Polaroid Heavy Duty L Shaped Bracket With Ball Head

I was looking for a flash bracket with a flexible mount capable of holding my flash at angles for macro photography. The Novoflex Flash Bracket with Padded Grip, Strap and Ball Head. is nice, but the price is very steep for a non-professional like me. Then I found this on Amazon. There were no reviews, but for thirteen bucks I thought it was worth a gamble.

I mounted my SB-600 to the ball head using a ePhoto SB800 Shoe mount Flash Adapter with 1/4-20 Thread and now I have a pretty nice and flexible arrangement for off-camera flash. This bracket does have a tripod mount in the bottom which I found other inexpensive brackets don't, and this is a must for me.

However, there are a couple negatives I found that keep me from giving this five stars. First is the odor it emits. There seems to be some sort of chemical in the rubber of the grip that hit me as soon as I cut the package open. Looking through the viewfinder of my D90 with this on I often hold my breath because with my nose so close it's almost unbearable. It even gave me a headache once. I'll try setting it outside in the sun for a day to see if it improves. My second issue is the ball head holds pretty well, but not perfectly. Occasionally it slips a bit. The knob to tighten the head is just a small metal ring and I'm afraid to put too much torque on it for fear of bending the ring.

So all in all I'm pretty happy with this. It's not pro quality, but I paid less than 1/5 the price of the pro one. And maybe over time the hazardous materials in the rubber will dissipate, hopefully without causing me any permanent health issues.

StarTech.com HDMMD6 6-Feet 90 Degree Down Angled High Speed HDMI Cable - HDMI - M/M

It works good but the reason I wanted the 90 degree head is because I wanted it in a tight location. If the heads of this were smaller it would be much better.

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Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Memory Slot

At the time my purchase, the Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV camera was the least expensive digital camcorder on the market. Price was very important for me. Here's what I have found to be "important" aspects of the camcorder that I didn't know before I ordered it.

1. The camcorder can record video on miniDV tapes or take pictures and store them on SD (secure digital) memory cards. However, the camcorder came without either media. Silly me, I had expected that the camcorder come with one miniDV tape to get me started, but no. I had to run out and buy a miniDV tape in the evening.

2. The camcorder comes with 3 ways to "download" images or video:USB, DV, AV. The USB port allows the computer to download digital pictures from the SD card, the DV (digital video, aka 1394 port) allows a computer equipped with a 1394 port to download the video to the computer, and the AV port allows connection to a TV to show the video. The camcorder does not support USB streaming, so you cannot download the video through the USB port, it has to be through the 1394 (DV) port. The camcorder also does not allow for the camera to store video on the SD memory card. So pictures has to go on the SD memory card, and it has to be downloaded through the USB port. The video has to go on the miniDV tape and downloaded through the 1394 (DV) port. More advanced (expensive) camcorders support recording on the memory card, and/or USB streaming. For the price difference, I found that it was easier (cheaper) for me to add a 1394 card to my computer. It was also very easy to download the video and start making movies using the camcorder, the 1394 card, and moviemaker on WinXP.

Overall, I was quite happy with the camcorder. I still think that they should have included one miniDV tape, but that's just a nitpick.

I have only owned this camcorder for two days, however there's so few reviews, I thought I'd post one. I used to have my own video production company many years ago (wedding videos and such), so I'm somewhat experienced with videocams.

First of all, I bought this as a small and cheap cam. It fits the bill. I decided to go for the vlz3u over the vlz1u because I wanted the 16 bit sound, and the ability to digitize old vhs footage straight in.

I didn't get the 5zu because it was more money, and i heard that black and white viewfinders are more accurate than color. All told, I think it would have been better to go for the color viewfinder of the 5zu, and to get the remote control as well.

At first I found the camera and manual a little on the complicated side. However, after a little while, the camera modes and menus became more and more intuitive. This camera has a lot of features.

A few things to remember is you have to pull out the viewfinder or else you can't see anything through it (thought my viewfinder was broken). Also, when you play back tapes, the lcd monitor has to be pulled out in order to hear sound. ie if you only view the tape through the viewfinder, no audio. The Sharp customer service rep I called at their tech support line had less of a clue of how the camera worked than me. I think he only had the manual in front of him, and no camera.

One feature that is totally useless is the digital stabilization which is automatically turned on in automatic mode. At first I thought the camera had a really bad picture until I turned off the stabilization.

The video is average to good, depending on the amount of light. This is definately not a low light camera. Bright outdoors, or well lit indoors.

The LCD monitor is gorgeous, really high quality like a top quality laptop screen.

Ergonomically, the camera feels like it should fit a smaller hand than mine. It kinda sits in my hand like a firm lump of hamburger. The little switch used to change the camera to various modes is hard to use. The rest of the camera, including installing the battery, installing the tape, etc is very intuitive.

Another feature is the timecode. This camera allows you to record the timecode out, which is great if you want to give somebody a copy of their tape, and then they pick out the frames they want included in and out of their edits. I plan to do a little video editing of other people's work, and "striping" output is key. This camera does it.

All in all, a very capable little bucket. Loses some points on the low light performance, ergonimic handholding, and the mode button.

But gains points in that it packs a lot of features that you will really appreciate should you choose to explore the manual and try things out.

Definitely a budget camcorder for the tech afficionado!

Buy Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Memory Slot Now

* This camcorder is one of the better buys for a cheap DV camcorder that'll give you solid performance and decent quality for the price. Don't expect it to blow away $800+ 3CCD high-end camcorders, but do expect about 350 lines of resolution under EIA 1956 test pattern tests.

* While video quality isn't the very best when viewed on a PC monitor (vs. high-end camcorders), watching the end results on most non-HDTV TV sets give you very good video quality and nice results.

* Menuing system and layout works well for me, and no manual needed. Overall, it's simple enough that my 3 year old niece took it from my hands and filmed her own birthday by herself. That easy to learn and use!

* A few manual controls such as manual iris, gain, white balance make this a nice beginner level videographer's camcorder as well -ie. good for learning, students.

* Stabilization isn't as good as on the more expensive, so tripod or simply hold it steady on wide angle. You can get nice results with the latter.

