I'm wanting to get into filming some of my hunts and looking for suggestions on equipment. I'm not wanting any of the professional high dollar stuff, just a nice consumer camcorder to film some hunts. Not really sure what I need to be looking for as far as brands, models, options, zooms ect. I don't need 4k just HD would be fine. Anyone have any suggestions on what to look into? Thanks
That's something I always wanted to do also.
Advice appreciated.
:thanks:
As you can tell by shopping around (Amazon), there are lots of cameras in lots of price ranges. Technology and production costs are continually improving, so you can get some pretty darn good cameras that are not very expensive. Having said that, I'm not sure I would trust the really low-cost cameras to do the job, but I have not used one of them, so I couldn't say for sure.
I do know for sure that there are some really good cameras in the $300-$400 price range that work well for videoing hunts. I have used both Sony and Panasonic "handycam" type units and have been happy with both. I'm sure there are other brands that are just as good.
The one thing I would look for is a camera with reasonably good zoom capabilities. Being able to zoom in on game is critical to getting good hunting video. The "Go-Pro" type cameras with little or no zoom capabilities will not do the job. Also, if you are wanting to take good-quality, non-shaky video, get a good tripod to go along with your camera and learn how to set it up and use it when you are hunting.
I'm no expert on the matte but I started the filming venture about a year ago....it's ben a lot of fun and brings a whole new level to remembering your hunting experience.
I did quite a bit of research before making a purchase and I went with the canon G20. It's an older model, they've released a G30 & G40 by now, but it wasn't that long ago the G20 was top of the line. For what I'm gonna do and you're gonna do you can't beat it.
Whatever model you go with I would get one that has the shoe mount and appropriate plug ins to mount a shotgun microphone to as well as a varizoom controller. The varizoom controller enables you to power on/off, zoom, and focus you camera with your thumb.
I would also invest in a good, sturdy tripod along with a manfrotto fluid head. If you go with a canon you can get off brand extend life batteries which are a must also.
Best buy was a great place to purchase the camera because I found it on sale, the tripod I got from Campbell's cameras, and everything else from B&H photo/video supply.
Here's a couple links to the videos I've done with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNNjHCPrW70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wux-ce4t2kM&t=2s
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me
I use a Canon Vixia (not sure of exact model, I think HF G10) I bought it refurbished from Canon at a significant discount and it has been going strong since 2011, no issues. Takes great footage and is easy to use.
I have a Canon G30. It was around $1500 new. You can find them now closer to $500 like all electronics as new models launch. You can google that model among others to watch video reviews, etc. Tons of info.
That is the camera I have had for the past 3 years and I love it. Never any issues whatsoever. I got 2 extended life batteries, rode shotgun mic, manfrotto head and a good tripod with the Varizoom remote. The video is as good or better than anything on tv today and I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing most of the time. Lol. The G30 has excellent zoom, incredible low light capabilities as well as IR if you do any nighttime filming. More options than you will have (or take) time to learn how to use thats for sure.
Whatever you do don't cut corners on the mic, fluid head, remote or tripod. Those items can make the cheapest camera produce great video. That said the best camera cannot overcome the issues not having those items creates.
Keep us posted on what you select. Like others I always had tons of questions prior to buying one and still try to keep up with what everyone is using.
We have a few cameras we film with, and yes some of it is for "Outdoor Shows" and a few we have sold a few of the old ones. Right now we are running Cannon Vixia HF G30 & G20 and a Canon XA30, we do have GoPro's but only for b-roll. Things to look at when camera shopping... Look at optical power only, digital is just a distortion of that, next is media we are using SD cards in these was not important to have a hard drive in the camera, we just carry extra cards (these also need to be of high quality). Last thing to keep in mind is the "extra's" you will need, a few posts have gone over this already. If you have questions PM me, I'll help where I can. You can find some good deals on these camera as they are now considered old models...
Here's one of my camera's
MK M GOBL
and I use for Bowfishin' and Whitetail too!
MK M GOBL
Quote from: wvlimbhanger on January 05, 2017, 01:02:41 PM
I'm no expert on the matte but I started the filming venture about a year ago....it's ben a lot of fun and brings a whole new level to remembering your hunting experience.
I did quite a bit of research before making a purchase and I went with the canon G20. It's an older model, they've released a G30 & G40 by now, but it wasn't that long ago the G20 was top of the line. For what I'm gonna do and you're gonna do you can't beat it.
Whatever model you go with I would get one that has the shoe mount and appropriate plug ins to mount a shotgun microphone to as well as a varizoom controller. The varizoom controller enables you to power on/off, zoom, and focus you camera with your thumb.
I would also invest in a good, sturdy tripod along with a manfrotto fluid head. If you go with a canon you can get off brand extend life batteries which are a must also.
Best buy was a great place to purchase the camera because I found it on sale, the tripod I got from Campbell's cameras, and everything else from B&H photo/video supply.
