Finally Did it!!! GS400 is on the way!!!
 

After a lot of research and headaches trying to decide what camcorder would be right for me at this point......I finally decided on the Panasonic GS400. I ordered it from "I buy Digital" with an accessory kit to go with and a Mack extended warranty. Should be here Thursday of next week. I'm excited and I'm pretty sure this will be a decent "first camera" for me. I thought about higher priced cameras like the (XL2) and HDV cameras too but just couldn't justify this much money or technology for myself at this point in time. The GS400 should be a good ground level camera, with cool creative features to get me started into digital video. Next purchase is my NLE software. (????) Just may go with Adobe Elements for now.

Congraz on the new camera and why buy expensive equipment when you can rent it for a day when you need it.

John

Congratulations, Steve! You picked a winner!!

Congratulations, Steve!

Hope you will enjoy it.

Your next purchase item really should be a UV filter if you have not gotten it IMHO.

Regards
Leigh

Leigh, I did get a small filter kit that includes a UV. This 3pc filter kit was a part of the accessory package deal that I bought the camera with. Also came with titanium wide angle and tele lenses that screw on (I guess). Also a full sized tri-pod, extended 4hour life battery, Delux carry case, 5 miniDV tapes and a lense care kit. I think thats all. Sweet!!!!!

Congrats, Steve! It's a great little video camera.

Congratulations Steve,

I just got one last month and love it. I use it for second camera with my XL-1s and the footage really blends in well. My only complaint is that the manual focus and zoom are on the same ring so you can only do one at a time. You really need to plan your shots well cause if it and decide which one to use on auto function.

That and of course it's such a small camera that it can be hard to hold and shoot with but on a tripod it looks like a camera costing three time as much.

Obviously, you don't know much about the GS400 if you think you only have zoom control via the ring in manual.

Okay Guy,
how do I do a manual zoom with out the ring on the lens?

Use the zoom toggle or the wired remote.

Well that's not really a MANUAL zoom then is it Guy?

Thanks for the support guys. I'm sure I've made a good decision. Anyone here have experience with the Letus35 adaptor? I've read a little about it in "Alternative Imaging Methods" and there are a few GS400 owners who use it. Just curious. Also, has anyone messed around much with the add on titanium 2x tele lense and wide angle lenses like I mentioned with the package deal?

Just to add to the suggestions above...I now often replace my UV filter with an ND filter when using the GS400 in bright sunlight. I get vignetting effects with both fitted at the same time.

The zoom ring is not really manual either. It uses motorized servos.

Congrat
 

Congratulation.
I was thinking about VX2100 or similar too,but I'm at point of learning curve,so like"John" suggested why not rent it If you need it.
I love GS400.It's not a proff.camera but like I said I'm in learning curve.
If you need anything about GS400 visit www.pana3ccduser.com there are a lot of guys who can help you out with everything.I think Guy here is one of them.Thanks to him I know a lot of stuff better than from Panasonic poor written manual.
Those guys are crazy,they can make GS400 look like proff. camera with a few extra accessories.I love them,they are great.
As for NLE I like Premiere Pro.I bought Total trainig DVD's which are great and you can always sell them on Ebay.
I think Guy use Vegas which is supposed to be another great NLE,but I've never tried.
anyway good luck

Just got it this morning from Fed Ex. Everything was a little "COLD" when I opened the shipping box that held everything....Tripod, camera bag, Camcorder, lenses, etc. So I was patient to open the actual GS400 camera box as to not let condensation form on it. Right now its hooked up to the AC adapter and sitting on the tripod. Very goodlooking camcorder!! I've got everything I need to start playing around except a memory card. But I will either get one today or just use the tapes to grab stills. I feel like a kid with a brand new toy. I'm very excited that I am choosing a hobby that will involve my whole family. My other hobby is woodworking which takes a lot of time "by myself" (which I still appreciate), but I don't get a lot of free time so this will help me spend more time with my Wife and Daughter. But, these will not be just your ordinary home videos. I plan on shooting short stories with them while trying to achieve the cinematic film-look as much as this camera will allow. Then while away at work, I'll have a lap-top with NLE software to do post work. Lovin' it!!!!! Thanks.

Steve, that post makes me want a GS400! Congrats!

Definitely worth getting the SD card for stills. I use this feature (at the highest 4MP resolution) as much as or more than the video on holiday trips. Last trip I took c200 stills - saves carrying a separate digital camera.

OOPS! I turned the camcorder on with the lens cap on. It says if I do this that the white balance will not work properly. Will this error reset when I turn it back off and then remove the cap and then turn it on again?

I do this a lot! I just switch off, remove the cap and then switch on again.

Thanks for the help Dave. I was able to purchase a 1GB genuine SD card. I see that it says not to install or remove the SD card while the power is on. So I guess this means you could install it (while the camcorder is off) and then conceivably leave it in there for several days, weeks, months, whatever until you are ready to take it out. (as long as you don't remove it when the camera is on) Or should you only put it in and take it out each and every time you use it? What do you do? Thanks.

I must confess that I had not noticed the bit about not installing or removing while the camera is on! Probably, most of the time, it will be off but I am fairly sure I`ve removed a full card and inserted a new card while the camera is switched on.

I always keep a card in the camera, ready to go. I always download accumulated shots after holiday trips, if only to wipe the card for re-use. In between times I will download and sort when I have time or I need the shots to print or for use in editing. I use Canopus Imaginate a lot for creating avi files from digital stills. These are then imported into my nle (Edius 3.5).

Hi Steve,

You don't need to put it in and take it out each and every time you use it. Just leave it there. And use usb2 to download the still photo.

No more trouble and no damage to your card or camera.

Regards
Leigh

Congratulations!! You will certainly have great time with that camera. It does very good video and it's perfect for learning, because it has enough manual controls while still being rather simple to operate.

I know the feeling of "getting a new toy" and that's what most of us probably have when getting new cameras or other equipment. Being able to take the thing out from the box is alone worth the money! :D