* Still pictures only 640x480 and grainy, but decent just to get a still image idea of what's going on for reference. Bring a digital camera if you really want good stills. Otherwise, works well and no real problems.

* Build is nice for the price. Solid and nice feel in hands. Comes with everything except a blank tape and perhaps a bag if you want to carry it in something.

* Battery lasts 1 1/2 hours or so -one battery, one tape. Just buy and carry one battery for every tape you expect to use easy to remember. Charges in about 2 hrs.

* Can't find a single big reason to return it for the price -just a nicely priced, beginner's DV camcorder that does quite a lot. A happy little toy!

* Sony DCR-HC40 is a big step up in build, image quality, stabilization, etc., but that's comparing a $600 to a sub-$300 camcorder now. Thus, 5 stars for the features & price. When compared to the very best camcorders costing $$$, it's only average but that's comparing the gold standard to something far cheaper. But if budget isn't a problem, the Sony is the better choice of the two.

* More accessories on Sharp Japan's website, but you'll have to find an importer for those items. Limited mostly to filters, extra battery, remote control (~$45), etc. Remote control is hardly ever used unless you're the type to plug the camcorder up to the TV far away from you because you don't have long enough cables to plop the camcorder in your lap for control.

* DV transfer to XP PC works flawlessly and w/o problems.

* Nice manual explains every feature in depth.

* Light and comfortably small! Almost like those smallest vertical camcorders. Can film for hours w/o weighing down the arms.

* A little bit of tape motor noise if the scene is quiet not like the Sony, which is silent but nothing noticed nor obnoxious when used in normal noise level scenes. Still, if you're filming something important, may get the Sony or an external mic & tape setup for the audio.

* Low-light performance is good. Grain level is decent and not glaring or bad although noticable, and you still can get a watchable image indoors at night. (again, not the best vs. $$$ camcorders, but decent for a consumer's level camcorder at this price)

* Overall, you can't go wrong with this low-priced, beginner's DV camcorder. Really nothing wrong with it, and if handled properly, it'll give years of solid use and fun w/o a problem. Don't expect the world from this camcorder, just a good average performance, and you'll be fine. (if you're picky, want the best/better, etc. get the Sony noted earlier, or any high-end 3CCD camcorder)

* Solid buy for beginner's, low-budget parents and kids, students gettting started, explorer's, teens, etc.

Read Best Reviews of Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Memory Slot Here

When I unpacked my Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder, I was pleasantly surprised on how small the camera was. Sharp did a great job in designing the swiveling handgrip that allows you to shot ergonomically in almost any hand positions. The LCD is very bright and has a function that allow the user to turn off the backlight much like a Pocket PC to conserve battery when operating in well lit areas. The attractive feature of the camera that may be appealing to those that want simplicity, is the fact that the overall unit does not have an overwhelming number of button and switches and other thing that most laypeople will never use. Most of those settings can be found in the "Menu" that is tricky at first, but logical in design. Manual functions allow users to manipulate white balance, iris and gain, but to have to do this though non-designated function keys may deter people that prefer manual operation. The "Auto" setting does a very good job in evaluating white balance especially in indoor to outdoor transition shots and with incandescent lighting.

The most noticeable drawback to this camera is battery life, although it handles pretty good with the supplied 1000mAh Li-ion, the lack of the ability to use an oversized battery for extend shooting time is not possible since the battery compartment is enclosed within the fold-out LCD screen. This makes the LCD backlight override option even more attractive when trying to conserve battery. Most of my heavy use comes from my coaching position that requires me to recompose my shots almost every time I turn on my camera to take a shot. Even with the heavy use, the battery gives me about 1½ to 2 hours of standby and shooting time with the LCD on, a little less (about ½ hour) if I leave the LCD backlight on. I've bought 2 extra batteries which is more than enough, but highly suggested to avoid the dreaded "low battery" indication on those times that you wish you had a fully charged battery.

Over all I think this camera was a great purchase for the price that I paid. I have used more superior cameras before, and like most people, did not intend to spend over $400 even for a digital based camcorder. I and enjoy what sharp has put into this unit, especially the unique design for user-friendly operation.

*******************************************

Update 6/7/05

After hundreads of hours of use, in all imaginable environments and places. This camera is still running strong and solid. Being that the CCD is so small, I didn't care all too much for the still images that it captures onto an SD card. But after using it to capture many enjoyable candid shots, espcially at 10X away, I have found a new love for this camera.

Using the with the free Movie Maker 2 by Microsoft, I am able to make some great highlight films of my athletes in action. The shutter speed is good enough on sport mode to accurately examine thier techniqe on film night.

I also want to again rave about the size of this thing. It is never a concern for space when I carry this thing along with me to my track meets or to my vacations since it is about the same dimensions as my digital still camera.

Want Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Memory Slot Discount?

When taking movies and living with a camcorder for more then a couple of hours or days you figure what is really important to you and the whole experience and what is not as important.

First I suppose is the format, digital is a given at this point, and mini DV seems to be a standard at this and higher price points. About price point, this camcorder is hard to beat there.

Then what are you using the camcorder for? To take digital still pictures? I sure hope not , judging this camcorder by that standard is unfair and for the most part irrelavent.

You are using the camcorder to take movies which this camcorder does a very nice job of and I would say a better then average job of. The viewscreen is much better then average and is bright and clear.

Ever use a camcorder for a while and even though there is more to shoot you still put it down because it is not comfortable to shoot anymore. Your hand or arm or whatever is sore. I think that has happened to most of us. The ergonomics and design of this camcorder goes a long way to help with that kind of problem. It is easier to hold and shoot longer with it. I judge that as very important to me. Probably more important then the particular low light performance characteristics of this vs. that vs.something else etc.

You can order a remote for this camera if you want and the battery life is good but an extra is always a good idea.

The menu controls and etc. take some getting used to, but I assume you are buying the camera for more then a days use. Once you use it a little while, it is very functional and thorough.

This camcorder takes relatively effortless, decent quality movies, in digital format at a very affordable price.

Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Red) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Len

The camera is beautiful. Not too pleased with the flash and its operations. Did apppreciate the 32gb SD card.

It arrived as promised. Sorry there was no extended service warranty offered with it.

