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 #1 Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 05/12/2009 @ 15:09 |
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Hi all,
I'm off to les arc with some mates in Jan and I wanted to video us doing some runs and tricks in the park. I was wondering if anyone had any experience of the panasonic lumix dmc-ft1?
I read the review on dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page8.asp) which seemed pretty good only downside is the flash and the underwater quality mainly, but as per usual dp review isn't really concerned with the video mode.
I originally looked at the hd hero, but am concerned I wouldn't use it for the other 50 weeks of the year, as its a bit of a one trick pony and it doesn't have a screen, making it hard to see what you are filming. It does shoot 60fps though and the ft1 only does 30fps, and of course its 1080p not 720p.
However its a lot more versatile and I was wondering if anyone had used it for snowboarding videos? Is it any good? Have you got any samples?
So yeah please chime in if you have any video experience with this cam and got any love or hate for it...
nice one
~ Jay |
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http://twitter.com/jaymoid |
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| #2 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 08/12/2009 @ 11:20 |
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I have one and really like it! Have yet to really use it in the snow (it only came out in April) but the photos it takes are great for a compact camera and the videos are even better!
So far the only 'extreme' testing i've done with it are Alton Towers (great fun videoing while on the log flume and ripsaw!) and some surfing (its hard to surf and record at the same time but got some good stills of friends).
After breaking so many cameras snowboarding (mostly Ricohs) it will be great to not have to worry about it. I'm even ditching my bullet cam set-up to use the Panasonic instead this year - and to experiment I've just bought a suction mount so i can try sticking it to my board. If I get chance I'll test it at chill factor this weekend and post a vid, although the lighting in there probably won't show off the picture quality very well!
Downsides - The power and zoom buttons will be fiddly to use in gloves. The battery life seems quite poor compared to other camera's I've used; you have to use genuine Panasonic batteries due to some chip in them and they aren't cheap!
Let me know if you have any specific questions, overall I'd definitely recommend it! I'm quite surprised that I'd had it for so long and its still the best camera for the job although I expect it will be replaced by a new model soon enough. |
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| #3 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 08/12/2009 @ 11:47 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Ah glad to hear you like it, yeah if you could post some chillfactor vids that'd be ace!
You're not kidding about the price of those batteries £50! I usually get a spare battery for if I am caught short, but thought it would be about £20. I did a bit of digging and found this: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/info/dsc_battery.html £50 is ridiculous, if I can get one for £30 I'd be happier with that
Found this one here: http://www.crazycameras.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=100921&aff_code=gg
Not a bad price I guess!
Have you had any trouble editing the AVCHD-lite recorded videos? I use premiere and was hoping to just be able to import them without having to buy any codecs. I have previously used Motion JPEG which is a bit annoying as I have to uncompress all my vids before use in premiere.
Also I don't suppose you know how long you can video for before you run out of battery juice do you?
Cheers! |
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http://twitter.com/jaymoid |
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| #4 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 08/12/2009 @ 11:56 |
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If you buy the European version there is a limit on how long you can video for (otherwise it is taxed as a camcorder) I think it is 15 minutes per clip, so you will have to start a new recording every 15 minutes. Alternatively import a TS1 (loads on eBay) and you don't have this limit. |
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| #5 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 13/12/2009 @ 22:14 |
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| In reply to post #4
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Cool tip, I have been looking at the us ones, they seem to be around 190, or 210 for an orange one!
Don't suppose you managed to record any footage in xscape did you?
Cheers. |
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http://twitter.com/jaymoid |
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| #6 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 16/12/2009 @ 11:26 |
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I tested it at home on the board and all was fine, I even stuck it to the front bumper of the car and recorded a drive to work! (Although it kinda ended up as 10 minutes of tarmac and nothing else) As soon as I attached it to the board on the slope, the camera would turn off with any impact to the bottom. I did some testing and it turns out the battery must have been momentarily disconnecting so I added a bit of sticky padding to the battery and it seems fine now but I won't get another chance to test until Tignes in a week or so. |
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| #7 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 21/12/2009 @ 18:16 |
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| In reply to post #6
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QUOTE (PhilS - 16/12/2009 @ 11:26) I tested it at home on the board and all was fine, I even stuck it to the front bumper of the car and recorded a drive to work! (Although it kinda ended up as 10 minutes of tarmac and nothing else) As soon as I attached it to the board on the slope, the camera would turn off with any impact to the bottom. I did some testing and it turns out the battery must have been momentarily disconnecting so I added a bit of sticky padding to the battery and it seems fine now but I won't get another chance to test until Tignes in a week or so.
Cool... well feel free to post any links to your vids when you get back, would love to see how this camera works in snowy conditions! I have been having trouble locating the US version, also working out if the Asian version is any different, dont suppose you know do you? Ta |
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http://twitter.com/jaymoid |
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| #8 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 27/12/2009 @ 15:20 |
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| In reply to post #1
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I've just got one to use as a take everywhere and rainy day camera when I can't be bothered with my D80, and also to mount on my bike to shoot and film from the road. Not properly tested as yet but there doesn't seem to be a bad word said about it online and I'm really happy with it. I had also been looking at the GoPro HD Hero, discounted for the same reasons as above, and the Olympus Tough which lacks video.
I never ride with a camera to hand, and never happily even if it's in a bag, so hopefully this will change that. |
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| #9 Re: Panasonic DMC-FT1 for video, any lovers or haters? Posted 28/12/2009 @ 09:56 |
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| In reply to post #8
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Just ordered mine from ebay from a chap in hong kong, hope it comes before the holiday! Thanks for all the help and advice chaps, went for the Asian version in the end. |
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http://twitter.com/jaymoid |
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