Hello everyone,

Have just joined this group and want to contact Argento, as a result of his message of 26 Oct 2004 (see below) . Yes I know, I am running late but I am getting there.

I would like to find out if you are still very happy with the kit you outline, as it is near to what I am about to buy.

Can you tell me which extra batteries you bought and if they were useful to have? Also the Paglight 6 kit which seems to be ideal for my purposes.
Do you recommend a range of external mics? I have used Radio Mics with a camcorder and was delighted with the results, for interviews etc. Were the Sennheisers the best value for you? Also which size of stills card is bets for you?

I am looking to pay £970 (inc vat) for an Panasonic NVGS400b. Can you get it cheaper?

I am a devout Apple 12" Powerbook user and expect to use Final Cut Pro. I need to get remote (posssibly portable) storage and am looking at a LaCie 250gb. Any comments?

Any suggestions or adverse comments about this equipment would be most appreciated.

Some years ago I used to produce broadcast documentaries and am now interested in making my own personal films with a view to using them as demos for ideas for possible broadcast ( a pipedream probably) or for sale locally as dvds for a local market.

I have worked with professional technicians (directors/cameramen/sound/lighting/editing) but I feel I am starting from scratch in the new digital cqamcorder domain. I have had a Sony hi8 camera but never went on to edit that footage. Basically I would be pleased to hear any positive thoughts and in advance - thank you!

Freesh



>>>>>
argento
I'm Lovin' It



Status: Offline
Joined: 14 Jan 2004
Posts: 125



Posted: 26 Oct 2004 11:16 am** *Post subject:



Thanks, I've also but a Paglight kit, 256SD card, 4 Large batteries, a new fluid head tripod, a SENNHEISER MKE 300 mic - so just looking for a big enough carry bag now!

Any ideas?

BTW - did some low-light filming last night, and really, really impressed. Very little grain.

Still very happy with mine but saying that very little time to play with it at the moment but going to the Canaries in a couple of weeks...........

Price............

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=77729 £881

There has been some negativity about ebuyer mainly surrounding returns but I must say that I have always had excellent service. Items have arrived promptly and well packed. 9 out of 10 from me.

Memory Cards........

Don't think that this camcorder will replace a good SLR or digital camera. Its fine for "snaps" although the built in flash washes out detail. Close ups in good light are excellent. Portrait shots are quite acceptable. Landscape shots are awful. (Would you expect jaggies on tree branches on the horizon at 4mpix?)

Saying that memory cards are soooooo cheap now, check out

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/defa...77_4_401_40105 1 gig for 52 quid!! that is unbelievable.

Hope this helps

H

Thank you Roadster for the comments and tips.

I checked ebuyer and the camera offered there is the Panasonic NVGS400 not the 400b, a so-called grey area product. It seems to be a non-uk version and is still selling very cheaply. However I dont know what the difference is and whether if there is a problem the warranty is valid in uk. Did you buy a 400? There is a saving of £150 between them and I am very tempted to use that saving on some accessories. I rang one French company and they said the only difference is the power plug! Can you believe them?

The 7days prices seem wonderful. A friend used to buy computer accessories through them, but I will check it out.

Thanks also for the comments about the stills facility. I had hoped to get some landscape shots and the comments are a bit disappointing. I dont really want to get a stills camera too for my projects.

I am hoping to buy a Fluid Head and good Tripod. Have you any recommendations. I have looked at the site Argento mentioned (b-hague.co.uk) which is quite interesting but actual experience of equipment is so useful.

Thanks again and hope the Canaries is fun for you.

freesh,

http://www.pana3ccduser.com/index.php

Loads of info here especially about motor noise being recorded.......take your own view on this. So far no noise on any of my tapes.
The full model no. of mine is NV-GS400GC-S. It came with a UK type plug.

All the best