http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Forum: Canon - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:57:40 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/real-time-encoding-sd-mpeg4#post-74108 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:56:05 +0000 robGRAUERT 74108@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>BlackMagic Design's H.264 Pro Recorder might be what you're looking for. They say you can connect it to a deck and capture to a computer with a real-time h.264 conversion, but I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to do it with a camera.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/h264prorecorder/" rel="nofollow">http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/h264prorecorder/</a></p> <p>Might also want to look into the Matrox MXO2 LE Max and the MXO2 Mini Max</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/real-time-encoding-sd-mpeg4#post-74090 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:27:09 +0000 kenpar 74090@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <pre>Hi Guys </pre> <p>We currently film sports events that consist of many short video clips i.e. 2mins. We want this footage to be available to competitors in mpeg4 format very quickly after they have finished - to transfer to USB pen drive etc. We use a Canon XL2, film in 16:9 SD PAL, we have a MAC Pro and use FCP. What would we need to setup to capture the footage live and encode it to MPEG4 from the video stream so the clips were available straight away. Any help most appreciated. Many Thanks KJP</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-canon-hdslr#post-73745 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:40:15 +0000 composite1 73745@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Bob,</p> <p>There is no 'best' so to speak. As the others have pointed out, it all depends on your budget, what you plan on shooting and what format you plan to showcase your work.</p> <p>Obviously, the 7D and the MkII are pretty good and are used on the pro level but that's because they are outfitted with accessories which take advantage of their capabilities. That stuff gets seriously expensive and takes know-how to use. As was mentioned, you'll need a secondary audio acquisition unit to get clean audio and don't forget a couple of good lenses f2.8 or faster which gets expensive too!</p> <p>Not saying you can't shoot with just the stuff out of the box, but it doesn't make much sense to pay for all that capability and then can't take advantage of it. If you're not interested in shooting both stills and video (which is the DSLR's strong point), you can get a video camera with all the basic capabilities needed built-in. You'll still need accessories, but not as many nor as expensive depending on the rig you buy.</p> <p>As to your original question; it depends on what you want to do. The 550 is the consumer version of the 7D and doesn't have the same controls and less capabilities. It does get a very good image and if you're just starting up with DSLR's it's a good choice. The 7D has more capabilities for getting your image and can shoot in HD at different framerates (24p, 30p and 60p @720.) The image sensor is smaller than the 5D. The MkII has the largest sensor and better controls for gathering sound after recent firmware updates. It like the 7D are pretty good at gathering images in lower light, but at high ISO's the noise makes them unusable. Biggest issues with DSLR's are short recording times 12 minutes at 4GB per clip and heat build-up. Another issue is 'Moire' which causes the image sensor to not be able to render a proper picture when extreme patterns are present.</p> <p>Lastly, if you are not familiar working with professional digital still cameras I'd say lay off getting a DSLR until you do. Still cameras and video cameras are two different animals despite the hybridization. Easier to lean to shoot video with a video camera than a DSLR. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-canon-hdslr#post-73739 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:56:36 +0000 MediaFish 73739@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>What is your budget?  I use the 7D and I also have several video cameras I use.  It really depends on what you plan on doing with them.  Also, just because you have the DSLR doesn't mean you have everything you need.  It really comes down to what and how you plan on using your cameras.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-canon-hdslr#post-73738 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:12:17 +0000 Kenkyusha 73738@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>First, some questions for you:</p> <p>Why a DSLR?&nbsp; Does it have to be&nbsp;new?&nbsp; What are you going to use to acquire audio?&nbsp; What will you be editing on/with?&nbsp; What types of movies- will there be extensive low-light?&nbsp; Will you be doing green/bluescreen work?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-canon-hdslr#post-73736 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:58:19 +0000 bobteen7 73736@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>hey, i am looking to buy a new Dslr to shoot movies, my options are 550d, 7d and 5d mk ll, are the latter 2 worth the money they are worth for should i go for something entirely different??????????