Video camera question(s)

warlock · Backside 180 Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 1503 City: AC

fellas,
i got a sony hc-21 for christmas. i wanted one of lots of reasons, taping the kid growing up... but also for taping all the riding... i would have to say i'm 100% complete novice to these things.... i basicly have only used one once and that was in pirate's boat ... i was the "film guy" Laughing

i went ahead and bought the polorized filter and a wide angle conversion lens...
i figured you gurus could tell me the best times to use them and give me some tips, best types of mini cassettes to use... stuff other than don't drop it in the water Razz

thanks very much in advance
W-

integrity640 · Kickflip Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 2866 City: Ocala

Hey Warlock, I myself recently purchased a Canon zr200. It came with light filters as well, one for filiming under fluoresecnt lights, one for filtering uv rays, and a polarized one as well. Id say use the polarized one whenever you need to use sunglasses. Especially on the water, the glare can really eff a shot up, and a polarized lens is super sweet. Wide angle lenses or or panoramic, such as if theres a swet sunrise shot or youre filming indoors and up close, id use the wide angle.

As far as tapes go, i just use reg old mini dv tapes. I dont know what the deal is for you though, you might have to use hi-8 tapes.(there are mini-dv camcorders and hi-8 camcorders) it should say in the title of it.

The best advice I can give is just go read the manual on it and just screw around with it and get used to it. Thats what i did and now i have a pretty good understanding of how it works. If youre really interested, you might be able to go and take a class somewhere on how to use it and stuff. Anyways good luck with it!!!!

BillyOLDS · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

its a mini dv and it really doesnt matter imo wat types u use but with everything dont buy low grade stuff.

i would honestly recomend getting a water housing. its prob pricey but well worth it.

and if you think you get into it, than get some color foters and will really chage the look of the shot.
wat are you going to be editing on?

integrity640 · Kickflip Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 2866 City: Ocala

headhuntermx4 what are color foters and what all do they do? Cuz im gona be doin a crapload of filming this year.

Iamjesse · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject:

warlock I got your back... i got a camera housing you can get for sonys only, i have the link but i am going to find it so if your interested let me know and i will send it too you... this is one of the best investments i have made in wakeskating.... it fits your camera, and you can zoom in and out wile filming and even see the few finder. AND its 100 dollors cheaper then the epic housing and soooooo much better....

integrity640 · Kickflip Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 2866 City: Ocala

Iamjesse whats the companies name??????? Id kill if they made one for canon minidv's Twisted Evil

Iamjesse · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 8:43 pm Post subject:

yea its sonystyles.com

Iamjesse · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject:

but you have to do a bunch of searches and look through out the sight in order to find the waterproof casing, i have the link on my buddy list either on my lap top or old computer so i might have to call home to get the link to the actuall casing...

warlock · Backside 180 Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 1503 City: AC

sweeet thanks... i actually just used the camera for the first time a little bit ago... thanks for the link.. i'll check it out... maybe try and get one before the boat goes in the water.

any minitape that you guys DON"T recommend using?

integrity640 · Kickflip Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 2866 City: Ocala

and make sure your image stabilizer is on, it makes the picture less shaky

BillyOLDS · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 9:21 pm Post subject:

i meant color filters lol like sepia(redish) and it makes the film look old and classic and cyan(blueish) makes a sh!tty day look way better.

integrity640 · Kickflip Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 2866 City: Ocala

lol sweetness. Should i get some wide angle lenses and fisheye ones?

BillyOLDS · Posted: Jan 28, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject:

integrity640, wide angle and fisheye the same thing basically imo, the more money you spend on one the better youll get but if you arent planing on spending a lot than just call it a day on a fairly cheap one, also they only look good when you doing chase shots and most of the time they dont fit in water housing.

warlock · Backside 180 Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 1503 City: AC

so for riding, do you guys think that the wide angle conv. lens is the best for all around use out on the water??
here is the one i got.. it wasn't expensive, some those sony lenses were freaking $$$$$$$$!!

Jonesie · Backside 180 Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 811

warlock, try to stick with one type of mini dv tape. most brands use differnt amounts of oils etc. so if you mix it up your camera wolnt last as long.

i think its oils? my dad told me about it one time and i am pretty sure he said it has to do with the oils.

anyone who knows...if i am wrong please feel free to correct/flame me