
|
March 27, 2009
|
 |
 Which HD camera do you recommend for shooting at 23,000 feet?
|
The VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder (courtesy, Canon)
|
I will be going up to 23,000 feet and need to do a documentary film there. Which camera and battery set do you recommend for HD shooting.
Huma Beg
Islamabad
Do you have a question of your own?
|
|
|
 I cant pass this one up. And I'm not sure, but I think I found your profile on LinkedIn.
Are you sure you need my advice? You seem to have a lot of production experience, based on your website (okay, I figurehow many Huma Begs in Islamabad can there be? Although for all I know the name is like Bob Smith here in the U.S.).
Anyway, if it were me, I'd start with something such as
Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder ($999 U.S.). It's a semi-pro camera with fabulous high-def performance, but a little lighter than a pro-style machine (Im willing to bet weight will be an issue). It has a 12x optical zoom, image stabilizing, and plenty of control options for shooting in tough light conditions. It also uses a flash drive, which is handy because you can swap it out.
For something more pro-level but still compact, try
Sony's HDR-FX7 3-CMOS Sensor HDV High-Definition Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom (whew). Its a beauty, boasting a 20X Zeiss lens, memory stick recording media, and big LCD display. Really nice. And it only costs $1,999 U.S., which is not unreasonable for all the good stuff you get.
The stock batteries with these cameras are fine. You need to buy at least two extras for whatever camera you get. Then you can cycle through into a warm pocket or something like that, as it's the cold that will "kill" them. But not really kill them, just slow down the electrons so that none can flow out and do their electron thing (like make the camera work).
So that's my take. Good luck, and thanks for writing!
Check out all things camera-related in our extensive archive gear page.
 |
|
|
 |

GEAR GUY FEATURES
Check out the bio of Douglas Gantenbein, aka the Gear Guy.
Readers' Mailbag: The Gear Guy digs into some of your more bizarre, obscure (and let’s face it, downright weird) posts from years gone by to see if he can make sense of it all, or if it’s just time to run up the white flag. Previous column: Beat the Cost of Gear.
The Gear Guy reports from the 2005 Outdoor Retailer summer trade fair, with his rundown of ten products to watch in 2006, plus the inside scoop on what shook down at the bi-annual gearapalooza.
|
|
 |
|
|
Many of the items reviewed by the Gear Guy can be found at REI.com. Click here to find the internet's biggest selection of outdoor gear and apparel.
|