Not really off topic, exactly, since I'll definitely be using it on my hummingbirds.

I just broke down yesterday and bought a Sony DCR-SR45. It's my first digital, my previous being an analog Hi-8. What attracted me to it is its 40x optical zoom. Not too many video cameras have that much zooming power.

I just tried it out this afternoon on some song sparrows in the yard, and wow, it's so much better than my Hi-8, which was only 28X optical. 28x is pretty good, but nothing like 40x, and when videotaping birds, you need all the zooming power you can get. I've found digital zooms to be pretty worthless if you want optimal quality. A powerful optical zoom gives you the ability to get nice, clear footage.

I haven't yet figured out how to view it on the computer, or edit it, much less download (upload?) it into Photobucket. I'll probably be pulling my hair out, but here's hoping it goes smoothly and I can figure it out. It should really help the quality of the videos that I post. No more converting analog to digital and the drastic loss in resolution.

Yippee!!!

Congrats, that's great! Now if you happen to find any free software for editing and converting to avi or mpg to share them on the Internet hollar at me? Everything I try makes for cruddy quality vids when I post them.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

(Forgot to say I was looking for software I can edit with, as in cut out a portion I want to share.)

ffmpeg

There are many Windows front ends like super, ffe avanti.

http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html#Dnload

On Mac there is ffmpegx
http://www.ffmpegx.com/




Martin
--
Vancouver Island, zone 8B
Nikon D70/D200 300 f4 af-s, 400 2.8 af-i
www.frogpondphotography.com
www.frogpondphotography.blogspot.com

Kristin-- Good for you , I will be looking forward to all your photos and videos, have fun with it.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Thanks for the link Martin. I'll check it out.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

Thanks, Martin, for those links. I haven't found any wmv to mpeg converters that are free, but I didn't have that much time to look tonight. I was busy trying to figure out all of this new software.

Fooling around with the camera was fun. Trying to figure out the new software and remember how to use Moviemaker after several months away from it--not so fun. I'm exhausted and if I had any sense I'd be in bed now, not typing this.

Here's the result. Sorry, no hummingbirds yet to practice on, but hopefully soon. My apologies--late in the day, in the shade, lots of zoom with no tripod, auto focus going in and out a bit, so take some dramamine....



I just noticed if I right click on it I can get it into RealPlayer, and this allows me to make the screen much larger. OK, gotta quit. Getting very, very, sleeeeepy..........

Way to go Kristin. It feels good to do something like this. Waiting to see those videos.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Kristin--- Here is the movie converter I use Its "free" simple and easy to use . I had to look up the tutorial which always helps on unfamiliar software. I just keep it on my desktop and then just drag and drop my movie clips into it. This program helps to change into format you want plus resize so you can upload to photobucket. I just convert to wmv, default then convert , the tutorial will show you how.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh7neC2RIG8

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Sounds like a winner Kristin!! - looking forward to seeing those videos.

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Congrats on the new camera Kristin....now you can hop on over and take some pictures here LOL!

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Very nice song sparrow!

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Congrats on your camera. Hope to see some great bird and hummer video

Thanks, folks. I haven't had time to check out the links yet, but thank you for posting them!

So, here's my checklist-- feeders filled (check!), flowers blooming (check!), and video camera ready and charged (check!). All I'm missing is that crucial 4th element--hummingbirds!!!!

Hi Kristin, I am also interested in getting a new video camera. I check the one you got out and came across this, so I cut and pasted and put below...I think it was something which you had questioned...Hope it helps.... ~~ Karen




Manual Focus
Manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

Hi agin Kristin, Forgot to log on and accidently hit the post button instead of preview, so couldn't ad this: Great clip and with that 40 to 1 zoom put that camera in top 5 of choices for me... ~~ Karen

Karen
Southern California