New Camcorder

[AURxTiger]

We just bought a new camcorder for our cruise this Saturday (7/17). It is a Sony DVD camcorder. I hope I can learn everything about it in the next few days before we go. Anyone have any experience with one and would like to share?

 

[mmouse37]

My response if just general camera advice.

Well we learned that if you wrap your camcorder or regular camera in a towel in the room you won't get condensation build up when you go out into the humid air on deck or in port.

Check out this pic....this is what happens when the lens fogs over due to condensation.....the lens will clears in about 15 minutes or so but we found wrapping it in a towel helps prevent it.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/47984596/47992453pnkbIM

P.S. Just noticed the date you are sailing...our friends will be on board that week!!!

MJ

 

[two-foxes]

We got one a few months ago for our upcoming trip.....love it so far. But to answer your question, I have no tips....we are trying to figure all the bells and whistles our selves, too! One thing I will recommend that we purchased was a camera case. We actually bought two from Sony. One is your typical black ballistic style case that has "cargo" pouches. But we also purchased a slimline silver semisoft case that is not much bigger than the camera that we plan on using when we take it around the parks and excursions. It comes with a strap, but it is small enough to slip on your belt loop, too.

Edited to add:
Also, if you call or visit sonys website, I believe they offer overnight shipping if you want it for your cruise date....we got 2 day shipping which was only $.50 more than the standard, if I remember correctly! Heres the link to that smaller case...
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...cc_DICamcorders_DIAccessories_DICarryingCases

 

[MarkRG]

Actually, fogging lens is the least of your worries. The camcorder has a moisture sensor that will prevent it from operating until it dries up inside. And it will develop moisture inside. Think of what happens when you take a cold beverage outside on a warm muggy day. Wrapping it in a towel isn't quite enough, the insides will be too cold and the carribean humidity will pervade the insides.

The easier solution is to bring a cloth bag big enough to hold the camcorder and little bit more. A few minutes before you go out, put it in the bag and run the hairdryer in the bathroom into the bag to warm it up. And just keep it in the bag until you get outside to prevent the ship's a/c from re-cooling it.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I don't have any miracle tips on the condensation/moiture issue other than letting you know it definitly is an issue. Just be aware, that if you take your camera from the AC in the ship to the outside warm muggy air, it most likely will not work fo about 20 minutes or so. When you get outside, open it up as much as possible and let it warm up and dry out. This doesn't ruin the camera, it is just a pain. Try it every 10 minutes or so to see if it is working and clear lensed. When it runs, you should be ready to roll. My plan is always to be up on the deck with the camera for about 20-30 minutes before I need to start taping or leaving the ship.

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[anlashokna]

Would you be willing to share roughly what you payed for it and where you got it? Was looking at one at Best Buy the other day but couldn't find anyone to get the price. Of course it was the only camera without one

I have small camera backpack I bought at walmart. It easilly fit both a sony video cam and my minolta 35 mm on my last trip.

Now I have a Monilta DiMage digital I'm taking with and possibly the sony dvd cam. They'll be room to spare in this little pack now. Will be interested in hearing how the cameras work out and if you have any problems with them

Stacey

 

[two-foxes]

Originally posted by anlashokna
Would you be willing to share roughly what you payed for it and where you got it? Was looking at one at Best Buy the other day but couldn't find anyone to get the price. Of course it was the only camera without one
Stacey

Stacey-
Here is a link to the two that are out now from sony and the current retail prices. We purchased ours at Soundtrack. We never really cared for Best Buy....but the prices were pretty much the same from store to store. We purchased the 101, the 201 offers better still photos if I understand correctly.

Edited to actually add the link I was talking about!
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...s_DVDHandycamCamcorders&Dept=dcc_DICamcorders

 

[anlashokna]

Are these mini dvds or full size..hard to gage. I know the sony at best buy..and I am assuming it was the handycam hand mini discs for it. Just trying to figure out how these can be played in your dvd player? I've got a few months before I buy..was kinda hoping christmas might off some fantastic sale

As you can see I'm just starting to look at them. Lots of questions.

My Konica Minolta DiMage was a spur of the moment buy. Love this digital camera beyond words. I still have my 35mm Minolta Maxxum which I bought in '88. Works like a gem to. I had a sony camera awhile back and sold it because it had sound problems.
Those who have the handy cam has there been any issues while in use?

 

[MortimerM]

I don't have a sony but I do have a Hitachi DVD cam. On mine, the dvd discs have to be formatted before use. This can take several minutes so go ahead and format all of your discs prior to the cruise. Then all you have to do is pop them in and begin recording. You don't want to miss a great moment because you're waiting for a disc to format.

 

[yodasdabomb]

Wow I had never even thought about camera condensation! Good thing I read these boards so that I can be prepared when I begin my travels next month!!

Another Salute to the DIS!!!

 

[ca-disney-dad]

OK, I could be wrong but I just got back from a 7 day on the Magic in June and did not encounter any problems with condensation. I had both a Sony digital movie camera (DV mini tapes) and an Olympus digital still camera. The weather was hot and humid but I never noticed any problem with condensation. I did see many people on the deck with cameras going in and out of the AC, but never heard of this problem. I too read about it before we left and was concerned but just decided to wait for the condensation to dissipate like other had mentioned.

As for caring case, a few years back I purchased a Disney fanny pack. This is the big one with a large pouch. I have found that it works great and even has room for extra DV tapes and battery. They have them on the boat to purchase at a reasonable price.

Just some in put.

Has anyone actually had condensation problems?

Brian.

 

[MarkRG]

I have, that's why I suggested warming it up. The change in temperature won't affect the digital cameras so much, it's more the camcorders. I think because the cameras are more or less sealed where a camcorder has some kind of door to load the media. When you get condensation, the viewfinder will show an icon that looks like a raindrop and it will turn itself off until it dries out inside. Preheating the device a little bit will mean you can use it immediately when you get outside vs waiting for it to warm up. On my first cruise that I brought it on, I wound up going back to the cabin, opening the tape door and blowing the hairdryer in there to dry it out. Subsequesnt trips a bit of preheating avoided the issue altogether.

Now, this is only an issue when the camcorder has been sitting a long time, such as overnight, in your cabin. Just going from inside to outside over a short period won't do much of anything. I would also say it is probably going to be more of an issue for larger than your hand camcorders. Something you can stick in your pocket/fanny pack or is the size of your hand, such as most of the mini-dv's, you are warming it up that way and probably won't be affected. Mine's a hi-8 format DV Sony, comparable in size to the new DVD camcorders.