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Foscam FI8916W Wireless/Wire IP Camera WIDE ANGLE, IR-CUT, Wireless b/g/n ,Better Housing (Upgraded

I purchased 3 of these for use around my home. They provide the most basic video surveillance for the price. These upgraded units offer better apparent resolution and much better color fidelity due to the IR-cut filter. All three samples I have offer slightly different picture quality. One unit is very sharp relative to the others and one appears to be somewhat out of focus. They all work well when it comes to moving around when using the pan and tilt features. Wireless range is also improved compared to the older FI8910W model I own. The GUI interface built in to these units works well. Setting up the device takes only a few minutes. The sound feature does function, but not well enough to consider using it. For the price, you can't do much better. The black models are covered in a flat black material while the white models are shiny white plastic. They have also started to include a nifty mounting system with the camera that works well.

The cam itself is excellent. Each time one of my UI's updates (Windows, iOS, Android), my saved settings are wiped and I have to start over; this is an annoyance. Besides that, I would certainly recommend the camera. My wife and I use it as a baby monitor.

Buy Foscam FI8916W Wireless/Wire IP Camera WIDE ANGLE, IR-CUT, Wireless b/g/n ,Better Housing (Upgraded Now

The good:

-The camera has good night vision and decent video but not HD.

Unlike some comments about the previous model, the lights on this model are discrete, especially the IR LED, not so much the LED at the back (on off and Network activity)

You can turn the network light off

Sleek design allows almost 360 patrolling or movement

Up and down movement is acceptable and the product comes with a articulated mounting bracket

The AC converter and camera do not heat up enabling long service

Patrolling and scanning has a silent motor

The Bad (And no, I don't think I have a fake camera (Hologram and SN number is on the bottom):

The setup guidelines were written in so-so English and are very unprofessional. ShenZhen Foscam could have sprung a few bucks and paid a document writer for the couple of pages instead of the cusin who took English in school.

The software is not great and I read the reviews for the mobile app (they say it's like a prototype not a working release (again, that's what happens when cousin Li also does mobile apps)).

The promised secondary features are mostly false claims:

-Forget IR-CUT. There is no IR-CUT. (Now do you care that a black suitcase shows up white at night. maybe not)

-Email alerts (for who accessed the camera or to receive footage via email) not working.

-Easy setup? My &?%!, It took 4 hours, also had to use youtube. (on youtube a side-coment told me to restart the camera software that was helpful amongst other things).

-What else do they promise? Ah, audio in and out. Well, it's not in the box. The camera can probably do it but not the software. i.e it's not provided even if you are a geek and try to find the missing plug-ins it will not get you anywhere. If you build your own then maybe, hence it's a false claim. Now you can use CamViewer (from the Appstore) to get the Audio but that's like building your own product. I expected this and bought a $30 FM monitor as a reliable detection device (with no lag)

-Audio is really bad. pretty much as bad as night video is good.

-Security (to be fair they do not promise that) is very limited for enabling a internet camera.

Barrel distortion is phenomenal. Do you care? Not on a security camera.

Power cable is too short out of the converter, if you want to install this closer to the ceiling it will leave the converter hanging, quite unsightly.

Conclusion:

Buy it for the video only not the audio, home use, night vision. Ignore the manual and monitoring software, as there is better free help out there. Do not believe that its bad communication or that you must have misunderstood what to do. They pretend the features are there but they aren't. When cousin ShenZhen writes about a feature, it's not a mistake it's a false claim. I paid $100 and I keep it but I'm not happy.

Read Best Reviews of Foscam FI8916W Wireless/Wire IP Camera WIDE ANGLE, IR-CUT, Wireless b/g/n ,Better Housing (Upgraded Here

This is a very cool camera. Still working on port forwarding and learningn how to do all that. I am thinking of getting another one

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Fujifilm Finepix S9100 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom

I purchased this camera about a month ago and have taken approximately 2,000 pictures to date. I've taken indoor, outdoor, telephoto, macro, everything except the video. Sorry I should have played with that too, but it is not the primary reason I bought this camera. I wanted a camera that expanded the capability and control of my small point and shoot camera, an Olympus C-50 (which I am quite pleased with). I am very happy with the results of the S9100.

This is a substantial camera. It feels more like my Nikon 8008, so don't plan to put it in your pocket when you take it on a trip. I have had three Olympus digital cameras and was looking to purchase another Olympus but I was disappointed with their offering in the ultra zoom class.

Because I already had several xD cards it was a plus that this camera gave me a choice of two different media types. I also liked the manual zoom because this camera felt familiar, like an SLR. Using AA batteries was another plus I was looking for. I see some folks say they are disappointed with the battery life, but I haven't found that to be a problem. I use 2900mAh NiMH Rechargeable Battery and I have yet to run out of juice on photo shoots of over 200 pictures. I have not used alkaline batteries, but I understand they do not last nearly as long. I use the EVF more than the large digital display (probably from old habits of 35mm cameras) and that may have something to do with it too. I think the manual zoom has to save a lot of battery power when compared to some of the competition.

There is a lot of discussion about image stabilization, and I never had it in my other cameras, so I don't seem to miss it. I haven't had many blurred photos but I do use a mono-pod or tri-pod when it is appropriate. But even hand held, this camera produces excellent images even up at 1600 ISO. There is some noise, but I don't think it is too bad. Printed photos come out excellent. I have several printers and a large format HP plotter that can produce 36" x 36" prints and I am very pleased with the results.

This camera has excellent versatility, the zoom is great and the macro mode gives you wonderful capability to really get in close. I have been shooting primarily .JPG but have experimented with .RAW. From what I read this format it will extend my ability, but I need more time to learn about RAW processing before I can provide an intelligent discussion. I like the idea that RAW is there if and when I decide to use it.

In conclusion, I am happy with my purchase and would buy this camera again. If you are looking for an alternative to a dSLR that provides a lot of versatility and control this one merits a close look.

I know someone who passed on buying the Fuji S9100 because it only had a 10.7x zoom, in favor of a 12x zoom. She did not understand how to interpret the lens specs.

This camera has something fairly rare in a digital camera, and especially rare in a super zoom: a true wide angle lens, going down to 28 mm equivalent focal length. Most digitals start at 38 mm or 35 mm. That extra 7 to 10 mm makes a huge difference in the angle of coverage.

