Video Cameras & other gear

[buckslayer]

Well, I finally said the heck with it and bought my camera. I ordered the Canon XL H1 today and it should beat me home.

But I am also sure that my wife is going to beat my ass now.

I will use it during my 4 day pass that my wife gave me (provided I live through telling her about the camera cost) and will post any video I get of a deer going down.

Anyone know of a good bribe to keep wives at bay for a purchase like this? lol.

[SouchekRidgeHunter]

Just tell her that you want to capture more of the family special moments on video so when you guys are old you can replay those videos and remember those special moments but we all will know it is to remember all those big a$@ bucks you shot!!!

[buckslayer]

That doesn't sound half bad! I will have to think about trying that one. lol

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Does she drive a nicer car than you?? I'd make a list... Lol good Luck!
Good choice on the camera though.. You'll have alot of fun with it.

[PRO STAFFER]

Is the canon GL1 a decent camera?

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Depends on how much dollars and what you want to do with it. A guy can get his hans on a decent HD camera for resonable amount of money. Personally I would take a Sony PD170 over a GL1 or GL2 any day. I've worked with a GL2 alot which is newer than a GL1and its alright. If you didn't want to make the jump to an HD camera yet I would consider an XL2 because its a shoulder camera, however the PD170 is better in low light and a little better picture quality but is not a shoulder camera.
All camera models listed above are not HD cameras. Here's a couple of HD Camera Options:
http://www.mysimon.com/9036-6500_8-26153931-2.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

[buckslayer]

Whats a good brand/type of wireless mic these days? I have used one with a wire the last few years and now that I bought the camera, I want a good mic to complement it. Any suggestions?

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

You'll definetly want wireless for that camera and I highly recommend the Sennheiser EW100 series wireless. They take 2 AA batteries and I use the energizer lithium which last much longer but I think I'm going to use th energizer rechargeable batteries this year. Sennheiser System: http://www.wwbroadcast.com/product_p...FRJxxwodih7PgQ

Another must is what's called the Tram Lavalier Mic. The one that comes with the Sennheizer kit is alright but is not as good as the Tram that many newsreporters use. It's quite noticibly higher quality sound and heavier duty wire.
Tram Wireless:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Lavalier.html

One more must is the Windjammer by Rycote for the lavalier mic. It may seem expensive for a piece of hair but the decrease in wind noise is well worth the money. Rycote Winjammer:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...indjammer.html

Hope this helps Buck. With that camera you have I wouldn't be caught dead without the above 3 items. Another must is a quality set of head phones because that way the cameraman can hear even the faintest whisper from the hunter and more importantly you will be able to properly set the audio levels and hear if your wireless is rubbing against a coat or something. You'll see these exact ones used in hollywood movies like The Departed.
Sennheiser Headphones:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._280_Pro_.html

Using the headphones with the above equipment I would record both channels of audio using the wireless. Keep the mic. that comes with the camera with you out in the field in case the wireless goes bad or something. One last mic. you could consider is the ME66 Shotgun Mic. by Sennheiser to replace the factory mic. The ME66 is a good mic but since I've purchased the wireless I hardly ever use it. If you do buy one then I would record 1 channel of audio with the wireless and one with the shotgun mic. I was sure impressed with this shotgun mic over the factory one that came with my Canon. I would recomend this kit. It comes with everything you will need for the mic. and your camera.
Sennheiser ME66 Shotgun Mic:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...oid_Short.html

Also here's the Wind Noise Reducer for the ME66: Rycote:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...le_Softie.html

Hope that helps. Any other questions feel free to post.

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Buck one more thing. The XL H1 wil be a great camera and it has a similar body as the XL2. I spent $820 on the best pro support tree arm in the industry and I used it maybe 5 times. It works great when its setup but its heavy, bulky, and for as much as we run and gun style hunt it just doesn't fit with us well. Instead of the swing-arm I designed a support system that fit in a persons pocket and weighs about 2lbs. It is way quieter to setup and fully supported my XL2 which weighted down was about 9.5 lbs. Much less expensive too. Let me know when you get back and I'll get one to you. I plan to manufacture and sell them down the road were just building different prototypes to find the best one to produce and sell.

[buckslayer]

Thanks for the help!!! I will look into the mics probably in the morning. I'd like to get one before I go on leave that way it's waiting for me when I get there.
It sure would be great to get a buck on one of my 4 days. wish me luck.

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Sure do! When is your leave? If you want one of the supports just pm or email me your mailing address. jared@whitetailadrenaline.com
You'll also need editing software which I would highly recommend getting this: http://genesis-technologies.com/pubd...oductID=235443 they make it for macs at the same price of $989

The Adobe 3.3 suite works incredibly smooth with the bridge system.

another thing I would recommend is a training subscription from Total Training. This is the only training I have on editing whatsoever. Check it out at:http://www.totaltraining.com/landing/b2s_25perct.asp
For a one year subscription it is something like $249 or something and they have training on everything in that Adobe suite.

[buckslayer]

I am flying home on the 13th (MN bow opener ) Kind of planned it that way. lol. but I wont actually get home until about the 16th or so.
My wife and stepson's b-days are the 26th and 28th so thats why I only get one weekend plus any 2 week days to hunt.
If you have a spare support, I'd gladly take it from ya. Whats your asking price?

My email address is denstad1@yahoo.com also by the way.

Thanks again for the help!

[mn5503]

Man that sounds like a lot of work. Can't I just get one of you guys to hang up your bow and follow me around for the next four months? lol

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Ha ha. Did that once for a quite a bit of the season...

[dustinw58]

just wondering can recording a hunt with a cheaper hand held with some sort of mounting device work? Been thinking about giving it a try. i don't really wanna fork out a lot of cash to try it out. Can i guy get a decent camera for around 500 bucks?

[buckslayer]

just wondering can recording a hunt with a cheaper hand held with some sort of mounting device work? Been thinking about giving it a try. i don't really wanna fork out a lot of cash to try it out. Can i guy get a decent camera for around 500 bucks?

You can use just about any camera really, but that all depends on the quality of footage you want or expect. If you want it just for memories, then anything that captures video will be fine. But if you ever wanted to send it in to one of the competitions that are out there, you may want something of a little more quality.
You can get a canon GL2 these days for about $800-$1500 depending on where you look, and they have been used a lot by pro's until the new generation of cameras were available.
Look at ebay and see whats available. You never know what you might find.

[Unscripted]

Hey WA What kind of tree stand is that that you are hanging it looks awfully slick haning up

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

It is. It's the best one I've ever seen for the guy that hangs and rehangs his stand throughout the year. Summit made it about 5 years ago but they no longer offer the stands. The next pick I would go with is a Lone Wolf. It's to bad Summit doesn't make them anymore...

[PRO STAFFER]

Well it looks like it has the design of a Chippewa Wedge-Lock!

[PRO STAFFER]

Check them out!! www.chippewawedgeloc.com/