New camcorder for C= events

[RobertB]

     On Monday I received a new Canon HV30 hi-def camcorder to replace/supplement the old Sony Handycam TRV-315 Digital 8 camcorder.  Back in 1999 the Sony was rated #1 by Consumer Reports and has served me faithfully all these years.  However, it was becoming rickety in its old age, i.e., I had to hit it sometimes for it to recognize a tape or to play back properly or to load a tape.  The Canon HV30, also rated #1 by Consumer Reports, comes with a thick, paper instruction manual, and I've been reading it conscientiously for the last few days.  There is so much to learn!  So many different modes and options!  Even a digital still photo mode which will make pics at about 2000 x 1500.
     I will give the Canon a full work-out in the next shows I attend in April (which includes a concert in Sacramento).

                      A lot of processing power in that Canon,
                      Robert Bernardo
                      Fresno Commodore User Group
                      http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                      Notacon 6 / Blockparty 3 on April 16-19
                      http://www.notacon.org , http://www.demoparty.us

[Paul]

Canon makes excellent camcorders.  You will be happy with it.

[RobertB]

You will be happy with it.

Well, a couple of nitpicks about it... in comparison with the older Sony, no passive LCD read-out on the exterior and more importantly, no telescoping/adjustable-angle viewfinder.  In order to have adjustability, I'd have to use the LCD viewscreen, and that would use up more battery power.

                I've already ordered a 2700 mAH battery,
                Robert Bernardo
                Fresno Commodore User Group
                http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                Notacon 6 / Blockparty 3 on April 16-19
                http://www.notacon.org , http://www.demoparty.us

[RobertB]

     I tried out the Canon HV30 for the first time at the Nerd's Lair in Portland, Oregon.  Just a couple of minutes of Jeri Ellsworth and her friends setting up for the Sunday Fatman & Circuit Girl show.  Excellent results on the video!

             Still more hours of setting up for them,
             Robert Bernardo
             Fresno Commodore User Group
             http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     Used the Canon HV30 for MossyCon 5.  One nitpick discovered; you cannot change exposure settings on-the-fly, i.e., while you are filming you cannot switch from auto to manual exposure.  You must stop filming to do this.  One hint to use -- when using something as light as the Canon, a substantial tripod performs the same function as a SteadyCam mount when you have to handhold the camcorder.

                 Catching up with everything
                 now that MossyCon 5 is over,
                 Robert Bernardo
                 Fresno Commodore User Group
                 http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                 Notacon 6 / Blockparty 3 on April 16-19
                 http://www.notacon.org , http://www.demoparty.us

[RobertB]

...you cannot change exposure settings on-the-fly, i.e., while you are filming you cannot switch from auto to manual exposure.

Well, I found out a way around that.  You flip the exterior switch from Auto to P.  When in P mode, you can then engage manual exposure and manual focus.

                 Had to read the fine print of the manual,
                 Robert Bernardo
                 Fresno Commodore User Group
                 http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                 Notacon 6 / Blockparty 3 on April 16-19
                 http://www.notacon.org , http://www.demoparty.us

[RobertB]

     Now with wide-angle lens attachment!  Just in time for filming at CommVEx. 

                  Truly,
                  Robert Bernardo
                  Fresno Commodore User Group
                  http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                  July 25-26 Commodore Vegas Expo - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

[RobertB]

     The camcorder did well at CommVEx!  There was so much to film that it kept juicing out its batteries, even with extended-life batteries.  Now I have the daunting task of editing all that footage together. 

             Truly,
             Robert Bernardo
             Fresno Commodore User Group
             http://videocam.net.au/fcug