</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73630 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:54:38 +0000 Kenkyusha 73630@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Not sure I understand the question- you can get shallow DOF out of EOS glass, the hitch is that you can't adjust the aperture in-camera unless you are on a Canon body (or use an adapter that either features its own blades, or a pricier option, like the Birger, which will allow for auto focus and aperture control but isn't available for all camera bodies).</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73616 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:46:54 +0000 Dean da Silva 73616@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Now the real question is this: If I cannot get the DOF as well or easily rather from the EOS lenses why would I want to use them- with the exception of the telephoto lenses? </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73314 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:45:44 +0000 Dean da Silva 73314@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Changed my mind all together, I found a 500 dollar recorder that uses CF cards. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73311 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:29:53 +0000 Kenkyusha 73311@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If your Mac has FW800, there are cables that will work to download your material.</p> <p>Also worth mentioning, if you were to switch to GH1 with EOS glass, in addition to the adapter, you'd still need to carry a Canon body to set the aperture.&nbsp; Also, you'll want no fewer than 2 (more's better) SD cards, at least class 6, though 10 is safer, especially if you run the high bitrate hacks.&nbsp; Then you'll also need external audio capture stuff as the onboard audio is really only good for scratch track...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73304 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:46:19 +0000 Dean da Silva 73304@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Now the other thing that kinda confronts me is this: </p> <p>I have the FS4, but a Mac that doesn't have a compatible firewire port, and its downright annoying to use. </p> <p>I'm debating getting a GH1 and a fat SD card.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-73286 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:32:23 +0000 designcbts 73286@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;I realize you want to go tapeless, but I really love my Sony HDR FX1000s.&nbsp; The image quality is fantastic, it probably fits the bill in the size/weight department, batterey life is good&nbsp;and it performs well in low light.&nbsp; One potential downside:&nbsp; no XLR input.&nbsp; The money you'd save going with miniDV, you could afford more accessories...&nbsp;</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-73258 Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:49:47 +0000 Ian James Smith 73258@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Because of my special requirements, I have recently bought and am now using, a 'Panasonic' HDC-SD900. I have to carry all of my gear over long distances at times and I certainly have no objection to this camcorder's high level of portability. Apart from the fact that we all have lists of 'would-like-to-haves', I find this camcorder to be almost ideal for my purposes and I have a growing catalogue of video-clips, to prove the point. In fact, I chose this model for its excellent manual-focussing, amongst its other features.</p> <p> Only one 'gripe'. Since I occasionally carry my camcorder, on its tripod, over my shoulder while walking between locations which are not too far apart, why, Oh why, did the designers not put a positive 'lock' on the pull-out screen? For safety, I always place a rubber-band around the rear of my camcorder when I have finished shooting, just in case the damned thing accidentally 'catches' on something between shots and is wrenched-off, or damaged.  </p> <p> And, CKI don't be carried away by 'bigness', or what looks 'professional'. Quite a number of years ago, a professional photographer whom I knew of, was invited to a school's 100th-year Anniversary. You know the thing, the requirement to take, probably, hundreds of 'class-of-xx-year' and similar photographs over a long weekend. He took along a large and impressive looking 'plate' camera and retired under the black hood at intervals to 'do-the-business'. All went well, until someone began poking around his camera to get a better look at some item of detail and found that the plate-camera didn't seem to have a 'normal' lens. And so, he 'dug' some-more and found, to his great surprise, that nestled snugly inside the camera, mounted on  its own little bracket, was a second camera, a Leica M3, in fact. The 'exposure' of this seeming scam, produced consternation, and a bit of fancy-footing in the excuses department, but all was OK, once the school committee accepted his explanation that the results would be of the highest order, which apparently, on the release of the 'proofs', they turned out to be.   </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-73248 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:45:54 +0000 Joseph Dellwo 73248@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I had done extensive research similar to what you're doing right now and I decided on the Sony NX5U to replace my venerable XL-1.</p> <p>It meets all of your criteria plus has a few added bells and whistles.</p> <p>Like you, I considered the reaction a client has when they see your gear.  Clients drooled over my big XL-1 while the little (high end consumer) Canon Vixia HF-S200 sitting next to it kicked it in the chips - picture-wise at least.