast action.

So:
$3,000 - $4,000 for the camcorder;
$200 - $500 for the high capacity rechargeable battery;
$400 for a decent tripod...

And we have not gone down the path of editing (computer and software)...

Good luck!

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Making an Infrared Camcorder?

Q. I have a camcorder, but it doesn't have night vision... but I've seen websites where people added infrared filters to their camcorder. The only thing is I saw that they had night vision on their cameras. Would that process still work on my camcorder even if mine doesnt have those functions? I'm asking this because I can't afford the ones that have night vision.

Also, any recommended websites would be cool. I'd like to be able to use the camcorder in infrared during the day. Thanks

A. If you are good enough, you can take the lens off and there should be a piece of glass with a reddish tint somewhere there (it's clear when you look at it and reddish when at an angle and reflecting light. It's pretty obvious when you see it). That is the IR filter which blocks IR light. Take that out, keep it, make a makeshift lens holder that will fit on front of the camera and keep it there until you need night vision.

Oh, if you want true IR and no visible, take the end of a piece of film (the dark part), and stack two things together and place it in front of the main lens.

Some cameras just coat the main lens with the IR blocking stuff. In that case, you are sunk.

Original Question

What is a good quality relatively cheap camcorder?

Q. My priorities are: hd video quality and hd sound

My maximum is 500 dollars

The quality is SUPER IMPORTANT. Thanks!

A. Hi Pink Glasses,

That's a lot to wish for with a budget like that. Luckily HD camcorders are not that
expensive anymore these days. For real good sound you should go for a cam with an
external mic. option but that will narrow down your possibilities budgetwise..
You can take a look here for 2013 budget camcorders :

http://www.reviewgist.com/best-camcorders?page=5&type=Budge

or here :

http://www.squidoo.com/best-camcorder-for-the-money

Another option is to look for a used semi-pro cam, like this one :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-GY-HM100U-PRO-HD-MEMORY-CARD-CAMERA-RECORDER-USED-1-/231099765432?pt=Camcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras&hash=item35ce9e92b8

This may be a useful link for everybody who's planning to buy a camcorder :

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fUxQUtV7Rnl/learn/learningcenter/home/camcorders_faq.html

I hope this is helpful to you,

Freetings, Lance.

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How do camcorders and cameras capture and recorde things?

Q. I know how a camera and camcorder work and so on...
But i want to know how they found away to actually make the camera and camcorder capture your movements and pix?its amazing if you think about how a camcorder can record you until you can be rewatch later....See i want to know how does that work?How did they thought of things like that and what is it made of.

Anyone understand that?

A. Photography is undoubtedly one of the most important inven­tions in history -- it has truly transformed how people conceive of the world. Now we can "see" all sorts of things that are actually many miles -- and years -- away from us. Photography lets us capture moments in time and preserve them for years to come.

The basic technology that makes all of this possible is fairly simple. A still film camera is made of three basic elements: an optical element (the lens), a chemical element (the film) and a mechanical element (the camera body itself). As we'll see, the only trick to photography is calibrating and combining these elements in such a way that they record a crisp, recognizable image.

There are many different ways of bringing everything together. In this article, we'll look at a manual single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera. This is a camera where the photographer sees exactly the same image that is exposed to the film and can adjust everything by turning dials and clicking buttons. Since it doesn't need any electricity to take a picture, a manual SLR camera provides an excellent illustration of the fundamental processes of photography.
The optical component of the camera is the lens. At its simplest, a lens is just a curved piece of glass or plastic. Its job is to take the beams of light bouncing off of an object and redirect them so they come together to form a real image -- an image that looks just like the scene in front of the lens.

But how can a piece of glass do this? The process is actually very simple. As light travels from one medium to another, it changes speed. Light travels more quickly through air than it does through glass, so a lens slows it down.

When light waves enter a piece of glass at an angle, one part of the wave will reach the glass before another and so will start slowing down first. This is something like pushing a shopping cart from pavement to grass, at an angle. The right wheel hits the grass first and so slows down while the left wheel is still on the pavement. Because the left wheel is briefly moving more quickly than the right wheel, the shopping cart turns to the right as it moves onto the grass.

diagram of shopping cart, which illustrates bending light

The effect on light is the same -- as it enters the glass at an angle, it bends in one direction. It bends again when it exits the glass because parts of the light wave enter the air and speed up before other parts of the wave. In a standard converging, or convex lens, one or both sides of the glass curves out. This means rays of light passing through will bend toward the center of the lens on entry. In a double convex lens, such as a magnifying glass, the light will bend when it exits as well as when it enters.

lens diagram

This effectively reverses the path of light from an object. A light source -- say a candle -- emits light in all directions. The rays of light all start at the same point -- the candle's flame -- and then are constantly diverging. A converging lens takes those rays and redirects them so they are all converging back to one point. At the point where the rays converge, you get a real image of the candle. In the next couple of sections, we'll look at some of the variables that determine how this real image is formed.­

Original Question

Can you only answer if you know a lot about electronics, specifically camcorders?

