what-camera-3

Image stabilisers are a must for most wildlife videographers. Whilst it is always best to use a tripod if at all possible, there are times when getting a shot is only possible hand-held. At these times, the image stabiliser is a must to minimize camera shake. Some stabilisation systems are digital, some optical: there are pros and cons to both. However, it can produce some strange effects in some situations like panning or on board a boat, so you need to be able to switch it on & off fairly easily. Unfortunately, this facility is increasingly accessed via the menu so you may not have a lot of choice. A few cameras below digital8 are lacking image stabilisation so, again, check it out before buying.

Sound is often an afterthought. However, sound can make or break a film so it might be worth avoiding cameras with a reputation for poor sound quality. Amazingly, even some relatively expensive camcorders do not have facility for an external mic. This is a must for the avid filmmaker so watch out for it. It is also useful to use headphones with external mics, and again, not all camcorders have this facility. Stereo sound can be useful but you can get good quality sound using a mono camcorder if you are careful.

It is easy to think of camera requirements in terms of footage collection. However, do think about the camera’s editing aids also. Some cameras have a character generator or a title superimposer so that you can add titles or captions in-camera. Some have audio-dub facilities which allow you to add extra sound like music or voice. Some allow insert edit so that you can replace one bit of footage with another. If you intend to edit from camera to video recorder (VCR) or to computer, check the edit cable connections. Digital cameras avoid the tape-counter slippage problem and this can be invaluable when editing to a VCR or in-camera. If you intend to edit on a computer and have a digital capture system, you will need DV out connection. If you wish to put anything digital onto your camera, including films edited on a computer, you will need a DV in socket. Many models now have DVin as an optional extra, so ask if it is important to you. It is possible to have a DV out camera adapted to also facilitate DV in, but this normally invalidates your guarantee, so talk to as many people as you can about this one. Most (although not all) cameras now have faders which allow you to fade a shot in or out, usually into black or white and a few have shutter and/or slide wipes. Some cameras will allow you to cross fade, fading one shot into the next. The facility to add effects after filming can be a useful extra too, allowing you to change the same piece of footage in a variety of ways if editing to a VCR. This function often will not work when editing to a computer, but many software packages have their own range of effects.

The ability to take stills as well as moving footage is on the increase. These provide better resolution than stills taken from video footage.

A built-in light can be useful if you regularly need to light dark corners. However the light range is not very far and most people I speak to have never used the facility.

Pressing The Right Buttons
As cameras have an increasing number of bells & whistles there is, of course, the problem of how to fit all the buttons and levers on to the body. This is also further complicated by the fact that cameras are also getting smaller and more lightweight. Increasingly then, manufacturers are going for menu driven controls to cut down on the amount of space needed for buttons. All this offers a juggling act for the buyer: a series of surface mounted buttons and levers is quicker and easier to access, but there is always the danger that you might catch a button without realizing it and find your footage is spoilt by some unwanted effect. On the other hand, it always takes longer to access controls through a menu and you really need quick reflexes to catch the unexpected. As wildlife photography rarely offers a ‘take 2’ option, we need to be able to access controls quickly but without the danger of switching a facility on accidentally. One useful balance has presented itself through fold-out screens or monitors. Buttons can be tucked away behind the screen, reducing the chance of accidental pressing, but still allowing easier access than through a menu. Again, look for the right balance for your own personal needs.

Unfortunately, most of us learn by our mistakes, and it is often the case that we only find out what our requirements are once we have made our first purchase.

I, personally would not go below digital format nowadays and I would choose digital over other potentially useful features if it came to a toss-up for me. I would also never entertain a mono viewfinder as I found it almost impossible to use with wildlife.

Probably the best way of choosing a suitable camcorder for your own needs is to join your local camcorder club. In my experience, camcorder folk are very friendly and always happy to help where they can. Our own club (Doncaster Moviemakers) is developing a ‘buddy system’ where members can team up to help each other on a one-to-one basis. Joining an IAC Affiliated group (or taking out individual Membership) also gives you access to the IAC users’ groups: there is one for general stuff (including cameras and traditional editing) and one for computer editing. I use the sites daily and find them invaluable in this massive learning curve that is amateur filmmaking. Go to www.theiac.org.uk for a list of camcoder clubs throughout Britain or for IAC Membership details.

Look at our ‘My Equipment’ pages to hear what other users find useful.

It has been impossible to cover every facility that may be available so take a look at the various magazines on the subject. However, check out any information given in magazine tables or reviews as there are often mistakes in features listings. “What Camcorder’s” table is accompanied by a key briefly describing technical terms. Only use up-to-date books for reference as technology has leapt forward in the last couple of years and information quickly becomes out of date in this field.

The information in this article is a personal opinion only. Purchasers should always check out specifications and descriptions . We cannot accept responsibility for any losses resulting from errors.