I had a 28 to 85 mm zoom for my 35 mm slr, and it cost more than the S9100, and weighed more, too. And here you are getting a lens that goes all the way to 300 mm. My longest zoom lens only went to 200 mm on my 35 mm, and it started at 75 mm. That weighed several times more than this camera, and was hard to hold steady. I rarely used a 200 mm without a tripod.

With the S9100 I still use the wideangle most, but I am surprised how much I use the 300 mm telephoto. It also has a 2x digital zoom, which, because it has a 9 mp sensor, is actually useable, though I would shoot at lower resolutions. And I am surprised how sharp the pictures are, even without image stabilization. But then I know how to steady a camera, such as leaning it against a wall.

I use the tilting LCD display a lot. It is great for candids; which is especially important with a semi-pro camera like this. It is not just about being secretive; it is about retaining the candid quality of the photo.

Attach the neck strap and use it, always, always. Combine it with the LCD display flipped out and you get a sort of TLR effect: It was easier to hold a TLR Rolleiflex steady at slow shutter speeds than an SLR held to the eye. The trick is to pull the strap tight against your neck and lock your elbows against your sides.

Remember, you can always crop a picture to produce more of a telephoto effect, especially with a 9 mp image. But you can't widen a picture in processing -unless you use panorama stitching (anyone even actually use this???).

The S9100 has the best video recording I have used in a digicam. With the manual zoom, it is easy to zoom during filming, silently. Going from 28 mm to 300 mm creates a powerful effect.

This lens is magnificent. It is essentially the same lens as is on the 6000, I believe. Fuji knows how to make lenses. Their medium format wideangle lenses, such as for the GW690, are legendary. Having a fixed lens barrel, while less compact, is far more sturdy. Those telescoping lenses are fragile if knocked while the camera is on.

Fuji also knows how to make film. And in the digital era, the camera is the film. Their expertise in color management is evident in the accurate, pleasing tonal quality indoors or out; but it helps if you know how to use the manual color balance setting. There is a chrome setting which boosts the saturation and contrast, intended to match the qualities of slide film. It is great for average snap shots, but can produce over saturation with things like colorful flowers.

I have used this camera for about four months. I haven't used all the bells and whistles regularly. I tested the manual focus, and it is well-designed, with focus assist via directional arrows, plus the ability to magnify the central section. I see it more as an extended focus lock.

I have used several external flashes with it, and the camera still works. Some camera brands can be damaged by flashes with a high trigger voltage, reportedly. A bounce flash will help you get pro looking shots indoors.

I use the 800 iso setting for night shots. There is some grain, but that's life. I come from a film perspective, and the grain is about what you would get from shooting b&w at that speed. When I switch the S9100 to BW, the grain becomes less noticeable, and makes the 1600 iso setting more useable. I also cut the resolution at iso 800 and 1600. Reducing the contrast and sharpening also seems to help. As I see it, the iso 1600 is there for use when there is no alternative. A newspaper photographer could get useable shots with it.

I seriously considered the Fuji S6000 because of its superior high film speed performance. But it is 6 mp, and lacks some of the S9100's more advanced features. If you need less grain in your high iso shots, the S6000 may be a better bet. The S6000 would be an excellent camera for a newspaper to hand to a reporter.

But the grain in the S9100 is not as bad as some say; I, and others, think they are looking at the full magnification images, which at 9 mp can be about three feet wide or more, depending on your monitor. THEN you can see the grain at the pixel level in even the 200 iso shots. So what?

I often shoot at less than 9 mp. The camera has a 3:2 setting that gives a wider ratio more like a 35 mm shot. It also produces a smaller file, about 2.5 mb. That's what I use the most. It is especially suitable to wideangle shots. But I also am getting fine results in lower resolutions.

This camera originally sold for twice the price, at least when the S9000 came out, and it was a good value then. Now it is one of the great camera bargains on the market. But it may be more camera than some people need. This is probably true of a lot of fancy cameras on the market. Don't buy a camera to make a fashion statement; buy something you will enjoy using.

For me, the Fuji S9100 is fun to use; it is easy to get great pictures without getting a headache.

Buy Fujifilm Finepix S9100 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Now

Well, I don't even know where to start for this camera. But about a year ago, when this camera first got launched to the digital camera market, it costed nearly twice as much as what you can pay for it now. For the price, this camera has alot to offer. I just love the color tone of Fujifilm. You get a very studio-like effect with Fujifilm CCD technology. This camera has many manual controls and features that will interest both professional and amature photographers. The 9 Megapixel can really be helpful when it comes to cropping. The pictures taken by this camera is bright and clear. The camera picture can be noisy if you set the ISO above 400. So, for the best result, just set the ISO level as low as possible (lets say ISO 80?). The 10.7X zoom lens is very convenient when you want to get close to the subject you are shooting. I used this camera for every occasion and it never failed me. I heard alot of complaints about the poor battery life of this camera, but just buy NiMH battery that is about 2500 mAh and above and you should get about 200-250 shots. Make sure to buy at least a 2 GB memory card because the picture files are pretty big, especially in RAW format. Also, for the price, this camera feels VERY SOLID in the hand. It feels very professional and sturdy (MADE IN JAPAN). The buttons are nicely placed and very easy to use. Make sure to buy an external flash if you want to do some serious light photography. I recommnend the Sunpak 383 non-dedicatted flash to go with this camera. It works together really well. Anyway, for $407, you cannot get a better camera than this one. Thank you Amazon for making this good deal possible. Again, I highly recommend this camera.

Read Best Reviews of Fujifilm Finepix S9100 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Here

I have owned this camera since November 2006.

I would have liked to have given the S9100 five stars, but the auto mode leaves something to be desired. To get the best images, you really need to use the manual settings.

I have had excellent success in all areas with this camera. I have taken crystal clear macro shots of jewelrya notoriously difficult subject. I have taken great indoor, low-light shots without flash. I have had difficulty with the auto focus in these special situations. But the manual focus is easy to use. Color and contrast are true to life. I have been able to take pictures in situations that I couldn't have dreamed of with any of the point-and-shoot models that I have used.

