Just got my Canon Oputura 60 today. Broke out the instruction manual read it over (easy enough), and started recording some video, the quality was unbelievable!!!

So I remembered in the review they kept pointing out how bad this camcorder recorded video in dim and low light, they went on and on about it. So I tried it. I don't understand what they mean? Maybe I got a freak camcorder of something, in all actuallity, the camcorder recorded more than I could see with my own eyes! Not only that, when it got dark outside, looking at the LCD screen I noticed it looked like daytime as if somehow the viewer was lighting things up and it recorded exactly that. Has anyone else noticed this?

This is a great Camcorder!! Just think I almost missed out on it after reading that review. I'm so glad I decided to go with it anyway !!!

Pipelayer;

I agree with you (somewhat), as to review inaccuracies regarding camcorder low-light capabilities. However, I believe the reason for such inaccuracies involves each person's expectations of what a camcorder can achieve in low-light situations. Bottom line: No camcorder can record in total darkness (except with Infra-red capability). Beyond that, why in the world would anyone wish to record an inadequately illuminated scene, i.e. one that he/she cannot discern with the naked eye?

Whereas, some are willing to tolerate video shot in low-light conditions, in which the scene is electronically boosted (auto gain added); I am not. If your Optura 60 allows for locking the gain at 0 db in low-light conditions, the image should appear much better than with auto gain permitted. I own three camcorders which allow manual locking of the gain control at 0 db --- and all three (two of which are Canon models) capture spectacular, low-light video. However, none of these camcorders, is capable of capturing video in pitch black situtaions in which no light at all is present.

I've concluded that reviews in which low-light evaluations are based upon AUTO MODE settings can be misleading. Reviews in which low-light determinations are based upon MANUAL locking of the gain to 0 db, are apt to be more reliable.

VM

That's great news that your Optura 60 shoots so good, that means my Optura 50 is going to shoot exactly as well except that you have gain control and can stop it and I think my 50 does not have this option, also as I think about it you have a built in light and I don't, so mine on second thought probably won't do as well as yours.

From what I understand good buddy, the two cameras are identical except for a few options. Besides.... I didn't use any of those functions you mentioned when shooting and getting such a good quality recording. However, I don't believe the Optura 50, or 60 offers gain control.

I think much of the problem with measuring low-light performance has to do with the definition of what low light is. I have taken footage with my Optura 50 after the sun has fallen below the horizon that looks much like it would in shade on a sunny day. In other words, well exposed, with lots of colour. But I have also taken indoor shots in a room lit only by only one lamp or two, and with plenty of shadowy areas. The quality/intensity of colour definitely decreases. I also took footage at a Christmas-lights festival, and it was difficult to see much detail or colour from people being recorded, unless they were in an area with a lot of lights. Nonetheless, I did get usable footage. Also, keep in mind the Optura 50 and 60 has a Vivid colour setting, along with the ability to create custom colour/exposure settings, to help boost the colour. Whether another brand/model of camera would have done much better in the same circumstances could only be determined by shooting with those cameras, which I have no way or intention of doing.

Anyways, overall, I'm satisfied with my Optura 50. I like the footage it produces. I like the way it handles. The only real issue I have is with the level of tape-motor noise, which I've mostly dealt with by buying a decent external mic.

Anyways, I must be off. I think I'll take some footage of my son playing at the local rec centre's gym. The best way to find out what a camera can or cannot do is to go out and use it, and that's just what I'm going to do.

Cheers.

I knew it wasn't just my imagination, here is a review by PC WORLD that verifies how the camera lights up the darker scenes, it stated:
The LED is impressively bright: It illuminated objects up to 5 or 6 feet away in total darkness.

Check out the fourth paragraph of this link from PC WORLD:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,1...,1/article.html

Just can't believe no one else has noticed this, especially those reviewers that slam the low light performance of this camera. I'm not totally disputing their conclusions yet, but..... I have to say for myself, as of yet, I have had no low light problems with this camcorder. But by the same token I've just recently purchased it, so I'll keep and eye open for further complications.

It verifies that if you turn on a light you will get a better image.

The Optura 60 was a very good camcorder. The question might be "why did Canon drop it in early 2006?". I don't know the answer, and I don't think most people know for sure.

