Camera advice

[MrDynamicMan]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy my first decent camera. I'm looking for anything in the $200-400 range that can take good stills and video. I also need a pretty specific setup for it. I want to use it to record long-form lecture between 2hours and 3 hours, so I need a decent accompanying audio that suits that situation. 

 

If you can recommend me any products, peripherals, or any links to places where I can learn more about camera and camera audio recording that would be greatly appreciated. 

[dizmo]

What makes you think this belongs in General, and not Photography?

[MrDynamicMan]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

What makes you think this belongs in General, and not Photography?

It shouldn't. My bad. 

[xQubeZx]

Well, no DSLR shoots more than 30min video. So you'll need one for video and one for photos ideally. Or you just restart the recording every 30min. That will not fit the budget however. 

 

If I remember right some cameras did restart the recording by themself so it badically is an unlimited recording time for as long there is sufficient battery, but I can't recall which one it was. 

[AkiraDaarkst]

3 hours ago, MrDynamicMan said:

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy my first decent camera. I'm looking for anything in the $200-400 range that can take good stills and video. I also need a pretty specific setup for it. I want to use it to record long-form lecture between 2hours and 3 hours, so I need a decent accompanying audio that suits that situation. 

 

If you can recommend me any products, peripherals, or any links to places where I can learn more about camera and camera audio recording that would be greatly appreciated. 

Camcorder and an external audio recorder, such as a dictaphone or something like a Zoom H1.  I wouldn't use a DSLR to film any event that is 2-3 hours long.  99% of all DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras with video capability have recording limits and short battery life when used for video.

 

For $400 you can get a pretty nice camcorder and an extended battery pack that will let you film for 4-5 hours straight as long as you have the storage capacity.

[Not_Sean]

Checkout some of the Runcams, They got GoPro hero 4 quality (up to 4K) and same of them don't have the fish eye. The audio will be decent but prob will defs need a dedicated device. thats all i can think of within budget the can record in high quality and long time periods 

[AkiraDaarkst]

5 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

Checkout some of the Runcams, They got GoPro hero 4 quality (up to 4K) and same of them don't have the fish eye. The audio will be decent but prob will defs need a dedicated device. thats all i can think of within budget the can record in high quality and long time periods 

Most cameras like those use short focal length wide angle lenses.  The OP is trying to film a lecture.  So if he or she uses an action camera, then the camera has to be placed up close.

[Not_Sean]

7 minutes ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

Most cameras like those use short focal length wide angle lenses.  The OP is trying to film a lecture.  So if he or she uses an action camera, then the camera has to be placed up close.

not always, Mate ran one of the Runcams on his Airsoft rifle that had a more focal view as well as a magnification built in, was a small unit. and also didn't have the fish eye, could work nicely 

[AkiraDaarkst]

3 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

not always, Mate ran one of the Runcams on his Airsoft rifle that had a more focal view as well as a magnification built in, was a small unit. and also didn't have the fish eye, could work nicely 

What's the point of recording a lecture, to just get a general view of someone speaking at the front of the room or to make sure that the details of whatever is written on the black/white board, projected on a screen in front of the room is recorded and legible when viewed later?

 

A camcorder will work better than an action camera for this use.

 

Using an action camera to film an airsoft match is fucking different from trying to film a lecture.

[Not_Sean]

18 minutes ago, AkiraDaarkst said:

What's the point of recording a lecture, to just get a general view of someone speaking at the front of the room or to make sure that the details of whatever is written on the black/white board, projected on a screen in front of the room is recorded and legible when viewed later?

 

A camcorder will work better than an action camera for this use.

 

Using an action camera to film an airsoft match is fucking different from trying to film a lecture.

Bro, no need to start swearing, the FOV of the cam I'm talking about is exactly the same as any Camcorder you would use except some of the more high budget ones, which OP has already stated a budget and still needs to buy a solid audio recording device. 

 

@MrDynamicMan how large are the lecture halls ? 40 people or large 80+ ones ? cause if its a smaller one even a external webcam on your laptop might work as can record straight to software and would capture audio and video pretty well. The Large halls it become an issue with audio unless the Lecturer is cool for you to leave the recording device at the front of class on his/her desk or something. 

[MrDynamicMan]

5 hours ago, Not_Sean said:

Bro, no need to start swearing, the FOV of the cam I'm talking about is exactly the same as any Camcorder you would use except some of the more high budget ones, which OP has already stated a budget and still needs to buy a solid audio recording device. 

 

@MrDynamicMan how large are the lecture halls ? 40 people or large 80+ ones ? cause if its a smaller one even a external webcam on your laptop might work as can record straight to software and would capture audio and video pretty well. The Large halls it become an issue with audio unless the Lecturer is cool for you to leave the recording device at the front of class on his/her desk or something. 

They're relatively large as far as I'm aware, so between 60-80 seats. 

 

Basically I'm looking for an audio solution that keeps the audio clear enough that it isn't painful to listen to, 

 

BTW the lecturer specifically asked me to record it, so he'd be fine with even a lapel mic or something. 

 

Also @AkiraDaarkst, would a point and shoot work? 

[AkiraDaarkst]

5 hours ago, MrDynamicMan said:

They're relatively large as far as I'm aware, so between 60-80 seats. 

 

Basically I'm looking for an audio solution that keeps the audio clear enough that it isn't painful to listen to, 

 

BTW the lecturer specifically asked me to record it, so he'd be fine with even a lapel mic or something. 

 

Also @AkiraDaarkst, would a point and shoot work? 

There are pros and cons to different camera systems.

• Is it possible to use a point and shoot photo camera with video recording functions to film a lecture?  Yes
• Would it be a good idea?  Probably not, because:
  • Most photo cameras with video recording features have recording limits.  Typically 20-30 minutes.
  • Their sensor or camera systems are not designed like video cameras, even camcorders, where the sensor may have some sort of cooling system (usually a small fan or heat sink).
  • Most photo cameras come only with a batter charger, not an AC adapter for continuous power.  And their batteries last around 1 hour or so when using the camera for video.

If you want a good audio solution, perhaps a Zoom H1 and a small lav mic connected to it that you can clip to the lecturer's shirt with the audio recorder in the pocket somewhere.