|
||||
| Size really DOES matter... | |
| This page looks at my range of smaller cameras. Apart from the DSR-PDX10 camera, there's a little underwater camera, a Pulnix mini-cam and some tiny spy cameras, which work in conjunction with a small mini-DV video recorder. | If you found this page via a search engine and you haven't seen my home page, please read this. I'm a freelance cameraman in Sussex, and this is camera gear which I own and can bring when you hire me. I generally don't sell or dry-hire equipment. |
| Mini-DVCAM
Sony DSR-PDX10
Unobtrusive, cheap and surprisingly good quality |
||||
| The DSR-PDX10 is a
three-chip mini-DVCAM digital camcorder which is small, unobtrusive
and easy to use. It offers good picture and sound quality, whilst
not attracting attention like larger cameras.
It's used for in-car filming (I have several sucker and clamp mounts), covert work (posing as a tourist, for example) or as a back-up for more expensive equipment. It works well in low light, and has a host of features such as picture stabilisation, time lapse, photo mode and a colour viewfinder screen. The DSR-PDX10 can record proper full-height 16:9 widescreen pictures. Many mini-DV cameras produce a ghastly low-resolution compromised widescreen by masking their 4:3 chips. The DSR-PDX10 records mini-DVCAM or mini-DV, using 40 minute or 60 minute tapes, which play in DVCAM or DVCPRO machines (with adapter). The camera comes with three lithium batteries, charger/mains power supply, wide-angle lens adapter, simple tripod, dub cables (Firewire, S-video, phono/BNC & SCART), infra-red remote control, two lapel mics, hand-held interview mic, directional gun mic (with camera mount) and headphones. Whilst the DSR-PDX10 is suitable for some applications, it shouldn't be regarded as a substitute for a proper broadcast-quality camera kit. |
|
|||
| Pocket-sized
mini-DV cameras with waterproof housing
Splish, splash ... er ... splosh |
||
I have three of the smallest mini-DV
cameras which can be useful where subtlety is needed, as they are smaller
and even more discrete than the DSR-PDX10 above. With wide angle
lens adapters they can sometimes be used in place of the Pulnix minicam
(see below) as they are "one-piece" camcorders and doesn't need cabling
to recorders. I also have an underwater housing, ideal for submerging
a little DV camera in up to 2 metres of sea, river, pond, pool, bath, puddle
- you name it. The housing is useful protection against splashes
and dust and possibly other unwelcoming environments too. This equipment
costs an £50 a day, available only as an extra when booking
me with my main shooting kit.
|
![]() |
|
| Pulnix
minicam kit
For special shots like these in YOUR production, my selection of miniature cameras could be the answer! |
|||
|
Take a look at the results which are possible from my The camera comes complete with wide angle and standard lenses and a right-angle adapter which in many situations reduces
the effective length of the camera to about 30mm. A selection of
mounts (including clamps and a limpet mount) and accessories means that
this Pulnix minicam is as versatile as possible, as these framegrabs show.
Pictures are recorded onto mini-DV/DVCAM using my Sony GV-D1000E and GV-D900E recorders. These small machines fit into a belt pack, enabling minicams to be mounted on a person's head or body for sports, action or covert filming.
Also available is this Sony Exwave digital signal processing camera
which produces remarkably good pictures whatever the light. It's
larger than the Pulnix but ideal nonetheless for mounting on vehicles or
wherever the urge takes you really. It comes with a VERY wide-angle
variable focal length lens which can achieve almost fish-eye shots. |
![]()
|
||
|
|||
|
||||||||
|
home•equipment•credits•rates•little cameras•contact•area•light bulb jokes?•colour standards•email |
| This page last updated 10Aug2007 |