In need of a Touring Camcorder.

[Flashbulb]

u should get the higher speeds sdhc cards of at least class 4, preferbly class 6.

have gone around asking. 32GB SDHC Class 4 costs below SG$300 thru special order with retail launch for the major brands expected to be near end of the year and 16GB SDHC Class 6 is about $80-ish currently. I bought 2x 16GB Class 6 to test first and will get a couple more later on if i am satisfied. Also managed to get pricings on the Canon HF100 accessories and extra battery from SLS, Funan as well as Mustaffa and damn the shops are having a huge margin compared to online purchase.

also went around looking for avchd editing softwares and got pricings,,opinions?
Adobe Premiere Elements $119
Pinnacle Studio Plus V12 $169 (Recommended by shop)
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate V12 $229

also since camcorder doesnt really need lots of gear as opposed to cameras, would just a utility belt be adequate or recommended re-use camera vest?

 

[chanxj]

The old pinnacle softwares were buggy and resource intensive. I don't know abt now though.

 

[Flashbulb]

I have external storage already. Its a relatively affordable usb powered Maxtor 1 Touch Mini 250GB for SG$139. But from the amount of footage i will be shooting, an 16GB would only be slightly over 2Hrs at FXP quality so for me around 4 pieces should be fine, but just in case will be bringing a ac powered external 500GB hdd just in case..Main concern is the battery as the default is rated at one hour plus plus and the BP-819 averages less than 3 hours of continuous shooting and charging is done through the camcorder. I do believe at its price they should have included a charger + complimentary 4GB SDHC card.

Thinking of ordering this later on, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830998692

 

[Flashbulb]

I have external storage already. Its a relatively affordable usb powered Maxtor 1 Touch Mini 250GB for SG$139. But from the amount of footage i will be shooting, an 16GB would only be slightly over 2Hrs at FXP quality so for me around 4 pieces should be fine, but just in case will be bringing a ac powered external 500GB hdd just in case..Main concern is the battery as the default is rated at one hour plus plus and the BP-819 averages less than 3 hours of continuous shooting and charging is done through the camcorder. I do believe at its price they should have included a charger + complimentary 4GB SDHC card.

Thinking of ordering this later on, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830998692

 

[scubanel]

I agree the same configuration at least. As for maintenance I do not see much just take along a dry cloth for the lenses and occassion moisture when you move between cold and warmer environment that is all. Like for example, if you are in the hotel try wrap with a cloth and into the bag first to leave it over night. If you are going to use it almost immediately the next morning, condensation may occur when you on the video.

I bet you will take a camera as well as a laptop or portable storage device since it is a long holiday. Need not necessary have to be a 16 Gig. If price is rasonable, go for two 8gig instead. At least you got a spare piece if "sway sway" one fails.

Bring a travel adaptor along otherwise end up you cannot charge the batteries...haha...enjoy your trip!! Oh...COMEX is coming...maybe you can try your luck there or simply go Sim Lim, not much difference since you already afforded a pretty good camcorder; the one you bought I had read the review liao...cool. If there is a built-in mic, I personally do not recommend using cos ultimately when you edit, likely you will be adding songs...etc.

 

[scubanel]

The good thing about using video of this format is you can erase unwanted shots. Do try not to make a lengthy video like from the time you start your breakfast till you finish your coffee...hehe...abit exaggerating.

Take the essence of the things around like a monument, very breath taking scenery. The stop and take another video again. With this you can eliminate and save on memory usage. In the end when you start editing your video, there is trimming and imposing filters that you can blend the different scenes together. A too lengthy video will actually bore the viewer. Rather do it in various chapter when editing therefore take various individual scenes rather than continuous in one recording mode using only pause. Hope this tip helps otherwise you will end up taking along just too much things...

 

[jaegersing]

Regarding batteries, I got some Canon and also some third party batteries for my HV-30 at Orient Photo, SLS 6 floor. The third party batteries are really good value and seem to last for hours of shooting. Even if they die after only one year they will be worth it. Also got a cheapo charger for $20 which is good cos it means I don't need to tie up the camera for charging batteries.

 

[Flashbulb]

Regarding batteries, I got some Canon and also some third party batteries for my HV-30 at Orient Photo, SLS 6 floor. The third party batteries are really good value and seem to last for hours of shooting. Even if they die after only one year they will be worth it. Also got a cheapo charger for $20 which is good cos it means I don't need to tie up the camera for charging batteries.

