"Kent Clarke" <kentc@dot.org> wrote in message

news:kentc-A479CF.01290211112003@news21.bellnet.ca...

> In article <medaqv47qcrhtfvh8r7ffdokhtfacec7cg@4ax.com>,

> david <johnsonholding@yahoo.com> wrote:

> David,

> Maybe try your question in rec.video. This group is more for production

> issues than a consumer guide.

> > I am going to purchase a DV cam sometime between now and Xmas. I was

> > looking at 3 -

> > Canon Optura 20

> > Sony TRV 38

> > Sony TRV 70

> >

> > Out of all, I like the Canon the best because of the ability to add

> > lens and the manual focus on the front. Now I also read a few Con's

> > about the Optura and wanted to know how damning these are :

All Mini-DV cameras that I know of can have lens converters and

other lens attachments added to the front - and all Sony cameras

(and many others) also have front manual focus rings (though these

are rarely needed if the AF is good). BTW, if you are looking for

decent low light range (at the expense of picture sharpness), look

also at the Sony TRV19 and 22...

> When a buyer review starts out, "I bought my first camcorder because my

> wife was having a baby..." consider that the buyer may know more about

> making babies than video.

> > 1) night shots are always blurry - now is this a feature with all

> > night-shot camera, or just the Canon?

> For its "night shot" Canon just lowers the shutter speed to the point

> where you need a tripod to hold it steady. Any camera makes blurry

> images if you jiggle it. Sony uses a different method that produces

> green and black "night shots" that are always blurry.

?????

The Sony "nightshot" is an infrared image taken without

the IR-blocking filter in place. The camcorder is therefore more

senstive to both IR illumination (which is invisible) and to normal light

sources. The image is high quality but for the color (and that can be

removed by also using B&W mode). Since the shutter speed

is normal (except in "Super Nightshot"), the B&W image looks good

when shot under normal illumination (though some items respond to the

IR sensitivity in a way that may result in unexpected tones for familiar

subjects).

> > 2) Audible whine or hum from the audio - this is a huge sticking

> > point. I am going to be making some shorts and I don't want this to

> > be hindering my films.

> This is designed to make you buy a good external mic. :-)

> They all make noise, some worse than others.

Ummmm, most Sony cameras, at least, do not record audible camera

noise under most conditions...

> > Besides that, I was looking on Ebay and saw a load of extras being

> > offered at a price that was below the $899.00 that Best Buy wanted.

> > The extras included : 2X telephoto, wide angle, tripod, carrying case,

> > cleaner, firewire and card (in one particular case) etc,

> Maybe Ebay is not the best place for someone new to the hobby.

I agree. I would also look at www.bhphotovideo.com and some other

reputable dealers - the prices are likely lower than Best Buy's, and the

purchase is safer than on eBay. Do not buy "packages" unless you want

the specific items included, and know that they are good. Check all

accessory prices against the B&H prices - overpriced accessories

and shipping are the way "cheap" sellers have of offering what appear to

be great prices on the camera itself...

> > Now, in the opinion of those that have used it - is this camera going

> > to be able to perform in the field? I want to buy the new JVC HD

> > camera, but I am going to wait until the summer when the other

> > consumer models come out and bring down the price.

I would avoid the JVC HD model unless you know a LOT more

about it - and still want to put up with its foibles. Better to buy a good

3-CCD standard-definition model (Sony VX2000, Panasonic DVX100,

JVC DV-GY300, Canon GL2).

> > Having a camera

> > that does Night Shots under $1000 is also a plus and the fact that the

> > manual focus is where it is supposed to be help tremendously for focus

> > pulling.

"Focus pulling" is a non-issue with these small cameras since the DOF

is great and the MF rings are servo only...

> > Any opinions welcome. Thanks

> I'm sure any of the three would be fine for your purposes.

Not for low-light shooting...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com