Q. I need to know good things to look for in a camcorder. If you have any suggestions for a specific camcorder, I would like one with an SD card if possible.

A. Good things to look for in a camcorder:
1) MiniDV tape. The only memory card would be one used for storing still pictures.
2) Big glass for good big lenses.
3) Big CMOS or CCD imaging chips.
4) audio-in jack (XLR preferred; 1/8" or 3.5mm is acceptable).
5) manual audio control.
6) manual zoom.
7) manual focus.
8) manual shutter speed.
9) manual iris/exposure.
10) Viewfinder and LCD panel.
11) threads for adding lenses (tele or wide-angle)

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How do you clean a camcorder lens if it gets dirty with a finger print?

Q. Well, my camcorder has accidently got a finger print and it smudges up the videos i take. I hear you need a special type of cloth with which to clean. can someone help me out?

A. you can use any type of cloth thats made for glasses (like those microfiber ones). tissue paper works well too (not tissues, tissue paper), thats what we always used in photo class for our cameras

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What is the best camcorder $300 and under for low light lov budget film?

Q. I an currently writing a script for a fan film based on The Crow. I cannot seem to find a low budget camcorder with good software and low light capability. Most of the film will be shot at night and I want a good clear picture in low light and it has to work with windows movie maker!
I'd appreciate any suggestions cause I can't find anything in my price range.

A. Good low light video capture behavior = large lenses and large imaging chip systems.

Big glass and big chips are expensive. There are no "inexpensive" camcorder with lenses larger than 60mm lens filter diameter + 3CCD (or 3CMOS) imaging chips (1/3" or larger) which is why you can't find any.

Versions of MovieMaker before Windows 7 cannot deal with AVCHD compressed MTS files unless they are transcoded first. Only certain combinations of of Windows 7 and MovieMaker Live can deal with AVCHD/MTS files... No version of MovieMaker will deal with MOV files (unless transcoded, first). Only certain configurations of MovieMaker will deal with AVI files. So I'll say any consumer camcorder or camera that captures high definition video to flash memory or hard disc drive is not do-able because dealing directly with MovieMaker won't happen. No one should ever waste their $ on a DVD based camcorder. As for miniDV tape, MovieMaker can't deal with HDV. But, if the computer has a firewire port, it can deal with importing standard definition DV files. Certain versions of MovieMaker can deal with the MPG files from some consumer cams - no version of MovieMaker can deal with standard definition MOD files...

For $300, the Canon FS series standard def flash memory cams are OK - and they can do stndard definition widescreen - but you will need to use a transcoder like MPEG StreamClip www.squared5.com or HandBrake www.handbrake.fr to convert the files to WMV format so MovieMaker can deal with them.

Good luck!

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How do camcorders and cameras capture and recorde things?

Q. I know how a camera and camcorder work and so on...
But i want to know how they found away to actually make the camera and camcorder capture your movements and pix?its amazing if you think about how a camcorder can record you until you can be rewatch later....See i want to know how does that work?How did they thought of things like that and what is it made of.

Anyone understand that?

A. Photography is undoubtedly one of the most important inven­tions in history -- it has truly transformed how people conceive of the world. Now we can "see" all sorts of things that are actually many miles -- and years -- away from us. Photography lets us capture moments in time and preserve them for years to come.

The basic technology that makes all of this possible is fairly simple. A still film camera is made of three basic elements: an optical element (the lens), a chemical element (the film) and a mechanical element (the camera body itself). As we'll see, the only trick to photography is calibrating and combining these elements in such a way that they record a crisp, recognizable image.

There are many different ways of bringing everything together. In this article, we'll look at a manual single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera. This is a camera where the photographer sees exactly the same image that is exposed to the film and can adjust everything by turning dials and clicking buttons. Since it doesn't need any electricity to take a picture, a manual SLR camera provides an excellent illustration of the fundamental processes of photography.
The optical component of the camera is the lens. At its simplest, a lens is just a curved piece of glass or plastic. Its job is to take the beams of light bouncing off of an object and redirect them so they come together to form a real image -- an image that looks just like the scene in front of the lens.

