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Camcorders for birding (1 Viewer)

dryslwyn

Well-known member
I have always been happy with canon camaras - now I am wanting to buy a digital camcorder for making short videos and for taking stills- to paint and draw from. I would like close up shots. Any advice?

Dryslwyn
 
dryslwyn said:
The optical zoom on this I think is 10x. Surely I wouldnt be able to get close enough shots - is there something I am missing here ?

If you want longer reach, the only Canon option that would give you high quality (i.e. HD) video at a somewhat reasonable price is the Canon XH A1. This one has a 20x zoom lens that has a 35mm equivalent reach of 560mm, but it is quite expensive.

An alternative option may be to use an S3 IS and a front-mount teleconverter, but I am not sure about the quality you would achieve with such a setup...
 
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Dryslwyn,

As the guys have said, the top end is expensive, you could infact fact buy a good digital camera and lense for same the money, which will give you stills. The cheapest option is to take a sketch book and HB pencil into the field, you'll enjoy that more.
 
pe'rigin said:
Dryslwyn,

As the guys have said, the top end is expensive, you could infact fact buy a good digital camera and lense for same the money, which will give you stills. The cheapest option is to take a sketch book and HB pencil into the field, you'll enjoy that more.

Point taken. I do both and have a good digital camera. Its my other half who enjoys the making the vidoes. I thought it a good idea to get something that would be useful for us both but it looks like it will have to be the top end of the range or nothing so I guess it will have to go on our wish list. thanks to all for the contributions.

Dryslwyn
 
dryslwyn said:
Point taken. I do both and have a good digital camera. Its my other half who enjoys the making the vidoes. I thought it a good idea to get something that would be useful for us both but it looks like it will have to be the top end of the range or nothing so I guess it will have to go on our wish list. thanks to all for the contributions.

Dryslwyn
Sony HC45 costs abot £200 and has a 40x optical zoom - equivalent to about 29x on a scope. The image is somewhat rough and ready but perfectly acceptible for video record shots, and at that price you can't complain too much.

Sean
 
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