</p> <p>While I will honestly admit to being one of those Canon snobs - I actually made the Sony my first choice not because of size but due to it having three chips over the single chip in the Canon xf100.  I find a lot of professional jobs adhere to the old three chip requirement and choosing a single chip no matter how good might have lost me work.</p> <p>The Sony also has an HD-SDI output which increases the variety of jobs you might have access to such as live events.  (It can also do 4:2:2 through the SDI.)</p> <p>And of course I must admit the picture on the NX5U is really top notch.  Better maybe, I think, than the xf100.</p> <p>I ultimately couldn't afford the NX5U and so I can't tell you how it might have worked out for me with a lot of professional work.</p> <p>But I am confident it would have been worth every penny spent on it.</p> <p>Good luck with your choice.  I hope the info on the NX5U is helpful in your decision making process.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73243 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:53:20 +0000 Kenkyusha 73243@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;The Letus Extreme is well reviewed and folks have been using them for long enough to prove their reliability.&nbsp; That said, the addition of extra stuff always adds complication (backfocus adjustments, needing external monitoring for critical focus, etc.).</p> <p>For better or worse, adapters and AF are mutually exclusive (unless you are buying something with the Birger EOS mount... they are spendy though).&nbsp; Also, if you are using EF glass,&nbsp;you won't be able to control the aperture from the adapter, so you'll need to carry a stills camera body with you 'on set' to make adjustments.</p> <p>If you are shooting&nbsp;with that excellent B4 mount Canon glass on an XL2,&nbsp;why not&nbsp;just grab some ND and CP filters, open the lens&nbsp;as wide as it'll go and move back from your subject to&nbsp;get shallower DOF?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/xl2-dof-system#post-73241 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:44:47 +0000 Dean da Silva 73241@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have been looking for one, is the Hollywood system any good?<br />Also, if I use the EOS adapter on the whole thing would I still get AF or no? </p> <p>Thanks</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-73235 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:47:56 +0000 MediaFish 73235@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>We are using the XF100 and love them.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-73234 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:18:09 +0000 Weddingmaster 73234@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> sony nx5 has been a great unit for me. I have 2 now. love the features and the quality is A-1. I have used most of the cams on your list, I primarily do weddings and I need controls on the cam not in a menu. good luck in your search.</p> <p>Harry</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72897 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:33:52 +0000 dagunner 72897@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I am rather fond of my Sony AX2000. SD cards, good low light. dual XLR inputs. Lots of adjustability. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72814 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:40:42 +0000 CKI 72814@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Charles, the HMC150 would probably do wonders to my low light worries, the problem is I am in Denmark, Europe, so am not blessed with U.S prices, nor do I have the chance to pass by New York and B&amp;H in the near future. And I haven't seen it priced within my budget here in Europe. May look around a bit more or have to stretch that budget.</p> <p> </p> <p>About the size discussion that has evolved, all the camcorders I mentioned are the right size, and there are many more of similar size that I have left out, so I honestly don't get the point. Also, it's more about handling than image. I shoot using the handle and would not be comfortable panning around a tiny lightweight cam.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72799 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:33:26 +0000 Charles Schultz 72799@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>CKI, check out the Panasonic AG-HMC150, I think it may be what you are looking for. It does very well in low light, has a fantastic image and you can get a battery that lasts for 3 hours. B &amp; H photo has kits with camera bag, extended battery, shotgun mic for about a $1,000 under your budget. It also has 1/3 CCD sensors so you will not have to worry about someone taking pictures and the flash messing with the image like a CMOS does. Here is  a link to the kit that I got and I truly love the camera. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576246-REG/Panasonic_HMC150SHOOTER_AG_HMC150_AVCCAM_Camcorder_Shooter_s.html</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72792 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:04:00 +0000 WSanford 72792@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Well, if size is an issue, you could always stick it on rails and add a external monitor and a bigger dead cat on your mic. I rolled up pair of socks in your front pocket could help too. </p> <p>Thats not entirely said tounge in cheek. One area of design in the "Prosumer" class of camera that companies compete against is a smaller size with an ergonomic form factor. That is somewhat working against you in the "Size" area but there are a lot of add on's to go with that are not only size/tech enhancing but extremely functional.