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
Canon makes excellent camcorders. You will be happy with it.
Quote from: DigitalQuirk on April 02, 2009, 03:19:36 AMYou 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
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
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
Quote from: RobertB on April 07, 2009, 05:00:55 PM...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
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
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