Suggestions for a video camera: I shoot on a volunteer basis for three fire departments and they now want me to also take some video (or direct another volunteer to do so while I'm...

RonH Loc: Shoreview MN

I shoot on a volunteer basis for three fire departments and they now want me to also take some video (or direct another volunteer to do so while I'm shoot stills). They are allowing me approximately $400 to purchase a video camera. Obviously there will be low light, spot light, flashing lights etc. in the videos. Suggestions please. Remember my budget which I expect can be exceeded by to much.
Thanks,
Ron H

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

RonH wrote:

I shoot on a volunteer basis for three fire departments and they now want me to also take some video (or direct another volunteer to do so while I'm shoot stills). They are allowing me approximately $400 to purchase a video camera. Obviously there will be low light, spot light, flashing lights etc. in the videos. Suggestions please. Remember my budget which I expect can be exceeded by to much.
Thanks,
Ron H

Tough call for $400. What camera are you shooting now? Can it do video well?
If not, you may be looking at a newer point & shoot camera with HD video and an optical telephoto lens (not digital). That you can get for under $400 including a case and memory chip.

tulsimm

I wouldn't havie a problem recommending the Sony CyberShot. My daughter took my grandson and her camera to the circus yesterday. I saw the photos and video today. Her seats/location was in the upper stands. lighting was terrible. lights were flashing/poping off and on. Sound was loud and echo at times. She had about 15 min of video and less than 100 photos that maxed her card out.
I'm very impress with quality. I believe is a 16megpix HDVCH video. TX20 price point at Sony store $329. Always bundling.

fun effect don't know how she did it

Ring one

from the nose bleed section

mwh2385 Loc: Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

I video our Church Services every week and I have been using a Sony DCR-SR68 without any problems. Video is sharp and the audio is very good.

Never had a problem with this camera over the 3 years I have had it. And the tech support is great!

Mike H.

RonH Loc: Shoreview MN

I have a Nikon 300 and 300S but the issue is I need something separate that I can as needed handoff to someone else and tell them to go over there and shoot a specific scene etc. I will not hand off either of my Nikon's to someone no matter how much I like them. A separate video camera is the way to go I think as it can then go where the department wants it to be at without my worrying about it.

tomd01 Loc: Allentown, Pa.

I bought a Sony handycam dcr-trv140 new years ago and have recently started shooting with it. It has a lot of good features including night shot and photo. Being an older camcorder you could look at it on ebay or choose another brand with same features, just a thought. LOL

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

RonH wrote:

I shoot on a volunteer basis for three fire departments and they now want me to also take some video (or direct another volunteer to do so while I'm shoot stills). They are allowing me approximately $400 to purchase a video camera. Obviously there will be low light, spot light, flashing lights etc. in the videos. Suggestions please. Remember my budget which I expect can be exceeded by to much.
Thanks,
Ron H

Ron,

I currently have a Sony HandyCam HDR-PJ10 which I'm looking to sell. I purchased it with the optional Sony Wide Angle & Telephoto conversion lenses along with an extra battery, UV filters, cables, etc. It takes excellent video & has a built-in ptojection screen.

I'm looking to get $300.00 for the package.

I have so many still cameras that take video, I really have no use for it.

The equipment is virtually unused & I'm looking to buy another lens for my Canon 7D.

If you're interested, send me a PM & I'll forward my e-mail address.

PD

mwh2385 Loc: Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

RonH. I forgot to mention with the Sony DCR-SR68, there is a 80gb Hard Drive built into the camera.

mwh2385

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Following this thread, it made me think. Perhaps you need to do a bit of research and look at the pros and cons of shooting with a camcorder and a DSLR with video capabilities. I would be interested in the findings for future use. I have a separate camcorder and an old DSLR with no video feature. I have researched on prosumer digital camcorders and Panasonic gives the best video quality followed by Canon and Sony. Certain features are different or absent for different makes - horses for courses.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

DSLRs are likely not the way to go for the type of shooting you will need to do. I would recommend going SONY video camera at your budget range. I have used similar cameras to the linked one below to great success in professional web video productions.

Check out, in your budget range:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/748413-REG/Sony_HDR_CX160_B_HDR_CX160_HD_Flash_Memory.html