Canon A1 for Disneyworld??

Sorry, I'm not overly familiar with your cam, so I just threw out a random weight. Matter of fact, that's about what my cam weighs stripped down. The shotgun and AB Dionic90 add a few more lbs...

And by all means, I am not trying to discourage you, just giving my insights. Like I said, I did it. We stayed for a week, and I took the big HD100 out on 3 days, mostly wanting to focus on Animal Kingdom. It was July, and smoldering hot, so they set up electric fans along the attraction lines that would blow misted water. I was ducking and covering, trying to keep it dry, because I don't have a jacket for it yet. I also discovered that my bag just barely fit in the largest locker. Free tips, and food for thought ;)
 
oh yea, right on Cap.... no offense taken and I appreciate all the advice...... and nice camera too.. Disney didn't stop you from shooting? I imagine it's quite a difference rolling up with that on your shoulder.. hopefully there will be a guy like you there to take the light off of me..

soo.. we too have 7 days.. I'm interested in capturing the Fireworks display at Magic Kingdom, Soarin at Epcot, roller coasters, and indoor attractions.

I'm concerned with gripping the cam on a roller coaster...

capturing the "rendered" (3D?) graphics, light shows, etc.....

and the gate keepers/cast members/security

thank you very much for helping me.. I'm grabbing a few disposables for the day at the waterpark too.

JM
 
I'm not sure about Disney world specifically, but I know some places won't let you take anything on the rides for fear that you'll drop it and hurt someone.
 
Don't even think about dragging that type of camera around with you. Go have some fun with a handy cam and a little point and shoot. I carried a Nikon D70s for two days and that was a pain.
 
dammit.... B&H shows both the telephoto and wide angle lenses for the HV20 out of stock now...

yea, I'll hang my Olympus e500 around the wifes neck but she already told me she didn't want the flash on top or even the bigger lens...

what to do... what to do...
 
Johnny Mac said:
dammit.... B&H shows both the telephoto and wide angle lenses for the HV20 out of stock now...

yea, I'll hang my Olympus e500 around the wifes neck but she already told me she didn't want the flash on top or even the bigger lens...

what to do... what to do...
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Check with another reputable dealer if you want the lenses - if I'm not mistaking these are the same ones that have been around for quite a while and someone surely has them, even if B&H does not right now. Also, B&H is generally pretty good at keeping up with their stock - something that is one day out of stock may well be in stock the very next day.
 
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I'm fighting off impulsive feelings right now...

I told myself score a camcorder May 1... been researching this decision off and on since Christmas when I gave the family their Disney vacation....

Now one side of me says grab the HV20 and be done with it... they may be out of stock by May 1 anyways... the other side still says wait another month and think about it...

Disney is just a part of the equation too, but it is establishing the deadline.... an A1 might be a tall order for the family vacation, but that will only last a week. If I'm nudging $2k with lenses, batteries, etc for the HV20... why not take the plunge to an A1 and really step up?

Again, I've already been producing DVDs for a few years now that people can purchase via paypal, and do.

The man in me says wait, the kid in me wants one now.
 
Johnny Mac said:
I'm fighting off impulsive feelings right now...

I told myself score a camcorder May 1... been researching this decision off and on since Christmas when I gave the family their Disney vacation....

Now one side of me says grab the HV20 and be done with it... they may be out of stock by May 1 anyways... the other side still says wait another month and think about it...

Disney is just a part of the equation too, but it is establishing the deadline.... an A1 might be a tall order for the family vacation, but that will only last a week. If I'm nudging $2k with lenses, batteries, etc for the HV20... why not take the plunge to an A1 and really step up?

Again, I've already been producing DVDs for a few years now that people can purchase via paypal, and do.

The man in me says wait, the kid in me wants one now.
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The same co-purchase needs, sound especially - unless you've already got that covered with a shotgun, wireless, etc. - will exist with the A1, and can push that total purchase, if starting from scratch well above the price of the camera itself. It really comes down to do you have a client that you need to impress right now with the A1's form factor, or can you get the HV20 first and some auxillary gear that you can use with the A1 as well (again sound) when you get around to getting that, as it will be a good idea to have both, and you can really look at them as one purchase, just doing it incrementally. The disadvantages of the HV20 are pretty self evident - manually controlling one of those little buggers is such a drag in comparison to something further up the food chain. However, in a situation like a vacation, about the LAST thing I want to do in the world is anything more involved than framing my shot & hitting record.

