[rharris45]

Hi there,

I have an old mini DV camcorder (JVC GR-DVL367EK) from many years back and would like to upgrade to a new HD camcorder that I could use for filming wildlife. As such I would like to have a good optical zoom but having looked around I'm not sure what to go for? Panasonic seem to produce some HD camcorders with amazing zoom ranges but how good are they? It looks like the more I spend, the less optical zoom I get but I don't want to compromise quality?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[12harry]

You probably know the techy bit of wildlife filming, but to compete with pros (and the Public watches very expensive wildlife programmes on the BBC.).... you probably need a rather expensive camcorder. A 10x zoom is just not going to do the job, if you are filming elephants, by contrast in Africs (plenty of light), then a consumer camcorder is probably sufficient.

Perhaps you can tell us more about the wildlife you are filming.
-and some idea of Budget, too.

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by rharris45

Hi there,

I have an old mini DV camcorder (JVC GR-DVL367EK) from many years back and would like to upgrade to a new HD camcorder that I could use for filming wildlife. As such I would like to have a good optical zoom but having looked around I'm not sure what to go for? Panasonic seem to produce some HD camcorders with amazing zoom ranges but how good are they? It looks like the more I spend, the less optical zoom I get but I don't want to compromise quality?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

This is what i use for wildlife and its great,with my 1.7x add lens you can get thw equivalent to1120m in 35mm terms
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 Review | Digital Camera Resource Page

https://vimeo.com/35836456
its also good for stills.

[12harry]

Great idea - and I like the vid, too.

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by 12harry

Great idea - and I like the vid, too.

Hi Harry the touble with wildlife its all mainly needs filming from a distance.using the long end of a lens and add on lenses is whats required but getting still footage is another thing,those shots you refer to are not too bad as there was little wind ! but in wind getting still footage is near impossible at long zooms,what makes me envious is watching programns like springwatch and the great non shake close ups they get.
why because the cameras are very heavy and the tripods weigh a ton.
My velbon is heavy in consumer terms but light compared to what those guys use.

[12harry]

I have a Manfrotto 525 tripod and usiing it with a 300mm (35mm equiv), whilst up to the equiv you stated, is absolutely fab . It's like watching another camera - but yes it is heavy so only viable withing maybe 25 yards of the car . . . . although I'm thinking of building a "wheelbarrow" that will make it possible to wheel it along woodland paths.

I've seen many tripods and sadly though expensive, their legs are just not up to it. Mine is a 2:2:1: which is particularly good for a camera weighing under 500g (although the lens raises this to nearer 700g total) - btw the lens is mounted on the tripod, with the camera mounted on the lens. It has a spreader and 503 fluid head - magic. As I say it's like watching clips from another camera.

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by 12harry

I have a Manfrotto 525 tripod and usiing it with a 300mm (35mm equiv), whilst up to the equiv you stated, is absolutely fab . It's like watching another camera - but yes it is heavy so only viable withing maybe 25 yards of the car . . . . although I'm thinking of building a "wheelbarrow" that will make it possible to wheel it along woodland paths.

I've seen many tripods and sadly though expensive, their legs are just not up to it. Mine is a 2:2:1: which is particularly good for a camera weighing under 500g (although the lens raises this to nearer 700g total) - btw the lens is mounted on the tripod, with the camera mounted on the lens. It has a spreader and 503 fluid head - magic. As I say it's like watching clips from another camera.

not sure which tripod you have 525MVB Pro Ligthweight Video Tripod 525MVB - Pro Twin Leg | Manfrotto
it looks a good trpod but
Tripods used by tv people are still bigger,i am not sure if the 300mm lens is max zoom or 300mm start ? , 1200mm is often needed for wildlife,its nice when you manage to get close to a subject and dont need such a zoom.

[12harry]

Thanks for that, tripod weighs about as much as a small child, so I don't think it could be the "lightweight" version -
++ yes agree the lens is zoom max 300 (35mm equiv), but I also have a 1.6x Nikon extender, which I've use on Venus and moon, recently. However, this is a 35-200 Tokina Zoom and it's about 2stops darker than a 200mm f/3.5 Hoya - when set to the same aperture. I presume the internal glass design somehow loses light.
However, for moon-shots (about a year ago when it came particularly close)... I used the Hoya and it was really BRIGHT.
If I said I'd used the Tokina Zoom, this will have been wrong.... I didn't have it then.

You probably guessed I don't do wildlife, as you will know that lens is a bit short. The tokina is a tiny bit soft compared with the non-zoom Hoya - only to be expected....but being able to "frame the shot" means the zoom is the long-choice. The Tokina that has a dedicated fitting for the Manfrotto, which I made..