Shooting Fantasmic!

[keishashadow]

Thought I'd check in here for advice from the experts before I treked off to Ritz camera w/my malfunctioning camcorder.

I got a few years old JVC digital model.

Was trying to film Fantasmic for my elderly mother & noticed that the screen shot would start to take on a cloudy appearance. The 1st few times, I'd either pause it or re-direct the shot to the floor to clear it. Before the show ended, the entire feed was cloudy.

Neither DH or I are well-versed in camera knowledge. He thought "...I blew out the sensors..."???? We took the battery off & reset the camera but, still the image appears to be shot thru a white/fade out filter.

Guess I should of known better & stopped when the problem arose but, I really wanted to capture it for mom...boo-hoo!

Is it worth my while to get it looked over @ Ritz? Or, should I chalk this one up to another instance of my bad judgement & buy one of the new ones that tapes directly to disc?

 

[YEKCIM]

Depending on what is wrong with it, you may find that repair cost would be a significant amount of money, and might be a large percentage of what a new 'corder would cost. I'm not an authority on this, but have read in several places, including this board, that the quality of miniDV videos is much better than direct-to-DVD. Mine is a miniDV, and I transfer to DVD, after finishing the tape, which I keep as an archive copy. Quality is very good, and I'm very happy with the arrangement. You can pick up a MiniDV camcorder model online for as little as $300 or so...maybe even less. Of course, you can spend a lot more, as well. Anyway, the point is that if it is going to cost $200 to repair (and it may not..), you'd probably be better off to go shopping for a new one.

www.camcorderinfo.com is a good resource...

~YEKCIM

 

[keishashadow]

Depending on what is wrong with it, you may find that repair cost would be a significant amount of money, and might be a large percentage of what a new 'corder would cost. I'm not an authority on this, but have read in several places, including this board, that the quality of miniDV videos is much better than direct-to-DVD. Mine is a miniDV, and I transfer to DVD, after finishing the tape, which I keep as an archive copy. Quality is very good, and I'm very happy with the arrangement. You can pick up a MiniDV camcorder model online for as little as $300 or so...maybe even less. Of course, you can spend a lot more, as well. Anyway, the point is that if it is going to cost $200 to repair (and it may not..), you'd probably be better off to go shopping for a new one.

www.camcorderinfo.com is a good resource...

~YEKCIM

Thanks, exactly what I was afraid of!

They MinDV were almost $800 last Xmas, glad to see the price is dropping.

What brand do you have?

 

[YEKCIM]

I have a Canon Optura 30, which we bought almost two years ago. I *really* debated between this cam and the Sony HC40, and finallly decided on the Canon, based on the 2MP still imager. The Sony, according to the reviews, is better in low light. The Canon's low-light performance is not the best but, overall, I've been very happy with the Optura. I think you can get a lower-end Canon or Sony for $300-400, online. I'd suggest you look at some reviews.

If interested, samples of the digital stills produced by the Optura at Mickey's World are here: http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/DisneyWorld/

We leave for The World on Satuday so I'll have a HUGE new photobucket folder in a couple weeks...but pix will be from a Fuji digicam, not the Optura.

~YEKCIM

 

[keishashadow]

thanks - still phots seem very high quality to me (esp. like shot/composition of Liberty Bell).

 

[YEKCIM]

For a two megapixel imager, it ain't bad, *as long as* lighting is optimal. If the light is not good, the pix suffer a great deal, which is why I bought the Finepix. Other pix on my photobucket site were made with it.

Good luck on getting your 'corder repaired or replaced.

~YEKCIM

 

[left210]

Mine is a miniDV, and I transfer to DVD, after finishing the tape, which I keep as an archive copy. ~YEKCIM

I dont know if you have seen my other thread but I am having trouble transferring from my camcorder to DVD. Can you tell me how you do it? I have finally figured out how to hook it up properly and it is recording to the DVD but it will not play on other DVD players. Is there a special setting I need to change? Sorry to hijack this thread but I am desperate to figure this out because I want to give a copy of my sons preschool graduation to all of the parents before he switches schools this fall.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I dont know if you have seen my other thread but I am having trouble transferring from my camcorder to DVD. Can you tell me how you do it? I have finally figured out how to hook it up properly and it is recording to the DVD but it will not play on other DVD players. Is there a special setting I need to change? Sorry to hijack this thread but I am desperate to figure this out because I want to give a copy of my sons preschool graduation to all of the parents before he switches schools this fall.

copy the files to your computer, specificaly named folders makes finding what you want later on, much easier.
Then use a DVD burning program or better yet a movie creator program that probably came with the camera. Add the files you want to the dvd, then keep clicking "next".
With CDs and DVDs the disc must be "closed" before another machine can read it. Maybe that was the problem you are having...
Mikeeee

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Or, should I chalk this one up to another instance of my bad judgement & buy one of the new ones that tapes directly to disc?

