ZR-65MC...good or bad?

[choirislife923]

ok, my Video8 camcorder from 1998 is really bad, being around xmas time, i think i'll get myself a little present...aka...a miniDV camcorder. for a person on a budget, do you guys think a Canon ZR-65MC is a good model? if not, what models would you guys recommend? i'm leaning torwards miniDV (no D8, please) camcorders that have analog passthru to do VHS->DVD projects. my budget area is anywhere up to $300, maybe $350. I also tend to go for old, discontinued models because they are cheaper, but the quality sometimes can be the same as their manufactured counterpart.

[NightWing]

I just got a Refurbished ZR-60 for 147. It was a one day sale item at Fry's. Was cold at 5 am this morning.. Its the same except missing the SD Card.

From the reviews its good in most light except low level. Here are two pictures.

Ad taken inside of my garage.


Doll for my Stepsister's daughter inside my car inside of the garage shot through window glass. Big doll small car!


Most camera in this price range had a bad time on low level light due to their small sensor. The review come out about the same in video except for the JVC with it 3d Noize reduction but has supostly a major problem
that render it a non desision.

If I get a chance will shoot some dark and light footage.

PS: It has feed through. So you can use it to digitize a analog source.

[choirislife923]

thanks for the pics...i'm going to go to best buy later today to see what items they have left after the aftermath of black friday.

[NightWing]

Good hunting! Hope you get what you want!

I was really looking hard at the JVC but kept running into a problem about any JVC camcorder.

It seems that the unit after awhile pop into a mode that locks up the unit. I guess its BSOD. Nothing will fix it except spend money for an expensive service call.

the JVC 33 beats everthing in its catagory on low level light due to its 3D filter. But with this expensive bug did not want to bother with it.

I am happy with the short time of playing with the ZR-60.

PS: You can down load a manual from Cannon on this unit. And I can try to post a few seconds of video somewhere if you wish.

[choirislife923]

just got back from bestbuy.

a canon ZR85...it looks so good! does anyone know if it has passthru? i seriously want to get it....

*random rant* why do companies make you do mail in rebates? why cant they just take the price off to at the checkout and save you the hassle of filling out forms? *end rant*

[NightWing]

Simple answer.... YEP!

Here is the info from Cannon site:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=114&modelid=9739

I agree on the rant also! I put it in selling like the small print at the bottom of a contract!

PS: You may want to look at a BP-512 bat or equ. The one that comes in the box is a small one. Ie it wont run long. Also grab a tape. There is no tape in the box.

[lordsmurf]

I'm quite fond of the ZR-90, which is the latest and greatest in that family. The lighting is held quite well, as is color and contrast.

[NightWing]

I am use to the orginal Beta portable recorder trintron tube camera. Some of these reviewers must want it to take a picture in NO light.

They are nice simple easy to use cameras. Next to the Sony lenses the Cannon makes a pretty good lense. Tracking down a step up from its 30.5 to 49 to fit some of my Olympus 2020 stuff. And some filters that size. Hate to see the bill for hoya filters!

PS: Hi lordsmurf. If you would not mind. Are you using the stock BP-508 bat or did you upgraded? Just wondering.

[lordsmurf]

It's not my camera, but a family member's. That person followed my example on still cameras: buy 2-3 batteries and keep them in the bag. One is never enough, regardless of its power.

[NightWing]

Tnks for the response!

Only way to do it. Have 3 sets of 1800 ma bats for my Olympus 2020. Rotate them when its not in use to keep a fully charge set in it.