Some people have complained about the graininess of higher ISO settings. You can select your ISO in auto mode. Mine stays at 80 most of the time. I use only use 1600 when I want the grainy effect. You can not select the ISO in stabilization mode. Flash exposure compensation is selectable in P,S,A and M modes. It has 5 settings.

Battery life is good, but then again, I almost never use flash. The low light capabilities are so good that I don't need it most of the time. My Energizer 2500 mAh NiMH batteries last for hundreds of shots. Sorry, I never really counted exactly how many. I rarely need to change them during a session.

The lens is threaded 58mm, so you can add filters if desired. You can also use a shutter release cable. I have not experimented with RAW much because I use Paint Shop Pro for editing, and it requires that my RAW images be converted to Tiff to manipulate.

This camera is excellent if you:

1. Read the manual

2. Use manual settings

3. Practice

If you are looking for a point-and-shoot. This probably isn't the camera for you. However, the creative controls are excellent. I highly recommend this model for the serious amateur.

Want Fujifilm Finepix S9100 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Discount?

I bought this camera as something a bit more capable, but not as expensive as an SLR. With a zoom equivalent to a 300 mm lens on an SLR, I certainly saved myself a heap of money over buying an SLR setup with the same capacities.

I use this camera mostly in manual. That was my aim in buying it to get more proficient in using the manual settings. A few times I have switched it to auto, and haven't been all that impressed. The autofocus seems a little unpredictable, but there is a single press manual focus button on the left side, as well as a focusing ring, and these do me very well indeed. I don't think I would recommend this camera to someone who wanted to use it mostly as a point and shoot.

It loses one star mostly because of its poor macro capability. For really really good closeups it just doesn't come close to my Konica Minolta DImage Z6.

I was a bit lost without image stabilization at first. This camera compensates for not having this by jacking up the film speed when in auto, and if I want to use it in manual and handhold, of course I have to do the same. Since I use a tripod a lot, this is not too much of an issue for me. I've heard a lot of bad press on the graininess at higher ISO, but I have found them to be at least as good as film if not better.

The colors are great. I love my range of menu options, though there is nothing too extraordinary about them. This camera has more buttons than some, but once I got used to them, they make my selections so much faster when I am shooting in changing light conditions.

I like the fact I can use a cable release with this camera. I have used it for quite a bit of low light work, and the fact that I can dial it right down to a twenty second shutter speed or even to B is fantastic.

I've found it pretty hard to find image editing software to work directly with raw images from this camera.

It's working really well for me as a prosumer camera. However, I still think that if I could go back, I might go for a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP instead. Maybe. I would have to check that one out more thorougly first.

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I've used higher-end ProSumer camcorders for a while and virtually every other generation of video camcorder since 1980. I recently used a Sony HC3 HDV handheld but gave that to my daughter when I got this HV30.

The HV30 has a great picture and all that. So I think I'll focus on what's either really cool, or a bit off-putting for a buyer.

Really Cool:

Video quality is the best you can find on today's one-chip HDV camera. Some 3-chip cameras have a better color depth but many 3-chip cameras actually have a worse picture. They did a great job.

It plays other Canon HDV tape. I own and use a XH A1 3-CCD canon HDV camera and the HV30 plays its tapes even better than the XHA1 seems to. That's great because I can save the A1's guts for a few more years.

It has virtually every output port you could wish for (today). HDMI, Component (yes Component!), Composite, USB and Firewire. Its very complete.

It worked with Apple FinalCut Pro without any trouble. I can't even get he XHA1 to work with it without screwing around with it for a while.

It has a mic input jack which Podcasters love, but I and other have been having trouble with it. I believe Canon didn't make a simple mic jack but some kind of phantom powered mic this or that, which hobbyist would not really use. So to make it work, and this is the tip, you have to go into the menu and turn on an option, then go into a different menu and adjust the gain and/or volume. Oops, maybe this should be a "not so cool" item.

The Not so Cool.

The ergonomics are poor. My hand doesn't feel comfortable holding it no matter how I adjust the hand strap. I've never had this issue with any other camera.

The Record start/stop button is in the wrong location. They put their goofy "joy stick" right where a person's thumb falls while holding the camera, so you're instinctively pushing on the joystick instead of the start/stop button while filming. The worse part, the Joystick is really crap as an interface element.

Noisy camera. The camera makes noise when you move it (shake it) it makes noise when you zoom and it makes a ton of noise when you insert or eject a tape.

Poor image when filming motion. If you're filming a scene and you move the camera, you are going to get streaking of the image. Why? I believe/assume its because unlike Canon's great D-SLR cameras in low light, their video equipment doesn't have the lower ISO (low light) capability that Sony's or everyone else has. Not sure why, but it seems to be a consistent theme with Canon. Fortunately it has a built-in light useful for those birthday parties but not much else.

The Bottom Line

For the under $800 it costs, its worth it if you're filming your vacations, holidays, birthdays and whatnot.

If you're a podcaster and want something with every connection known to man, its more than worth it for the HDMI and mic jacks alone.

If you wish you could afford the Canon XH A1 or better and want nearly as good a picture, this is the camera for you.

If you simply want a tape drive for your XH A1, this is actually cheaper than a commercial CANON HDV tape drive.

The bottom, bottom line is Sony had lost its way and CANON's HV30 is the current champ in the hand-held HDV camcorder race. I like sony better, but I don't like getting nickeled and dimed to death. You buy the Canon HV30 and you'll be happy with the results.

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I'm very happy with my Canon HV30. I rate the picture quality, color quality, low-light ability, white balance all excellent. The zoom control is a little close for my fingers and I found myself holding the camera less firmly (ie with the tips of my fingers rather than my whole hand) which would be wearisome on a long shoot, but tripods are still the best way to shoot video for steady pictures. On the other hand the anti-vibration correction seems to help a lot.

The total package is good, not excellent and includes a battery with a nice contact protector that doesn't look like it will fall off (unlike the protector plate on the Elura and Optura that has to be taped on because it is so loose.) The plate keeps the battery from discharging on the keys in your pocket or bag. It also includes a charger which will also operate the camera without the battery, which is very handy. This is only good, because it won't charge the battery unless it is in the camera, so you can't charge while shooting with another battery.

