storm chasing camcorder recommendation?

J

Jonathan12uiz

Well-known member
thinking chasing some crazy storms... any camcorders you know of in a low price range that can handle the weather and possible beating?
 
I should probably say that I was thinking along the lines of 2 Canon 7Ds. One with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens and the other with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens. That would give us the ability to take pics and record while still traveling light.

The only problem I see is the fact that there is no auto focus. And god knows you can't pull focus using the damn lcd in that situation.
 
One of Sony's new prosumer cams is meant to be weatherproof. But it's new, so it hasn't really been tested; I doubt you'd want to bring something like that into the field before there's more feedback on how well it holds up to a beating.
 
custerc said:
One of Sony's new prosumer cams is meant to be weatherproof. But it's new, so it hasn't really been tested; I doubt you'd want to bring something like that into the field before there's more feedback on how well it holds up to a beating.
Click to expand...

you happen to know the model?
 
HXR-NX70E

see: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?243434-New-go-to-camera-for-docs

everyone in that thread seems to think i was talking about the fs100 but I was talking about the nx70



The HXR-NX70E – World first dust proof and rain proof professional HD camcorder



Bill Drummond, Sony Professional, said of the new HXR-NX70E, “Filmmakers and journalists will travel to some of the most remote and dangerous locations in pursuit of a story. We wanted to respond with a camcorder that, like them, can stand up to the rigours of the world’s most challenging conditions. For this Sony has created the HXR-NX70E, a robust ultra-compact camcorder that allows them to not only capture footage in any conditions, but also store it on a 96GB internal memory. When you are miles from anywhere, you don’t want to be worrying about having to find an extra memory card!”



The main unit of the HXR-NX70E has been proven to reach dust-proof and rain-proof performance requirements specified by IEC60529 IP54. Sudden rain or dust will not affect the operation of the camcorder, making the HXR-NX70E ideal for the most inhospitable of environments.

The HXR-NX70E incorporates an ‘Exmor’ R CMOS sensor to deliver superior quality low-light footage and enhanced manual controls give the precision filmmakers need for shooting professional quality HD content . CinemaTone technology captures stunning footage with deeper, more film-like colour tones and the wide angle Sony G lens can take in more of the action with sharp images and brilliant, accurate colour. The optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode also compensates for greater degrees of camera shake than ever before to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto perspectives. A built in GPS receiver makes the HXR-NX70E an ideal choice for journalists and documentary makers as it gives them the ability to ‘geotag’ footage when on location.
 
In my opinion, you'll want a high resolution, small, light, fast, and CCD camera. I've lost pulse on the prosumer market, for the most part, but you'll want to avoid the 7d and 5d because of horrible skewing. I imagine the footage will be hectic at times and lots of movement, on foot, or in a car. The rolling shutter skew will be awful.

Also, you'll probably want quick ND filter action, considering the fast weather changes.

Maybe something like the HPX-170 or something a bit newer would be a good choice. The deeper DoF might be beneficial considering the last thing you want to do during a sh*t storm, is to be thinking about focus.

If I could deck the camera out, I'd have a light weather jacket and an air knife or rain deflector on the front... maybe make a small custom one, because cinema ones are heavy.
 
custerc said:
HXR-NX70E

see: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?243434-New-go-to-camera-for-docs

everyone in that thread seems to think i was talking about the fs100 but I was talking about the nx70



The HXR-NX70E – World first dust proof and rain proof professional HD camcorder



Bill Drummond, Sony Professional, said of the new HXR-NX70E, “Filmmakers and journalists will travel to some of the most remote and dangerous locations in pursuit of a story. We wanted to respond with a camcorder that, like them, can stand up to the rigours of the world’s most challenging conditions. For this Sony has created the HXR-NX70E, a robust ultra-compact camcorder that allows them to not only capture footage in any conditions, but also store it on a 96GB internal memory. When you are miles from anywhere, you don’t want to be worrying about having to find an extra memory card!”



The main unit of the HXR-NX70E has been proven to reach dust-proof and rain-proof performance requirements specified by IEC60529 IP54. Sudden rain or dust will not affect the operation of the camcorder, making the HXR-NX70E ideal for the most inhospitable of environments.

The HXR-NX70E incorporates an ‘Exmor’ R CMOS sensor to deliver superior quality low-light footage and enhanced manual controls give the precision filmmakers need for shooting professional quality HD content . CinemaTone technology captures stunning footage with deeper, more film-like colour tones and the wide angle Sony G lens can take in more of the action with sharp images and brilliant, accurate colour. The optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode also compensates for greater degrees of camera shake than ever before to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto perspectives. A built in GPS receiver makes the HXR-NX70E an ideal choice for journalists and documentary makers as it gives them the ability to ‘geotag’ footage when on location.
Click to expand...

Looks good, just need a NTSC version and a price. LOL!
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
In my opinion, you'll want a high resolution, small, light, fast, and CCD camera. I've lost pulse on the prosumer market, for the most part, but you'll want to avoid the 7d and 5d because of horrible skewing. I imagine the footage will be hectic at times and lots of movement, on foot, or in a car. The rolling shutter skew will be awful.

Also, you'll probably want quick ND filter action, considering the fast weather changes.

Maybe something like the HPX-170 or something a bit newer would be a good choice. The deeper DoF might be beneficial considering the last thing you want to do during a sh*t storm, is to be thinking about focus.

If I could deck the camera out, I'd have a light weather jacket and an air knife or rain deflector on the front... maybe make a small custom one, because cinema ones are heavy.
Click to expand...

I know CCD is better for action, but a ccd camera that is weather proof is just as hard to find as a cmos one. LOL. only reason I first thought of 5Dmk2 and 7d is because they have the ability to take great pics in the moment too.
 
You may be able to find an underwater housing that will allow you to run key functions from companies like Equinox and Gates. These sometimes come up for sale here.
 
As a side note, Canon does make their bodies pretty damn weatherproof. My 7D has survived quite a bit. Their top L lenses also have dust and weather proofing, but for running and gunning, shallow DOF, skew, and rolling shutter will not be on your side. My experience with Panasonic equipment has been good. Maybe the HPX170 or HMC40.
 
HMC150 is lower cost than the HPX170 and is quite robust. I would outfit either in a weather jacket.

What kind of budget range are we talking for this storm chasing camera? I would avoid cameras that take tape at all costs.
 
Definitely a CCD camera. You'll beat your self if you buy CMOS for this:) HPX171 is a great cam. I've got it and am pleased with it. Maybe you should consider JVC HM700 or 750 or 790. But the hpx170 has got the best codec...
 
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