Q. I got a new camcorder but its terrible on how it doesnt back up/zoom back on the people in my viewing range. i have to keep backing up to try to get people in the same room w/ me. What is this feature called so i can return this camera and get a new one that backs up better?
i have handy cam dcr dvd650 60x optical zoom hybrid easy handcam around $230
this is all i see on the box. it will zoom out a little, like iabout out a foot, but its still too close to people even a few feet away, below thier elbows or something. It makes me appear to be taping even closer than i am actually standing to them
i have handy cam dcr dvd650 60x optical zoom hybrid easy handcam around $230
this is all i see on the box. it will zoom out a little, like iabout out a foot, but its still too close to people even a few feet away, below thier elbows or something. It makes me appear to be taping even closer than i am actually standing to them
A. Hi Miss M: [see UPDATE below]
What you are probably experiencing is the "heartbreak" of digital zoom (which only goes "in" from normal view).
With true-zoom (called "optical" zoom), the two directions are called "Wide" (for zoom-out) and "Telephoto" (for zoom-in). Cheap camcorders have a fixed-lens (some with an even cheaper "fixed focus" like a throwaway film camera). All the digital zoom does is "crop" and blow-up a section of the fixed-frame the lens sees. This is all done digitally, and results are almost always disappointing.
If you'll post an "Additional Details" update, with your model # and/or budget, I or another Contributor can make a recommendation in your price range for an optical-zoom model.
==========
UPDATE Edit
==========
Thanks for posting the model details for your Sony Handycam. That model's lens specs are actually pretty decent (Carl Zeiss Company makes a good lens, and it's widest zoom setting "1.8mm" is pretty hard to beat, especially in a $250-$300 camcorder!). Fortunately what you can get, without having to return the whole camera, is what action-sports videomakers use: a "fisheye" adapter. The other nickname for these is "death lens" since they throw-off your sense of distance. But keep in mind, the wider-angle you go, the more curve-distortion you'll get when shooting up-close. (Noses can look way-bigger than they are, etc.)
I'd recommend taking your Handycam to a real camera store, where you can try out a selection of wide-angle adapters to find the right "multiplier" for your shooting style. You just need to ask for a "30mm diameter filter adapter size" for the threads that attach the wide-angle adapter to the front of your camcorder lens. If they only have, say "37mm" diameter fisheyes, you can get a step up ring like this one to make it fit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=30mm+diameter+wide-angle+adapter&N=0&InitialSearch=yes (adapter rings come in all sizes).
As far as "multiplier" rating, I'd start with a 0.4x-0.7x range (e.g., like this 0.43x Opteka for around $30 -- this one's got a 37mm mount, but you get the idea: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/684443-REG/Opteka_OPT43SF_37mm_0_43x_HD_Full.html ).
Here's Sony's 30mm mount 0.6x lens (VCL-0630X) in the same price range: http://camcorderlenses.blogspot.com/2011/02/sony-vcl-0630x-30mm-06x-wide-angle-lens.html . Other fisheyes can range in price all the way past what you paid for your whole camcorder, and price = quality, when it comes to the resulting image.
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
What you are probably experiencing is the "heartbreak" of digital zoom (which only goes "in" from normal view).
With true-zoom (called "optical" zoom), the two directions are called "Wide" (for zoom-out) and "Telephoto" (for zoom-in). Cheap camcorders have a fixed-lens (some with an even cheaper "fixed focus" like a throwaway film camera). All the digital zoom does is "crop" and blow-up a section of the fixed-frame the lens sees. This is all done digitally, and results are almost always disappointing.
If you'll post an "Additional Details" update, with your model # and/or budget, I or another Contributor can make a recommendation in your price range for an optical-zoom model.
==========
UPDATE Edit
==========
Thanks for posting the model details for your Sony Handycam. That model's lens specs are actually pretty decent (Carl Zeiss Company makes a good lens, and it's widest zoom setting "1.8mm" is pretty hard to beat, especially in a $250-$300 camcorder!). Fortunately what you can get, without having to return the whole camera, is what action-sports videomakers use: a "fisheye" adapter. The other nickname for these is "death lens" since they throw-off your sense of distance. But keep in mind, the wider-angle you go, the more curve-distortion you'll get when shooting up-close. (Noses can look way-bigger than they are, etc.)
