HD Video Camera?

[raider1v1]

I am looking for a recommendation on a HD video camera that I will be able to use when prairie dog hunting. I was thinking of this guy

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...552921666295835

but I don't have any experience with buying a video camera. You guys have any recommendations?

 

[MadKap]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Are you trying to make 'through the scope' videos?

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Its all going to depend on what kind of shots you want and what your expectations are.

What kind of footage are you trying to shoot?

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Just some footage of the hits out to 300yds maybe. i didn't think that a "through the scope" would be possible due to the recoil. I did briefly check into a goproHD, but they couldn't guarantee the recoil wouldn't damage them.

i guess something similar to this with the vapor trails, they were using a sony HDR-CX110.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W92iM1OmaH0&feature=related

and the shots like in these two videos but without the audio overlay...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgIYC1PntmU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn7NKY-6I4o&feature=related

how do people get the "through the scope" videos?

 

[gathert]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I have that camera and it works pretty well. Never tried it out that far though.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: HD Video Camera?

The camera you linked to has some nice specs.

Keep in mind you don't ever want to use "digital zoom" when filming. Just use the "optical zoom". All the digital (or extended) zoom does is crop the picture and make it look grainy.

At 30x you will also need a good tripod. Otherwise the wind is going to play hell with it. I am not sure how well the IS on that model works, but a flimsy tripod and a high wind situation may put it at it's limit.

full HD at 60i is impressive. I can only go 30i at 1080p on my HDSLR and I have to drop to 720p to get 60i.

Keep in mind that if you do any talking to the camera you are going to need an external mic. Onboard mics work ok-sorta indoors in a quiet environment. They positively suck outdoors. I found that out pretty quickly on a few videos when I got home and could barely hear my voice over the wind. It's not present to listen to.

Take a look at some of the review videos owners have posted on it. That may help you decide if the image quality and features are going to work for you.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=HDR-CX160+review&aq=f

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The camera you linked to has some nice specs.

Keep in mind you don't ever want to use "digital zoom" when filming. Just use the "optical zoom". All the digital (or extended) zoom does is crop the picture and make it look grainy.

At 30x you will also need a good tripod. Otherwise the wind is going to play hell with it. I am not sure how well the IS on that model works, but a flimsy tripod and a high wind situation may put it at it's limit.

full HD at 60i is impressive. I can only go 30i at 1080p on my HDSLR and I have to drop to 720p to get 60i.

Keep in mind that if you do any talking to the camera you are going to need an external mic. Onboard mics work ok-sorta indoors in a quiet environment. They positively suck outdoors. I found that out pretty quickly on a few videos when I got home and could barely hear my voice over the wind. It's not present to listen to.

Take a look at some of the review videos owners have posted on it. That may help you decide if the image quality and features are going to work for you.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=HDR-CX160+review&aq=f

</div></div>

I did take a look at some of the reviews and they were generally ok. I think at the 400-500 price point its the best one. I don't think it has a mic input though, ill have to check that out.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Just checked and it does have a stereo mini in, so I think I'm good on that front.

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I am curious for those that have similar cameras with 30x optical magnification. Do you think you could see a shoot-n-see target at 300yds and see the holes on target?
I had looked through a similar camera as described above (30x magnification), just didn't get the model number. I was amazed at how well it zoomed in when I looked across the Costco store! I could see writing on small packages! I was gonna buy it for general use but then started wondering if I could use this for ladder tests as well as I don't have a good spotter scope yet.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dog Doc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am curious for those that have similar cameras with 30x optical magnification. Do you think you could see a shoot-n-see target at 300yds and see the holes on target?
I had looked through a similar camera as described above (30x magnification), just didn't get the model number. I was amazed at how well it zoomed in when I looked across the Costco store! I could see writing on small packages! I was gonna buy it for general use but then started wondering if I could use this for ladder tests as well as I don't have a good spotter scope yet.
</div></div>

yah i was comparing the sony cx160 vs the panasonic HDC-TM90 . i think im going to read a bunch of reviews to decide between the two and play with them at best buy or costco.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: HD Video Camera?

How far could you see bullet holes with that camera, 500, 600? I was thinking about getting the same camera to film me shooting and to see bullet trace.

