Request for Camera options, extreme documentation and research

[blufire]

This is a very serious request for information on cameras or recording equipment. I am willing to invest a considerable sum if I need to but would like suggestions and options in all price ranges.

I need one or maybe two different cameras for different settings and filming requirements. The following are what I need in the camera(s).

• long or high “zooming” capabilities
• rugged or able to withstand outdoor conditions in all weather (within reason)
• lightweight as possible . . . I may need to move quickly at certain times and can’t be weighed down too much by equipment
• high resolution or clarity under not too ideal conditions
• nighttime filming or ability to add on “night lens”
• good battery life or I guess I could get multiple battery packs
• good sound quality
• hopefully not too complicated to operate
• one or two younger people with good knees

Please don’t just “google” . . . . I need information from individuals with experience or knowledge with the actual camera(s) they may suggest.

[Carmody]

No such thing as a night lens, the ability is inherent in the camera, so two may be required. Or, a very expensive night viewing system with camera attachment for your given camera choice.

An adaptable night vision item is the better choice, when it comes to final quality of image, as you are not buying recording imaging hardware twice. besides, no night vision recording camera exists, of any quality, that I know of. Only high grade imagers for direct eye use. thus the requirement of a camera adapter capacity in the chosen device.

This would be a type III night vision system (or greater), with a camera lens adapter. The night vision device chosen needs to have that as part of it's specification, ie a threaded ring to which a lens can be attached at the viewing ocular.

Night vision devices are 'imagers' with specific design parameters and resolution, and we look at a reconstructed image (electronically) at the eyepiece end (a tiny monitor), so no real increase in image fidelity is possible with them. They have hard limits.

One of the new Sony 3ccd HD camera units might be a good choice, and water environment adapters are available for them, probably by now (they are a new design). There are no truly waterproof motion cameras of high image quality, that I know if. But I've not looked at the market for quite some time.

The Sony cameras I speak of do have the capacity to use standard camera lenses with an adapter, so high quality lensing is quite cheap these days, due to this newer development.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818266-REG/Sony_NEXVG20_NEX_VG20_Interchangeable_Lens_HD.html

some very good camera lenses for 'near' night viewing can be obtained, ie, a large diameter aperture. There is no substitute for aperture size, when it comes to light gathering. Every time you increase zoom, you loose light and the image fidelity drops.

Each zoom lens (prime lenses have no zoom function) has a 'sweet spot' and is inherently of a lower fidelity than a prime lens, due to the increase in lensing elements (required for zoom function) which each glass element does decrease image fidelity - individually and collectively.

High grade lenses are not guaranteed by price, they are guaranteed by their reputation or history of use. Experience with given lenses is the asset or break point. This takes time to learn. The lore of cameras and lenses.

In conclusion, the image fidelity suffers, and it takes time to learn how to use a motion picture camera in low light conditions, even with an optimized zoom lens. The combination of zoom and low light does not exist, the two are mutually exclusive, based on complexity, weight and size of the lens design. You CAN get zoom and low light but the size and cost are greater than your entire budget, for the one lens alone. Example:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Mother-of-All-L-Lenses.jsp

Giant telescopes are a requirement for those conditions. Hopefully that has some self explanatory aspects to it. You have to gather a large amount of light in a controlled way, with limiting optics, and move all of it coherently, into a small area. Which is inherently expensive and complex.

Suffice it to say that lower frame rates, blurring, and image fidelity losses are the norm and need to be expected,and all these are points are limited by technology and money spent. We 'brickwall' at a final point, somewhere around $100k of lensing and $100k of camera.


then, the night viewing:

That might come in at about $3k-$5k Us dollars and is not to be exported from the USA. a prohibited export, so depending on where you are in the world, this can be a problem.

http://www.nightvision4less.com/night-vision-scopes-night-vision-scopes-gen-3-night-vision-scopes.aspx

Then, as an aiming/alarm aid, one can use nighttime thermal imaging, if whatever you are looking for presents any thermal gradient as a difference from the given backdrop. then the given camera and lens can be aimed in that area. (sit in tent, look at monitor, waiting for a thermal trace). This simplifies if one is looking for something that presents a thermal differential, but at a considerable cost. As for export issues, expect a considerable barrier.

Most western countries allow such devices to be bought but to not be exported out of the local area. This is in order to try and keep a handle on who owns such devices, as in a war type condition/scenario, they are devices of sophistication, regarding battlefield capacities. Due to these controls...the given local reseller can gouge on pricing, as they have a captive market. expect the prices to be notably higher outside of the USA, where the USA is a large market and a technology source in these areas. (yes, that $15k device is discounted! ouch!)

http://www.nightvision4less.com/thermal-imaging-fusion-systems.aspx

tripod choices, can be a Manfrotto with a 701 or a 501 video head.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/619404-REG/Manfrotto_501HDV_547BK_501HDV_547BK_Video_Tripod.html

or (slightly heavier but also more stable):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563812-REG/Manfrotto_501HDV_028B_501HDV028B_028B_Tripod_System.html

also lighting, which these days, would be LED lighting. (a few diffusors and shaders, etc, to control lighting)

add about $500-700 more for that.

