Camcorders - good or a hassle?

[loobymiss]

My camcorder is ancient so therefore big and embarassing to carry around. I have researched and can get a new mini dv one for about £125 in Argos.

I was wondering whether it is worth buying or if it will be a hassle carrying it around and recording stuff when I could just be enjoying the atmosphere.

What's the general concensus? Do you all take camcorders?

 

[giuly09]

My son has one but decided not to bring it to be free to enjoy the atmosphere.
I find the normal camera annoying enough lol

 

[NULAH]

Hi. We were also the owner of a pretty bulky camcorder, but i was lucky enough to be given a new one for my christmas from DH for our trip last week. It sounds along the same lines as the one you have seen and we are sooooooooooo glad we had it. They are so small now that we just popped it into our backpack along with our camera and bits and pieces and so it was easy to grab and film then put it away again. We would not go away without it now and the amount of times we have watched it since we came back certainly supports that. Hope this helps.

 

[Bexx]

I love having some video of our trips, but I try not to let the taking of it detract from enjoying the atmostphere, so I don't take the camcorder in everyday. I never took our old hefty camcorder, but as our newish one is much smaller it's definitely worth taking it with us.

 

[tigger300686]

We just take a camera with lots of extra memory so that we can take short film clips, i'm always getting the camera out but sometimes wish i'd just enjoyed it and not spent it behind of camera. Although when i have children i'm know i will have camcorder and be one of those ppl that films everything!

 

[Cyrano]

I love having some video of our trips, but I try not to let the taking of it detract from enjoying the atmostphere, so I don't take the camcorder in everyday. I never took our old hefty camcorder, but as our newish one is much smaller it's definitely worth taking it with us.

This the same as our approach.
On a given day we found ourselves with videocamera, digital slr, compact digital and troops camera. I felt like I was going on a trek to the Alps, especially with water etc added to this.

So now we plan what days we'd like to take videos and what days I'd prefer to make photography days. Othertimes we tend just have the point and shoot camera and enjoy time as a family making memories

 

[stargatebarbie]

You can miss out a bit if you ,like me are the one doing the filming and sometimes its a bit of a pain ,but the joy on my DD face when she watches it is well worth all the hassle she watches them over and over and over im surprised that they dont wear out

 

[BRobson]

My DH got fed up looking though a camera lens on holiday so we maybe only take the camcorder now and again. Our digital camera takes film as well so DH takes more mini films and makes up a montage - They seem to capture the moments much better

 

[Ware Bears]

Luckily we always go for at least 5 days so manage to video each parade etc one day, then make sure I watch it and photograph it another. If I only had chance to see the parade etc once, then I wouldn't bother to video it, I'd just enjoy watching it.

I hesitated for a long, long time over whether to get a camcorder or not as I have seen so many people so obsessed with filming that they miss out on the atmosphere. In the end I did buy one and I'm glad I did. Hope this helps.

 

[phgannon]

My camcorder is ancient so therefore big and embarassing to carry around. I have researched and can get a new mini dv one for about £125 in Argos.

I was wondering whether it is worth buying or if it will be a hassle carrying it around and recording stuff when I could just be enjoying the atmosphere.

What's the general concensus? Do you all take camcorders?

I used to take my camcorder but now I find that most digital cameres shoot more than adequate video footage. I have a tiny Sony T9 and a slightly larger Canon S3 IS.

Whilst the S3 isn't the smallest camera out there it does records video with stereo sound, has a flip out and twist screen and is a lot smaller than a camcorder (same size as a very compact SLR). The S3 even has a dedicated video record button. It just sits on my hip. As a result it's brilliant for filming on the rides.

Have a look at the videos on my site and you'll see the results. Both the videos from Orlando '07 and DLP July '06 were shot on my Canon S3 and my tiny Sony T9. Most of the onride footage was shot using my Sony.

If you just have a good solid digital camera that shoot good photos and good video too then you just have one item to carry around with you and shoot whatever feels appropriate at the time.

 

[Pokeypoke]

If I am on a trip and it is my first visit or a special occation, I definately bring along the camcorder. The DVD camcorders are much compacted and lighter than the old camcorders of years ago.