But how can a piece of glass do this? The process is actually very simple. As light travels from one medium to another, it changes speed. Light travels more quickly through air than it does through glass, so a lens slows it down.

When light waves enter a piece of glass at an angle, one part of the wave will reach the glass before another and so will start slowing down first. This is something like pushing a shopping cart from pavement to grass, at an angle. The right wheel hits the grass first and so slows down while the left wheel is still on the pavement. Because the left wheel is briefly moving more quickly than the right wheel, the shopping cart turns to the right as it moves onto the grass.

diagram of shopping cart, which illustrates bending light

The effect on light is the same -- as it enters the glass at an angle, it bends in one direction. It bends again when it exits the glass because parts of the light wave enter the air and speed up before other parts of the wave. In a standard converging, or convex lens, one or both sides of the glass curves out. This means rays of light passing through will bend toward the center of the lens on entry. In a double convex lens, such as a magnifying glass, the light will bend when it exits as well as when it enters.

lens diagram

This effectively reverses the path of light from an object. A light source -- say a candle -- emits light in all directions. The rays of light all start at the same point -- the candle's flame -- and then are constantly diverging. A converging lens takes those rays and redirects them so they are all converging back to one point. At the point where the rays converge, you get a real image of the candle. In the next couple of sections, we'll look at some of the variables that determine how this real image is formed.­

Original Question

Can you only answer if you know a lot about electronics, specifically camcorders?

Q. I need to know good things to look for in a camcorder. If you have any suggestions for a specific camcorder, I would like one with an SD card if possible.

A. Good things to look for in a camcorder:
1) MiniDV tape. The only memory card would be one used for storing still pictures.
2) Big glass for good big lenses.
3) Big CMOS or CCD imaging chips.
4) audio-in jack (XLR preferred; 1/8" or 3.5mm is acceptable).
5) manual audio control.
6) manual zoom.
7) manual focus.
8) manual shutter speed.
9) manual iris/exposure.
10) Viewfinder and LCD panel.
11) threads for adding lenses (tele or wide-angle)

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Whats the best Digital camera with camcorder out there that is reasonably priced?

Q. Hi, I'm looking for a great Digital Camera with a camcorder That's a reasonable Price. I want the combo pack and HD if possible thanks for your replies

A. You can try these:
1. Nikon Coolpix L20 10MP Digital Camera. This digital camera has 10 mega pixel resolution, 3.6x Optical zoom Nikko glass lens nikko r optics and can automatically controls shutter speed and ISO settings to compensate for camera shake and subject movement. Now, you can buy this for only $89.00.

2.Canon PowerShot A1100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera. This digital camera has 12.1 mega pixel, with shutter speed ranges from 1/1600 to 15 seconds, has built-in speaker and has SD memory card. You can buy this for only $129.00 with free standard shipping.

3.Flip Ultra HD Camcorder. This camera is one of the easiest-to-use camcorders in the market. It has a feature of 8GB of storage, high-definition video capture, has the ability to use a rechargeable batter pack of off-the-shelf AA batteries and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HD MI) output. You can buy this camcorder for only $159.99.

4.Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera. This DSLR camera is easy to use, has interchangeable lens mount, SD memory card, and 10.5 mega pixels. The price is from $669.99 and is now, $449.00 with free standard shipping.

5.Nikon D300 10.2 MP Digital Single-lens reflex (SLR) Camera. This Digital SLR camera has shutter that speeds up ranging from 1/8,000 to 30 seconds. You can buy this Digital SLR camera for only $549.95.

I hope my answer might be of some use to you!

Original Question

How do 3D glasses work, will they work from a recorded video on a camcorder?

Q. So, i downloaded a movie that was recorded on a camera and its a 3D movie. I have 3D glasses, but would they still work with a recorded copy of the movie?

A. In order to see things in 3D each eye must see a slightly different picture. This is done in the real world by your eyes being spaced apart so each eye has its own slightly different view. The brain then puts the two pictures together to form one 3D image that has depth to it

3D film viewed without glasses is a very strange sight and may appear to be out of focus, fuzzy or out of register. The same scene is projected simultaneously from two different angles in two different colors, red and cyan (or blue or green). Here's where those cool glasses come in -- the colored filters separate the two different images so each image only enters one eye. Your brain puts the two pictures back together and now you're dodging a flying meteor!

So im sure it will....... because it will still hvae the colors on the screen im sure., and the glasses separate them.

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