WTB: Best video of 2011 tornados

[Greg Higgins]

I have recently purcahsed several DVD's of this years storm video and have been disappointed in the quality (too many shots through a dirty or rainy windshield, no wipers; unfocused shots, ground shots, interior of vehicle shots, etc.) and want to know what DVD's ya'll think are the best. Input appreciated!!!

Greg Higgins

 

[Adam Lucio]

I am biased towards my own obviously. The issues you mention I tried to keep to a minimum but I would be lying if I said it was 100% free of those issues. Its also not just a 2011 DVD.

http://www.aerostorms.com/Storm-Chasing-DVD-The-Noob.php

I personally do not like windshield mounts for the reasons you mentioned and don't use them. The shots are just...TOO still and to me it just fails to capture the true chaotic-ness of the situation. I especially can't stand if a persons wipers are screechy. I mean seriously, people are out there with thousands of dollars worth of fancy equipment but are too cheap to spend 50 bucks on a decent pair of windshield wipers?

Anyways, just throwing myself to the wolf so to speak. I welcome all feedback, good and bad.

 

[Andy Jackson]

Good points Greg. I'm realizing my role as "videographer" when chasing which minimally covers the points you made.

 

[Tony Laubach]

http://www.tornadoeskick.com/market/

I have several DVDs on the market, many of which I consider very professional quality with good videography. Give them a look! Even have a tornado compilation production with some of the best tornadoes of the last several years!

 

[J Tyler]

My pet peeve is having someone say, "Large tornado on the ground" every 5 seconds for the entire length of the video. Second peeve....squeeky wipers.

Greg, my two favorites have been from Skip Talbot and Andy Gabrielson, both from last year. Skips was interesting because he uses the time lapse and his roof mounted dome camera, so even as he repositions he is able to stay on the storm. The time lapse allows you to see the full storm structure in motion over time. Really cool to watch. Andys has quick little intros at the beginning of each clip, then natural sound. Andys is good because he seems to be the tornado charmer, they just come to him. He has one where the tornado is on the other side of a river, and it comes across the river, thru open countryside, and comes right to him until it is maybe 150 yards away. Another shot, he is filming a tornado in the distance, when suddenly these 10 foot tall "ghost tornadoes" appear in the field next to him. One of them turns toward the road, and hits his truck. Again, the DVDs I am talking about were from the 2010 season. Good luck in your search, and let us know when you find DVDs you really enjoy.

 

[JeffGonzales]

I might be alittle biased as well, but i would recommend my dvd covering my chases from 2010-2011. Has a mix of handheld, dash cam, and dome cam. Has timelapses as well. Features 6-11-10 MN out break, 6-20-11 Bradshaw tornado, and 8-11-11 Wood Lake tornado and much more. You can order and watch a preview at TornadoRaiders.com

Here is the trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlYK-2OmCH0

Ben Holcomb had this to say about it: "Jeffrey Gonzales' footage from Aug 11 is probably some of the best of 2011. Amazing."

Some other 2011 DVDs i have seen so far are that are amazing and recommend are:
Ben Holcomb's: 2011 relocated
Convective Addiction's: 2011 highlights
Adam Lucio's: The Noob

 

[Ben Holcomb]

My May 24th and June 20th chapters provide in excess of 30 minutes of good tripoded quiet video of violent tornadoes if that is what you are looking for. It's self produced, so it's not extremely professional (Tony has me beat for sure in this department) but I would say overall the shots are good and the DVD flows. I've seen just about every 2011 DVD so far and have to say they are all pretty good in my opinion - but pick up Adam's for sure.

Adams is a lot of hand held footage, but you will get a lot of tornadoes and excitement and a lot of dumb things that come out of his (or mine or dannys) mouth

Jeff's is also very good and is worth it just for the 8/11 chapter. His June 20th stuff is pretty good too, although he was south of the tornado so had a different lighting situation.

Tony Laubachs is very good as well, his canton footage is good. He definitely understands the importance of a tripod too!

 

[Jarrod Barnett]

I have purchased 2 DVD's so far this year and havent watched either of them, one of which is Jeff's. I hope to possibly watch them this weekend if my schedule allows. I picked the 2 I purchased so far off of 2 things. Best price and also best looking preview.

Tony's DVD is actually next on my list.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Tony Laubachs is very good as well, his canton footage is good. He definitely understands the importance of a tripod too!

And shutting the h*ll up!