Camcorder Questions

[Randy Robinson]

I am getting a Canon GL-2 (I worked a deal with someone so now I can afford it - lol) and I was wondering how many minutes of footage can you record on an 8MB SD Memory Card? This is the card size that comes with the camcorder.

Also, is it possible to transfer from a tape, in the camcorder, to the computer using the USB cord? Is this a good idea or should I just use the Memory Card? I have heard that it will put a lot of stress on the camera.

Best Regards,
Randy Robinson

[AJ]

Randy, the memory card is intended for taking still shots onto, not video, it would not hold much footage anyway. (8meg will only get you a few seconds at ful NTSC/PAL resolution - if it is even possible to use it in this way on that camera)

The GL2 is a MiniDV camera, so it records footage onto Tape in a digital format, the camera is 3CCD (Three Chip) model, so it will give a good quality picture, and it is also possible to use manual focus. (A good idea) Make sure you shoot in short-play format, don't use the long-play facility, it reduces the quality and compatability of your footage.

You will transfer your footage for editing using the firewire port, through a capture card such as a Pinnacle or similar, and edit in Adobe Premier or similar. You will probably need a firewire card added to your computer if you are using a PC.

L:ooks like a nice camera, seems on a par with the PD100 (less DVCam etc.) and it'll certainly provide you with some nice looking footage.

Good luck

John

[Randy Robinson]

Thanks, John. I appreciate it. I figured that you couldnt record much, if anything at all, on a 8MD Card. I was leaning toward the tape anyway but now it seems that I will have too - lol.

I'm not really sure what editing software I will use yet. I have looked at several different versions on the net and some seem really good for what I want to do. I read on another site that this guy uses five different editing softwares, each for a different thing.

Is the PD100 a good camera to make movies with? I have only heard a little bit about it.

[AJ]

PD100 or its bigger brother the PD150 (and the new PD170) are really nice cameras, the PD150 is acceptable for broadcast here in the UK, it has DVCAM capabilites so you can get some very, very nice images out of it.

Expensive at around £3000, but well worth renting or borrowing if you have the means.

For editing, I would recomend Adobe Premier, it's not too expensive (buy it bundled with a Pinnacle DV500 card for less than £500) and it does a good job.

I hear good things about AvidDV as well, but still haven't got around to trying it out.

You will need a lot of memory and hard drive space if you are looking to edit seriously, aim for at least a gig of ram and a minimum of 80gig on your editing drive. Depends on the length of your project.

[Randy Robinson]

Sounds cool. I have checked all the places in my area that rent cameras and none of them seem to have anything that I need.

I'm going to stick with the Canon GL-2. I dont know much about it but I know more about it than any other so....

Thanks again for the help!

[AJ]

The GL2 looks like a nice machine, I'm sure it will be more than good enough to make your film on.

The important thing is to shoot carefully and light well, in fact, in some ways that is actually more important than what camera you use.

Best of luck with your shoot.

[Randy Robinson]

Thanks. I have been practicing with lighting a lot recently (as well as make-up). I plan to practice with acutally using the camera soon. I want all of this to look and sound really good.

Thanks again.