Digital Video Cameras

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I've been feeling the need more and more to have a digital video camera around me as frequently as possible. My primary concern here is that it will be stolen, probably by a cop, so I don't want to drop a bit of money into it. My first thought was eBay, so I could perhaps pick up a couple and keep on in the car and one at home.

The problem with eBay is that you've got two things. "Decent" brand name cameras at around $65-300 ranging between "broken" to "brand new". You've also got $20 cameras that are new, but I figure that the video on those is probably about as good as my still camera which looks crappy on YouTube (let alone other places).

So here's where I'm torn. Circuit city and best buy have new cameras for about $100 and I can be decently sure they're reliable. I could also take a riskier deal and get a better quality camera from eBay but I run the risk of getting a piece of crap camera (lots of "need repairs" on eBay in camcorders).

What would some of you guys suggest? Am I worrying to much about having my camera stolen, or should I put that pretty high up on my list of things? I've never done video activism and I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Would you guys suggest digital devices, like Flash or SD or "old-school" like MiniDV (which is mechanical, but still digital)?

Thanks!

[Coconut]

I would go with a lower priced one for activism. My only problem is that my cheaper cameras shoot like expletives in darkness. So a lot of copwatch video is tough to see through. If you're not doing professional shoots and spending hours losing sleep over your picture quality, you shouldn't need much. A cheap camera will catch the most important stuff just as well as SamIam's $7000 camera. They'll also be smaller for carrying them around.

I would go with MiniDV, but it's probably a personal preference if you can find a cheap flash camera.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

My only problem is that my cheaper cameras shoot like expletives in darkness. So a lot of copwatch video is tough to see through.

That's pretty much the problem I have with my still camera. It does YouTube res just fine, but it adjusts horribly to changes in luminoscity, getting all grainy and washed out before it adjusts.

I would go with MiniDV, but it's probably a personal preference if you can find a cheap flash camera.

I'm leaving towards MiniDV as well, mainly because the ability to switch tapes rather than flash seems... better. But I have absolutely no real reason to think that, I suppose, I just do.

Thanks for your input.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I'm having a really bad day today...

So, I was getting a payday loan last month and remarking to my wife that this place had a pawn license. I thought that was odd, but rather unimportant at the moment.

Today, having lost several eBay auctions, I decided to go to my local pawn shops and check for camcorders. Well... They're all the same company.

The barrier to licensing is so high that a single company effectivly owns all the pawn shops in my city, and their prices for used camcorders are insane. I hate this area...

[DigitalWarrior]

I am about to give unsolicited advice.  I know how rude it is, but I beg your indulgence.  I hope to help you.

I was getting a payday loan last month

can literally be translated to "I do not have enough money for basic day-to-day expenses".  That specifically means you cannot afford to buy anything optional, including a camera for activism. 

A person should have access to 3 to 6 months salary in case of job loss.  It sounds like you are living on a razor's edge.  If you would like to know how I overcame my own financial retardation (including patronage of payday loans), then I can tell you my story, and I am not selling anything... 

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I know how rude it is, but I beg your indulgence.

I don't consider advice to be rude.

[Coconut]

The barrier to licensing is so high that a single company effectivly owns all the pawn shops in my city, and their prices for used camcorders are insane. I hate this area...

amazon.freetalklive.com

Amazon sells new and used. I don't see how you can't find what you need there.

[error]

Since I bought my video camera, they've updated it and come out with a new, better, cheaper version. I'm happy with it and it actually turns out fairly decent video at night, despite not having infrared night vision.

[AntonLee]

I just bought myself a FS-100 by Canon


It's small, has a flip out window with the ability to turn it 180 so you can see yourself in the window.  It has settings for different lighting and is pretty easy to use even for a novice such as myself.  I like the weight. . .it's a flash memory one. . . takes a SDHC card which seems to go quite a ways. . . I took a bunch of pictures last weekend up in the White Mountains


4 settings, even I can figure it out. . . one for pictures, one for video, one for video review, one for picture review.  Zoom on top, as well as the shutter for the camera.


so it's small. . . I like its size. . . . and it takes great pictures and video







all of that. . . a case with extra battery, a SDHC card, and the camera (comes with strap, battery, remote control-cool)

$525.  I love it.