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[eyore]

  I've just worked out how many days I could spend in the park for the cost of the cheapest of those cameras.
I wouldn't need to video, I'd be living there
I may just dig out my old VHS-C camera again (that's under 1lux and took POTC really well) even if it's not HD.

[cocomonk22]

Not really covert now is it?   

Do camcorders need to be covert though to record rides?  It wouldn't be as annoying to other guests as recording with a bright LCD screen.

[kirky]

The problem with a larger camera is you are pretty much saying "Hey, I'm recording here!" and questions may be asked about what you're doing this for, etc.  By using a "normal" camera, you attract less attention to yourself, plus, speaking for myself, I go to WDW on MY vacation, if I capture something of interest, that's great.  Going with a pro, or prosumer type camera would give me more to worry about.

But, no, covert isn't a requirement, but it's nice to be able to use smaller devices...  and, something like that is overkill when 1/2 the members here are begging for iPod compatible videos.  I usually go with DVD quality vids, and something like that would be overkill.  Next trip will be my first with a HD camcorder, so we'll see what comes out of it.

[cocomonk22]

Actually, it doesn't seem that big to me compared to older cameras, and it's still a hand-held camera.




Here's some videos of it being used in the parks:
It's a Small World at WDW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcWiPeHbc4E&fmt=22

Splash Mountain at WDW (not onride):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdawQStSNQ8&fmt=22

Reflections of Earth fireworks show at Epcot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLkRx2H03IM&fmt=22

[eyore]

Still large, VERY expensive and (for my part) I'd feel a little obvious carrying something that size around and would worry that I would draw attention to myself (or be though of as a show-off).
I don't doubt it's an excellent camera though and I'm sure many use them in the parks.
I think you hit the nail on the head - it's similar in size to older cameras BUT with the modern ones being so small people (and CMs) would notice it more and it's very uncomfortable being asked questions.
Possibly the biggest reason for not getting one is the large  number of security guards I would have to take with me considering the cost is over 4000 (dollars/pounds - not much difference now).
I wouldn't have a moment's peace carrying that around
Fair enough if you are a pro film maker. Far too large and expensive for a tourist like me on a family holiday/vacation though

[kirky]

Goes to show you just cuz it's HD doesn't mean it's good!  The back of someone's head is just as irritating!

Sorry, I'm getting too critical.  Youtube videos aren't a good judge of quality, but camera work is camera work.  I've thought about getting a prosumer type camera.  Been there, done that, too rich for what I need it to do.  We'll have to wait and see what my HV30 brings us later this summer.

[dolbyman]

yeah those things are much too large .. thats why I backed away from buying a sony fx7

but look at this one ..

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-Introduces-Solid-State-Pro-Camcorders-for-2009-GY-HM100-GY-HM700-36111.htm

the second pic with the hand made me smile .. that cam is a lot smaller than simmilar looking cams 

Here's some videos of it being used in the parks:
It's a Small World at WDW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcWiPeHbc4E&fmt=22

Splash Mountain at WDW (not onride):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdawQStSNQ8&fmt=22

Reflections of Earth fireworks show at Epcot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLkRx2H03IM&fmt=22

the first two have a very soft look to it .. and outdoor footage tends to purple fing) .. and the fireworks look awfull .. I don't know why (maybe wrong color profile while shooting.. or bad post processing)

[cocomonk22]

They're getting smaller, which is good. I don't know about low light, though. The GY-HM100 has three 1/4" CCDs and the GY-HM700 three 1/3" CCDs. It'll be a few years before HD low light prosumer cams get small enough or consumer cams improve in low light enough that it will no longer be a hassle to record everything at the parks with quality picture.

So if someone reading this thread is thinking about purchasing an HD cam, I would suggest waiting for illumination in sub-1 lux to improve to film dark rides.

[dolbyman]

I don't know if consumer camcorders will ever be abled to record good low light .. whenever they make advancements on the imager level .. they just make them smaller or with a higher pixel count .. thus the lowlight won't improve..

the canon HV20/30/40 have 1/2,6" imager .. that is very large for a consumer cam

[marni1971]

That`s why I`m torn between a 3MOS or 1MOS. CCD is out the door due to the vertical streaking with ultra bright light sources, but 1MOS cameras don`t offer everything I want. I`m minded to still go for the Panasonic HDC-SD100 for amongst other things its manual ring and viewfinder. I`ve survived 9 years with having to enhance dark ride footage so it`s nothing new if I still have to. Anything will be better than the AG-450 I carried on my shoulder in 1990!

[kirky]

the second pic with the hand made me smile .. that cam is a lot smaller than simmilar looking cams 

You lost me at under $4000   

I guess $399 IS less than $4000 but so is $3899 which is probably more like the target price.

[ghostyroastytoasty]

Anyone check out the Sax vid I put up? Not bad coming from a $150 camcorder.... lol
 

If I ever get enough saved up though, I will definitely get me a much better one.

[cocomonk22]

I don't know if consumer camcorders will ever be abled to record good low light .. whenever they make advancements on the imager level .. they just make them smaller or with a higher pixel count .. thus the lowlight won't improve..

the canon HV20/30/40 have 1/2,6" imager .. that is very large for a consumer cam

Yes, I think Canon is coming out with larger imagers on their new cams, so hopefully that will be a trend for the future.

[abovethefirehouse]

the second pic with the hand made me smile .. that cam is a lot smaller than simmilar looking cams 

You lost me at under $4000   

I guess $399 IS less than $4000 but so is $3899 which is probably more like the target price.

Sony has released a new camera $3,100 3CMOS with the EX EXMore.  It gets down to 1.5lux and is full HD.  it's the replacement  of the FX-1 that ad 3CCD.  that will be my next purchas since i like the canon hv-30 yet the other one will be more for what i need.  they shaved off an inch to the body of the FX1000 and it used the new G lens.  here s the link....

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665529584

a review
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/newsLetter/Sony-HDR-FX1000.jsp

[cocomonk22]

This year's Canon XL H1A does better in low light than the Sony HDR-FX1000 actually, though it is $2,000 more expensive.

On the consumer level, check out the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000. It has better low light recording than the Canon HV-30 or any other HD consumer camcorders released to date, not to mention the only one recording in 1080P at 60 progressive. However, image stabilization is very poor and there is no viewfinder, only an LCD screen.

Sanyo HD2000 vs Canon HV30 Low Light Comparison:
http://vimeo.com/4158952