Certainly there are some serious advantages to getting the A1 - the least of which may be immersing yourself in learning that camera, as it sounds like your maybe wanting to jump start yourself into this as a full time thing. Those experiences can be gained at other's expense while you are building up your own gear. I might actually turn around the man versus kid reference that you made on it's head.

You know you want the A1, and the sensible thing to do with that camera, as to make sure it does what you want it to for the long time to come and can hold as much resale value as possible, is to use it for it's main intended purpose only (if you can afford to) - meaning you shoot with it, but you don't use it for chores like bringing footage to your computer, or rewinding, that you're going to want to delegate to something else - people say the thing can last 800 before the heads give way, I don't trust that stuff, and plus why not have all 800 for shooting (enough to shoot eight feature documentaries!)? I would say if you want to use the man vs. kid outlook, and you are headed into this full throttle, you've got to know this a long term thing, so the order of purchases really doesn't matter - as you know you'll eventually get everything you need, which may very include both cameras.

Viewing it from that angle, the HV20 is not an impulse buy, but rather the first installment of a series of purchases, and it does simultaneously satisfy the immediate need better in my opinion. If the next need is for a Disneyland commercial, then the A1 (although Disney would probably pony up for something else - rented, of course) would be in order. I wouldn't necessarily view it as the HV20 or the A1. I would view it as the HV20 and the A1, but the HV20 first. Either way, you're going to pretty darn satisfied with the camera for what it's intended purpose is.
 
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Johnny...

First off, glad to see another Disney-head on the forums. I've been to Disneyland twice (2000 and 2005) and I'm making my first trip to Disneyworld in mid-June.

I'm really glad you posted this thread, and I think I might be able to help a bit. When I went in 2005, I saw a lot of cams around, and the only pro-sumer type cam I saw was what looked like a Sony FX1 with a shotgun mic attatched and my first thought "Wow, what a great idea. Capturing a Disney trip in HD!" Then it hit me. "Jesus, carrying that thing around must get pretty tiring." I kept thinking about it on the plane heading home. I myself go mostly for the rides. I love the shows, and the overall experience, but I love to get lost in the rides. And as such, I don't like to have anything hanging on that I might have to baby in the process. I even left my cell-phone back at the hotel. So if I were in your position, I would most definitely go for the HV20. My partner and I use an A1 for our indie narrative stuff, and while we're blown away with its performance, the idea of taking it around a giant theme park in the middle of summer (Hello Mr. Heat Index!) exhausts me just thinking about it. The HV20 is a much smaller cam, and you may have to ask yourself if you're wanting to document a memorable trip to a great theme park with your family, or if you're getting ready to re-make King Kong. I can't see a reason to bring more equipment than is necessary.

With an HV20, you can pop it out, shoot and put it back in your bag much more quickly, and if some bratty kids run by and bump into you, you're probably not as likely to scream an obscenity at them as it's an easier camera to hand hold. The other concern I thought about was "Would I get lost in the shooting and hinder the fun of myself or my family?" Disney trips for me have always been about a memorable time with people I love. I'm sure you feel the same way, and it would be a real shame if "getting the shot" got in the way of just having fun. For my own side of things, I see an extra bonus in the HV20's 24p abilities. If it were my trip, I would shoot the whole thing in 24p, but that's just because I grew up watching old Super8 film stuff, and I love cutting my home movies together to give them a cinematic feel. That's just me though.

Anyway, I hope this helps a little. Have a great time on your trip and keep us posted on your progress. And if you've never been on a "Soarin'" ride, you're in for quite a trip. :-)
 
DammitJanet said:
For my own side of things, I see an extra bonus in the HV20's 24p abilities. If it were my trip, I would shoot the whole thing in 24p, but that's just because I grew up watching old Super8 film stuff, and I love cutting my home movies together to give them a cinematic feel. That's just me though.
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That's what I'm saying, and that camera would benefit from a Super8 film approach. That's why I think an underside handle would complete the sensation....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ls&Q=&sku=98770&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Although, practically speaking, this....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=194070&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

....is much more useful.
 
Thanks again folks, DamitJanet you too have echoed more of my concerns about lugging the A1, stress, anxiety, "missing the trip", etc..

After "sleeping on it" for a half dozen nights now, I once again awake with the comfortable feeling the HV20 will be the best choice. I'll grab one next week and be "done with it", hehe...