The package also includes a remote control (see above) that frustrated me the first time I used it and seems to be of marginal utility. However, all of the minor problems with the package can be remedied with an add-on accessory. The camera is what does the work and it is excellent.

I've had this camcorder only one week. It was a busy week with kids graduation and parties and night club rock concerts on the video agenda but I learned a lot shopping for this camera and using it all week, so maybe my story will help you.

First, why miniDV rather than flash, hard disk or dvd? I already have two mini dv cameras, a Canon Optura and an Elura. These have given me good service and images that were the envy of my Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic-owning friends. The only brand I compare to Canon is Sony (for similar consumer equipment). I rejected the flash and DVD models because the recording time is too short. DVD, in particular, is a rip-off with just 15 minutes for a $10 disk.

This kind of short recording time is OK if what you want is to capture 1 or 2 minutes of magic moments and have them immediately available to put in a player. Personally I find the tape just as good for instant replay on the built-in video screen. It takes a couple minutes longer to rewind the tape.

The hard drive models have a recording time advantage that initially attracted me, but the transfer issue is what made me decide to stay with a minidv. Ultimately all video has to be transfered to another medium to be used and archived. I have been transfering my minidv tapes to computer hard drives and dvd for years.

Transfer is a tediuos, time-eating process that has caused me to spend more upgrading my computer and software than I spent on the cameras. Yes, I can make DVDs with my video; I can make YouTube videos; and I can put my own video stuff on my iPod and Zune. But it takes a lot of time to get the results I want.

Why tape? It's cheap and convenient. Video takes a lot of disk space to store the original and then to edit and render into other formats. I buy the cheap tapes but I only record them once. I can carry 2 or 3 which give me 2 or 3 hours recording time. The real restraint is the batteries. Once I have the image on tape I don't erase it. I can play it immediately if I want to, but the ultimate goal is to transfer it to hard disk for editing and archiving. The real godsend is the recent plethora of cheap 500 GB (now 750 and soon 1TB) external USB hard drives. The transfer time is a chore; so is the indexing.

Tape is patient. I can do it on my schedule. With a hard disk, it can get full at a time that is inconvenient to transfer but I need to do some more shooting. Then I would have to consider the dreaded DELETE of something I shot. With tape I can postphone transfering and editing for months without impairing my camera readiness. After I transfer, I still have the tape.

I considered the Sony HDR-HC9 and the older Canon HV20 vs. the Canon HV30. I was tempted by the 6MP in the Sony and also by the low prices on the HV20. I saw a deal on an HV20 for $520 but it was gone before I made up my mind to settle for it. Ultimately I was looking at $999 for the Sony or $771 for the Canon. The HV30 had 30p mode and the $228 savings provided a budget for extra batteries and other goodies.

So am I happy? Yes.

My wife used it at my kids' graduation. Perfect color and detail, oohs and ahs from everybody. My wife just uses automatic mode with the lcd screen hanging out. I took some mobile shots in my car, one-handed through the windshield. The anti-vibration mode works great, as does the autofocus. During this shoot there were times when the camera was looking almost directly into the sun. The meter responded quickly and closed down the aperture, but the resulting scene was a little dark (not too bad, actually). There is a back-light compensation button that could have helped but I didn't think about until later.

Then it was off to a night club. I took a recharged battery, not totally topped off because of numerous replays of some of the recent shooting. The lighting was typical dim night club ambiance with flashing disco lights on the dance floor and stage. My plan is to film the whole show.

I have plenty of tape but just the BP-2L13 that came with the camera, which the manual rates at 75 minutes using the viewfinder, or 70 minutes using the LCD. I also know that new Li-on batteries need to be recharged a few times before they reach their full capacity.

47 minutes of continuous filming is what I got, using the viewfinder. The image in the viewfinder was bright and easy to see. I wear bifocals but I was able to hold the camera several inches from my face and still see the edges of the viewfinder screen enough to frame the picture I wanted. My Optura and Elura both had decent viewfinders, but many was the time when I just pointed the camera and hoped my framing was ok because the image was so dim. The HV30 is really a huge step up.

I haven't had enough experience with this camera to fiddle with the focus and white balance while shooting so I left it on automatic. The colors of the spotlights were changing very quickly and I was panning the stage and the crowd, zooming in and out. After the battery died I took it off and held in my hand to warm it so after the show it gave me a few more seconds of shooting. Considering it wasn't topped off on the charger and it was only the first time it had been cycled I wasn't that disappointed. I just ordered a BP-L24H rated at 145 minutes recording time on the viewfinder from Amazon for $99 with some of the money I saved over buying the Sony.

The images were fantastic. I've shot in light like this with my Optura and ELura and there were always dark shadows with almost no detail. The Vixia showed great detail in the shadows. The automatic white balance reacted in a pleasant way to the red, orange and blue spotlights. Occasionally, on a wide shot of the band, while I was panning, the lead singer would be washed out from the bright spot on him while the rest of the band was in shadow but the overall effect made him look rather god-like which was cool. When I zoomed in the aperture closed down and I got excellent skin color and detail on his face. The anti-vibration did a great job because most of the images were pretty steady even though I was handholding and the crowd was bumping me often.

The sound was the only detail that keeps this from being perfect. The sound started out OK for the first few numbers, but as the night went on and the playing got louder, there was a lot of distortion because of the overloading. The band used big Marshall amps and I was standing 3 feet in front of an eight-foot high stack of speakers so it is to be expected. For a more acoustic or quieter show the automatic limiter would have been fine. Next time I won't stand in front of the speakers.

At home I hooked it up to the HDTV with the HDMA cable, tuned to the HDMA input with the TV remote and fired up the camera with the included remote control. The remote is a little skinny thing that does't provide any feedback when you select a function. My bedroom is less than 15 feet long so it couldn't have been more than ten feet to the camera. I had to get up and check the display in the camera to make sure the tape was rewound. This would be strictly an experimental item to be used at close range in a shooting situation.

On batteries: I have bought the "compatible" batteries and been burned many times. On my Canon sure-shot the compatible batteries would be charged (Charger light is green) but the battery would run the camera no more than 5 minutes. Same problem on my phones. For my Optura, I bought three "compatible" batteries and they worked fine. YMMV.

