Years gone back I did some video work, mainly during calling game be it sky carp, yotes or bruins.

I'm wanting to get back into it a bit. So, I'm looking for a new camera being as my old one's about the size of a Lund...

So say for sub 400 bones what's out there that one should think about? What options does one want to look for, what to avoid etc. Give me some schooling on this you video guys.

Many thx in advance

Dober

Also, what do you like for tripods and does anyone have any knowledge or thoughts on a Sony Handycam HDR-CX210?

Gracias

Dober

I have only used Sony Handicams..the 1st used a analog tape but was small enough however the zoom was poor. The second uses a digital tape is much smaller and uses a Carl Zeiss lens I like it but I am still old school with it. Ya I know I am no help

I'm kind of tripod poor as I have several but the one I use the most is a compact by SLIK. Well made and inexpensive.

Thx Keith, I have a Slik 444 for my 15x56's maybe the Vid cam would fit on the same tripod?

Dober

Dober, I have used that model Sony, it is very user friendly and takes great quality video. Pretty durable, most of the time it rides around in a soft case in my car. Hooked to a tripod it takes excellent video. The controls are all touch screen for the most part but there is still a record button on the back which makes operation with gloves doable. I just use an inexpensive ($25) sunpak 660 UT tripod. Aluminum and has the quick release to switch out camera for video or spotting scope if needed. I don't carry it far so probably not the best for backpack hunts. For that I would look into the bog pod which can double as shooting sticks and camera tripod.

Hey Mark, I think great minds are working together. I just came back from Denver with a Sony Handycam HDR-TRV9000 that my brother-in-law had in his business and wasn't using any more. I think mine is a 10-15 yr old version of the one you're looking at.

From the little that I've played with mine, it looks like a good camera, but it records on mini-DV tapes and I'm trying to figure out how to re-record them onto DVD discs. Does the CX210 connect directly to your computer?

A key driver in prices is internal memory. There are several models out there (per brand) that are on the same camera at the end of the day, one just may have more internal memory which drives the price up.

Given SD/SDHC/SDXC cards are dirt cheap, I opted for a cheaper camera where I supplied the memory.

If i were you id check out a gopro camera. A few of my buddies have them and the cameras seem pretty slick. They may not be good for the long shots, not sure if they have zoom. The website is www.gopro.com

I use mine for the cameras, 15x56 and my spotter all with good success. It is just handy and resides in my pack.