Using your camcorder on vacations at DVinfo.net

Gregory Lee · July 17th, 2011, 12:00 AM

Just wondering if any of you use your professional camcorders on family vacations? I took the HMC-150 and a monopod with me on vacation, but occasionally got looks from security guards. In fact some security guards forbid me to use my monopod (places like Lincoln Center and Rockefellar Center in NY).

And while I saw plenty of tourists using DLSRs, none use professional camcorders.

Bob Diaz · July 18th, 2011, 08:57 AM

I took my HMC-40 on a trip to Idaho and to Lava Beds National Park, no problems.

The people in Idaho assumed that I must be from the local TV Station and no hassles in the National Park.

So, I guess it's where and what you're filming that will decide how much of a hassle you'll get.

Bob Diaz

Noel Lising · July 18th, 2011, 10:34 AM

I used it once when we went camping a PD150, I got really good quality images but I was so drawn to the camera I did not enjoy the vacation. I keep making sure the camera is secure plus my kids hated me as the camera is drawing attention from other people.

I bought a Flip Ultra HD and that's all I need.

Kevin McRoberts · July 19th, 2011, 05:52 AM

Took my Z1U on a family apple picking outing shortly after I got it, largely to test and practice. Otherwise, I'd typically rather not bother with the weight and fuss.

My GH2, on the other hand.... that and/or my Olympus EPL1 go everywhere.

Gary Nattrass · July 20th, 2011, 02:32 AM

My HPX371 and my nikon D300 now stay firmly in my bag at home and I carry my i-fone 4 or the canon HF11 on vacation as they are a lot lighter!

Chris Harding · July 20th, 2011, 05:12 AM

Since my HMC's are used almost daily to make me a living I don't think that pro cameras are needed on vacation...(plus they are shoulder-mount too!!!)

Do you really want to get back home and start editing??? For me all I need is my little Lumix FZ7 which takes nice stills and it's a welcome break from the edit desk, real estate offices and wedding venues!!!

You can get plenty of memories with just stills!!

I guess if I wasn't doing video for a living, I too would grab something that I could slip into my pocket just to record those vacation special moments....you are going on vacation to relax so you certainly don't want to spend all your time setting up gear and previewing footage!! If you want to go to a special area with the intent of making a good documentary then by all means do it and take everything BUT don't call it your vacation!!

Chris

Dan Carter · July 21st, 2011, 10:45 PM

Gregory,

Here's an interesting project relative to your question:

Street Photographers test freedom to shoot in London: Digital Photography Review

Rick Presas · August 24th, 2011, 10:34 AM

Get the latest (and last) generation of Flup UltraHD. 60fps, and a pretty darn good image stabilization make it vastly superior to the image produced by an iphone4, but it doesnt weigh you down or add an extra bag to carry (these days i even find my Canon Vixia too bulky for an always-there cam). the biggest sell point (to me) about these cams is that they literally take less than three seconds to turn on and start shooting with. This is invauluable on vacations and when catching "moments"

Right now theyre on clearance everywhere. Spend the extra $20 for the wide-angle lens they make for it. sometimes you really need that extra bit of width and its also light and easy to carry around.

July 17th, 2011, 12:00 AM	#1
Gregory Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 60	Using your camcorder on vacations Just wondering if any of you use your professional camcorders on family vacations? I took the HMC-150 and a monopod with me on vacation, but occasionally got looks from security guards. In fact some security guards forbid me to use my monopod (places like Lincoln Center and Rockefellar Center in NY). And while I saw plenty of tourists using DLSRs, none use professional camcorders.

July 18th, 2011, 08:57 AM	#2
Bob Diaz Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LA, California Posts: 170	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations I took my HMC-40 on a trip to Idaho and to Lava Beds National Park, no problems. The people in Idaho assumed that I must be from the local TV Station and no hassles in the National Park. So, I guess it's where and what you're filming that will decide how much of a hassle you'll get. Bob Diaz

July 18th, 2011, 10:34 AM	#3
Noel Lising Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 789	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations I used it once when we went camping a PD150, I got really good quality images but I was so drawn to the camera I did not enjoy the vacation. I keep making sure the camera is secure plus my kids hated me as the camera is drawing attention from other people. I bought a Flip Ultra HD and that's all I need. __________________ Noel Lising

July 19th, 2011, 05:52 AM	#4
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations Took my Z1U on a family apple picking outing shortly after I got it, largely to test and practice. Otherwise, I'd typically rather not bother with the weight and fuss. My GH2, on the other hand.... that and/or my Olympus EPL1 go everywhere. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

July 20th, 2011, 02:32 AM	#5
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations My HPX371 and my nikon D300 now stay firmly in my bag at home and I carry my i-fone 4 or the canon HF11 on vacation as they are a lot lighter! __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

July 20th, 2011, 05:12 AM	#6
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations Since my HMC's are used almost daily to make me a living I don't think that pro cameras are needed on vacation...(plus they are shoulder-mount too!!!) Do you really want to get back home and start editing??? For me all I need is my little Lumix FZ7 which takes nice stills and it's a welcome break from the edit desk, real estate offices and wedding venues!!! You can get plenty of memories with just stills!! I guess if I wasn't doing video for a living, I too would grab something that I could slip into my pocket just to record those vacation special moments....you are going on vacation to relax so you certainly don't want to spend all your time setting up gear and previewing footage!! If you want to go to a special area with the intent of making a good documentary then by all means do it and take everything BUT don't call it your vacation!! Chris

July 21st, 2011, 10:45 PM	#7
Dan Carter Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 366	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations Gregory, Here's an interesting project relative to your question: Street Photographers test freedom to shoot in London: Digital Photography Review __________________ Dan Carter: HDC-TM700, DMC-GH2 and DMC-GH3, Sony RX100II and RX10, Final Cut Pro X http://www.vimeo.com/user582748

August 24th, 2011, 10:34 AM	#8
Rick Presas Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brownsville Texas Posts: 74	Re: Using your camcorder on vacations Get the latest (and last) generation of Flup UltraHD. 60fps, and a pretty darn good image stabilization make it vastly superior to the image produced by an iphone4, but it doesnt weigh you down or add an extra bag to carry (these days i even find my Canon Vixia too bulky for an always-there cam). the biggest sell point (to me) about these cams is that they literally take less than three seconds to turn on and start shooting with. This is invauluable on vacations and when catching "moments" Right now theyre on clearance everywhere. Spend the extra $20 for the wide-angle lens they make for it. sometimes you really need that extra bit of width and its also light and easy to carry around.