Why do consumer camcorders have such a slow zoom speed?

[Rubycon]

Compared to pro camcorders that can whip zoom. This feature seems absent on consumer cameras that I've used.

Is it a cost issue?

 

[chipy]

i have a Sony camcorder that i bought a couple years ago and it's zoom is pretty quick. though, it was on the higher priced end of the consumer camcorder (~$1000).

having said that, i don't have enough experience w/ pro camcorders to see how fast they are.

btw, welcome back! one of these days i'll go on a cruise. God knows, I need a vacation!

 

[Rubycon]

Thanks!

Yes pro cams can zoom really fast. You can tell when a show (reality?) is shot with one because they go nuts with the whip zooms.

I pref the speed in real life shooting to get to the action afar - fast!

 

[microAmp]

Maybe they are manual zooming?

 

[sswingle]

I also think the reality shows do a digital zoom in post to make it more dramatic as well.

 

[Rubycon]

Maybe they are manual zooming?

The older plunge zoom knobs were good since they didn't torque the camera. Of course those Newvicon/Vidicon (tube) behemoths were quite heavy to begin with!

I suppose to make the servo fast and silent is expensive.
Digital zoom = no/no! Whips can be done in edits too but you have to plan the shots for that to look realistic. Live video is anything but planned.

 

[gsellis]

Compared to pro camcorders that can whip zoom. This feature seems absent on consumer cameras that I've used.

Is it a cost issue?

It is to keep the rest of their friends and family from puking their guts out on the constant whip zooms and pans while they go "hey y'all, watch this" on the big screen.

 

[Rubycon]

It is to keep the rest of their friends and family from puking their guts out on the constant whip zooms and pans while they go "hey y'all, watch this" on the big screen.

They do that by running all around the place - even movies like Cloverfield do that.

I see people taking movies all the time at sailaway parties and they move that camera so fast. I should ask the DJ to cue the Benny Hill Theme!

 

[iGas]

It is to keep the rest of their friends and family from puking their guts out on the constant whip zooms and pans while they go "hey y'all, watch this" on the big screen.

Pros often would use manual focus fixed focal length lens, tracks, dollies, and lens pulling devices to have smooth operation.

 

[Rubycon]

Pros often would use manual focus fixed focal length lens, tracks, dollies, and lens pulling devices to have smooth operation.

For filming fixed focus/no zoom is typical. For stream of consciousness shooting it's completely the opposite and sometimes the camera needs to get on top of the action - yesterday!

 

[VirtualLarry]

For filming fixed focus/no zoom is typical. For stream of consciousness shooting it's completely the opposite and sometimes the camera needs to get on top of the action - yesterday!

Shooting pr0n again, Rubycon?

 

[Rubycon]

Shooting pr0n again, Rubycon?

Yes lots of Hardware porn.