Geoff Bradley Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I've decided to buy a cine camera but have no idea what to go for. I want something that will give decent quality and don't want the planes to look like a fly in the distance !!! Can anyone point me in the right diection please ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Just realise - showing my age I meant a 'camcorder' !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Geoff, I'm looking too, I bought a Sanyo camcorder which works great but you view it through the LCD foldout screen which I find difficult to use in sunlight, much harder than my old tape based camcorder which had a viewfinder. Hence the models I've been looking at are the higher end models which still have a view finder, e.g. Panasonic X900, Canon HF G10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 MMmmmmm - a fair bit more than I am thinking of paying !! That's interesting about the viewfinder - time for a look on tinternet !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 My spec would include the following as essential: 1. Viewfinder -fold-out screens are useless for steady panning. 2. Good optical zoom range - not digital. 3. Manual focus switch to over-ride autofocus. You can then pre-focus in the middle-distance then follow the model, relying on the hyperfocal distance to keep it sharp, rather than autofocus which tends to hunt on low-contrast/small subjects. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.B. Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Consider using a Digital SLR with HD video. The advantages are changable lens, good auto focus and a proper manual focus. Drawbacks, cost and you have to use the LCD screen. It's hard work keeping a model plane in the frame with a long lens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bushell Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 For those struggling with an LCD in sunlight, you can get viewfinder type attachments for the screen. Try searching ebay for loupes.I use one on a 2.5" screen on a home made night sight I'm trying on my air rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Or what are called Bridge Cameras. An SLR but with fixed lens. I've been looking at 2. Both Fujifilm Finepix - the HS30EXR (30 x manual optical zoom at under £250) or the S4500 (30 x optical zoom but electric driven, not so good when videoing, at £140 ish) Some Bridge cameras have an "optical" viewfinder (as well as LCD) but others don't. Beware other makes. The Finepix do. Both the above are full hd but the HS30EXR has exra features, hence the price difference. ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I've tried using my Panasonic GF3 compact system camera with interchangable lenses and while this does excellent video's of ground based subjects it struggles with focus on a moving plane in the air. We tried a friends Canon SLR in video mode and again it was hard to hold focus on a moving plane when in video mode. Proper camcorders with a viewfinder seem to give the best results, it's what the pro's use afterall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 The camcorders with viewfinder are a bit pricey for me so I may have to struggle with a screen view jobbie !!! Can anyone advise me how much 'optical zoom' is required for decent model flying photography ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chambers Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 The Flitetest boys use Canon SLR's in video mode for all their filming. http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?613-What-camera-gear-does-the-Flite-Test-crew-use Si. Edited By Simon Chambers on 21/01/2013 17:10:50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brown 3 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Fully support the comments made about Fujifilm, i have owned three in all, S1500, HS10 and currently HS20 the HS30 is the latest in the HS range and possesses a couple more features over my HS20 but one good one they all have is specifically to get focus on moving objects, they are a great camera at an affordable price and have won many prizes for their innovative designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks Simon but tooooo many digits for me !!!! Bill - that looks good - top of my list at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brown 3 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Take a look at it Geoff, the 30x zoom is great but you have to practice on moving objects as the higher you zoom the more difficult it is to find them, so best to start with it in the viewwfinder and shoot in, in video mode you should get what you want but get a san disc with plenty of space to store your vids until you download them and a good set of re-chargeables (4x aa size) i use mine mainly for wildlife photography but with a Raynox 20/25 pro telephoto attached, for this you realy need to use a good tripod because even with the image stabilisation it goes breasts up if any camera shake occurrs, go on the Fujifilm website and look at what you get for the money and good luck with whatever you settle on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Geoff re the above the HS30EXR is in Farnells January sale here not sure if thats the best price around but as I'd got their Jan Sales brochure I thought I'd mention it. Whichever way you go, don't forget to let us know how you get on and post some videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avtur Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Take a look at a good few model flying videos on youtube, let are lots there that are let down by equipment choice and poor camera skills; identify the ones that are not so good and what it is that lets them down then see what you can do to improve. With that in mind and on the basis of what has already been said then the following might be considered in the choice of equipement ... Certainly agree optical viwfinder Also agree with using manual focus Also think about stabilisation which is needed especially when using lens at long length Consider using a tripod Edited By avtur on 23/01/2013 14:32:21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 All good advice - thanks chaps. I'm not in a hurry so they search goes on - HS30EXR still in front at the moment . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 I've had a good search on t internet with regard to 'bridge' cameras and have come up with four possible choices ... Fujifilm Finepix HS30 EXR, Canon Powershot SX40 HS, Nikon Coolpix P510 and Panasonic Lumax DMC - FZ150. Has anyone got experience with any of these - especially in movie mode. At the moment the Lumex is ahead by a nose !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 The Panasonic Lumix DMC - FZ150 looks to only have a motor driven zoom. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I am I'll put that on my 'to consider' list as I'm looking. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 I am almost sure it has Rentman - good point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemee Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I use A panasonic tz20 it has a leica lense and is one of the best point and shoots for video at the moment. results are spectacular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Decided to buy a Panasonic Lumix FZ62, which arrived about 2 weeks ago. What an amazing piece of kit! Leica 24x zoom lens.16Mpixel chip. Image stabilisation. A host of features. And a test video of a passing Sea King at Portland with full zoom was much better than I'd expected. The viewfinder isn't automatic (you have to switch to it) but it has its own focus dial. OK, it doesn't have a manual zoom, but when I tried the Fujifilm Finepix in Curry's the manual zoom felt like they'd built sand into the zoom lens mechanism. Terrible. But the zoom on the FZ64 is progressive so I can cope with that. Just need to take it to the patch or slope to give it a proper try. I'll let you know how I get on. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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