PhotoCamel: Your friendly photo community, with free discussion forums, digital photography reviews, photo sharing, galleries, downloads, blogs, photography contests, and prizes.
Photography Contest Photo of the Week Photo of the Week

Go Back   PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photography Forum > The Photographer > Digital Video

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-11-2012   #1
Dromedary
 
richardpcrowe's Avatar
 
Location: Escondido, California
Posts: 1,476
richardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 100710
Default Camcorder with eye level viewing

I frankly detest viewing any sort of action on a LCD viewfinder. I realize that there are times, such as when shoting with a Steadicam or other stabilization unit, that LCD viewing is pretty essential; however for most shooting I prefer eye level viewing.

I would like a camcorder with the following capabilities:

HD capability
Eye level viewfinder
Selectable manual and autofocus while shooting
Powered zoom
Choice of auto and manual exposure control

I would really like to limit the cost to $500-$600 (USD) since I will be buying this camera for a non-profit 501(c)3 dog rescue organization to place videos of their rescue dogs on www.petfinder.com.

Right now we are shooting with a FLIP HD camcorder. The video quality is actually good enough for the rescue organization's uses but the focal length of the camera leaves a lot to be desired.

I "could" use my Canon 7D for video but, certainly don't want to make this camera available to other volunteers to use (which I will occasionally need to do). Additonally, unless I use an accessory like a Hoodman Loupe, the camera doesn't have eye level viewing.

Any ideas for a camera?


__________________
Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member of PhotoCamel to open up the site's many benefits and features.
__________________

Richard Crowe
Escondido, California
richardpcrowe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2012   #2
F1 Camel
 
gryphonslair99's Avatar
 
Location: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Posts: 2,871
gryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nicegryphonslair99 is just really very very nice
CamelKarma: 87724
Editing OK?: Yes
Default Re: Camcorder with eye level viewing

Everything you are looking except the price.

Panasonic AG-HMC40 AVCCAM HD Camcorder AG-HMC40PJU B&H Photo
__________________
Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about time, masters worry about light.

I can honestly say that there are two most remarkable men in the world today. Michio Kaku is one and I am the other one. Between us we cover all knowledge.

Kaku knows all that can be known....And I know the rest.


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today?
Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present."

Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda
gryphonslair99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2012   #3
Dromedary
 
richardpcrowe's Avatar
 
Location: Escondido, California
Posts: 1,476
richardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 100710
Default Re: Camcorder with eye level viewing

Quote:
Originally Posted by gryphonslair99 View Post
Everything you are looking except the price.

Panasonic AG-HMC40 AVCCAM HD Camcorder AG-HMC40PJU B&H Photo
Thanks... That's a very nice camera. However, I think that I am going to opt for the Panasonic TM-900 which runs $719 with free shipping from B&H in New York City...

Actually, I got $20 off by electing the "Pay Later" option in this purchase. I will pay it in full the first time I get an invoice from my "Pay Later" account.
__________________

Richard Crowe
Escondido, California
richardpcrowe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012   #4
Dromedary
 
richardpcrowe's Avatar
 
Location: Escondido, California
Posts: 1,476
richardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armorrichardpcrowe strides over the forum like a knight in shining armor
CamelKarma: 100710
Default Re: Camcorder with eye level viewing

I now have the TM900 aand I have never had a camera that is so much fun with which to shoot.

The quality of the video and the versatility of this camera is very good...

Here is a test video done by Thierry Philippon of France. The titles are in French but they are fairly easy to figure out. The first shot of the cat crawling through the opening in the stone wall is awesome.



__________________
Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member of PhotoCamel to open up the site's many benefits and features.
__________________

Richard Crowe
Escondido, California
richardpcrowe is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

« PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photography Forum > The Photographer > Digital Video »


Share this topic:

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
D90 or HD Camcorder djl4 Nikon Forum 4 07-12-2009 12:37 AM
Horizon Line/Eye Level Line nldunne Portraits / People 15 08-12-2008 02:41 PM
Horizon Line/Eye Level Line nldunne Black-and-White 0 08-11-2008 04:58 PM
Need a pocketable camcorder Walter Moss OT: Off-topic 0 02-14-2006 07:00 PM