First camcorder

[SilverleafLycan1]

I suppose the title gives away the whole thread...as it should.

I am looking into purchasing my very first camcorder. Now I have played with some of my friends camcorders, but I'm still not entirely sure what to look for (thankfully my gf is an art major and has taken several classes which has helped me in looking).

www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10721492

This happens to be the one I have settled on, read a fair amount of reviews and did some research, it seems like a good starter. I want to stay away from minidv and minidvd.

Any particular input? I'm trying to stay in the 200-300 dollar range so I know that I'll have something worth playing around with but I'm not gonna go broke before I even find out how much I like doing video work.

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

 

[kopfhorer1]

I've had little experience with video, but I will offer one piece of advice - use rechargeable batteries, if your camcorder doesn't already use one. Have at least two or two sets on hand so that when one craps, you have a fall-back. Shooting while tethered to a wall-wart is an exercise in futility.

Oh, and stick to name-brand SD cards - San Disk, Kingston, Lexar, that kind of thing. Stay away from the generics and off-brands. I have a friend who works in a camera store who has had A LOT of customers coming in who've lost still images shot on PNY brand SD cards! Download and back up your work on two CDs or DVDs ASAP (don't wipe the SD card until your backup discs are burnt and verified by your burning software).

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

I've had little experience with video, but I will offer one piece of advice - use rechargeable batteries, if your camcorder doesn't already use one. Have at least two or two sets on hand so that when one craps, you have a fall-back. Shooting while tethered to a wall-wart is an exercise in futility.

Oh, and stick to name-brand SD cards - San Disk, Kingston, Lexar, that kind of thing. Stay away from the generics and off-brands. I have a friend who works in a camera store who has had A LOT of customers coming in who've lost still images shot on PNY brand SD cards! Download and back up your work on two CDs or DVDs ASAP (don't wipe the SD card until your backup discs are burnt and verified by your burning software).

I "little" experience, he says! lol

 

[kopfhorer1]

(blush) Thanks, Rick!

What I meant was that my experience has been with still images rather than video. Certain principles and precautions apply to them both.