Video equipment

[Tbob]

Hey guys, I'm finding that I really enjoy filming being in the outdoors with my gopro. I think that works well for some applications, but I'm looking to get a better camera. I was wondering if anyone might be able to Recomend a descent little video camera, small enough to pack around (if it's too big I won't take it and use it). I don't need anything "pro quality" as of yet , I'm just starting out.. Anyone have any good ideas? Also what are avg prices Id be looking at? Thanks so much!

[Bean Counter]

By "pro quality" are you referring to resolution, dynamic range, or some other technical specification? There's plenty of other asthetics that play into the overall quality of how a video looks. Sure I love resolution but I hate a video with bad audio far more, or one that's shaky for that matter. What do you tend to shoot? Wildlife? scenery? you kids running around?

[Tbob]

Hey bean,
    So I got a gopro for an xmas gift and have been taking it out on hunts and scouting trips here in my new area. I've been enjoying making short videos with music over the top of them. No audio at this point, just music. I'd like an inexpensive small video cam with a manual focus just to get some wildlife and be able to zoom in for more close ups or if the animals are a ways off. I'm not to worried about audio and I probably won't use it much for now. I like the music vs dudes whispering in the cam about what they are doing or trying to do. Just a hobby kind of thing at the moment. I'd use just my gopro but anything past 15 yars might as well be a mile away. I want it to be small enough that I'll actaully take it out in the field with me and use it. If it takes up too much room in my pack the it's not going.. No kiddies for me my friend so just like to "video journal" my own adventures.. I'm thinking about maybe just using my canon T2i with its video function and my 55-200 lens, but even that is a little bulky for me.

[nalley112]

your t2i would actually work pretty well.. i have found when videoing that if you have a all auto focus camera you will just get discouraged from it focusing in and out on branches, bushes etc... if you can find a cam with manual focus you will be a lot happier and better off if you dont end up using your t2i.. the thing you will find on a dslr is when you are at your 200mm on your lens the image stabilizer isnt great and there will be a lot of shake unless on a tripod all the time..i use a canon xa20 and my 7d dlsr for filming.. both are pretty bulky but produce great image quality..

[Bean Counter]

I bought a pocket camcorder about 5 years ago. That was for chasing the kids around as it has continuous auto focus, which many consumer level DSLRs lack for video. My camcorder can zoom quite a ways, but its mostly a farce. Unless its mounted on a rock solid tripod and there's no wind on my side, it wouldn't record far off wildlife for a damn. Good luck if the critter starts moving. That t2i and a 55-250mm STM IS is probably going to be as good as it gets for reaching out and videoing wildlife, but you'll have to draw your own conclusion between weight and video quality. Personally, I'd take it. My last backpacking trip in WA was through The Enchantments and though I didn't know squat about controlling my DSLR like I do today, I'm sure glad I carried it with, as I now have much, much better images I can look back on for the rest of my life should I never make it back up there. YMMV.

[Tbob]

Awesome! Hanks for the input gents.. Guess I'll just pack my T2i with me and save the money for a new lease instead.