Video Camera question

I use a Flip HD camera. Works well in low light. Easily fits in a wagon or van. Simple to post the video too.

Make sure that anything you buy today can do full 1080i HD, 1920 x 1080 pixels. You may also see references to 1080p, however that format is not used for video at our level. A camera that can shoot 1080p will also be able to shoot 1080i.

 

Don't buy any camera that cannot do Full 1080i HD.

Depends on what you want to do and your budget.  I know the flip is popular, but if you are not going to strap you camera to your train, that could open up to other better cameras than the shirt pocket cameras i.e. Kodak Zi8, Flip etc.

Anything full HD 1080p.

Hi Doug this video camera is great and so easy to use

The Kodak play full video camera

see photos

 

THANKS,ALEX

My Panasonic DMC-ZS10 takes full HD movies, and it's a great still camera as well.  It also features an optical 16x zoom that is functional during movie shooting.

I use a Sony HD camera with internal memory (and image stabilization) and Sony tripod with controls on handle -- not professional equipment, but, for amateurs like me, it provides enough quality and features to make good movies.  Internal hard drives are being phased out in favor of flash memory.  Mine is 5 years old and has so much internal hard drive memory that I can shoot about 6 hours in full HD.  You can get both for under $1,000.00, and I suggest that whatever camera you buy, not cutting corners on the amount of memory.  You get some proprietary video editing computer software with all the HD cameras.  I have used Adobe software, currently use Apple's iMovie on my MacBook Pro and it is easy to use.  I prepared for this by adding memory and getting the top of the line sound and video cards when I bought this computer.  Editing and combining clips into movies on computer software is one of the best ways to criticize your own performance and improve your result, both in content and technical expertise.  You will find that auto-focus does not always work well with model railroad video, and you'll learn where it works as well as where manual focus is needed by shooting and editing your own.

 

No matter what you buy, you'll have to take it to the woodshed, as musicians say -- in other words, practice, practice, practice.  You need to learn the technical controls, as well as how to produce jiggle-free video, both on a tripod, and hand-held.  I don't know if you ever look at the weekly movie thread on this forum, but you can see everything from very good to very poor and compare your work to what is posted there.  And I'm sure you look at some of the clips attached to posts scattered throughout these Forums, and the same range of quality applies.

 

3-D cameras are available, but there are competing 3-D formats, and you could be stuck with the format that falls out of favor when home 3-D becomes more popular.

Thanks for the info. I'll look around on line to get more details.

 

Doug

I use a GoPro for the on-train and beside the track shots. The GoPro's small size, wide angle and 1080 HD works well for this. It's not the most intuitive camera, but it does the job right. I had a couple of movies up in the Clips/Videos forum before it was taken down, but they can still be found on the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum's Facebook page.

canon vixia produces great video.  i am surprised that the webmeister did not also advise you to get a tripod and, if you are really serious, one with a fluid head for smooth panning.