See sticky for miniDV vs HDD vs DVD camcorders.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I know nothing about this stuff. Can something like the fireworks hurt a camera? Going in Sept. and would hate to ruin mine.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

nope because it's not constant exposure to bright light

 

[Nik's Mom]

We have a minidv camcorder made by JVC and were very disappointed. We could never record in low light situations (not even SpectroMagic), and the humidity from FLorida kept causing the camcorder to shut down. It finally never turned back on. Never again will I buy a JVC. We're looking into either the Sony 96 (mini-dv) and the Sony 405 (dvd).

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

I recently purchased a Sony HC96 and will be bringing it to WDW for our August trip. I would love to be able to get a good video of either Wishes, Fantasmic, or maybe even Illuminations.

Any pointers for how to get something we would enjoy watching later?

Any suggestions for where to stand to get a good shot?

Thanks in advance for any help...

MM

 

[YEKCIM]

I've video-ed Wishes a couple times before, the most recent in December 04, with my Canon Optura 30. I don't recall whether I used any special exposure setting, but don't think I did. If you can use a tripod or monopod, I think that would be a huge help. Mine suffered from camera movement and focus-hunt, so would suggest manual focus as well.

There are lots of good places to watch from, I'm sure. We just happened to be in TomorrowLand when Wishes started, so that's where we watched from. Angle was not the best, as the bursts were not directly behind the castle, viewed from that angle. I think someplace closer to the "Main Street - Castle" axis would be better, though not sure where that might be. Railroad station platform is probably a good place, but I would imagine you would have to get there pretty early to stake out a spot.

Not sure where the best view of Illuminations is. We staked out a spot at the Mexico counter service food place in time to get what we thought would be a good spot, only to realize, too late, that tree branches obscured many of the air bursts. Keep that in mind. On Fantasmic, I would think that a seat close to the center of the ampitheatre, and a few rows back from the front, would be best (to avoid the railing). I can tell you more in a week, as we are headed to Mickey's World tomorrow morning, for a week with the Big Cheese.

~YEKCIM

 

[keishashadow]

We have a minidv camcorder made by JVC and were very disappointed. We could never record in low light situations (not even SpectroMagic), and the humidity from FLorida kept causing the camcorder to shut down. It finally never turned back on. Never again will I buy a JVC. We're looking into either the Sony 96 (mini-dv) and the Sony 405 (dvd).

Sounds familiar

 

[starrock77]

Turn off electronic image stabiliztion if your camera has that feature. Use a small tripod and turn off automatic focusing. Zoom all the way in to the rocks and focus. Then you should not need to refocus when you zoom out. You can try playing with this before you even go to disney.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Had a minidv by JVC that lasted for 8 years ubtil the little latch on the battery door broke. Bought a Panasonic gs-35 with a 30x optical zoom and have put 80 plus tapes thru it and it is still going strong. Taking still photo's is not its forte, I have a digicam for that. You need to go and look at them and then see what price you can find it online from a dealer you can trust.

Jack

 

[YEKCIM]

You need to go and look at them and then see what price you can find it online from a dealer you can trust.

Jack

Just my opinion, but isn't that a bit unfair, to sample a brick and mortar retailer's wares and then buy online?

~YEKCIM

 

[JR6ooo4]

Just my opinion, but isn't that a bit unfair, to sample a brick and mortar retailer's wares and then buy online?

~YEKCIM

exactly. and tax plus any difference, since best buy price matched B&H, pays for schools, police, fire, roads anything else?
I buy online but also local when it is fair.

Mikeeee

 

[blackjackdelta]

Then I guess I feel sorry for you. They all are in business to make a profit and they could be an online reatilers price if it were competative if they wanted to, some will, most won't. I like many others do not have money to donate to merchants. I try to keep the money I spend in the community I live, but I can save money I do...I have never had a problem buying from a reputable on line merchant.
There are not many B and M stores where I work.

Have a great day,

Jack