Good HD video camera for taping the wedding?

[JaimeLynne]

Any recommendations? We are looking for a small, portable HD video camera to give to one of our guests to videotape the wedding - we're paying a lot for our photographer so do not want a big honkin' camera in the way, but do want the event discretely taped if possible!

 

Something around $200 would be GREAT, but will something at that price level really be worth it??

 

We'd also take this with us on our HM to take cool videos of Jamaica!

[rodent]

the flip cameras are HD. I think they are around $200. I've heard they are good & super easy to use. You just plug into a USB to put it on your computer.

[JaimeLynne]

Hey Morgan, Martin read great reviews on the Flip phones but the one thing they said was they were shaky - and we want it to tape the reception. Do you think that would work?? Obviously we're not thinking super professional but just something that will work nice enough to tape the ceremony.

[rodent]

I really don't know anything about video. I've just hear photographers rave about the flip camcorders.

 

youd probably want a tripod for the ceremony. You also won't get good sound without a mic. then at the reception it probably won't work well in low light. also the battery life of camcorders is usually low. and editing video takes a lot of time. I wouldn't expect to be able to make a really nice DIY video with only a few weeks to prepare. but, it's better than not having any video.

 

after learning all these issues, i hired a videographer. I did spend about $150 on a used camcorder, extra battery & tapes, but I was never able to transfer video from it.

[JaimeLynne]

Hey Morgan

 

Yeah, we're just going for a super rough version. My Uncle (who is a pro nature photographer) just gave me a little mini lecture (haha!) on this because we asked if he would just sit in the front row and video tape us ~ he said no at first but then called today saying "OK, but you have to understand it won't be pro....blah blah" We totally get that! We are spending so much money on our photographer (Elizabeth Medina) so we decided it wasn't worth it to us to have a videographer there because they would just get in the way of the amazing pics we're going to have

 

And I do realize what you're saying - since we'll be right on the beach I don't expect to pick up much sound. This is literally just like a little something for us to look back on so we can at least see ourselves going through the motions - KWIM? Totally not super important to us - if we catch it, great; if not, that's ok too. We just want to give it a try.

 

I think the Flip will be cool cause we can take it with us on our Honeymoon to film gorgeous JAMAICA!!! YAH MON!!!

 

I just emailed my other Uncle who is really into videography to see what type he has because I know he has an HD one and he super *hearts* it. But it may be out of our price range. We were originally going to ask him to just bring his and film the wedding since he seems to really enjoy that, but he's not able to go so thought I'd ask my other Uncle who, although his primary work is in photography, does have video experience.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

Keep 'em coming! We'll probably wait until later this week to purchase.

[rodent]

ok just making sure you weren't looking to do pro quality shooting with a $200 camera and no time to study videography. As long as your expectations are not so high, i think you'd be happy with just a little camera and some shaky footage.

 

stick it on a tripod when you can to cut down on shake.

[Jess]

Paul (my FI) is a techie and he researched and researched this - he ended up getting the HD mino I t hink you girls are talking about and lovessss it

 

Flip Video Camcorder - Digital Camcorder | Flip Video

[rodent]

yep thats the one

[JaimeLynne]

Cool, thanks Jess!

 

Also, just found out from my Uncle (the one who's staying home) that he's going to put $100 towards whichever camera we decide to get as our wedding gift! YAY!

 

ALso, he found this and forwarded it to me... I know nothing about this stuff - has anyone else heard of this one?

 

DXG 1080p SD Card Camcorder - dealmac.com

[JaimeLynne]

Cool, thanks Jess!

 

Also, just found out from my Uncle (the one who's staying home) that he's going to put $100 towards whichever camera we decide to get as our wedding gift! YAY!

 

ALso, he found this deal online and forwarded it to me...

 

DXG 1080p SD Card Camcorder - dealmac.com