You are up to about $10k for a new kit that is well fitted. Plus any lenses you may wish to acquire... and then the skill in using them all, which will come over time.

[Unified Serenity]

• one or two younger people with good knees




Ok, I am really curious what you are hunting. I could take some guesses, but can you talk about it?

[13th Warrior]

• one or two younger people with good knees




Ok, I am really curious what you are hunting. I could take some guesses, but can you talk about it?


Yeah, you going hunting for Sasquatch?

[DreamsInDigital]

I highly suggest a high definition Full Spectrum DV camera, I think this would be most proficient for your requirements. Most site that sell Ghost Hunting equipment have these. They have proven most effective in seeing through cloaks etc.

[Carmody]

I highly suggest a high definition Full Spectrum DV camera, I think this would be most proficient for your requirements. Most site that sell Ghost Hunting equipment have these. They have proven most effective in seeing through cloaks etc.

You are speaking of a camera where the sensor filter glass has been removed, and clear optical grade quartz put in it's place, I assume?

http://www.lifepixel.com/products

[DreamsInDigital]

I'm talking about video cameras like this one that film video in the full light spectrum including infrared and ultraviolet, like this one:
http://www.ghoststop.com/Full-Spectrum-HD-Camcorder-with-IR-and-UV-p/camcorder-dxg-fullspctrm.htm

I actually specifically recommend that camera from that site, it's proven already to be highly effective in UFO and Ghost research since they seem to frequently fall outside the visual light spectrum. Infrared capabilities are specially important as this seems to be the most effective in seeing through their cloaking techniques, stage 3 infrared or above it is best, but this camera certainly holds it's own out there.

The ones on the site you provided filter the light spectrums, the video camera I'm talking about "sees" in all the light spectrums.

[Tane Mahuta]

• one or two younger people with good knees


Ok, I am really curious what you are hunting. I could take some guesses, but can you talk about it?


Yeah, you going hunting for Sasquatch?

Maybe ET....ooooh, yeah!!

sorry I can't give any tips, but my hearts with you...


TM

[blufire]

Carmody, Thank you very much . . . I have my homework cut out for me with the very valuable suggestions you have offered. Dreamsindigital I will look into the full spectrum cameras too, but these may not be what I need.






• one or two younger people with good knees




Ok, I am really curious what you are hunting. I could take some guesses, but can you talk about it?


Yeah, you going hunting for Sasquatch?

Unified Serenity and 13 Warrior . . . lol . . . well my endeavors are more along the Erin Brockovitch type. Since I have moved back to the Appalachians I have noticed an exponential increase in certain diseases, cancer and brain degenerative type . . .even in children as young as 4 and 5.

Certain companies have taken advantage of the remote secluded environment and mountainous areas and are performing certain drilling, fracking, and disposal of waste materials that under more scrutiny they would not do . . . in fact is highly illegal for them to do.

Anything they dispose of in the mountains work their way down in to the water sources, natural springs and aquifers.

I need reams of documentation of all kinds.


On a more “exciting” note, there have been times on my nighttime maneuvers I have heard sounds that will absolutely put your hair on edge and it is all I can do to keep from running out of shear fright. Usually I can identify them as bears or big cats . . . but there have been a couple times, deep in these hollows, I have not been able to discern the sounds . . . those are the times I sit very quietly for a very long time, hold my breath and wait for the “night sounds” to resume. Who knows I may get film or pictures of the elusive sasquatch or what ever is roaming these hills . . .

[percival tyro]

During the Korean war, the Nikon SLR cameras became almost legendary by the press for their ruggedness, reliability and adaptability to changeable jungle conditions. I had two Nikon SLRs for twenty years with nil problems or complaints. Great lenses too. I have no experience of movie cameras though.

[13th Warrior]

Carmody, Thank you very much . . . I have my homework cut out for me with the very valuable suggestions you have offered. Dreamsindigital I will look into the full spectrum cameras too, but these may not be what I need.






• one or two younger people with good knees




Ok, I am really curious what you are hunting. I could take some guesses, but can you talk about it?


Yeah, you going hunting for Sasquatch?

Unified Serenity and 13 Warrior . . . lol . . . well my endeavors are more along the Erin Brockovitch type. Since I have moved back to the Appalachians I have noticed an exponential increase in certain diseases, cancer and brain degenerative type . . .even in children as young as 4 and 5.

