NOISE NOISE NOISE
Written: Jun 07 '02 (Updated Jun 07 '02)
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Pros: Stylish, comfortable, easy to use, Good pictures "not Great", Price
Cons: Horrible motor noise when recording to tape
The Bottom Line: If you like annoying noises taped onto all of your precious moments buy it. If you don't...don't! Why? Noise...LOTS!
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| rbimvp's Full Review: Canon ZR45MC Mini DV Camcorder |
First, I am not a professional videographer. I do not have a working knowledge in f-stop, shutter speeds, slow zoom, optical this, electronic that, and so on, and so on. What I do know is what I want in a camcorder from an average persons perspective. What I expect so to speak.
Recently, I purchased the Canon ZR 45mc. I did my homework and researched all kinds of cameras. It was a nerve wrenching time. Digital video camcorders are still a little on the high side for me. With a baby due any day and that financial responsibility looming I wanted to be careful about my purchase.
The maniac in me wanted to buy the Canon GL1. Three ccd's! That sounded great and I don't even know what they are. It also looked like a real camera. It's price was way out of my league so I decided no.
The next on the list was the Sony dcr pc-110, a Consumer Reports highly rated camera. I bought my truck because of them why not a camera. But, the price was still a little too high.
I then looked into the Canon Optura 100mc. Sounded like just the thing.....too high!
Finally, I looked into the Canon ZR series cameras. They got good reviews on most of the things listed and it even looked kind of cool. However, I kept reading about a problem with the motor noise from the machine while using the camcorder part for video. I thought what does that really mean? And to tell you the truth I thought these people were just being petty. I have met a lot of people who love to complain about the dumbest things. The motor noise thing sounded dumb. In addition, I couldn't figure out what motor noise was. I have used other "regular" camcorders all of my life, literally hundreds and hundreds of times. I have never heard a motor or anything resembling motor noise.
Feeling I had found the right one at the right price, I dismissed the "problem" and bought one...........
BIG MISTAKE. I now know what motor noise is, boy do I ever. The picture taking part is fine. But, when you turn on that video camera here it comes. It is hard to describe but it permeates everywhere, especially onto the tape. Yes, you can here it, loud and clear. Indoors, outdoors, everywhere. Sure outside it is dampened somewhat by wind noise, other indistinct noises, etc. but, it is always there.
It is the motor that turns the tape that makes all of the noise. Ridiculous! I bought a $220 "regular" camcorder recently and it doesn't make a sound. Yet, add the word digital and out comes a grinding, whining, horrible type of noise. No it isn't broken, it's the motor. It sounds like is should be broken but, it's not. I wish I could tell you it is broken but, you can tell...it just makes a lot of noise!
I will give the camera some credit. It is easy to use, looks great, and the pictures are pretty good. Not photo quality but, good. I took some full action shots and it took the shot without any blurring. The quality is average to slightly above, but good enough for email.
The color night shot however, is a shame. Unless you are using a tripod and taking a shot of a stationary target. The mode is very jerky, possibly because of the shutter speed, at least that is what another review said. He was right too! It is, for the most part, useless.
In a nut shell spend a little more on another camera or make it another brand, or do anything. Just do not buy this camera.
When my newborn boy has his first cry, crawls his first crawl, says dadda for the first time, I am going to hear THIS NOISE!
As you can tell I am not pleased. I work too hard for my money to let it go to waste. I did the homework and did not heed the warnings. I will forever be reminded of that. Do not make the same mistake, because like me you will find out it was a mistake.
Anyone want to buy a "Great" camcorder? And ocean front property in Arizona?
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 599.95
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Epinions.com ID:
rbimvp
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
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