CCI started using Imatest Imaging Software in the beginning of 2005 to test the actual measurable resolution and light performance. This test is only reliable when compared to other camcorders using the same test and that the tests were done properly. Normally in this case the larger the number the better the resolution. In the past the resolution by photographing a special test chart of which there have been many types of test charts and looking at the test lines to see how close they can be and still be able to tell them apart. The vertical and horizontal resolutions were then given. A video of color charts are taken at fixed known light levels (15 and 60 Lux I think). I don't know of how else you could measure the actual video performance of a camcorder. Just viewing a video can be subjective. Just reading a description leads to a lot of interpretation.

It would be nice if CCI posted the full size frame grabs from the tests rather than the reduced frame grabs.


The imatest software web site is at www.imatest.com . It has some pretty interesting information and explanations in it.

Rich

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Thanks for the info Poncho.

Pipelayer:

Here are some camcorder reviews by dvspot which has a review on the Optura 60. The site owner quit updating the site but it is still up: http://dvspot.com/features/

Thought you might be interested...



Rich

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Thanks Poncho, it is one of the articles that I checked out before I purchased the Optura 60, and it was very informative.

I have to say I'm liking this camcorder more and more everyday. The quality of the video is just uncanny! So sharp, so clear! I am really glad I purchased this camcorder. I've seen some of the other brands that got better reviews on some of their functions but I like the Optura better than any of them. This camera has pretty much everything.

Don't know why Canon dropped them in 2006 either, and honestly don't care; it's their loss, I would have gladly paid much more. The only thing it means to me is that I got a good camera at a low price; a price I probably wouldn't have gotten if the camera was current. This camera totally fits my needs as an Audio Engineer and virtually anything else, it has mic input, headphone jack, PCM 16bit 48kHz stereo audio, volume control, hot shoe, takes nice photos, amazing video, Optical Image Stablization, effects and plenty of available third party filters and lenses, and as someone recomended I did buy a step up adapter to take my lens millimeter size up to 37mm, where there are lots more filters and lenses available.

I'm very satisfied.

I'm very satisfied.[/QUOTE]
Are you shooting mostly indoors or outdoors with all this satisfaction. I'm hoping I will be equally satisfied with my Optura 50, I'll be shooting indoors mostly in a studio recording vocals and acoustic guitar, I can light me up pretty good I think either with quartz shop lights or common spotlights or standard light bulbs. I've learned here to use just one type of lighting at a time. I should be able to white balance and also use a tripod.

Hey friend, how are you? I see you're into music and recording too... great!

Actually, I'll be doing both, shooting indoors and out. But a lot of indood filming. Me and some friends run a local record label. Several miles away there's a guy rehabing a once closed movie theater, I've spoken with him about a talent show there. He thinks it's a great idea. We will be filming the auditions as well as the talent show. We will probably call in some professionals to film the talent show but I'll be filming the auditions with my trusty Optura 60! -and a good studio mic like Rodes NT3 or NT4.

We've put up a couple of thousand dollars for the winner and we will sign them to a recording contract. We may also make a signing offer to those who lost the talent show as well as those who auditioned if we like them. What it comes down to is sort of like a local American Idol, if you will. The whole thing is a lot of fun if you really love music.

>with my trusty Optura 60! -and a good studio mic like Rodes NT3 or NT4.<

I wouldn't rule out the Shure SM58 an SM57, that's what I'm recording with for now. I am absolutely certain I will get great audio. All you need is an inexpensive adapter to 1/8

I bought the Shure A96F for $25 to adapt with and it is good for what I'm doing as I can tape the short cord to the Optura 50 and it also changes impedence but after I bought it I found out that any adapter will work well. I still like being able to tape the cord to the camcorder so I don't have to stress the 1/8 input.

These mic's have a lot of character I think. The Rode mic's I will get later though. Just a thought.

As you probably know the Shure SM57 is somewhat of a old standard for vocals. I actually have one myself and use it frequently. It's one of the most uniquely distinctive inexpensive mics. I know plenty of pros that use it. It's also excellent for micing instruments. After doing some reserach, I found that the Rodes GT3 & GT4 mics come highly recommended for studio quality recording with camcorders.

Yes, if you have the money, studio quality mics like those you suggest are the way to go. I'm unsure if you can get the "live" sound out of studio mics but overall I know they win out. Sometimes imperfect is more perfect though, the character thing. The art. I was just suggesting you might want to shoot with the Shure's sometime if that is what happens to be set up.