Korean Job Discussion Forums

huck · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

can you tell me briefly what kind you have, if you would recommend it or not - and whether or not you bought it in Korea?

I've been researching online, and I understand the basics of what I'm looking for, but I just want to hear some honest opinions of people who are using theirs...

thanks

billyg · Joined: 16 Feb 2005

I didn't buy the one I'm using in Korea. I've a few of them, most of them Sony. I'm partial to cameras that are small, have some sort of low function, manual shutter speed, not nightvision. I like cameras that have a photo option. Some of the cameras now are capable of giving you a
2-3mpixel image, which is fine, unless you're shooting for vogue or something. I'm partial to smal cameras because they're less consipicuous. Alot of times you can get what you want and not make scene or taint the moment. Some of the best cams out there:

sony dcr-pc1000
canon optura X
panasonic gs400

bhphoto.com for tech specs and pictures

hope this helps

Billy Pilgrim · Joined: 08 Sep 2004

billyg · Joined: 16 Feb 2005

(d) Japan during Visa run?

If you're going to Tokyo for a visa run you could go to the electronic marketplace and find an even better version of the gs400... the only problem is that your menus would all be in Japanese, there are places online where you could get the translations... for some strange reason, the same models that are sold in Japan have a different serial but have better specs.

dv.com has good forums with knowledgeable guys, some of whom are frequent purchasers of the Japanese cams.

hope this helps too.

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

Recently looked at the digital camcorders while on the visa run - only Sony models were in 'English' - too bad, they had some nice stuff from other manufact.
Prices were ok. Staff were weak on English, but tried as best they could.

Hi-Mart is close to the subway station - can give vague instructions with a PM.

Billy Pilgrim · Joined: 08 Sep 2004

billyg · Joined: 16 Feb 2005

Order what you want online, send it to your mom or a friend back home. Then have them send it to you as a gift. It'll be here in no time, avoid customs, be what you want, at the price you want to pay.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I got this one a year ago.

Canon ZR100 (MV700 in the UK)

I have mixed feelings about it. It works perfectly but the finished results on DVD don't look so good. In fact, I remember getting better results from a VHS camcorder 10 years ago!!! The picture on DVD playback seems lifeless, grainy and pixelated. Maybe it's just the software I'm using.

If you buy a DV camera in Korea you can try to get accessories thrown in rather than haggle all day over the price. Essential accessories are;

A bigger battery. The supplied battery will probably only last for about 45 minutes. I bought a much bigger battery for 55 pounds (110,000 won). 2 hours recording time.

A good case. I got a nice soft leather one which is easy to wear when out and about.

Try to get a camcorder with DV-in and DV-out. This means you can take recordings from VHS (archive your old home movies, maybe) and put them on DVD. Cheaper cams (mine!!) don't have DV-in. Crying or Very sad

DVD transfer software is a minefield. You will need a decent computer and a lot of trial and error to get it right.

Actually, the biggest hassle I've experienced with camcorders is the unwillingness of some people in the public domain to have you even point the camera anywhere near them. Some people get really stroppy if they think you are intruding their privacy. Fair enough I suppose but a bit anal.