 

[Ring]

Re: HD Video Camera?

the main thing you need is a 40+ X OPTICAL ZOOM... must be optical

these were done with my mini DV with a 45x optical

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=russr+ohio+groundhog+2010&aq=f

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the main thing you need is a 40+ X OPTICAL ZOOM... must be optical

these were done with my mini DV with a 45x optical

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=russr+ohio+groundhog+2010&aq=f </div></div>

its got a 30x optical zoom, thats about the highest that I have found though on a HD camera. I have seen the 37x on the panasonic's but they dont have as good of reviews.

nice videos though - this is the type that i want to take -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i97icxDF9v4

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

did some more searching and comparing, i really dont see anything better thats HD w/ better zoom than the 30x from Sony. there was a Panasonic, but it wasn't as great of a picture.

 

[Skyking]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I have the Panasonic HDC-TM700 and love it! Shoots in 1080P-60P. I bought this camera just for filming shooting. The zoom works great. After you do zoom into the digital it does get a little grainy. Put a 2.2x telephoto lens on it. Works Sweet! Here is where I got the lens. http://www.newworldvideodirect.com/. You do need a good tripod.

Here is a photo with the lens.

Some shoots with the lens and without.
This is without the lens. For best results watch in 720p.
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GcNn_BbtelY"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GcNn_BbtelY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

With the lens.
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NWd1YYouuNQ&feature=channel_video_title"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NWd1YYouuNQ&feature=channel_video_title" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nmdcMFAKX0s&feature=channel_video_title"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nmdcMFAKX0s&feature=channel_video_title" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[itieknots7]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Nice vids Skyking

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I just go a Sony HDR-CX130 for christmas. Can't wait to get out and test it out with some long range shooting.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: HD Video Camera?

i got something even better than i expected!

i got the cx160 and a canon T3I. I am going to try it out on the range and ill report back the results.

for the T3I, i have a 55-250mm lens, and I have a place locally that rents them by the week, so im wanting to try out a 400mm lens as well to see how they do.

 

[lessthanfour]

Re: HD Video Camera?

gopro?

 

[gathert]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I've got one and you won't be able to see anything far away like targets for long range shooting. They work great for close up shooting/action sports stuff. Here are two quick videos I shot a while back.


Shooting a .22

http://vimeo.com/20380721

Shooting a .45

http://vimeo.com/20380634

I'll try to pull some video off my camera like the one above in the pictures. Don't know if I have the right cables handy.

 

[Heltsley]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I use Canon period....

and I am not going to post any of my vids... There are to many on youtube, but it is what I use....

 

[bribri]

Re: HD Video Camera?

tag

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: HD Video Camera?

I just picked up a Sony HX9V. It is 1080 60p and 16x optical. It's got an amazing optical stabilizer in it.

Used alone it gives you as much magnification as many of our rifle scopes. It mounts up to the back of a rifle scope fine with the Orion bracket. I am hoping it works as well on a spotting scope.

 

[McCoy]

Re: HD Video Camera?

Anyone else have suggestions on cameras to use for spot/shooting?

 

[Takashi]

Re: HD Video Camera?

If there was a way to get a go-pro to play nice with a spotting scope, you'd be in business. I might fiddle with that a bit today.

 

[gathert]

Re: HD Video Camera?

That will probably be pretty hard to get both of them to stay still unless you have some sort of mount. Or put them on the next bench over when yo shoot otherwise the gun will make them move a little.

 

[rusty762]

Re: HD Video Camera?

You might try one of these housings with a 55mm diopter screwed on the front. You will need to set the shooting mode to narrow (90 degree field of view). This is only an option on the new GoPro Hero 2 but all previous modes on GoPros were ultra wide angle and would not work with an optic.

http://www.backscatter.com/sku/bs-gpuwg.lasso

 

[Takashi]

Re: HD Video Camera?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You might try one of these housings with a 55mm diopter screwed on the front. You will need to set the shooting mode to narrow (90 degree field of view). This is only an option on the new GoPro Hero 2 but all previous modes on GoPros were ultra wide angle and would not work with an optic.

http://www.backscatter.com/sku/bs-gpuwg.lasso </div></div>

This is the easiest solution! Too bad it isn't out yet. I'm thinking of adapting one of brownell's long picatinny sections and throwing the gopro and a scope on it and attaching it to a tripod. It is more work intensive but I think would work well