Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I am looking at getting a camcorder for hunting so my buddy and I can do some tapeing any suggestions on any Digital Camcorders that some of you might use. Thanks.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

Anyone

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I dont have a digital video recorder yet, but am saving up for one. I have been using just a vhs-c camcorder and it is fine for my hunts and simply viewing them at home and sharing with friend and family, but if you want a good digital and can afford one, a Canon GL-2 is what Im wanting to get, then you have good digital quality good enough to edit or send to a video company and possibly get it on a production video, if it is something special enough to make them interested in it. Good luck, it definitely is a totally different ballgame when your trying to hunt with both a bow and a camera, hard enough to do one, but both is difficult, but worth it if you succeed.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I started using one this year and will never get in the stand without it now. I videod 8 turkeys yesterday afternoon inside 10 yards. Today I was filming a buddy and was able to capture a young buck nudging a doe, then he made a scrape and peed in it. Almost sealed the deal on the doe. Had her at 10 yards head on though. She never pressented a shot.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

Titleist what kind of camcorder do you use?

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

Scott, if you want quality video and ones that can be used via professional format that the answer is to look into Mini DV. That is primarily what all television formatting is done in unless you go very expensive ($50,000)

Many manufacturers make a Mini DV format camera like Canon GL I and GL II, a big industry favorite. You can usually pic these up for $1000 used for a GL I and upwards to $4000 with all the bells and whistles in the newer GL II.

Sony also makes a very nice Mini DV and I've used both of these makes and models, very user friendly.

I personally have a Sony 8 MM Digital $1000 in it's day, which takes very high resolution video. The main reason the MINI DV is used is editing equipment from what I understand, my Digital 8 MM takes the same quality.

I've been told by some productions guys that worst case scenerio get one of the little cameras that take the mini discs, they take very high quality video for a reasonable price.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I've just got a little sony handycam DVD 92. It's not the greatest, but its good to start with. I think it was around 400. After I get my feet wet using it I hope to have GL2 or XL2 in a couple years.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

i have been filming for 6 years i started with a hi-8 and gradually moved up to gl-1, and now use an xl1-s.this is a little pricey but if you are serious about filming you will eventually end up with a professional camera ,i hope to release my first video next year, look for naucke outdoors, good luck, filming is very addictive

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

If you don't want to get into those really expensive set-ups like Primos does and other people who film their hunts, go with something cheap, like an entry level camcorder. Mine is a Panasonic Palmcorder...there are several models but mine is the one with the 30x zoom. That is about the longest zoom I've seen on a MiniDv at this price. I bought it at Best Buy. If you're going to be filming your hunts you might want to look into buying extras for your camcorder like a tripod, (for filming on the ground) a tree arm (for attaching your camcorder to the tree if you or someone else will be filming your hunt) and a durable carrying case (because you don't want the camera to get messed up in the woods). The MiniDV cameras are the best to buy because they are the easiest format to transfer to the computer and edit. If editing is not that important, you can look into the Digital8 cameras, which can also be transferred to the computer, but I don't think it's possible to edit your footage in that format. To make things simple, just go with a MiniDV. Another important factor in buying a camera for filming your hunts is to go with one that has a decent/good low light filming ability. You know a lot of deer are shot just as it's getting dark, and filming in the dark is almost impossible if your camera doesn't have a low light feature. that's all I can think of mentioning. Hope that helps.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

Thanks guys I will look in to a mini dv.

Good luck hunting

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

well lets see some of this video you guys have shot :D

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I hope to have them uploaded by the end of the week. I have to get them ripped to my hard drive first.

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

If you are looking for a camera to take high quality video for your own viewing, the Canon GL2 is an awesome unit. It is compact, lightweight, has a 20X optical zoom, and takes fantastic video.

If you are looking for a camera to use for producing TV quality footage.....the GL2 does not have the audio capabilities without adding aftermarket parts to accept twin, balanced XLR ports. The GL2 also is a 6 lux camera, meaning that you lose a LOT of filming time at first and last light.

For just a little more money, you can pick up a PD170(Sony). The PD170 has twin XLR ports onboard. The PD170 can also lay down quality footage a full 20-25 minutes sooner than the GL2 in the morning, and the same 20-25 minutes later in the evening.

Drawbacks to the PD170......bigger and heavier than the GL2, and only 12 X optical zoom. The 12X zoom is fine for almost all bowhunting applications, and you can pick up a 2.0X telephoto lens if you feel the need, taking you up to 24X optical zoom.

Audio quality on the PD170 is awesome, and can accept a shotgun mic, and a wireless mic right out of the box.

Another thought, as Rob mentioned, the older digital high 8mm Sony cams with 1/4 CCD heads, instead of the newer models with 1/5 and 1/6 CCD heads. The footage on some of the older digital 8`s can be fantastic. You will never get quality audio from one, but you can make it more than good enough for personal use.

I use all Sony cams.....1 HVR-Z1U, 1 PD-170, and 1 TRV-840 digital 8mm that I carry in my pack as a spare, just in case the big camera goes down. Knock on wood, no failures yet.:)

As far as seeing some footage...........Action Packed Outdoors volume #1, and possibly volume #2 coming in the spring of 2007.;)

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

I just bought a Panasonic DVD recorder. I don't remeber the model but it has the three color output or something like that. It's a birthday gift for my wife. I've been using it for last few weeks to film football games and cheerleading. Flat out the next best thing below the new HD recorders out there. In my book, always side with Panasonic when it comes to electronics.

The next thing I need to do is either buy a mount or make a mount to screw it into the equalizer hole.Any suggestions?

RE: Does Anyone Use A Camcorder While Bowhunting?
 

i use a sony digital 8 camera and it works great for me i have edited my own videos and it is very easy i am planning to go get some video this weekend down here in texas i have got mostly hogs though on film but they are good practice and a case extra battery and tripod will help alot too and this camera has a pretty good night vision