airshow camcorders

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craig.mason
Posts: 1141
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 9:47 am
Location: dronfield derbyshire

airshow camcorders

Post by craig.mason »

Hi i am thinking of buying a camcorder been looking on currys website
they have
PANASONIC HC-V180EB-K
Full HD video (50 fps)
Optical zoom: 50 x
2.7" LCD touchscreen
£149.00

PANASONIC HC-V380EB-K
Full HD video (50 fps)
Optical zoom: 50 x
3" LCD touchscreen
Built-in WiFi
Image stabilisation
£199.00

PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K
Full HD video (50 fps)
Optical zoom: 50 x
3" tiltable LCD touchscreen
Built-in WiFi
Image stabilisation
£240.00
which one would be best for filming at airshows????
Canon 550D
EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS II Lens
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM

Stagger2
Posts: 1940
Joined: Thu 16 Jun 2011, 8:46 am

Re: airshow camcorders

Post by Stagger2 »

Probably the best Camcorder for Airshows is the one Planes TV are using! :wink:
On a more serious note, you are better to apply similar parameters as required for stills cameras.
Can you see the image on the rear of a SLR on a sunny day without tilting the camera?...No, so you need a tilt-screen?
Are you going to film handheld?...Yes, so you need IS to stop the shakes?
In general terms, if you buy 'expensive' you might waste some money, if you buy 'cheap' then you waste all your money! :biggrin:
Therefore, from your list it would be the PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K. :win:

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Orion
Posts: 1202
Joined: Wed 22 Jul 2009, 9:34 pm

Re: airshow camcorders

Post by Orion »

I use a Panasonic FZ200 bridge camera. This has a better lens and a larger sensor that any video camera that I can afford and therefore it gives a better result. If you decide to go down this route you will also need a Neutral Density 2 filter to reduce the ASA rating from 100 ASA to 50 if you want to film prop powered aeroplanes.

Set the camera onto video mode, screw the filter onto the lens, use shutter priority, ASA automatic and the shutter speed in the range of 125-250 depending on lighting conditions.

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Flyforfun
Posts: 228
Joined: Tue 21 Apr 2009, 8:20 pm

Re: airshow camcorders

Post by Flyforfun »

One with a viewfinder is better , trying to film from a screen is hard.

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