For editing, I've been using Ulead Visual Studio 11.5. The HV30 doesn't come with any software for movie editing or even transfering to disk. The included CD has software to transfer still pictures to a computer, but you don't need it. I verified that the HV30 is recognized automatically as a digital camera when you plug in the USB cable to the computer running XP.

I didn't install the Canon software, but I did install a miniSD chip (not included) and take some pictures. There is a different button to snap still pictures which I missed the first time I took a picture. Even if you have the switch on the still position, it starts the video tape recording if you press the camera start button. The three megapixels doesn't maake for a great picture but it may come in handy. This isn't one of the feaatures that attracted me to the camera but it may come in handy.

It copied my video from the camera and I edited it into a DVD. My Visual Studio 11.5 edits and burns AVCHD, but I haven't got a player that will read AVCHD anyway (other than my computer). I'm waiting for the Blue Ray burners to come out at reasonable cost, then I'll probably get some software that burns those. My computer is a quad-core Pentium with 4GB RAM.

If you read all the way to the end you are really a glutton for detail like me. I don't really care if you buy this camera or not. You should buy the camera that is right for you and your budget. If I felt I could afford it, I'd get a 3CCD profesional model with interchangeable lenses. I'd hire a grip to carry my equipment and set up and hold the boom mikes. I'd get some professional grade editing equipment too, like Avid. I'd get one of those business disk duplicators that print the labels and burn the disks while I sleep. OK, I'll stop.

Buy Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Now

I've had the HV30 for about 1 week now, and so far I think it's great.

I previously used the Sony TRV38, another very capable camcorder. The HV30 comes in a slick, black color and is slightly smaller than my Sony TRV38.

I have three young kids, so I take tons of video mostly indoors. The HV30 has very good low light capability. There's some grain in the darker videos, and the shutter speed also slows (you can see the stuttering movement in the video when taking in very low light). However, you can still see faces clearly. One cool thing I like about this camera is that it has a manual controlled LED light that can add about 3 feet of light when it's too dark. Sony has that 0 lux Night Shot that works in complete darkness, but the colors change to green and black and makes the eyes look scary. I prefer the LED light feature on the HV30 over Sony's Night Shot.

You can select from 5 different shooting modes:

1. DV (regular)

2. DV (wide screen)

3. HDV (high definition wide screen by default)

4. HDV 24P (cinema mode)

5. HDV 30P (progressive mode)

Although I don't have a high definition TV yet, the colors in every mode looked great on my regular TV. The 24P and 30P modes give the video a "movie look and feel" (thus the name cinema mode), and this is cool just to have. I look forward to shooting something all in 24P or 30P and showing the DVD to family/friends. I'm sure they'll be amazed that my home videos don't "look" like home videos.....and this is all due to the camcorder modes.

You can take photos using the HV30 (saves onto mini SD card). You can use the camcorder as a stand-alone digital camera (3 megapixels), and there's even a flash on the camcorder for the digital camera. You can also take still photos while you're recording video. I use this to take photos while recording only because it's a nice little extra thing to have. The pictures are not all that great but not bad either. It's definitely a bonus that both video and still pictures are built into this one camera. I would still recommend a dedicated digital camera to take better quality still photos.

I backup all my videos to DVD because it's easier to watch that way. I prefer the miniDV tapes because it stores "pure" video and information like the time and date. I just started doing a little video editing using Sony Vegas software....and that seems to be a nice software package. The final video on the resulting DVD looks great.

I thought I would stick with Sony products, but so far I am enjoying the Canon HV30 and have no regrets.

I will probably be adding more to this review as I use the camera more.

Update April 7, 2008

Still liking the camcorder because of the 24P and 30P modes. You can really see that difference in the images compared to regular mode. Your video editing software must support HDV (high definition video) in order for you to edit any high definition stuff. Sony Vegas Movie Studio doesn't have it, but the Vegas Movie Studio Platinum edition DOES have it. Make sure to buy the right software if you're going to do editing.

I noticed that the sound is a little soft. Maybe there's a setting for this, but another possible reason is that the Canon's HV30's microphones are on the top of the camcorder facing up compared the my Sony TRV38's microphones on the front facing forward. This does not bother me too much.

There's an automatic lens cap which makes protecting the lens very convenient. No more fussing with a lens cap or having it dangle in your videos.

The package does not include a neck strap...you would think Canon would throw in a strap for a $900 camcorder. I bought a regular Canon strap at a local shop for $18. I think this is worth to have to keep the camcorder secure.

The battery is a cheap one and keeps a charge for about an hour or less. Since a miniDV tape is 1 hour, it would be prudent to get a better battery just to be safe. Canon makes an extended battery for about $60.

Read Best Reviews of Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Here

Everything you read about this camera is true. I owned one for a couple of days and the picture was extraordinary... the camera was a breeze to use...

And then I turned up the audio. Whoa. What's that humming?!

Now, I had seen plenty of reviews (even on the older HV20) warning of a little tape noise in the audio. I own two other Mini DV cameras, and you do hear a little bit of the mechnism working. But this is different. It's disruptive. And I'm not alone in my thinking here. Do some digging and you'll find a few other reviews cropping up online with this complaint now.

If audio's not a big deal to you, or you plan on using extrenal mics, I'd say this is still an insanely great camera for you. But if you're getting it to grab baby's precious moments or anything like that, I have to strongly warn against getting this due to the tape noise in the audio. I consider it a deal-breaker.

On the upside, I'd like to note that I got a great deal on this camera using one of Amazon's partners on here, Butterfly Photo, and they were prompt, courteous, and easy to deal with when I returned the camera. Recommended. I'll likely be using them again to order my new camera (gonna give the HF100 a try instead... possibly an ever-so-slightly less perfect picture quality, but most reviewers are saying no moving parts = prestine audio and for me that makes it a far better overall final product.)

Want Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Discount?

I've spent the weekend shooting and editing with my Canon HV30, and overall, I'm very pleased with it. The image quality and color reproduction (when you switch "vivid" on in the settings) is superb. It's small, lightweight and the controls make sense. In a couple of hours I was able to put the manual away and know what I was doing. Low light performance is pretty good, with just a bit of noise all the way at iso 1600 (outside at night). It shoots very well indoors in normal lights and the auto white balance works perfectly as well.