I'd recommend taking your Handycam to a real camera store, where you can try out a selection of wide-angle adapters to find the right "multiplier" for your shooting style. You just need to ask for a "30mm diameter filter adapter size" for the threads that attach the wide-angle adapter to the front of your camcorder lens. If they only have, say "37mm" diameter fisheyes, you can get a step up ring like this one to make it fit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=30mm+diameter+wide-angle+adapter&N=0&InitialSearch=yes (adapter rings come in all sizes).
As far as "multiplier" rating, I'd start with a 0.4x-0.7x range (e.g., like this 0.43x Opteka for around $30 -- this one's got a 37mm mount, but you get the idea: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/684443-REG/Opteka_OPT43SF_37mm_0_43x_HD_Full.html ).
Here's Sony's 30mm mount 0.6x lens (VCL-0630X) in the same price range: http://camcorderlenses.blogspot.com/2011/02/sony-vcl-0630x-30mm-06x-wide-angle-lens.html . Other fisheyes can range in price all the way past what you paid for your whole camcorder, and price = quality, when it comes to the resulting image.
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
Can anyone recommend a camcorder with these specs?
Q. I am looking for a decent camcorder and I am having a hard time finding one. I am looking for one that I can take decent pictures [anything above 5 megapixels] and something that is decent with minor concerts.
Camcorder specs I am hoping for:
At least 4GB flash memory [or something that is expandable]
Something that can record at least 2 hours of video [either on medium or high setting]
Concert friendly audio [Something with decent audio quality]
10 or more megapixel still image
Light on camcorder if possible [It is not a must but would be nice]
Digital zoom [doesn't matter how much]
10x or more optical zoom [This is a must]
Something of good video quality [doesn't have to be HD but I would like a camcorder that isn't blurry.]
More info if you want to read:
I am not asking people to search all over the place for a camcorder that I want but if you know of one or has one with specs like these please let me know what it is. I don't need anything too fancy I just want one where I can record my favorite singer [he's not a famous singer so his concerts aren't too packed and they are usually outside in the daytime] and I would also like it too take decent still images. I know that is hard with a camcorder but if it doesn't have over 10 megapixels I can't get it. Also post something with any price, if I like it and can find it for around my price range I will get it. Thank you.
By concert I mean me right in front of the stage with 50 people or less at the concert. These are minor concerts where there isn't even a band, just the singer singing to prerecorded instruments. So by good audio I mean something that doesn't get all fuzzy when I'm in front of the stage recording.
Camcorder specs I am hoping for:
At least 4GB flash memory [or something that is expandable]
Something that can record at least 2 hours of video [either on medium or high setting]
Concert friendly audio [Something with decent audio quality]
10 or more megapixel still image
Light on camcorder if possible [It is not a must but would be nice]
Digital zoom [doesn't matter how much]
10x or more optical zoom [This is a must]
Something of good video quality [doesn't have to be HD but I would like a camcorder that isn't blurry.]
More info if you want to read:
I am not asking people to search all over the place for a camcorder that I want but if you know of one or has one with specs like these please let me know what it is. I don't need anything too fancy I just want one where I can record my favorite singer [he's not a famous singer so his concerts aren't too packed and they are usually outside in the daytime] and I would also like it too take decent still images. I know that is hard with a camcorder but if it doesn't have over 10 megapixels I can't get it. Also post something with any price, if I like it and can find it for around my price range I will get it. Thank you.
By concert I mean me right in front of the stage with 50 people or less at the concert. These are minor concerts where there isn't even a band, just the singer singing to prerecorded instruments. So by good audio I mean something that doesn't get all fuzzy when I'm in front of the stage recording.
A. Should check out this blog, it listed the top rated camcorders that have features that you want: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html
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