Again, Disney mostly just established the deadline. I never liked Canons HV10 so pretty much accepted months ago the A1 was my only practical choice. But the HV20 fits a long term approach in my growth as a videographer by being compatible with the A1.

Thank you everyone who has been so gracious to take their time and reply. Most folks spend my money, instead you are saving me some, it's much appreciated.
 
Johnny Mac said:
Thanks again folks, DamitJanet you too have echoed more of my concerns about lugging the A1, stress, anxiety, "missing the trip", etc..

After "sleeping on it" for a half dozen nights now, I once again awake with the comfortable feeling the HV20 will be the best choice. I'll grab one next week and be "done with it", hehe...

Again, Disney mostly just established the deadline. I never liked Canons HV10 so pretty much accepted months ago the A1 was my only practical choice. But the HV20 fits a long term approach in my growth as a videographer by being compatible with the A1.

Thank you everyone who has been so gracious to take their time and reply. Most folks spend my money, instead you are saving me some, it's much appreciated.
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You'll probably want to get this, as to get a decent shotgun microphone into there....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=473776&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

They also have other XLR-mini convertors/preamps available for now, however this also adds a balanced output, meaning it would continue to be useful upon upgrading to another camera.

O/T note: I wonder if they have a MVU-2 coming out also....

Alternately, seeing as this is for family on the trip, but this recommendation is strictly for that usage, there always is the DM-50, which would plug right into the hotshoe on the HV-20, and provides better audio than the internal microphone, but still cannot even compare to even a decent shotgun. Personally, sound is about the only place I wouldn't sacrifice quality for convience.
 
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I've been using an AT897 with my HV20...been very pleased so far. The XLR adapter cable is an AT8341:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=352326&is=REG&addedTroughType=search



AT8341.jpg
 
If after Disney you still feel you need the A1, just list it in the marketplace - I'm sure that someone here will grab it real fast.
 
Everyone has spoke about convenience of point and shoot with the HV20. Doesn't the A1 have an automatic mode too? I know it would be overkill, but the lens on the A1 is still very appealing.
 
Get the HV-10 instead of the HV-20.
You won't regret the fact that it is smaller, compact, FLAT and can fit in a pocketbook, pocket, fanny pack etc.
 
Lou Bruno said:
Get the HV-10 instead of the HV-20.
You won't regret the fact that it is smaller, compact, FLAT and can fit in a pocketbook, pocket, fanny pack etc.
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You might regret that it doesn't have 24P however. It all depends on what you plan to do with it.
 
24p/f seems all the rage, but I haven't actually viewed a sample myself.

Beyond the family vacation, I have "on the board" a music video this summer, one destined for television if everything works out. I may include footage from the Disney vacation if appropiate.

I really started this thread inquiring about any settings or reccommendations of shooting with an A1 at the Disney theme park but it evolved into why I should take an HV20 instead.

I greatly appreciate ALL the advice and time people have taken to share their input. I do like the HV20 and had B&H been open this week I likely would have bought one, been happy and moved on. But since I couldn't do that, I am still examining my best move.

I've sold hundreds of DVDs/VHS through various outlets, mostly websites I've owned and operated. A huge selling feature has been "I'm just an average guy with a basic camcorder" but in the end I've delivered amazing results that people can't believe. It's really taken life these past 2 years, I've got a graduation video coming out in May that will net me another grand or so.

The A1 is well beyond my current ability and I also recognize I'm likely in the company of very successful videographers here at DVUSER. So I'm absorbing all I can.

I can learn the features of the A1 as time goes on. And Disney is really just establishing a deadline of when I purchase my next camera. But I feel jumping up to the A1 would be the natural move to expand my abilities if I choose to start shooting for upfront pay (weddings, etc as opposed to my current, "I shoot for free, then produce the DVD and hope people buy it").

Or I may still buy an HV20 and continue right on down the road doing what I've been doing. Either way I'll win.

But back to my original questions... How do I capture Disney's "rendered" graphics, any reccommendations for filming fireworks, fast moving roller coasters (if permitted). I want to film "Soarin'" which is a giant movie screen simulating hang gliding.

Thanks again for everyones input.
 
He probably will be happy with the 24F. AND........happier that the price is below 900 dollars now. I would get the HV-10 for compactness on vacation.

icicle22 said:
You might regret that it doesn't have 24P however. It all depends on what you plan to do with it.
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