Which video cam to get my girlfriend for her birthday ?

[Jamaika]

I trust you people more than a camera salesman.

It can be fooled. The truth is that everyone will praise your merchandise. The second truth. The camera is important, but even more important skills. The camera itself doesn't direct a film, or will shoot and no one will watch. I understand that it is a camera {body} cruise party-to $ 1,800.
I suggest Sony A6000. Light, modern, but the road like a novice. I am in my region of the world I don't flaunt for such equipment.

[_Al_]

BTW, how would you record that soccer game, not using hand held camcorder?

As a one-man job? Can't really do that well!

I would get at least one more camera man. You simply need a second man for continuity if you are going to do any kind of closeups. Tripods all the way. And with two fixed, unmanned, cams well positioned at each goal. Sound would be a major pain, you need to rent expensive directionals to get any of the kicking recorded!

Yes, you show up with the whole crew and production at your kids game

[newpball]

BTW, how would you record that soccer game, not using hand held camcorder?

As a one-man job? Can't really do that well!

I would get at least one more camera man. You simply need a second man for continuity if you are going to do any kind of closeups. Tripods all the way. And with two fixed, unmanned, cams well positioned at each goal. Sound would be a major pain, you need to rent expensive directionals to get any of the kicking recorded!

Yes, you show up with the whole crew and production at your kids game

I do not see the issue and why you have to exaggerate.

You do not know any parent with a camera and a tripod so you can actually work together?

It beats 11 parents separately taking "videos" with some smartphone by a million miles!

[budwzr]

The proof of the puddin' is in the eatin'. A handheld shot taken from the seat of a Ferris Wheel is much more engaging than a shot from the ground taken on a tripod.

Tripods will get you bounced too. I once set up a simple consumer tripod in front of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and a black suit came out of nowhere and shooed me off. But all the tourists with hand cams were OK.

Those people who say you can't do this or that are trying to protect their turf. That's why FCPX created a mass hysteria amongst Apple Editors. FCPX was too simple and easy. They wanted complicated/arcane features to keep the unwashed masses out.

FCPX turned away from cranky old editors, and focused on the larger consumer base. Supporting those old basterds in Hollywood is probably a 24/7 job. Walter Murch was an Apple publicity stunt to position the brand for consumers. I don't think Apple ever really wanted to be prominent in Hollywood. Too much headache.

You can make art with crayons, or use the finest tools. So long as it's engaging, it's valid art.

[_Al_]

.....

[_Al_]

You do not know any parent with a camera and a tripod so you can actually work together?

It beats 11 parents separately taking "videos" with some smartphone by a million miles!

First they would think it is not necessary, because only you feel like doing Hollywood production out of simple soccer game.
Second, they'd give you footage that you could do nothing with!
That's the whole point of parenting of voluntary work. You take care of something, somebody else would do something else. You cannot start to put to work a parent showing up to soccer game because you feel like to.

[newpball]

First they would think it is not necessary, because only you feel like doing Hollywood production out of simple soccer game.

I think you are grossly underestimating the term Hollywood Production.

[glenpinn]

The proof of the puddin' is in the eatin'. A handheld shot taken from the seat of a Ferris Wheel is much more engaging than a shot from the ground taken on a tripod.

You can make art with crayons, or use the finest tools. So long as it's engaging, it's valid art.

I know its an old post, but i just got to love these 2 parts of your post, and absolutely 100% true.

If i set up a tripod in front of a restaurant someone is going to come out asking me what i am up to, or telling me i am not allowed o film the restaurant unless i get permission, yet if i walk around outside with my camera on my small rig, nobody cares less, because it doesn't create a scene like it does if i set up with a tripod.

I also get a lot of people who approach me asking stuff about my camera and the rig i am using, if i use a tripod, all i get is people gazing at me with some wierd look on their face.

As for tasteful video, i much rather watch video that was shot while roaming around, than watch stuff boringly shot in a static position using a tripod.

Tripods have a place, but now days they are used very little in comparison the other camera rigs and devices.