What type of video camera(s) do you use?

[Hulk]

I'm starting to get that upgrade itch again. I'm currently using a Canon Optura Pi. I really like it but would like a little more "depth" in my images and am thinking a 3 CCD camera may do the trick.

A friend of mine has a digital 8 Sony and although it is a great camera, I prefer the images of my Canon. Also, I really like the progressive frame feature, it's so easy to get great screen grabs. Plus the progressive mode has a deeper feel than the possibly sharper but flatter Sony. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a Sony vs Canon vs blah thread. The Sony's are great, as are a lot of other cameras, it comes down to what you prefer.

I'm considering the Canon GL1 and was wondering if anyone who frequents this forum uses one?

I'm also interested in know what others are using and why. One thing I can't stand is the zoom on my Pi, it's very twitchy. I would really like a nice big rocker for the zoom control!

One more thing; what application do you use to grab screen captures? I've been using MS Pro's included capture program. It's great except that you can't quickly scroll through the file, you can only move at a max of 5 times normal speed.

Mark

[Dr Mordrid]

I use Panasonics and the Canon Elura.

Sony cams & IEEE-1394 devices aren't always totally IEEE-1394 compliant, often requiring one to turn on "non compliant devices" in the IEEE-1394 section of the Device Manager. No thanks.

Dr. Mordrid

[Brian Ellis]

Hulk

As you are a Hulk, you may prefer one of the new Panasonic pro video 3-CCDs mini-DVs. You won't see these advertised in the mags: go to the Panasonic site and look through the Pro Video pages. They have a camera (I don't remember the designation) designed for reportages. It is bigger and heavier than the prosumer models (hence the allusion in the first sentence) and not much more expensive than the top ones (a hundred bucks or so). It does not have all the fancy bells and whistles that they add to the usual camcorders, that never get used in practice, anyway, but it has all the essentials and some features designed for easing the use under pro shooting conditions. The one thing that is lacking in the specs is detailed lens data, for some reason. Don't quote me on this, but I think the model # ends in 10 for the NTSC version and 15 for the PAL one.

[Dr Mordrid]

Are you talking about the AG DVC-10?;

http://www.panasonic.com/PBDS/subcat/dvproline/dvc10_morev2.html

Nice camera. Saving for one myself. And you don't have to be too much of a Hulk to carry one. They run ~4.8 pounds vs the Canon XL1s at ~6.3 lbs.

Dr. Mordrid

[Brian Ellis]

That's the one!

[Hulk]

Thanks for the insight guys. Actually, I am nothing like the Hulk. I'm 5'8" and about 150 lbs. I guess more like Bruce Banner! I was always a big fan of the comic book. I have about 400 or so Hulk comics in my closet.

I like the fact that the Panasonic has audio gain control. Have you guys ever had the opportunity to compare this camera to the GL1?