Memo to Santa...
Written: Dec 05 '99 (Updated Dec 05 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Super easy and fun to use for a novice. Excellent Instruction Manual. Clarity of sound and image is amazing.
Cons: That I had to return it. Listen up Santa: I've been good. Very Very Good!
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| Leah's Full Review: Panasonic PV-L559 VHS-C Analog Camcorder |
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS THIS CAMERA!
I recently borrowed this Camcorder from a friend to shoot some long-promised, long-overdue, footage of my "new" home in SW Colorado (I have lived here nearly 3.5 years. Thus, the "overdueness" of it all).
I have never held, operated, or desired a Video Camera in my life. All that has changed now. You might already know that I have low self-esteem issues when it comes to offering epinions on anything electronic or computer-related, but I do think there is value in going on record here, for it truly falls in the "IF I CAN OPERATE THIS THING, ANYONE CAN" school of testimonials.
First and foremost, I must say that this camera comes with one of the most easy to understand Operating Instructions Manuals I have ever read, and I have spilled tears of frustration over many in my day. The "Quick Operation Guide" is perfect for folks like me who need a big arrow pointing to "Insert cassette HERE as SHOWN", "Press HERE to close door" "Attach battery BEFORE trying to insert cassette". Laugh if you must, but I can not tell you how much I appreciated the diagram showing me exactly how to insert the cassette! Lame, I know, but I must be in good company if Panasonic dedicated a whole page to Cassette Insertion and Removal.
I loved the LCD display feature, and used it constantly, not only always recording with it open and showing me my subject and frame so clearly, but also used it to play back and view/edit my footage. Take them seriously, however, when they tell you that using the LCD Monitor will drain the battery more quickly. My battery died at a most inopportune time. Fortunately, it only takes an hour and a half or so to re-charge.
I was delighted by the quality of the visual and sound recording sensitivity. It picked up some dialogue I did not expect it to catch, and the visual clarity and color quality were wonderful. (An aside: I used two tapes over the course of my filming, and found a perceptible quality difference, or so I thought, in the Maxell HGX-GOLD 30 over the Panasonic SHG TC-40). The auto focus feature was fantastic, as was the zoom capability, and I was very surprised by the camera's ability to adjust to a myriad of lighting conditions so clearly and effortlessly.
The operation was nearly "fool proof". Much to my surprise, not once did I tape over any of my good footage, or forget to put the switch back on camera-record after using the VCR feature to check my work. This tells me that Panasonic limited the amount of steps necessary to record well to just the essential few, so novices like me wouldn't get too overwhelmed and confused by the many options or steps involved.
I know that given more time with the camera I would have discovered and used all of the features it offers that I did not even begin to explore. The only thing I didn't figure out, but perhaps should have, is how to determine how far into my tape usage I was at any given time. I ran out of tape at an inconvenient time as well, since I had no clue as to how much footage I had already shot.
All in all, a wonderful camera that is just one heck of a good time to play with!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Leah
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Member: laura winzeler
Reviews written: 308
Trusted by: 364 members
About Me:
"Respect the delicate ecology of your delusions."
ANGELS IN AMERICA
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