Im looking to buy this camera and use it for semi professional video?
Canon VIXIA HF S21
What all will I need for it as in accessories and equipment?
Im thinking like a shotgun mic, a stabilizer, and some sort of lens/light guard, list some names and models if you suggest any thing.
The camera will be used to film 4×4 truck racing/sports.
Personally, I would not depend on a AVCHD compression (consumer) camcorder to get good high-quality fast-action video. For fast action, you *should* be using a low-compression video format (like DV, HDV, HDCAM, XDCAM, DVCPRO-DVCPRO HD).
I also prefer stereo separation with audio – and while shotgun mics are good for dialog (like interviews), using them when a race – and the associated audio – moves from one side to the other will be… um… interesting (and decent stereo shotgun mics are expensive – check Sennheiser and Audio Technica).
The Canon HF S21 is a fine consumer-grade cam. Using flash memory, there are fewer moving parts so the battery lasts longer than if the video storage media is miniDV tape. But an optional high capacity battery from Canon is a good idea.
A stabilizer? Like a shoulder mount or a "SteadiCam" or "Glidecam" vest system? Or just the handheld stabilizer?
A "lens/light guard"? Sorry – I don’t understand… a lens hood? I don’t think that is necessary for this level of camcorder. It won’t do much to improve the video.
Where will the camcorder be located?
How will the lighting be? Are all races during good, bright, daylight? You need to plan for the worst lighting conditions.
What is meant by "semi professional"?
I do video for a hobby – and use a Sony HDR-FX1…
note: (copy and paste the link if the blue link does not work)
Canon VIXIA HF S21
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00322OP40?tag=02010-20
Technical Details
* Records up to 24 hours of crisp high definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive or directly to two removable SD memory cards
* Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens
* Canon 1/2.6" 8.59-Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution
* Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor
* Dynamic SuperRange OIS corrects a full range of motion
Acessories
package 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JCTOU8?tag=02010-20
package 2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IQN8XE?tag=02010-20
References :
Canon VIXIA HF S21
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00322OP40?tag=02010-20
Personally, I would not depend on a AVCHD compression (consumer) camcorder to get good high-quality fast-action video. For fast action, you *should* be using a low-compression video format (like DV, HDV, HDCAM, XDCAM, DVCPRO-DVCPRO HD).
I also prefer stereo separation with audio – and while shotgun mics are good for dialog (like interviews), using them when a race – and the associated audio – moves from one side to the other will be… um… interesting (and decent stereo shotgun mics are expensive – check Sennheiser and Audio Technica).
The Canon HF S21 is a fine consumer-grade cam. Using flash memory, there are fewer moving parts so the battery lasts longer than if the video storage media is miniDV tape. But an optional high capacity battery from Canon is a good idea.
A stabilizer? Like a shoulder mount or a "SteadiCam" or "Glidecam" vest system? Or just the handheld stabilizer?
A "lens/light guard"? Sorry – I don’t understand… a lens hood? I don’t think that is necessary for this level of camcorder. It won’t do much to improve the video.
Where will the camcorder be located?
How will the lighting be? Are all races during good, bright, daylight? You need to plan for the worst lighting conditions.
What is meant by "semi professional"?
I do video for a hobby – and use a Sony HDR-FX1…
References :
I would consider Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder
Records up to 24 hours of crisp high definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive or directly to two removable SD memory cards
Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens
Canon 1/2.6" 8.59-Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution
Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor
Dynamic SuperRange OIS corrects a full range of motion
References :
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-HF-S21-Memory-Camcorder/dp/B00322OP40/?tag=srtghl-20