looking for a noiseless camcorder and one that does not auto close down

[IR starter]

Hi

I'm looking for a camcorder to convert to full spectrum use, (IR use) for wildlife videoing. but I need it to be noiseless, ie no sounds given off when any type of switching done and also does not auto close down due to not using

any ideas would be most welcome

thank you

[TreeTops]

Most DSLR's stop videoing after a period. A true video camera will go until battery dies but I haven't found a video camera that was completely silent. What I do is move slightly away from the wildlife and use a telephoto. That way they do not hear the camera running. I have a pocket cam that I use when coming up to an animal that is close. It is less noisy but not a true video camea. I notice most animals just look at me. The really slight noise doesn't seem to bother the animals.

Here's one that I did yesterday of a bobcat using the pocket camera.

http://youtu.be/-NuwX-mGIuI

[racer-x]

Nice video, TreeTops. I also like carrying a camera when I walk in the woods just for that reason....

[newpball]

Most DSLR's stop videoing after a period. A true video camera will go until battery dies but I haven't found a video camera that was completely silent. What I do is move slightly away from the wildlife and use a telephoto. That way they do not hear the camera running. I have a pocket cam that I use when coming up to an animal that is close. It is less noisy but not a true video camea. I notice most animals just look at me. The really slight noise doesn't seem to bother the animals.

Here's one that I did yesterday of a bobcat using the pocket camera.

http://youtu.be/-NuwX-mGIuI

Nice.

I beg you to move away from handheld, I understand a tripod may not always be feasible but at least use a monopod. By the way your exposure is a bit too high.

[TreeTops]

I was on a ATV and had camera in my pocket when I spotted this bobcat. No time to use any kind of a tripod. But I agree that using a tripod would have made this video smother, especially when on max telephoto like I was using. I do not see the exposure problem on my monitor. Camera was on auto exposure and auto white balance.

[IR starter]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I'm finding that camcorders tend to make like a ping noise when certain operations are made, and I really want one that doesn't switch off so it can be used as a viewerwhen using IR at night.

[smrpix]

I'm finding that camcorders tend to make like a ping noise when certain operations are made, and I really want one that doesn't switch off so it can be used as a viewerwhen using IR at night.

Beep and power saver are user selectable menu items in almost all camcorders.

[redwudz]

One option I've used: http://buymobius.com/pages/mobius-actioncam-specifications

They are about $80US, so if one gets destroyed, not a huge problem.
With a external battery pack and a 64GB microSD card, I get about 11 hours of HD video.
It is split into 4GB sections as the SD card is using Fat32 formatting.

This is a short clip right from the camera. It was mounted on a Polaris ORV.
The 'jello' effect was an early flexing mount issue, and along with the part
of the roll cage showing on the upper right has since been corrected.

http://files.videohelp.com/u/26161/Sample.mov

[Cornucopia]

Not sure how many of these cams are truly IR-sensitive, though...

Scott

[redwudz]

Not sure how many of these cams are truly IR-sensitive, though...

Scott

Yes, and he apparently needs a viewfinder. The cameras I linked are better for stationary
game trail videos.

[IR starter]

thank you, the set up I'm looking for is to give a visible 'picture' of an area between 2m and 15m away while I'm waiting for the animal to appear at night. and then to be able to video it. hence for it not to keep switching off. I have trail cameras using 940nm IR that I have used to pinpoint the area. any white light tends to scare it off. If I can't by a camcorder that does this I know someone who converts standard camcorders to full spectrum that works with 940nm IR

[Cornucopia]

Let us know who, some of us (me included) might be interested...
(pm me if necessary)

Scott

[redwudz]

Good info, thanks. There are long range infrared illuminators available, though I have no idea if they would be visible to animals.
A few for reference: http://www.supercircuits.com/accessories/infrared-illuminators

Most video cameras have a good range in IR. A IR filter may help a bit also.
I would also suggest a IR filter for any IR illuminator as they mostly aren't filtered that well.

If you are just looking for a low light B+W camera, I've used this one successfully for surveillance with just moon light for illumination.
http://www.supercircuits.com/security-cameras/fixed-security-cameras/super-low-light-b...era-pc164cex-2

[IR starter]

thank you

[TreeTops]

Forgot to mention that most game cameras also do a fairly good job of IR. The results will of course be in black and white. Our game cameras here at the ranch pick up game at night up to 30 feet away from the camera. Most of the new game cameras also do video but ours are older and only do stills in bursts of 5 shots about 1/2 second apart. The big advantage of using a game camera is that they are designed to last months on a set of batteries and only are activated when something comes within range of the motion detector. The trick is to get a game camera that activates instantly. Some take seconds to activate and you loose the game shot. You get what you pay for in those cameras.

Game cameras are silent.