Re: Camcorders: It's a jungle out there!

From: Bob Clemens <rclemens2_at_rochester.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2012 13:54:00 -0400

Something I neglected to mention in my first message is that my Zi8’s lens, while offering a modest zoom range (wide angle is the default), the telephoto range is strictly digital, not optical. I’d guess most of these minis have this shortcoming due to their thin design and perhaps an effort to keep costs down. Digital zoom is OK, but the image quality is not as good as a true optical zoom lens. Perhaps some of the newer model minis have optical zoom.
Here’s a tip you can use when shooting models, family, scenics, or whatever:

Get in close whenever possible. Fill the frame. You don’t need wasted open space around the subject. Image quality will be much enhanced by shooting tight. What’s important in your shot? Don’t include anything that isn’t.

Bob Clemens
Received on Sun Jun 03 2012 - 10:54:06 CEST