Here's a couple links to the videos I've done with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNNjHCPrW70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wux-ce4t2kM&t=2s
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me
What mic are you running? Footage and audio is great.
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SKYNET KC,
Thanks for the kind words.
I'm running a rode videomic pro with a deadcat wind screen.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1191314-REG/rode_videomic_pro_with_lyre.html
I can't add much to the great info that has already been discussed. Be sure to check out Canon's refurbished camcorders. I have 2 and have never let me down. They carry the same warranty as a new camcorder and can save you some bucks.
Canon for cameras
Rode for mics
Manfrotto for fluid head and tripod
High Quality SD cards
All great info. How about some suggestions re editing software?
I'm using Power Director 15 ultra, it's their entry level package. I just started editing a couple weeks ago. It's very easy to use and I'm pleased with the end results. Again, you can scroll up and see some of the links to some of the videos I've worked on so far.
Quote from: wvlimbhanger on January 05, 2017, 01:02:41 PM
I'm no expert on the matte but I started the filming venture about a year ago....it's ben a lot of fun and brings a whole new level to remembering your hunting experience.
I did quite a bit of research before making a purchase and I went with the canon G20. It's an older model, they've released a G30 & G40 by now, but it wasn't that long ago the G20 was top of the line. For what I'm gonna do and you're gonna do you can't beat it.
Whatever model you go with I would get one that has the shoe mount and appropriate plug ins to mount a shotgun microphone to as well as a varizoom controller. The varizoom controller enables you to power on/off, zoom, and focus you camera with your thumb.
I would also invest in a good, sturdy tripod along with a manfrotto fluid head. If you go with a canon you can get off brand extend life batteries which are a must also.
Best buy was a great place to purchase the camera because I found it on sale, the tripod I got from Campbell's cameras, and everything else from B&H photo/video supply.
Here's a couple links to the videos I've done with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNNjHCPrW70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wux-ce4t2kM&t=2s
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me
Very nice...............and nice buck also.
That would be the kind of filming I would like to do.
Thanks.
Bumping this.
A couple of you were shooting the G20/30/40. Recommendations on some 64gig cards? From what I've seen I want a minimum write speed of 45-50mb/s and a class 10 card. Does that sound about right?
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Quote from: SKYNET KC on February 12, 2017, 08:58:08 AM
Bumping this.
A couple of you were shooting the G20/30/40. Recommendations on some 64gig cards? From what I've seen I want a minimum write speed of 45-50mb/s and a class 10 card. Does that sound about right?
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Yup, I use the SanDisk Extreme, my G30 has dual card slots. (I have 3, 2 in camera and a backup I swap from each day)
MK M GOBL
In the $250 range you can get the Panasonic HC-V250 that comes with a 90x intelligent zoom (50x optical) and built in stereo microphone. I love this camera but mine has seen better days.
If you want to spend a little more, for $5-600 range you can get the HC-V750 which comes with built in 5.1 microphone and a port to connect an external microphone with a cold shoe mount. The zoom is a little lower at 60x intelligent and 20x optical, but still a very good zoom for seeing things way across large fields.
You're gonna need a tripod for turkey hunting, and I always bought something from Walmart, they will work great for starting out and are lightweight. But I eventually got tired of them breaking over time, so I went and got a Slik tripod for about $130 and it has a fluid head which is a big plus. It's a well built tripod for the money and not too heavy.
External microphone is preference as the built-in mice are great quality, but will pick up every sound of you touching the camera. An external mic will also pick up some of the sound but not as much. I have a Senal SCS-98 that I usually use on my V750.
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I ended up picking up a G20 used on the CHEAP. Snagged a manfrotto fluid head and tripod, and a Rode VideoMic locally on Craigslist. Will be ordering SD cards and a few extra batteries today. I'll post some pre-season scouting videos when I get it all together. :)
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Quote from: slwayne on January 06, 2017, 10:32:13 AM
All great info. How about some suggestions re editing software?
I use Adobe Premiere Pro which is subscription based for like $20/mo. You can get a year, or you can go by the month and shut it off when you aren't using it. Updates are included with the subscription, instead of buying the software upfront and having to pay for upgrades. It does everything and more than you will need for editing hunting videos. Most hunting video does not need much fancy editing.
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Quote from: SKYNET KC on February 12, 2017, 12:59:03 PM
I ended up picking up a G20 used on the CHEAP. Snagged a manfrotto fluid head and tripod, and a Rode VideoMic locally on Craigslist. Will be ordering SD cards and a few extra batteries today. I'll post some pre-season scouting videos when I get it all together. :)
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You made some great choices!
One other thing you may want is a Varizoom, makes it way easier to start/stop recording and the zoom function. Another is to watch this is with the external mic, make sure it is on... It is a separate function and you will not get any audio from the camera once the external is plugged in. In the programing on the camera I have mine set to show mic levels on the view screen.
MK M GOBL
MK M GOBL