Need help finding a video Camera.

[silverskin]

Hey guys Im trying to decide what type of video camera to purchase so I can film my hunts. I would like to stay in or around the $500.00 range. any suggestions would help. Thanks Joe

[spikeman]

I am not sure what's out there for $500? I would suggest you look for one that is at least 20 optical. Don't let the high power zoom fool you. The higher the power the more grainy footage you will have. Get one that is good in low light as well.

[Will E. Churbeanz]

I used a Sony Handycam 20x optical zoom. You can check out a couple clips at www.chuckwagginprod.com and see for yourself. Sony now has a60mb memory cam with 60x optical zoom for $399. For less than a $100 you can get a Sony bag and extended life battery. Optical is what you look for, digital zoom is what makes it grainy. But a good liquid head tripod is a must have when zooming in a shot. Checkout those clips and good luck.

[skin_dog1]

look into the canon hc20 or hc30. They are introdcung a new model so the prices will drop. I'm still a fan of minidv and these are HD. Also shop for a sony hc7. They have a lanc port so you can use a remote to operate manual focus.

[Bergcrane2]

Just remember to save money for camera arms, tripods, spare batteries, shotgun microphone, tapes or memory cards, ect. You can find good, lightly used cameras on ebay if your patient. I'd stick with the big companies like Canon or Sony.