Whats a good digital camcorder for the goldfields

Gday all, Im thinking of getting myself a Digital camcorder for general use on the goldfields.
My budget only extends to about the $300-350 mark but have seen some cheaper at places like Retravision and JBHIFI.
What do you guys use and what would be the mininum requirements regarding zoomX and data storage etc
Any help on this will be much appreciated
cheers evan

G'day Evan, This is not going to be much help but try using ebay for a guide as to what is out there and maybe put in the limit of $350 in the search section, this will help thin out the selection. As far as big zoom and storage, the more you want the more $$ you are going to have to dish out.
I very rarely take my video camera out as it is worth $2k+ but has 120GB and 12x zoom.
I am pretty sure you will find something that will suit, I am also interested to see what others are using as a second 'bush' camera might be the go.
Another good question is what do others prefer, ie HDD, DISC etc

Cheers

Thanks GSGPX I will have a sqizz on ebay later to try to get an idea of my options.
I can understand you not wanting to take your camera bush as I have an expensive DSLR Camera that is only used for specific duties in a safe environment.
cheers evan

G'day Evan.

Here's two I can recomend which wont blow the budget.Sanyo VPC-SH1 mini cam.Or a compact camera that will do both well,(take good pictures and video) is the new Canon Powershot SX220 HS.Google and find out more.

Cheers kon61.

I use a Go Pro Hero. These are a bomb proof hd video camera designed for rough use. You can get kits to mount them to surfboards, motorbikes, race cars, helmets etc. as well as hand held use. Completely submersible and totally suited to all conditions. Pick them up new for under 500 bucks on ebay etc. These are the ducks guts of outdoor vids.
Harry

try the Iphone 4 - you will get a mobile GPS / digital camera / HD video recorder / Phone / Ipod / movie player all for the price of 1. I elected the 32gb option and love it. I take it everywhere to film the kiddies and it would be easy to mount / light weight and insurable.

I dont work for apple or a telco either.

Copper

As the "guest" said..............have a look at the GO PRO. Less than $300, HD and tough.

Can record for 2.5hrs on 1 charge and 9hrs of recording on a 32GB card.

Here's the site: http://gopro.com/

I purchased a cam corder last year to video my hunts.It had a 43x optics and i found the field of view far too tight for recording myself prospecting.Ok for the long shots but that wasn't why i got it. Rwork

Rwork wrote:I purchased a cam corder last year to video my hunts.It had a 43x optics and i found the field of view far too tight for recording myself prospecting.Ok for the long shots but that wasn't why i got it. Rwork

G'day Rwork, have you tried a 'fisheye' lens on your camera to get a better field of view?
Gee 43x optics must be very impressive!

To anyone using the gopro camera I have a question......This is never answered on any add or on the website.....Does the camera have a view finder or are you shooting blind?

GStalker............

No viewfinder.....but you can purchase a viewfinder as an addon. It's about $75.

It's called a BacPac....here's the link to it: http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/lcd-bacpac/

Here's a video about the addon viewfinder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3PfYnWWWMc

Thanks Bandito!!

The GoPro is a good camera but i think the Drift HD170 is even better, here is a link to a clip i did with one mounted on the top of one of my electric gliders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lRAAzFYYP4
You tube upsets the quality its much better off the camera direct.
Im not bagging the GoPro, its a great camera but it lacks in features, and its a bit bulky.

Just as good also is the POV1.5, both have great features and both the POV and the Drift come with a remote that you can attach to anything (Wrist strap included) to activate recording, the drift comes with a bundle of mounts making it easy to attach to the arm of your detector for a birds eye view of the action as it happens, or you can wear it on a head band, helmet, or what ever takes your fancy.

Both the POV and the DRIFT have digital viewfinders that can be disabled to conserve battery power.

One good thing about the Drift is you can attach an external Mic for better audio, the Drift GoPro, POV 1.5, all suffer from poor audio as they are all water resistant, I'm not sure if you can do this with GoPro or POV?.
Also the lens head rotates on the Drift, handy for weird angles.

My personal preference is for the Drift 170HD, its an all in one unit.
You can find the drift cheap if you hunt around.
Here is a link to one on ebay Drift HD170
You should land one here easily for under $300 AUD

The POV 1.5 You can get it way cheaper than this but this is the POV 1.5

Good luck with what ever you choose.

