Jump to content

What Camera for your Practice Cage?


Tim Westover

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Members

Hey all just wondering what you guys have been using for a Practice Cam to use on a weight cage. I've had a cheap camcorder for a year or so that I use with my weight cage but it's pretty terrible and has some weird stabilization compensation that makes the image go out of wack sometimes. Looking to get a better "cheap" camcorder or camera that has some zoom functionality to simulate different focal lengths. I have a small mirror less camera but I'd like something to keep permanently on the weight cage, It's also limited to the 2 primes I have so something with zoom would be great. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

There is no shortage of good Sony ENG digital camcorders, CHEAP. Check Craigslist. Since you're practicing with it, you can get the DSR300 and be happy. I don't want to think about what these cost when they came out -- I've got a DSR300 on the market for $250 and a DSR500WS on the market for $500. You can probably find a similar deal in your area, walk up, talk him down, and wonder why you ever used consumer cams.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...
  • Premium Members

I'm considering getting the Sony DXC-537 as a practise camera and have a few questions:

- Can the camera be powered via 4 pin XLR?
- Does the Video Out accept standard BNC?
- Does anyone know if it would it fit onto a VCT-U14 plate?

 

I'm not very familiar with this technology, hope someone can help me out!

 

Here is a link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-DXC-537-Camcorder-w-PVV-1A-DXF-501-Viewfinder-Fujinon-Lens-VCL-916BY-nc-/122821658856?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

It's good to have the ability to zoom in - really test your skills. I suggest you get a small video camera that records digitally (do they even sell tape cameras anymore) so it is easy to play back. Also test your work on the biggest screen you own.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hey all just wondering what you guys have been using for a Practice Cam to use on a weight cage. I've had a cheap camcorder for a year or so that I use with my weight cage but it's pretty terrible and has some weird stabilization compensation that makes the image go out of wack sometimes. Looking to get a better "cheap" camcorder or camera that has some zoom functionality to simulate different focal lengths. I have a small mirror less camera but I'd like something to keep permanently on the weight cage, It's also limited to the 2 primes I have so something with zoom would be great. Thanks.

 

it would be helpful if you have mentioned your budget.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Given it being a camera for practice cage, a cheap camera - sub $500 was what I was looking for. I'm good now, I've been using a gh5 for that amongst other things. Thank you all for the suggestions. I agree Jerry that the zoom function is pretty clutch to have as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

There are billions of digital palmcorders out there. To me the issue isn't matching the lens of a 24,000 lens. It's just getting an image. Fairly wide- you may want to find a cheap screw-in wide angle adapter. And being able to zoom. Yeah.

 

It's going to be easy to find these things. With wide angle kits. Finding new or good batteries? Harder !! When I worked for Tiffen, I built voltage regulators in a small box for each camcorder we used at workshops. That way, the sled powered the camcorders. It mean they had no auto-shutoff after a few minutes and students didn't have to waste time changing batteries. If the batts are a real issue, look into make the ac/dc converter that ought to come with your camcorder into a power supply plugging into your sled.

 

:)

Best,

Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...