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Advice on 2nd-hand DV camera. And getting visa for Libya
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: USA at the moment
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I'm going on a marathon trip around the known world (c.150AD) next summer and would like to get a video camera. As I have no money already it will have to be cheap, and as we're driving through dodgy sand-filled places, robust.
Thing is, I looked on eBay and realised I don't have the first clue what I'm looking for. Do I need MiniDV, MicroMV or Digital8? Obviously I need FireWire - do they all have this? Also can you get cheap cameras which you can plug external mics into? This would be great as the worst thing about home-made movies these days is the sound quality.
Also, can anyone get us a visa which will enable us to drive my Peugeot 306 across Libya? THat seems to be the main sticking point with our plans so far...
Cheers,
Will
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indy.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Tampa, Florida
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What's your nationality and your party's?
You are leaving very important details out :/
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
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No DV cam is robust. They all require care in handling. I've had Canons eat a tape and it be game over. I've had Panasonics that had the firewire die on them and do something funny with the tape where playing the tape in a camera other than the one that recorded it resulted in a tape that played extra fast and the firewire hiccuped on frames. And that was three panasonics of the same model purchased at the same time.
Even so, a gv120 panasonic. 3 chips, good. but damn, be careful.
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Ham Sandwich
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Digital 8 should be a little more road-warrior friendlier as, I believe, it's a thicker tape than DV. If you're going to be taking it to where there's not a repair center around the corner, you might want to think of an alternative. Possibly something that uses solid-state media (CF, etc.).
Personally, as much as I would like to film my travels, I've had multiple brands of video cameras go nutty on me and I really don't trust them for anything important.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Madison, WI
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I agree on finding out if solid state media would work. Though I am suspecting such cameras are expensive.
-Owl
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Isle of Manhattan
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I say MiniDV. I've travelled around the (currently known) world three times with a Sony VX1000 and have always had access to tape stock. I've had one problem in five years - dirty heads, but physically this camera is perfect and the media works great.
Get a good case with padding inside and a suspension system inside to hold the camera in place.
Good luck with the visa. I use american express. 
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Don't ever ever go with digital8. Just don't.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Washington, DC
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I feel price is going to force your hand a bit.
Other things to think about:
- Audio: most cameras have average sound at best. You may want to think about another source.
- Protection: A nice travel box, plastic sand covers, etc.
- Extra batteries, tapes, etc. etc.
The camera is usually only part of the puzzle.
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
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as for a visa to travel to libya, start calling embassies.
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