</p> <p>With smaller sizes, cameras get harder to steady. Rails, shoulder mount rig's and such are beyond functional, almost an absolute must for small cameras and they also add a touch of (this guy is serious).</p> <p>External monitors are the same for small cameras. I have and use a VG10 a lot. Using a camera with such a range of depth of field (depending on lens) will eat your lunch maintaining focus on such a small flip out screen when in run and gun situations. I have a Sony 5" external monitor I use with it and it is the bomb. I get much better footage and peaking makes focusing on the fly easy, not to mention does add a bit to the look. </p> <p>Mic's and audio equipment is the same and opens a whole world to function and "Size".</p> <p>Don't think I'm scoffing over your "Size" requirement. I've seen the look on clients faces when I pull out a "B" cam or POV cam's first during set up. Its kind of like going to a mechanic, he pops the hood and first thing he does is pull out a pair of vise grips. So I understand there is some merit to that requirement but in the "Prosumer" catagory I don't think you are going to find an answer to your satisfaction anymore with a decrease in size being a part of the product race between manufactures.</p> <p>However, as I said earlier you can enhance look while enhancing performance and customising the whole set up to your needs. Thats another plus with add-on's.</p> <p>I still have my Gl2, several small cams like HV40's and the VG10 and an EX1. I actually shoot more with the VG10 right now. Its a tad smaller than my GL2 but with all the add-ons, its a pretty good sized rig. I scale down and remove some for "Run and Gun" shooting but when at an event I've got all the bells and whistles. I can customise to any situation with that rig.</p> <p>To get all the bells and whistles wrapped up in a camera, its going to take you up and out of the "Prosumer" class. Staying in the prosumer class and adding just what you need can take you in the same direction as far as look while keeping function the top priority.</p> <p>Your look may influence people in getting some gig's but in the end its the quality of footage that your reputation will be built on. I'd keep the later as the number one priority and cheat like hell on the other...the rational for a rolled up pair of socks. :-)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72784 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:59:18 +0000 CKI 72784@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Guys, thanks for reading and replying, but no offense, not sure you read my post there. Not looking for a DSLR, not looking for a small palm cam. As I said the XA10 is too small for instance.</p> <p> </p> <p>I want a camcorder that is at least the size as my old XM2/GL2. Size does mean a lot to me, both in terms of image and actual handling of the thing.</p> <p> </p> <p>Would appreciate any feedback on which of the cams on my shortlist would live up to my criteria. And if I have left any out.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72777 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:11 +0000 Luc van Vliet 72777@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>`Check out the Canon Legria HF G10 (type name in europe) it's the same as XA10 or XF100 on the inside (lens, chip etc) and I did buy it last week for € 1175,- </p> <p>I love the thing very very mucho, it's great.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72770 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:00:24 +0000 Shawn Lam 72770@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If you want the best image quality and a more professional look (shallow depth of field) then the Sony VG20 is a great video camera.  The nice park about that camera is that because it accepts interchangeable lenses (native Sony e-mount but easily adaptable to pretty much every other lens mount with an adapter) you have more options than a fixed lens camcorder does.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72768 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:01:23 +0000 larryparson 72768@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Check out Canon SX 40 HS which has better video than almost all DSLR or prosumer camcorders exceeding most of your dream list. 24-800 smooth wide angle 35x zoom. Best steady shot available. Accessory hot shoe mount excellent stereo recording &amp; outstanding still camera function. Price is the kicker at less than 500 &amp; the last years SX 30 available less than 400. Best value &amp; performance in the prosumer level!!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-me-buy-the-right-semi-pro-camcorder#post-72761 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:40:38 +0000 CKI 72761@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Looking for<br /> a camcorder and really need some help. My old Canon XM2 (GL2) is just not doing<br /> the job anymore, and I am tired of tapes and standard res. Not to mention it's<br /> starting to look antique, so it's not really giving me that professional confidence<br /> boost when I pull it out.</p> <p> </p> <p>What I am<br /> looking for is something like this:</p> <p> </p> <p>- Full HD<br /> avchd</p> <p>- Midsize<br /> with handle. Need a pro look for my business so a small one, won't do the job.