• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

Attention all Sony camcorder fans!

Joined
Aug 17, 2008
Messages
848
Location
Cupertino CA & Storm Lake IA
Sony has announced their new best-of-breed camcorder. B&H just sent me a note to the same effect.
Personally, it is probably a great unit that is capable of doing low-light situations - like its predecessor. I can't afford it, but I appreciate what it can do.

I'm not going to buy a camcorder until the consumer-grade camcorders can do low-light situations; and can do it for less that six hundred bucks. Wishful thinking? Maybe; time will tell.

From what I have gathered from members of STORMTRACK, they aren't pleased with the current consumer-grade camcorders (<$1000) when it comes to the demands of storm chasing. Heck, I'm working as hard as I an to get my still camera chops right - not to mention my forecasting skills up to par. Learning how to operate a videocam to its fullest AND be capable of quality post production seems to be a least a year or more in my future.

But for those who are ready to make the change to pro-quality videos; then this SONY unit is without peer - except for the Canon equivalent.
Question is: which is better?
AND : What are the features that count the most - especially in <$1000 bracket?
Its YOUR money; where is it most wisely spent for storm chasing needs?


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/HDR-FX1000.jsp
 
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Interesting - unfortunately it is a CMOS chip camera, which means lightning is pretty much out of the question with it. I am curious how the low light sensitivity has improved. If it's not by much, I think the FX1 may still be the better choice at just $100 more. That gives you lightning functionality. (Their $500 difference is not correct, at least the article says the FX1000 will run $3,199, but the FX1 is $3,299 on B&H.)
 
Agree with Dan. Too bad that manufacturers are moving to CMOS with the rolling shutters. I'll stick with my FX-1 until Sony comes up with a cost effective compressionless HD recorder...to move away from HDV.

I imagine one can still grab an FX-1 these days..

Tim
 
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