Camcorder for filming dogs - Tips and suggestions? - Page 1

Margaret N-J

Get a tripod!  And practise slowly zooming in and out following the dog, don't make sudden zoom changes. 

I am also interested in what kind and types of camcorders are suggested,  I've been looking at the new ones that record directly to a memory card and not a tape or CD/DVD.    I've done pretty good with my previous one but am now wishing I had a better quality one, and somebody to film me working my dogs.

we just got a canon for christmas.  of course hubby ended up getting something high definition, but so far we love it!  This is the one from best buy.   Hubby got it at 6th avenue electronics for about 700, so I'm sure with some research could find it cheaper.  Very easy to use and extremely lightweight.  The memory card is really convenient and seems to upload for editing pretty quickly. 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8734907&type=product&id=1201913483595

Of course the only downfall is the battery that came with it really only lasts about an hour and a half.  So wil be getting the more powerful battery.  The 16 GB card that we have we get about 2 1/2 hours on the card.  So eventually will be getting another card for recording trials and what not.   I've been doing my editing in a roxio program.   Still learning how to do that.

Rezkat5, the "windows movie maker" editing software that is standard with XP is pretty good.  You can even take stills out of it when you have a higher quality camera.

I have the windows movie maker, but so far I'm finding that I'm able to do more with the Roxio program and like it more.   :)  I haven't tried to pull a still out yet, but if I find something that I want I'll have to try it.  There's so much you can do editing wise.  Should really research an online course.  I'm learning little by little, by trial and error.   :)  Of course my camera people last week had record/pause messed up on the camera.  So I didn't really get anything to edit from last week.   LOL    Well, there was lots of grass shots!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLOvOfAw4rM

This was taken on a very cloudy day..........I'm still learning the settings on the camera as well.....

Very cool. I love watching your dogs.    Glad you got a new camcorder so we can enjoy more videos.

thanks!  looking forward to getting some good footage too.  especially in obedience to watch my handling.  

all my others were were "borrowed"  LOL

 I have a sony handicam. I really suggest a tripod. I would also suggest picking out a really good spot to film each exercise before hand. 

Film everything. Almost everyone has got to be so much better than I am at this. LOL I am practicing, but most of what I am filming is not usable I am so bad at it. I have a sudden zoom problem. Not real good when you are not very far away. : )

I'm pretty good as long as I can have two hands on the camera.  I haven't tried the tripod yet.