It isn't all perfect, however. The manual focus control is inaccessible and sloppy. Thankfully the autofocus is very accurate and doesn't do a lot of hunting for what to focus on. The other problem is the zoom control. It is WAY too sensitive. You can set it for variable speed, but the slightest tremble in your finger causes a bump in the speed. I think I can learn to handle it. I'll just have to be very aware of keeping a light touch. I don't think I'll be able to work with the manual focus.

The camera doesn't come with a firewire or USB2 cable to connect to a computer. You need to buy that separately. But I was able to download hidef video effortlessly to iMovieHD using a Mac without any other installed software.

The built in microphone sucks. Definitely get Canon's optional shotgun mike Directional Microphone DM-50. That will handle just about any sound situation you run into. Also count on getting an extra battery pack or two. The included battery won't shoot long enough to fill an hour long tape. There are different sizes of batteries. Get the biggest one you can afford, along with the outboard charger, so you can be charging up the next battery while you are shooting. Also get at least four blank DV tapes to work with. You don't want to switch framerates, resolutions and aspect ratios on the same tape if you can help it.

Your whole kit, including all the accessories will fit in a very small camera bag. Pretty slick. And the quality of the movies you'll shoot will amaze you. Played back on a hidef screen, this camera is capable of producing very professional looking video.

PTC Premium 1-FT GOLD Series VGA / SVGA 1 source to 2 displays Splitter cable - 2 separated leads f

12/2012: I noticed the cable in current pic for $2 is not what I have, mine has a 3.5 mm audio wire attatched.

Nevertheless I still use the cable it works great! (new pc tho, win 7).

I purchased this to split my monitor connection to my vizio lcd tv monitor input so I could watch netflix instant view and other things on my tv screen instead of my pc.

My tv isnt far from the pc tower, I understand if you have to go too far it will degrade, mine did not, I purchased this with (Cables To Go 43098 25ft HD15 M/M UXGA Monitor Cable with 3.5mm Audio (Black))And it was very easy to hook up to the output on the tower for both pc monitor and the 25 foot cable to tv input.

I wasnt sure it would work after reading reviews for this, but it does and its awesome. I spent a small amt on something that some will pay 2 or 300 for to be already in the lcd tv.

VIP NOTE: you must have everything connected at both ends (not ness'the audio) to see how your screens (both) will appear, at first half way through w/ out the tv end done I thought oh no degradation but it was fine after connecting everything and filling all connections.

If you find you have the right connectors on the tower and tv this will work great but I wouldnt go much longer then I did incase it degrades.

My pc is two years old (pre vista) so its not as fast as the vista machines had to be yet it runs it fine, I think my pc has a pre installed nivida card?

Anyway it works great do some googling and find out whats needed and if this is it, it works fine ;O)

I bought this item hoping to output video to both my monitor and my tv, so that I wouldn't have to bother going behind the computer and switching the vga cables back and forth. After I plugged both the monitor and tv into the splitter plugs, the TV displayed fine (no loss of brightness and no ghosting through my 25ft VGA cable). The monitor, however, would only show wavy lines. The wave lines would only go away when I unplugged the cable going to the TV. Then the signal going to my monitor through this splitter would work just fine. So now when I want to use my computer monitor, I just have to unplug the cable going to the TV, which is still more convenient since I don't ever have to plug or unplug the cable going to my monitor.

Response to comment: The connections work just fine. The splitter provides some nice and tight fits. The problem is apparently that some monitors can't resolve a signal that is coming in at half the normal power. When both the TV and monitor are plugged into the splitter, my monitor can't resolve the weaker signal. When only the monitor is plugged into it, it receives all of the power and works just fine. This likely isn't a problem with the splitter itself, just my monitor, but be prepared for the splitter to possibly not work as hoped.

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I've been switching the monitor cable back and forth between my pc monitor and flat screen tv (42 inch plasma) for about a year now. I had wanted to purchase one of these VGA splitters for awhile (always switching the plugs on the back of the pc was a pain and was starting to damage the pc connection). However, I had read online that one of these monitor splitters would degrade the resolution (especially since I have a 25ft monitor cable running from my pc to my tv).

I decided to purchase this, and give it a try (it was only a few bucks anyway). And to my DELIGHT... I've found that this item works perfectly. My tv resolution is still superb! (the pc resolution did change slightly, but not enough to make me even work at adjust the pc monitor settings yet.) I am totally happy with this purchase. I should I got one of these months ago!

Read Best Reviews of PTC Premium 1-FT GOLD Series VGA / SVGA 1 source to 2 displays Splitter cable - 2 separated leads f Here

This cable is probably actually made to output from a computer to two display sources. Instead I've turned it around and use it to connect my laptop, or my XBox 360 to my monitor. Though it's setup like that only one can be turned on(connected) at a time. Cheaper alternative to the actually box that switches between the two. The build quality feels nice and the gold plating seems to have lasted. awesome.

Want PTC Premium 1-FT GOLD Series VGA / SVGA 1 source to 2 displays Splitter cable - 2 separated leads f Discount?

I bought this under the impression it would "Split" the signal. This is not the case. It takes the output from the computer and puts it across 2 devices, displaying the same image on both devices, like a computer screen+Projector setup. You will actually need a video card with 2 seperate VGA outputs. This will only display the same image across 2 devices. **Do not use if you want to 'extend' the image across 2 monitors**

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I always like the package deals that amazon provide in there sales and I couldn't pass this one up because of the 24-70mm f/2.8 lenes with the CF cards sold me on the deal the camera bag and cleaning things was just the cherry on the top.

Nikon D5100 16.2 MP Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens with 55-300mm VR Lens +

I had read in many reviews that you could get rid of your camcorder by having both camera and camcorder in one device. That is not the case with this camera.

If the subject isn't moving and the camera is still this will take really good video, but if the subject is moving the camera cannot keep up with the focusing and the image is blurry. That is a major downside to using this for video since movement is the whole point.

That said, the camera itself is great if you don't count on it to record video.