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earthbound

Buying a first video camera...

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Hello all...here is yet another one of those posts asking about which video camera to buy! I am just about to start out on camera work, and am seeking some advice on what is a good initial camera to get. I don't have a price limit in mind, but am obviously after good value for money. What are the features to keep an eye out for, and are there any particular brands/models that are better than others?

Thanks!

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Stay away from the IP series of camera's for a while. The format is really new and it is not comptible with any of the PC/TRV series cameras. You can only firewire footage between other IP series. Also computer editing software is severly lacking for the IP while there is LOTS for the other models of cameras.
Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

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Well, Jake's got it now, and I figure he knew that stuff when he got it.

ChopChop uses one, and likes it fine, but it is a drag not being able to firewire video to each other after a jump.

Just about everybody has a Sony mini-DV, and that comes in real handy when you find you need a tape or a battery when you're in a jam. So far I've only lent stuff, but that's just a down payment for when I'm desperate to borrow a battery or need a tape.

And firewire is easier than dubbing a tape, even if you're not flying the camera yet.

Even if you have to pay $5 for a firewire of your jumpB|

Mini is much more dominant out there than micro.

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Depends on what extra functionality you're talking about, but generally speaking if you're only talking about the things that people normally use the camera for in freefall, then generally speaking it's difficult to justify the extra expense for things you're probably never going to use.

The TRV19 would be adequate in a pinch, but I think the best value and choice for beginning camera flyers right now is the TRV22.

In fact, I'll be picking one of these cameras up shortly to be my backup camera for Nationals and after that it will become my main camera.
quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

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Thanks for that - I haven't looked yet, but I assume the TRV22 is compatible with existing helmet mounts? (this is all new to me :S)....



What camera helmet are you planning on jumping there in Australia?

And btw, isn't Down Under in PAL format? A 22 won't be of much use there...:S

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

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To be honest, haven't looked at which helmet yet...we do use the PAL format, but I am pretty sure that Sony produce the 22 in that format for us folks down under :)



Yeah, Sony will produce the 'same' camera as the 22 in PAL, but will give it another number. Probably 23 or something like that...;)

As for a containment system for your camera, make sure it will fit -your- camera first. IF it is the same size at the 22, Bonehead has one that can be attached to most any helmet.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

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