video camera -- to take or not?
 

We have been to Africa twice and both times took a video camera. The first time we did edit the footage down. The second time I do not think we did that or even watch it. We are going again and debating whether or not we should include it with the packing --what do you think?

We do not normally use video cameras -- actually only on the two trips to Africa did we use it -- so we are not well versed on editing it. It seems that it is a lot of work to try to edit it down to something watchable. How many of you take videos and regular cameras?

Thanks

We take both. Although the video camera is actually a still camera, a Canon S2. It takes very good video at 640x480 pixels 30fps, stereo sound. DVD quality videos in daylight lighting.

When we get home I make a "this was our safari" DVD of still photos and (short) video clips. Typically 30-40 minutes long. Rather have it too short than long and boooooring. The DVD can be played on a PC or TV. Great way to share photos with family and friends wherever they may be.

I use the program "ProShow Gold' to make the DVD. It is very easy to use and has many editing capabilities. You can even edit your videos with it as you make your show DVD. But you have to enjoy doing it. Means a lot of time to review your photos and videos. Picking and choosing then making the DVD. For every minute that the DVD plays it takes me at least two hours of "production" work. But like I say I enjoy working with it all.

Guess bottom line is, what do you enjoy about photography?

regards - tom

i think shooting video is very fun, and the types of footage you can get will be very different than what you can get from a still image. on our last tanzania trip we used a point and shoot camera that also shoots video. we didn't get many wildlife 'in your face' shots, but we were happy with the essence of what the video clips were all about.

i will bring a video camera on our next safari, for sure!

I am so glad I took videos this last trip as I didn't take them on the first trip. It's like opening a present, not sure what's inside and being able to hear the sounds makes the trip come alive again. I have them on my Epson and can take them anywhere I go to share with friends and relatives or any victim I can find :))

"to hear the sounds makes the trip come alive again."
Good way to put it Carla. Just a little snippet of video with sound really puts me back into the trip.

regards - tom

We took a video camera for the first time this year and also used it to do a 'video diary', that way we recorded our impressions and did a brief recap of the day's events and had a record of the sights and sounds around us as we did it.

The OP is right -- it <i>does&lt;.i&gt; take time to edit all the stuff. But there are some decent and easy-to-use editors out there.

I got a camcorder for my trip earlier this year, and the extra dimensions of movement and sounds (sounds of impalas' antlers crashing together during a battle, of tens of thousand quelea, of elephants trumpeting, and much, much more) makes a huge difference. I got an HD cam, which is a zillion times better than the smaller and grainier video that I had previously gotten from a still cam that also could take some video.</i>

It is really special for capturing sounds. Sometimes on safari we will set up the video camera first thing in the morning just before the sun comes up and point it to some trees on the horizon and just let it run. It captures the cacophony of birdsong all around us as the sun comes up.

We haven't really &quot;done&quot; anything with our video except watch it. We usually watch it several months after we come home, when we are jonesing for another trip, and relive what a great time we had.

I love taking video, though I dont spend as much time getting a finished DVD done as I should, much to DW's chagrin. For recording action and sound there is nothing like it.

Thanks everyone for the replies, I'm MPKP's husband and you're right we should take it.
The video does give you the sights and sounds.
Mike