Need help buying new video camera....

[pat fan]

A little history on what we have now.....
We have a Panasonic that we got in 2000 right before our second WDW trip. We should have known betterthan to buy it. We had used my FIL's camera (same thing) on our first trip and the sound was all screwey on it but we figured it was because it needed to be cleaned. Ours taped ok when it would tape, but that wasn't too often. When you tried to use it a message came on that said "Dew Warning" and it shut itself off. Did this for both trips we took it on It isn't just ours either...we saw someone on a WDW bus that had the same camera so I asked and she said her's did the same thing.So.......

If you were going to buy a new video camera, what would you get? I read somewhere not to get the DVD or micro-chip ones because the quality isn't that good, but to go for the mini-tape ones. They have a Sony mini-tape at B.J.'s for around $300 but other than that, I really haven't looked or done any research. Any suggestions?

 

[YEKCIM]

We bought our Canon Optura 30 in the fall of 04, so it is a couple years old. I, too, have experienced the "dew" issue, and have made a mental note to "acclimate" it to the temperature and humidity before use, in WDW when we go in July. I think the problem arises from going from a cold hotel room to the hot, steamy environment of central FL. Moisture condenses on the exterior *and* internal workings of the 'corder, and the "dew" warning is the result, until it warms up and the condensation disappears.

Before we bought ours, I did extensive research on the various MiniDV models available at that time, with the exception of Panasonic, primarily at www.camcorderinfo.com. I've been mostly happy with the Canon. The 2MP still imager is excellent and the pix I have made with it, IMO, speak for themselves: http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/DisneyWorld/

The Canon does not do a particularly good job in low light, however, but I guess that's my primarly complaint. The cam came bundled with Pinnacle 9 software, which I have used to capture, edit, and transfer all my digital (MiniDV) and analog (8mm) home video to DVD. LONG process, but worth it.

Good luck.

~YEKCIM

 

[pat fan]

I think the problem arises from going from a cold hotel room to the hot, steamy environment of central FL.

That's what we thought too. We tried everything from leaving it in the car overnight (instead of bringing it into the room) leaving the tape door open while going to the park to let it "warm up" and tons of other "home remedies", all to no avail. Thanks for the idea of camera though. My 35 camera is a Cannon that I've had forever and I love it. Maybe I'll look at Cannon's.....

 

[Kelly Grannell]

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