Certain companies have taken advantage of the remote secluded environment and mountainous areas and are performing certain drilling, fracking, and disposal of waste materials that under more scrutiny they would not do . . . in fact is highly illegal for them to do.

Anything they dispose of in the mountains work their way down in to the water sources, natural springs and aquifers.

I need reams of documentation of all kinds.


On a more “exciting” note, there have been times on my nighttime maneuvers I have heard sounds that will absolutely put your hair on edge and it is all I can do to keep from running out of shear fright. Usually I can identify them as bears or big cats . . . but there have been a couple times, deep in these hollows, I have not been able to discern the sounds . . . those are the times I sit very quietly for a very long time, hold my breath and wait for the “night sounds” to resume. Who knows I may get film or pictures of the elusive sasquatch or what ever is roaming these hills . . .

Neurological disorders are definitely on the rise; now, 1 in 80 kids born have autism..

I'm sure you've hear Sasquatch tree knocks if you've spent any amount of time in the back country.

[Carmody]

During the Korean war, the Nikon SLR cameras became almost legendary by the press for their ruggedness, reliability and adaptability to changeable jungle conditions. I had two Nikon SLRs for twenty years with nil problems or complaints. Great lenses too. I have no experience of movie cameras though.

when i talk of camera lenses being convertible to use on modern digital cameras, I mean that old SLR lenses can be used on many modern DSLR cameras. The example given is that one can buy an adapter for this Sony digital movie camera i link to, and then use all the older Minolta lenses. which are designed to be used on film type 35mm cameras, but many of them are quite excellent when used as a 'film' lens. film lenses are very expensive and this recent change to DSLR cameras and fully blown reasonably priced HD digital movie cameras, that can take lenses..well, this is poised to change the entire film and video industry. This will creep into our daily lives. for example, we have recently had high level theater film releases that utilize these cheaper cameras.(The film 'Cloverfield' is one example)

In the same way that self publishing has taken over or shifted the music industry, this recent development is poised to shift the entire film industry. Watch for it.

For example, this film below. Done with a canon DSLR. it handily illustrates the mind blowing change coming, regarding personal capacity to produce professional works. In the same way that electronic capacities have changed music in electronic form to be the canvas that now one mind can publish complex works of depth via, this will allow single visions to dominate the film industry like never before.

eQLwdD9BstY

[blufire]

Thanks again to both of you. I didn’t even think of the war settings and field journalists . . .this type video equipment would definitely fit the lesser requirements I need.

I wish there was a way to rent or try out some of these units, before purchasing. I want to make sure I am using the money I have set aside for this project as efficiently and wisely as possible.




During the Korean war, the Nikon SLR cameras became almost legendary by the press for their ruggedness, reliability and adaptability to changeable jungle conditions. I had two Nikon SLRs for twenty years with nil problems or complaints. Great lenses too. I have no experience of movie cameras though.

when i talk of camera lenses being convertible to use on modern digital cameras, I mean that old SLR lenses can be used on many modern DSLR cameras. The example given is that one can buy an adapter for this Sony digital movie camera i link to, and then use all the older Minolta lenses. which are designed to be used on film type 35mm cameras, but many of them are quite excellent when used as a 'film' lens. film lenses are very expensive and this recent change to DSLR cameras and fully blown reasonably priced HD digital movie cameras, that can take lenses..well, this is poised to change the entire film and video industry. This will creep into our daily lives. for example, we have recently had high level theater film releases that utilize these cheaper cameras.(The film 'Cloverfield' is one example)

In the same way that self publishing has taken over or shifted the music industry, this recent development is poised to shift the entire film industry. Watch for it.

For example, this film below. Done with a canon DSLR. it handily illustrates the mind blowing change coming, regarding personal capacity to produce professional works. In the same way that electronic capacities have changed music in electronic form to be the canvas that now one mind can publish complex works of depth via, this will allow single visions to dominate the film industry like never before.

eQLwdD9BstY

[blufire]

I'm sure you've hear Sasquatch tree knocks if you've spent any amount of time in the back country.

I smile when I hear the people on TV shows talk about the tree knocks. It actually sounds more like “tree explosions” It is as if they are using a very large branch or rock and swing it with a terrific angry force. It explodes in the quiet night time air and echoes over and over through the mountains and hollows. The sounds I don’t like are the closer low guttural growling . . . it rolls from the back of their throats. I know they smell me and have probably tracked me at times and are just curious . . .I’m not sure if the growling is a warning or a form of communication. I actually use the posturing from Jane Goodall’s documentaries with the “big apes”. I will wait and let them make the first move . . . I would much rather they think of me as a friend and not a foe.

I’m much more cautious of the “two-legged less hairy” beings . . . .they carry rifles and shot guns and are not concerned in the least in using them. Hence the long-zoom needs of the video and camera equipment