</p> <p>- Record to<br /> SD card and/or internal memory (flash or HD)</p> <p>- Decent<br /> wide angle (or a cam to which a good wide-adapter can be bought at a reasonable<br /> price)</p> <p>- Decent<br /> battery time. </p> <p>- Heavy<br /> enough for steady handling, light enough to be able to shoot using the handle<br /> for some time.</p> <p>- Good low<br /> light quality as I will be shooting lots inside and not always with optimal<br /> light.</p> <p>- Generally<br /> speaking, image quality more important than audio quality.</p> <p>- Maximum<br /> price: Around 4,500 USD / 2.800 GBP</p> <p> </p> <p>These are<br /> the cams I have been looking at:</p> <p> </p> <p>- Sony<br /> HXR-NX70E</p> <p>- Canon<br /> XF100</p> <p>- Panasonic<br /> AG-HMC40/41</p> <p>- Sony<br /> NEX-VG2OEH </p> <p> </p> <p>The Sony<br /> HXR-NX70 gets great lowlight reviews, but it's expensive and I don't know if I<br /> would be paying for lots of stuff I will never need (like the jungle-thing,<br /> waterproof, dustproof etc)</p> <p> </p> <p>The Canon<br /> XF100 also at the very top of my budget, but seems like an overall great<br /> camera.</p> <p> </p> <p>The<br /> Panasonic is affordable and I think would certainly do the job had I always a<br /> perfect light set-up, but I am worried that the lense is small and that it does<br /> a bad job in less than great light. I am tempted by an offer right now of 2040<br /> GBP for the camera + XLR-adapter + iPad.</p> <p> </p> <p>The Sony<br /> NEX-VG2, i Just saw this, looks different and interesting, but can't compare<br /> the lense really, so am fairly clueless.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Any cams I<br /> have left out? </p> <p> </p> <p>And which of these would you suggest and why?</p> <p> </p> <p>(Note: Could not find a general camcorder forum, only brand specific ones. Please feel free to move this thread to any correct forum I might have missed.)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-best-to-use-my-canon#post-71740 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:26:52 +0000 EarlC 71740@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>While I shoot some corporate and small business production, Finity, 90 percent of my production work is events: either school performances, youth sports, personal celebratory events and a BUNCH of funerals and memorial montages. I also have a half-dozen annual community events that I get to produce, many of them I've been the go to video producer for more than a decade.</p> <p>EVERYTHING after "corporate and small business production" is STILL shot and produced in SD ... good old standard definition, using Canon XL1 and Canon GL2 units. Long in the tooth, oh yeah. Does this mean I'm discounting and refusing to go HD? Oh no, it's just that I make a decent annual income with SD production work and the demand for HD simply isn't happening for me, yet.</p> <p>Am I losing opportunities because I don't push hard for HD production? Probably. But I'm just not inclined to push hard for stuff I have to go and rent equipment to produce (depending on the budgets involved) when I can do relatively well with event video production in SD.</p> <p>For the record I've nearly always planned to move to HD first quarter 2012. And that still looks like when I pull the trigger. Meanwhile, I conduct an ongoing business and make a decent annual income shooting and producing standard definition videos.</p> <p>There's plenty of opportunity for you also, in the SD production environment. Fortunately, in many cases, the units these consumers play their resulting DVDs or other delivery format videos on have up-rez or other capabilities that provide excellent quality visuals from SD. The purists and those having side-by-side units to compare the difference can readily argue for HD, but for a lot of others, there's standard definition.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-best-to-use-my-canon#post-71738 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:10:50 +0000 composite1 71738@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Finity,</p> <p>The best use for your current camera is to learn the skills needed for making watchable video. Learn what the limitations of your camera are and how to surmount them to the best of your ability. Learn how and practice shooting video sequences which can be edited successfully. Learn how to get interesting camera angles with handheld, tripod and steadycam style shooting. Learn how to take advantage of existing light and set/studio lighting. Those things and many more are the things you can be working on with your existing gear. </p> <p>You absolutely <strong>do not need an HD camera to learn how to shoot. </strong>By the time your wallet will allow you to upgrade your gear, you'll have the basics down which will be good because you'll have a whole new set of things to learn after moving to HD. So the main thing you should be doing now with your gear is shoot, shoot and shoot some more.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-best-to-use-my-canon#post-71735 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:49:06 +0000 vid-e-o-man 71735@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Finity, I not sure if you are asking for technical help on using your cam or if you are looking for suggestions for what to shoot. If it is the latter, you can't go wrong by shooting what you love- nature, your kid's activities, urban landscapes etc. If it is the former, please give us some more info about what model, accessories, editing software/computer and expected output medium-DVD, utube etc. Keep shooting. P.S. don't use digital zoom (2000 zoom).</p>