We are targeting our first trip to DLP in June of 2009 and I definately will bring along the camcorder. That said however, I do not plan on bringing it and filming everyday that I am in the park. The first couple of days will be spent exploring and having fun. During this time, I will know what I would like to film and what I don't care to film. Then, I will set a day aside to film, take pictures, do my shopping and just soak up the atmosphere nd do some people watching. It also helps that I am going to be useing my wheelchair and Woody (my partner) will be pushing me around while I do the filming.

Pokey

 

[loobymiss]

Thank everyone for your replies. I might have to invest in that new camcorder then, even though my OH is moaning that we've already got one. (I'd like to see him carry our ancient massive camera all day!!!)

Just one question, are you all happy leaving valuables (ie camcorder) in your hotel room as I won't be taking the camcorder in the park for all the days.

 

[giuly09]

T
Just one question, are you all happy leaving valuables (ie camcorder) in your hotel room as I won't be taking the camcorder in the park for all the days.

In 1999 we left Pizzeria Bella Notte after lunch break and *just around the corner* i realized i had left the camera on the table.
I run back just to discover someone else had been quicker than me - and had took the camera without asking the CMs or anyone else.
So i would say be careful in the park more than in your Hotel!!!

 

[treacle]

my digital camera takes short film with sound as well. I just carry mine with me as it is poket sized. Then make up a dvd of all the photos and films to watch when I get back. One rule that we do have is that if one of us spends too much time behind the camera to the point where it is a pain, the other confiscates it for a day.

 

[Pokeypoke]

Just one question, are you all happy leaving valuables (ie camcorder) in your hotel room as I won't be taking the camcorder in the park for all the days.

I can't speak for the hotels at DLRP but I have never had any problems leaving valueables in the room at other Disney owed resorts and hotels. I would imagine that the rooms at DLRP would be just as safe as the other Disney hotels in the U.S. But remember, always use common sense-- never leave cash, traveler checks, keys, jewlery or credit cards out in the open--if the room has a safe (they do in the U.S. but not sure about Paris) by all means put them in it. If the rooms do not have a safe, you can always ask the front desk if they have a safe to keep these items in. As for leaving bigger items such as camcorders and laptops, I would place them in your suite-case when you leave the room and they should be fine.

Pokey

 

[hildasmuriel]

I hesitated for a long, long time over whether to get a camcorder or not as I have seen so many people so obsessed with filming that they miss out on the atmosphere.

We were invited to a wedding years ago where the registrar stopped the wedding just as the bride walked in the room, because a baby 'babbled' and it would have been heard on the video recording. She warned that if it happened again she would have to ask the parents to leave the room.

I felt that she was missing the point - if somebody had stopped MY wedding to make sure the filming was 'just so' I would have been enraged. The 'moment' is the real thing, not the recording. And the baby was actually invited - I guess the happy couple had already worked out that a 9 month old baby might gurgle.

Yes, alright - it WAS my baby. And yes, I left the room and missed the wedding, rather than risk it all being halted again while I was thrown out!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

We were invited to a wedding years ago where the registrar stopped the wedding just as the bride walked in the room, because a baby 'babbled' and it would have been heard on the video recording. She warned that if it happened again she would have to ask the parents to leave the room.

I felt that she was missing the point - if somebody had stopped MY wedding to make sure the filming was 'just so' I would have been enraged. The 'moment' is the real thing, not the recording. And the baby was actually invited - I guess the happy couple had already worked out that a 9 month old baby might gurgle.

Yes, alright - it WAS my baby. And yes, I left the room and missed the wedding, rather than risk it all being halted again while I was thrown out!

 

[JC Butterfly]

We were invited to a wedding years ago where the registrar stopped the wedding just as the bride walked in the room, because a baby 'babbled' and it would have been heard on the video recording. She warned that if it happened again she would have to ask the parents to leave the room.

I felt that she was missing the point - if somebody had stopped MY wedding to make sure the filming was 'just so' I would have been enraged. The 'moment' is the real thing, not the recording. And the baby was actually invited - I guess the happy couple had already worked out that a 9 month old baby might gurgle.

Yes, alright - it WAS my baby. And yes, I left the room and missed the wedding, rather than risk it all being halted again while I was thrown out!

wow, I would have been so embarassed as the BRIDE? Did she say anything?

 

[hildasmuriel]

wow, I would have been so embarassed as the BRIDE? Did she say anything?

No - I think the whole day just overwhelmed her. It was a real 'production' not a 'go with the flow' day.