Sort of IT...camcorders

[JAS]

As of the New Year I'm going to be looking at camcorders with a view to buying my first to bring with me on holiday and hopefully get some video of the Legs games I'll be going to as well as the touristy stuff.

BUT...I'm lefthanded and, although I can use things like the PC mouse righthanded I also have joint problems in my hands/fingers which is worse in my right hand. So does anyone know if you can you get lefthanded camcorders so that the little flip out screen thing is on the other side etc???

Regards
JAS

[Dissident]

Unlike my fridge, where I got the door put on the other way, I would very much doubt it.

you'd be best served to email the big names - Sony Panasonic JVC etc and see what they say.

[JAS]

Unlike my fridge, where I got the door put on the other way, I would very much doubt it.

you'd be best served to email the big names - Sony Panasonic JVC etc and see what they say.

Thanks Diss...not holding out too much hope but good idea about emailing them...I'll add it to my 2010 'To do list'

Regards
JAS

[zipzap]

No substitute for a camcorder of course but I've been playing around with one of those Mino Flipcams - for what they are they are very very good. They do a great job in poor light especially. Great for quickly grabbing those 'Wonder Years' moments

[JAS]

No substitute for a camcorder of course but I've been playing around with one of those Mino Flipcams - for what they are they are very very good. They do a great job in poor light especially. Great for quickly grabbing those 'Wonder Years' moments

Cheers zippy actually I was thinking of having a look at one of those when I start shopping around as I thought it might be a good, almost 'ambidextrous' compromise and I'm not into photography enough to warrant buying a top of the range one.

From your experience do they have any built-in image stabilizing thing and are they at all forgiving as far as camera shake is concerned? I really am that crap at photography etc

Also is the picture quality good enough for scenic shots and footy?

Regards
JAS

[Psyber]

Another option might be to consider something like this:
I think it has just been discontinued and replaced with an SX20-iS
It is a primarily a still digital camera but with fairly good movie recording capacity.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-r ... eview.html

Time of Recordable Movies:
640 x 480 or 320 x 240 at 30 fps
Movie size (KB/sec.) 1,402 or 480

2GB 22 min. 45 sec. or 1 hr. 4 min. 1 sec.
8GB 1 hr. 30 min. 57 sec. or 4 hr. 15 min. 51 sec.

[zipzap]

Cheers zippy actually I was thinking of having a look at one of those when I start shopping around as I thought it might be a good, almost 'ambidextrous' compromise and I'm not into photography enough to warrant buying a top of the range one.

From your experience do they have any built-in image stabilizing thing and are they at all forgiving as far as camera shake is concerned? I really am that crap at photography etc

Also is the picture quality good enough for scenic shots and footy?

Regards
JAS

Gee I don't know the technicalities of image stabilizing Jas (I doubt it has that)...all I can say is that in my limited experience they're great. I bought them for my school and made several movies of storybooks with some students (Where the Wild Things Are was particularly cool!). Used a tripod and worked a treat. The built in mic surprisingly strong and as I mentioned before works really well even in poor light. Been using one at home with the kids for our trip to the Magic Cave! Works great, record, stop, plug it in, edit, save. They are certainly no high end handycam but compared to the movie function on your average digital camera there's no contest.

I think these are the ones we got http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/06/flip_ ... for_180-2/
though there are HD ones too

[JAS]

Thanks Psyber it's something I'll take a look at although that would probably be near the top of my budget...I really am in the 'happy snapper' demographic and normally only use a camera maybe a couple of times a year.

Thanks again zippy certainly sounds like it could be a contender. I think my best bet will be to try and find a shop where I can actually give a few types a try in the shop to see if they like me

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Rather than start a new thread on the same topic I'll hold my hands up to a bit of a bump

After being pretty much convinced to get a Flip I've now had a change of mind after discovering the Kodak PlaySport.

http://shop.kodak.co.uk/store/ekconseu/ ... .170164000

As far as I can see the Pro's over the Flip for me would be having image stabilization, being able to use an sdhc card to extend the memory/recording time, an option to record in 60fps. Not so bothered about the underwater bit (if I ever find myself there then photo's will be the last thing on my mind) but it should mean it's very weather proof which is handy here.

So anyone got one??? Opinions??? Please

Regards
JAS