Video Camera Recommendations

[Aysedasi]

I may have asked this question before.... (when you get to my age, remembering what you did yesterday is hard enough..... ).

For my now infrequent circuit visits, generally limited to Le Mans and the Silverstone WEC each year, I like to take a decent amount of video. In the past I have used Panasonic video cameras, initially to tape and more recently to card. Over the last couple of years I've come to the conclusion that my iPhone actually takes better video so that is what I've used. However I haven't given up the idea of buying a decent camcorder if I can find one that takes really good quality footage. I've looked around and it seems to me that most of the sites tend to promote what is in their interests to promote, so I thought I'd see if anyone here can recommend anything suitable that isn't going to cost the earth... I'm talking a few hundred rather than thousands!

Any thoughts?

[geordiecriag101]

Hi there, I use a Panasonic HC-V700 and cant praise it enough. Its almost 7 years old now and compared to even the most modern dslr or camcorder when shooting in equal modes it still looks stunning.

As for all this talk of mobiles being able to match camcorders, sorry but i think that's a load of crap. Maybe if its just friends, parties stuff like that then great great, but not for sports action.

Have a look at my youtube channel to see how good my 7year!!!! old camcorder still is. Make sure you watch in top quality, 1080P @50fps.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49...dt6zOaSB-4f-xg

[Aysedasi]

Thanks mate.

Yes, that footage looks pretty good. I confess my two old camcorders were beginning to show their age anyway, even when I abandoned the 'younger' one 2-3 years ago. The footage from my iPhone 7 Plus isn't so bad although following cars at speed and at significant zoom isn't great (as you would expect) so much of my shooting has been confined to cars passing in front of the camera and not being tracked by it. I'm particularly keen (for obvious reasons) to find a camcorder that has some chance of decent footage at night too... I'll check out the HC-V700 though....

[Aysedasi]

There seems to be an upgraded version.....?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-H...dp_ob_title_ce

[Aysedasi]

Can I ask another question. Reading around the internet as I have looking at camcorders, I've seen several people say not to bother to get a good camcorder, just upgrade your DSLR. My Canon is getting on a little (50D) but still gets the job done nicely. What if I got myself a 70D body say? Would that be an alternative way to go?

[bella]

i can’t offer any specific feedback about the 70d but everyone you see recording paddock stuff for drivers professionally does it with a dslr on a gimbal nowadays.

[Aysedasi]

Thanks for that Bella. I think it's definitely an option. I can pick one up with relatively low activations and if I flog my 50D, it may not cost me a huge amount. I might even think of an 80D?

[bella]

i’ve seen some pretty good video footage from entry level dslrs, so that’d be more than capable from a video perspective. does the 50d do video?

[Aysedasi]

I think there is a capability buried in it somewhere but I never had the guts to try messing with it to find it. I suspect it's buried for a reason....

[GORDON STREETER]

I have been using Panasonic camcorders for several years and find them brilliant. I have tried using digi SLRs but I am much happier using a dedicated camcorder.
I have 3 HDC TM 900 camcorders that have massive capacity with built in hard drive and SD slots.
Although they are getting on a bit they are still performing well and none of them have ever given any trouble and can be picked up for not a lot of money.
The HDC SD models are exactly the same but without the internal hard drive and all of them have complete manual control complete with a focus ring.
Obviously the smaller type camcorders will be fazed out in the near future as they don't sell well compared to SLRs and of course top of the range smartphones. Dedicated small film makers are even using SLRs and GoPros that can give amazing resolution especially for TV sized screens.
Regarding SLR bodies Ayse you know who to contact !
This is the type of films that I make on the Panasonics but loads more on my Gstree site on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23Kp2WOb_A&t=108s

[S griffin]

Damn, video link doesn’t seem to work for me. Shame that

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Damn, video link doesn’t seem to work for me. Shame that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23Kp2WOb_A&t=122s try this !

[Aysedasi]

Thanks Gordon!

[GORDON STREETER]

I do use gimbals for certain films (like this type and single pole) but for filming motorsport from trackside you need to be able to move around freely and uncluttered, especially in a crowded space to catch incidents.

[Aysedasi]

I confess I don't think I could lug that around Le Mans all day and night Gordon, but what does something like that set you back?