what kind of video camera to use

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

i have been thinking about buying a video camera to use while fanning. Id like to use one thats uses’s a regular vcr tape or Hi8 i dont want to use a digital one.

Can anyone tell me what are some features i should consider when buying a video camera that would work best for catching trains. Which cameras do you perfer when out fanning. TIA
Jason

2

I’m actually a video engineer. I haven’t ever used my video cameras to capture trains though, I mainly work shooting stage shows or commercial ads. Anywho, here are a few factors that I would humbly suggest you should contemplate before grabbing the wallet.

  1. If you plan to videotape for personal pleasure and fun, then take your tapes home to check out immediately, playing them right out of your camera with your VCR, I would suggest you get EITHER a VHS camcorder, (using full sized VHS tapes), OR even better get yourself a Super-VHS camcorder. Only get the S-VHS camcorder if you already own a S-VHS VCR. S-VHS is much higher quality, it’s visibly better. But it is more expensive than regular VHS.

2)LENS DETAILS. If you want to make videos that look professional, you will want to make sure to have a few details on your video camera/camcorder. A manual zoom lens is great, but make sure it has a Fully Variable speed zoom lens. That means it allows you to either zoom the lens very fast, or it allows you to zoom the lens as slow as you want just by the amount pressure you apply to the zoom button with your fingers. Also a higher zoom lens ratio is best, but stay away from digital zoom, it looks hokey. I have a 14 to 1 zoom lens on my Sony DV Cam that is all I need. I also have a 10 to 1 zoom lens that is very good also, not as fast or powerful as the 14to1. A zoom lens with a ratio of 10 to 1 means that if you zoom in all the way on a subject, as you zoom out you can make that subject look 10 times smaller as the camera lens zooms out as far as it can. My boss has a camcorder with I believe a 26to1 digital zoom and I never use it. Looks horrible.
Also make sure your camera has a manual iris. Always videotape with the aperature iris set to manual. This will keep your videotapes from flashing brightness if you move while taping and the outside light levels change on your subject. Some modern camcorders have these features, some don’t. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a camera, and th

3

If I were you I would buy a Digital DV or Digital-8 camera.
I have been using several Sony Hi-8 TRV-400 cameras along with Betacams. When I film I have usually been using 3 cameras, differnet angles etc.
I have been disappointed with the Hi-8 tape problems that have ruined many a good shot, after waiting hours to get, and cannot be reshot.
Digital DV cameras can be edited easily on P3-800MHZ or higher. Pick up a used one.

You need at least a 10 to 1 zoom lens
also manual focus, manual apeture.
Buy a good tripod, if you hand held camera, don’t show anyone your photos.
BJ

4

Oh yeah, the tripod! I would suggest you get a very nice tripod. A standard photographic tripod will not do. The big detail here is the pan head. You want a liquid/gel panhead that will allow you to pan very smoothly.
If you have a heavy camera you will need a much sturdier tripod, keep that in mind too. Also a very sturdy tripod will make a lightweight camera look better when panning. Here, the price will generally go along with the type of tripod you are getting, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good one. It will all come back to you when you are out in the field videotaping.
Good luck,
Pete