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General discussion

30x or Higher Optical Zoom?

Feb 21, 2006 10:48PM PST

I posted about taking long range video and have found three brands that have 30x or higher Mini DV camcorders. Panasonic, Samsung and JVC. Anyone have opinions about which is the best of these three? I also have learned that in addition to Magnification I need to look at a "long or short focus factor" What is this listed as in a spec sheet? Finally, will the addition of a 2x lens boost magnification without loss of clarity?

Discussion is locked

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Lower Optical Zoom would actually be better for you!
Feb 22, 2006 1:17AM PST

As I've replied to your earlier post, I think you're basing yourself on the wrong criteria, especially if all you're interested in is the long end of the lens spectrum. It's not ''how many X'' zoom that is important but the 35mm equivalent of the long end of your zoom. As I've posted, the Panasonic GS 35 has a 30X zoom, the Canon Elura 90 has a 20X zoom. 35mm equivalent on the Panasonic is 35-1070mm and on the Canon is 52-1040mm. Practically the same on the long end. I chose the Elura 90 over the GS35 because of picture quality amonh other things and I don't regret it at all.

Also, coming from a photography background, I also know that the larger coeficient a lens has (ratio from long to short end, the famous ''X'' value you are talking about), the lower the quality of the lens because it is simply physically difficult to build a lens that renders a good quality image at all focal lenghts over such a long range. That is why cheap camcorders have very wide ratios, whereas higher quality ones usually have smaller lens ratios.

Also, as I've posted before, I've used the Raynox 2.2X Teleconvertor and have been impressed with the results.

Good luck.

Marc P.

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Also, don' forget...
Feb 22, 2006 1:40AM PST

..."Digital Zoom" does nothing but blow up an image. Optical zoom relies on the focal length of the lens and will always give a better image than any digital zoom. And also don't forget that the longer the zoom, the more you will need a tripod. I have the Panasonic GS31 that has a 28X zoom, and I REALLY need a tripod to get a good, non-shakey picture when the lens is at 28X. If you don't have a tripod, learn how do shoot pictures with a shorter zoom lens. A zoom lens is a convenience, not a determining factor of a good videographer.

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Dan
Feb 22, 2006 3:29AM PST

With the old 8MM camcorders, as you increased zoom, you increased the propensity for the camcorder to try to focus in on something other than the intended subject; for example, a moving branch in the foreground. Is this an issue with thre new DV Mini camcorders as well?

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Focus issue
Feb 22, 2006 5:21AM PST

Alan,

Yes, to a certain extent, this focus issue still does exist when you are zoomed all the way out, but nowhere as bad as it was with the older camcorders that I used. My Panasonic DV is not as bad as my old Sony 8mm camcorder was (which was really terrible) because the Panasonic has a better method of focusing on the selected image. Plus, most new DV camcorders also give you the ability to do manual focusing (at least my Panasonic does), but this option isn't something I use very often because I still like the "point-and-shoot" method.

Dan

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(NT) (NT) Thanks for the reply
Feb 22, 2006 5:51AM PST