Cheers
Illya

Thanks VK3MNM for the info...........didn't know about the POV or the Drift.

The GoPro does do underwater.

cheers

Yep i stand corrected 180ft for the GoPro i think, not bad.
The Drift is ok up to about a meter or so, i used it for dirt bike riding.

Bandito wrote:Thanks VK3MNM for the info...........didn't know about the POV or the Drift.

The GoPro does do underwater.

cheers

That video you shot from the back of the glider was bloody awesome.....son and I loved it. Nice quality.

Nice set up to spy on the neighbors etc

Glad you guys enjoyed it mate.
I have a few more but haven't had time to upload them yet.

Bandito wrote:That video you shot from the back of the glider was bloody awesome.....son and I loved it. Nice quality.

Nice set up to spy on the neighbors etc

VK3MNM, That electric glider looks the goods for sure. I bought a cessna (petrol) a few years ago and had to do some work to it to get it air worthy but I have not flown it, I got it for the digital radio gear.
A couple of my mates in Geelong are into those elecrtic planes and electric ducted jets, they sure are impressive.

The camera mounted on it really gives you a good view, there is a member of the forum who flies planes from his laptop with a view like that....would give you a good idea of the bush around you in the goldfields....would beat alot of walking

I'm impressed with the camera!

Thanks for sharing, Cheers.

I KNOW!

Get one of them scam long-range detectors that look like cameras, and are, in fact, ar a cheap chinese camera.

Giday Goldstalker
You should get the thing out and have a fly mate.
Cheers Ill

GoldstalkerGPX wrote:VK3MNM, That electric glider looks the goods for sure. I bought a cessna (petrol) a few years ago and had to do some work to it to get it air worthy but I have not flown it, I got it for the digital radio gear.
A couple of my mates in Geelong are into those elecrtic planes and electric ducted jets, they sure are impressive.

The camera mounted on it really gives you a good view, there is a member of the forum who flies planes from his laptop with a view like that....would give you a good idea of the bush around you in the goldfields....would beat alot of walking

I'm impressed with the camera!

Thanks for sharing, Cheers.

yeah i often thought of putting a little camera on my chopper and flying it through the old diggings.... how cool would that footage be!

G'Day TheHoward,

I've worked out that we live on the same river.

I've got a real size chopper with an amazing camera set up with four cams that record to flashcard, but, I never fly it unless I have a client sitting beside me paying for the ride.

Sounds nice having one, but, it's a tool from the tool box unless your loaded.

Legs

just ordered a pair of sunglasses with built in video/picture
Cost all of $32 on fleabay and u dont have to take them off your head while digging
Takes up to 16 card
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HD-1280-960-Spy-Sun-Glasses-Recorder-Video-Camera-sc43-/280668614106?pt=AU_Security_Equipment&hash=item4159272dda

Real cheap but at that price very disposable

Pretty cool, if they work OK.

Legs

yeah i thought about getting some rangirocks. saw someone on another forum using them to vid his coin digs. Never saw the vid though, lol. Hey if you youtube anything, could you let us know so i can see the quality.
For now, i will just use the HD cam on the detector shaft.

Crazy Legs, yes you do have a good cam set-up. Ive been in your chopper and have the vid to prove it, lol.

Buy an Iphone 4 ,stills ,camcorder, and 5 megapixels

Small very good quality and good battery. 32 gig memory

Majindi

Im looking at a GoPro Hero!!! awesome camera that is made to take abuse and keep working! You really should check one out I think you will like it.

I love using the little gopro camera, Ive even managed to pull frames from video on several occasions that have been used in the daily and Sunday telegraph.
Sorry unable to post a link as I haven't been a member long enough but if you check out JonathanDPoyner on YouTube you can see some videos I have done.
JonP

Fantastic videoing and editting there JonP. Sare I ask, what program do you use for your editting?
Cheers

I bought a set of those camera/glasses ... from one of our fellow members here on the site! He's an agent for them. They're brilliant!! I'll go through and see if I can find the details for you.

CostasDee wrote:Fantastic videoing and editting there JonP. Sare I ask, what program do you use for your editting?
Cheers

imovie on a mack, its very easy to use as Im not the best with computers. Its very similar to the free movie software that comes with a pc normally (very basic and straight forward)

JonP