Joy of 6

Well after returning from the level one at Spring Mt. I would like to get a video camera. There was a guy in my class who has a video production business and he let me use his camera for a session. It turned out really fantastic. My guess is that since he is a professional that his camera would probably be a little over the top for a track day camera. Would like to know what successes you have had with cameras.

I know the anti shake is a must and apparently need a manual focus. Would like to get a camera with the controls more on the front of the camera instead of on the back wehre I have to reach around behind it to turn it on. (Do they have reote control?) Are there models that run off a cigarette lighter instead of a battery pack? What Brands and models have worked well and given clear pics of the inside of the car and the outside of the track?

Thanks as ususal to all the forum members for their input.

Slalom4me

Have a look at these to see if they help
.

gpm30236

avoid the JVC hard disc cameras, They have a shut off feature at 5 min if you do no do something to the camera such as focus. This feature can not be disabled, Thought that is was just being dense or something since i had lots of shots of pit row and then the cam would shut off. NO THEY MADE IT THAT WAY > Several other brands have that same feature, Found a sony that did not. .

nuglut

The camera he probably used was a Sony HD1 High definition Video camera with a wide angle lens shooting in regular DV so it would be compatiable to your camcorder. That camcorder retails a very respectable $1295 at www.bhphotovideo.com

If your running a HD plasma or similar HD TV that you will be viewing your videos on I would spend the extra $ and pick that up.

If you want a lesser expensive camera or are not going to be viewing HD footage then you should look into the Song HC-1000 with a wide angle lense. Just dont forget to get the big battery for which ever camera you chose to get.

Slalom4me

Or buy the appropriate DC adapter and run/charge
the camera through the cigarette lighter.

Battery life has not been a problem with my older Sony but I
bought a DC adapter and pack it for the day I arrive trackside
and discover that the camera has been left on or that I forgot
to charge it.

BTW - my vote is against spending big dollars on a camera for the
track unless it is going to be mounted externally. Maybe I'm behind
the times but it seems to me that, even with HD, the camera is
still going to have to cope with issues due to variations between
cabin and exterior lighting and image quality due to the translucency
of the windshield. Track roughness also affects tape transport in
some cases and can make for interruptions in filming.

.