How long ago was this? is this it?

http://www.orientfoto.com.sg/

i always thought they only do photography equipment. will give a try.

 

[Flashbulb]

The good thing about using video of this format is you can erase unwanted shots. Do try not to make a lengthy video like from the time you start your breakfast till you finish your coffee...hehe...abit exaggerating.

Take the essence of the things around like a monument, very breath taking scenery. The stop and take another video again. With this you can eliminate and save on memory usage. In the end when you start editing your video, there is trimming and imposing filters that you can blend the different scenes together. A too lengthy video will actually bore the viewer. Rather do it in various chapter when editing therefore take various individual scenes rather than continuous in one recording mode using only pause. Hope this tip helps otherwise you will end up taking along just too much things...

Relatively new at taking videos so need a while to re-learn good shots and not so bad shots.

more or less this is what i need now,

charger
batteries
travel adaptor

officially will cost quite a bit and newegg will take too long.

 

[jaegersing]

How long ago was this? is this it?

http://www.orientfoto.com.sg/

i always thought they only do photography equipment. will give a try.

Yes this is the place. I went there in March this year. They are a photography place, as you say, but I think some of the Canon batteries may be common to both still and video cameras. Anyway they seem to have a big selection of third party stuff as well as original.

 

[scubanel]

Try these and as for OEM batteries I used to patronize Eastgear but not sure now. Maybe you can visit Comex this weekend. Definitely you can find the battery you need there.

 

[Flashbulb]

Try these and as for OEM batteries I used to patronize Eastgear but not sure now. Maybe you can visit Comex this weekend. Definitely you can find the battery you need there.

Try what?

actually working during the Comex. Eastgear prices are out already http://www.eastgear.com/comex2008/COMEX2008-Brochure.pdf

have emailed a lot of foto shops but i guess they are busy right now to reply to my enquiries.

have also emailed Canon SG last weekend but no replies if they have the batteries and charger at hand or if got sell during Comex. Foto shops okay, but a company as big as Canon should have a reply-within-24hr policy imo.

If really that hard to get BP-819 in SG, looks like have to resort to http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403923 . Will place the said powerpack in one of the pouches in my utility belt.

 

[Flashbulb]

also one more thing....i noticed the memory card is in FAT32 which has a file cap of 4GB. If my continued recording exceeds 4GB per file, would it still continue filming or create a new file in which case i need to join them back together in editing? 16GB is actually 14.9GB in case anybody wanted to know.

 

[Flashbulb]

look what came in the mail....

A whole lot cheaper then what COMEX is now offering but now the hard part begins.

 

[miniUltraman]

How much you pay for your HF100? Congrats on your purchase

 

[Flashbulb]

Also got more memory, thought want to get variety for safety but since Kingston was out of stock and Sandisk/Toshiba prices were still high, kept with the Transcend 16GBs.

This round was Alan Photo (Canon) and Cathay (Sony) for camera booths. asked for quote on the batteries for HF100 but all AP had was the BP-808 for $90 which is similar pricing for the BP-809. whats the difference anyway? From what i check the only difference is that the BP-809 fits better into the HF-100. No news of the BP-819 and and the Canon charger.

 

[Flashbulb]

current summary,

Home for my Canon camcorder and Sony P&S camera. Going to be self custom.

Total spent: $1742. Still have enough to buy a video editing software. Now trying Sony Vegas for 30 days....The default canon imagemixer kinda sucks that it does not include any transcode options.

My 5 cents: It does make the Comex promo for Canon HF100 look like it should be more value.

 

[Flashbulb]

just a thought.....if lets say need to take shots on beach which should have plenty of sand and wind blowing, is there anything i can use to protect the lens while filming?

also maybe a wide angle lens as well as adapter to fit a microphone on it as i find the audio just on the acceptable side of things.

Just my opinion but it looks like for Canon camcorders users living in the West, it does seem that only Alan and Cathay have the most accessories.

 

[chanxj]

Maybe u can try the sennheiser mke 400 for the mic. abt 350 bucks. To protect the lens maybe mount a uv filter? should be able to mount one if there is a screw on thread.

 

[Flashbulb]

$350 is kinda a lot for a beginner. Anything below $100 that is good enough as this camera is supposed to be with Dolby digital stereo but the built in microphones really need work. As for UV Filter, will anyone do or should i get a specific one? Any pricing?