Topic: video stealth recording?

[bossanova]

Also, if you are sitting far away in the nosebleed seats or balcony,
then the camcorder actually does work as binoculars.

The Sony HC-32 has 20X optical zoom, which is better than some binoculars.

[guitard]

Green light should probably be covered, to avoid detection.

If this was in response to the green light that I mentioned - I'm referring to the green light (red light when in "pause" mode) that appears on the viewfinder screen itself.

[bossanova]

Ok,  thanks for the green light clarification.

Since the viewfinder on the HC-32 is black and white,
there's no color.  So it's just a white circle for me.

That's my only complaint so far about the HC-32, is B&W viewfinder.

The HC-42 has a bit better CCD, and color viewfinder,
but only 10X optical zoom.

I like the 20X optical zoom on the HC-32.
It has 800X digital zoom, but that's pretty useless.

I turn off all the digital zooming.

[guitard]

Here's a little illustration of what I mean by "getting to know your viewfinder."  I'm using my Panasonic GS-120 mini-DV cam as an example and shooting pics with a digital photo camera.

This pics shows you what all is viewable in the viewfinder when you hold your eye up to it:



With the GS-120 sitting on my lap, this is a very good approximation of what I see when I look down into the viewfinder with the camera properly positioned (I couldn't get a decent digital photo, so I had to cut and paste the little red camera - but size-wise - this is accurate - YES! it really looks that big):



So - using the little red camera as a basis for framing the shot - knowing that it's top-center - you can zoom in and out and generally maintain a well-framed shot.  And with the camera on your lap - you should be able to avoid looking suspicious to security personnel.  If you want to get a closeup of the vocalist singing - zoom in and spot the red camera right on top of his head.  Zoom out and have it hovering a little bit above his head.  Simple as that.

[guitard]

Regarding that little green light ~ I was wrong with the Panasonic cam.  It's always a red light.  The pause / record letters change color though.

[gngrbrdman13]

Of course, the best way to shoot is with the LCD window open - but that'll also get you busted really quick.  However, a neat little trick I picked up from a very experienced filmer: get a piece of the plastic used for window tinting and cover your LCD monitor with it (tape it on all four sides).  Use two sheets if it's not very dark.  That'll reduce the light signature dramatically - but you'll still be able to see what's happening on stage.

Thank you for this tip...never thought of it.

[trippingoat]

alright, if you were holding a camera without a tripod, how would it be possible to wrap a tshirt around it?.just seems alittle hard...would it be so bad as to not use the tshirt and just make sure all the lights are covered up?

[evasivetear]

what are some people's methods of getting cameras into these shows?

some of the nontaping shows i've been to lately (tool being one of them), they pretty much molested me during the pat down...and yet i know that people have gotten either audio or video from a majority of those shows

[guitard]

alright, if you were holding a camera without a tripod, how would it be possible to wrap a tshirt around it?.just seems alittle hard...would it be so bad as to not use the tshirt and just make sure all the lights are covered up?

Just like anything else - practice makes perfect. 

Get everything set up and try it out.  Do it out in the garage.  Set up a lawn chair at one end of the garage, light up some small objects at the other end, turn off the main light, and practice. 

[guitard]

what are some people's methods of getting cameras into these shows?

some of the nontaping shows i've been to lately (tool being one of them), they pretty much molested me during the pat down...and yet i know that people have gotten either audio or video from a majority of those shows

Did you see any of the security people get right up in a guy's nuts and grope around his crotch area?  If they did, they can go to jail.

So there you go!

[evasivetear]

Did you see any of the security people get right up in a guy's nuts and grope around his crotch area?  If they did, they can go to jail.

So there you go!

pretty close actually....

guess i was wondering if there were any other methods someone's tried rather than sticking a camera down their pants

[guitard]

Did you see any of the security people get right up in a guy's nuts and grope around his crotch area?  If they did, they can go to jail.

So there you go!

pretty close actually....

guess i was wondering if there were any other methods someone's tried rather than sticking a camera down their pants

You can try hiding the cam in a bag of some sort.  If it's really small, you have a good chance of getting it in that way.  But bags will get searched EVERY time.  If you go this route, best bet would be to put in your wife's or girlfriend's purse.

[evasivetear]

thanks for the reply

it's rare that i go to shows that don't allow taping...but just good for common knowledge i guess.

[Chill]

Fat suit with video camera in it on the bacony.

It would be hot, but got to do what you got to do. 

[willndmb]

i have seen the window tint in action, works great, still has light let off so you have to watch your back but nowhere near as much as normal
def double it up, maybe even 3 times

if you don't.can't use a mono you can try this too
tie a string, thick string, to the bottom of the camera
tie a washer on the other end
stand on the washer while holding the camera up with the string tight

with the string tight you will get a much better recording vs holding it freearm, doesn;t seem like much but you are basically taking away movement up and down A LOT