View Full Version : Camcorder on rollercoaster question


Stephen Sobel
April 29th, 2011, 01:16 PM
I'm interested in doing some video while riding several rollercoasters (from moderate to intense). Does anyone know if the Canon VIXIA HF G10 or HFS-21 can handle the occasional jerking motions without messing up the internals?

Tom DelRosario
May 22nd, 2011, 12:33 PM
Be careful, many places don't like you videotaping roller coasters. Last time I tried, I hid the camcorder until we left the station. I get the camcorder out and turn it on as we get to the base of the first hill. They turned off the chain that lifts the coaster up the hill. I thought it was just a normal feature. It wasn't They spotted me using the remote cameras. They walked over to me and confiscated my camcorder. Nothing happened to it, but it was a cheap camera. I don't know if I'd like them to confiscate a $2000 camcorder.

Paul R Johnson
May 22nd, 2011, 01:03 PM
On tape based cameras, which I've used on roller coasters for many years, you do get some head bump, where the tape lifts off the heads and makes life difficult - although it's far worse when you mount the camera onto the coaster with a solid mount - hand held is usually fine - BUT you are talking solid state cameras - no problems at all - they might wobble a bit, but there are no moving parts to damage. If you contact them in advance and inform them you will be hand-holding the camera and will use a safety lanyard to prevent it falling - they'll usually grant permission. All they're really worried about is you dropping it over the edge and hurting someone.

Stephen Sobel
May 22nd, 2011, 04:08 PM
Thanks for the tips!