Panasonic HDC-TM300

[Dawid Ciechowski]

Hello,

Is here anybody who have this camera? If yes, how it works (or will it work) with nighttime lightning? I'm asking because I would like to buy this camera - it seems to be bright, but I can't find on the net any lightning video recorded by this one.




Thanks,
Dawid

 

[Jarrod Barnett]

Reviews on Google about it: http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDsQ8wIwAg&os=reviews

More reviews on Testfreaks: http://www.testfreaks.com/digital-camcorders/panasonic-hdc-tm300/

Youtube vids: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Panasonic+HDC-TM300&aq=f

Hope those help you some!

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Anything with a CMOS sensor..instead of CCD.... will have the rolling shutter issues with lightning, which is what most cameras are having stuck in them anymore it seems.

 

[Dawid Ciechowski]

So there is no cheap CCD HD camera?

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I'm sure there is but not sure how one would search for it.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

This lightning strike was filmed with the HDC-TM300

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

You could buy a comparable Sony and save a bunch of money... http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

 

[Jason Foster]

Anything with a CMOS sensor..instead of CCD.... will have the rolling shutter issues with lightning, which is what most cameras are having stuck in them anymore it seems.

So there is no cheap CCD HD camera?

The CMOS is a real detractor the more and more I see footage. CCD cameras are becoming less and less an option, and almost non-existent if you want a HDD camera and you have minimal funds.

If you are looking to do more than just storm filming the rolling shutter sucks for other stuff too. I've noticed an undesirable affect on fire scenes, snow, highway traffic in limited light, party scenes (with rapidly moving light) and more. Of course there is tons more, and 90% of the time you won't notice it.

One CCD camera option (among others) is to consider going a little old school and look for a used Sony Z1U for instance, which was one of the best cameras around, widely used, and still widely available on the used market.

 

[Dawid Ciechowski]

What do you think about Panasonic AG-HMC151? Here is the link to it: http://www.proav.co.uk/Cameras-Camcorders/AVCHD-Camcorders/p19169_Specification_sc773.aspx

 

[Ben Holcomb]

How important is lightning to you? Watching at full HD, a couple lightning strikes look fine. You aren't going to be able to pull stills out and sell them, but the camera performs very well for all other applications of storm chasing. For the price range, it's IMO the best camera on the market (which is why I own it).

 

[Dawid Ciechowski]

Yes, but sometimes I like to film a distant / heat lightning which most cameras don't see because they are too dark. Do you have more videos of lightning, especially at night?

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I have set it up and let it run at night with Lightning. I don't have anything edited up/online, but when I get settled into my new apartment and my main computers back up and running I'll cut a little bit for you and drop it on youtube.

 

[Dawid Ciechowski]

Ok, thanks. If it will be possible upload it with sound of thunder. Hope it works fine with lightning at night.