Which Camcorder

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 11:29 AM

Hi,
I have a sony mini DV camcorder (DCR-PC 101E).
I use it for filming while on holiday, etc. and transfer the mini DV film into a DVD using my PC. It has a light which helps me use the camcorder even if there is not enough light.
I would like to buy something with similar capabilities as my existing one has broken down.
Any thoughts please?
Thanks

*A n d r e w* · 19-02-2009, 7:32 PM

Can you give us an idea of how much you're looking to spend? Is there anything you've looked at already and like the look of, or not liked the look of? Any preference for tape over tapeless or vice versa?

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 7:48 PM

Hi,
I don't really mind how much but as long as I have a simple camcorder with the features I mentioned.
At present I have a lot of mini DV tapes which I have converted to DVDs. May be it is best to stick to mini DV so that I can play the existing tapes if necessay even though I have transferred them all to DVDs.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thanks

glesgaguyav · 19-02-2009, 8:19 PM

If you want to stay in the "tape" world and are too worried about price, then I would go for a Canon HV30/40 or even the HV20 if you can still get one, providing your present tapes haven't been recorded in the LP mode, then the Canon will play them, you will also have the benefit of HD recording.

If you decide to go "solid state" (smaller) then again the Canons are one of the best

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 9:01 PM

This seems to be around £700
Too expensive.
please note the most important thing for me is for it to have a light for fiming when there is not enough light and being able to trannsfer to a PC to convert to a DVD (I think it is caled fire wire)
Thanks

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 9:05 PM

Hi,
I have found this:
Canon MD205 Digital MiniDV Camcorder (36 x Optical Zoom With 2.7" Widescreen Colour LCD)
But it does not seem to have the light for filming.

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 9:18 PM

What is LCD video light?

**senu** · 19-02-2009, 9:33 PM

You need to get external lighting. Needing to have " light for filming " is limiting yourself to certain models, which may not be great in other areas
Thing like that which your old camcorder had are not that common anymore and are non existent at the budget level

Ive had camcorder with it but never actually used it . As it happens Camcorders dont always have them ( even less so these days) and when they do they arent that great+ they kill the battery very quickly

LCD light simply means using LCDs rather than "proper bulbs" as light source. they are incresing ly popular due to low power consumption, very little heat dissipation ( efficient) and longer life
They cannot really replace decent light but where a little boost is needed they may just be the thing you need
You did say you didnt mind how much and now says £700 is too expensive

If you wantd a Tape model you wouldnt pay much less for the Hi def ones which are also good SD models but may have thing like video light
Evenif you went for a non tape model ( whichuses USB instead of firewire)
You would be looking at 450-700 and video light is not guaranteeed

arkiboys · 19-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Hi,
Thanks fo rthe information.
Yes, I was wrong not mentioning the price.
My existing mini DV camcorder has an external light which was very powerful.

arkiboys · 22-02-2009, 3:26 PM

Hi,
Some of the camcorders have a separate section to attach a light to it.
Is this called LED light? At first I thought it is called LCD light but the shop assistants say these days they do not make camcorders to have the extra section to attach lights. Some have built in lights which is called LED lights.
Is this correct please?
Thanks

*A n d r e w* · 22-02-2009, 3:48 PM

Some have built in LED lights (though they're not many - more often than not the LED is a flash for stills rather than a light source for video), some have an accessory shoe which you can use to mount a video light.

arkiboys · 22-02-2009, 4:51 PM

Can you please recommend one up to around £200 which has either a light or a stand for a separate one?
It seems the built in LED lights are not powerful.
Thanks

**senu** · 22-02-2009, 5:07 PM

I dont think what you want exists at that price. TBH
I would be happy for you if it exists at any price as in built video lights are not that popular anymore
Maplins may have some " suitable" inexpensive video lights (LED)

arkiboys · 22-02-2009, 7:08 PM

It seems the LED light is the new replacement for the video lights. Are they good enough to use when there is not enough light?. i.e. at night?

**senu** · 22-02-2009, 10:09 PM

It would depend on individual model
My feeling is that on-camera video lights are generally not powerful enough regardless of whether they are LED or not
LCD light can be quite bright and I notice some cars now have them but these are likely to be a much more powerful cartegory than a camcorder would have
TBH with video there is no substitute for decent lighting and i think you have been lucky with those on your previous camcorder

arkiboys · 22-02-2009, 10:13 PM

Ok, I am lost now.
Can you please recommend a mini DV camcorder which takes some kind of light (Internal or external which can be attached when required) around £200 - £300 please?
Many thanks