How to Use a Camcorder: Buttons and Contols (page 3)

Most camcorders have basic VCR controls built into them. These controls include Rewind, Fast forward, Play, Pause and Stop. You might also find a record review button that you can press to check what you just recorded. When you press this button, the camcorder rewinds the tape and plays back your last few seconds of footage. The camera does not have to be in the VCR setting to do this, making it a very handy function.

We've covered the most common camcorder buttons, but your camcorder may have a few more buttons. Read over your manual and experiment using the different settings. If you've had your camcorder for a while, but have only shot in auto mode, it may be time to take more control of your camcorder. Have fun and enjoy making springtime videos.

On still cameras, the focus ring is often mechanical, and a turn actuates a direct change in the position of the optics. On almost all camcorders, the focus ring is not mechanical. Instead, the movement of the focus ring by your hand translates into an electronic signal that then translates into the movement of the lens. This makes the focus ring seem mushy and unresponsive to changes.

Camera designers are faced with a dilemma: too many buttons can be baffling, yet too few restrict a videographer's freedom. Design engineers have attempted to solve this issue by putting the most commonly used controls on the body of the camera and placing seldom-used items in electronic menus. More advanced cameras tend to have more buttons, while simpler point-and-shoot models tend to have more menus. If your camera doesn't have a button that is listed in this article, check the on-screen menus.

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit