Filming Hunts
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Eric from IN asks:Hey Bill, hope the skyscraper is working out, I think naming it "Too Tall" will make it more effective. I assume you guys are double loeading the cards in your AX-2000's and I wondered what size cards you use and about how much film you can squeeze out of them? ThanksWinke Responds:Eric, Good name. I put it out and the deer are starting to get used to it. Trail cameras showed it took them about three days. We brushed that thing all the way in so it looks like a giant Christmas tree out there. I can think of one present I would like to get under that tree! We generally put two 16 GB cards in that camera. I think we get 90 minutes from each 16 GB card. We also run some other camera styles that have slighly higher bit rates so it really does depend on what camera you are running, but you can get a lot of just two 16 GB cards. Good luck. Merry Christmas. (12-21-11)
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Mike from IL asks:Hi Bill, I think your show is awesome! I own a small farm in Pike County, IL., have been bow/gun hunting for 30 years. I own a small sporting goods business and plant custom food plots in my area. I have been considering learning how to get quality videos of hunts. Can you suggest a video camera to purchase? I was wondering what it takes to become a member of your pro staff? Thank You, MikeWinke Responds:Mike, Thanks for the support. Typically, we like to have any new pro staff members acquire some experience with the camera before we take a look at them. It is way harder than it looks to get good looking, steady, sharp, well-composed video than people think. Our number on product is not buck kills, but really nice video. You can find decent, semi-professional cameras from about $1,500 up to $3,000. If you buy used you can find them a bit less. The two that I tell people to look at are the Canon HF AX10 and the Sony AX2000. If you are looking to do more than just throw something together to show friends, you will need cameras at this minimum level. The AX is a better camera for what we do (much better), but more expensive. Then you need a few other accessories. In the end you will spend $2,500 to $4,000 to get good, not top end, cameras. Once you get some experience, e-mail us at info@midwestwhitetail.com. Good luck and have a Merry Christmas. (12-15-11)
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Jeff from SD asks:I would like to buy a camcorder to use while hunting (mostly bowhunting) that I can use by myself. Do you recommend any. Keep up the good work, I enjoy the online videos and advice!Winke Responds:Jeff, It wouldn't be much different than the camers I would recommend for filming someone else's hunt. It reaally depends on budget. I think if you go into the Ask Winke questions that are already filed you will find a few answers for that. Also, there might even be one in the Most Recent that has not been filed yet. Please take a look first and if you can't find your answer, please ask me again. Thanks. (12-1-11)
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Dave from MI asks:Bill, who would win a fight between Eddie Munster and Pugsley Adams?...Just kidding, but that's about the only question I haven't seen here. Really just needed to know how cold can filming temps be with the Sony AX2000. It says 32F degrees on most websites. Is this right? And if so what camera are you using during the lonely frigid days of December/January? Thanks BillWinke Responds:Dave, Good one. For sure, sometimes I am in way over my head on this stuff. We have run the AX2000 way colder than that. It is a solid state camera (no tape) as I'm sure you know, so there is no worry of freezing up the moving parts (there aren't any). The monitor is the only thing that really reacts to the cold. It is LCD (liquid (remember that word) crystal display). The response time on the monitor can be as much as a second or more behind what is happening to the lens. Makes it hard sometimes, but you just have to trust and go with it. I once filmed a hunt with a Canon XHA1 when it was like 10 below. That was an interesting deal watching that monitor lag way behind the focus and the pan of the lens. Anway, I digress. It should be fine at temps well under 32 degrees. Good luck. (11-29-11)
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Jason from MO asks:Great site, I would like to know the best way you have found to carry your camera stuff to the tree when hunting solo. I run the Canon XL a1s with the muddy arm. If i dont have a cameraman i still love to take the camera and it would be considered more if i had an easier way. I use a waterfowl style bag but for size i can't put all in it. Is there a pack that can house all and have some protection for the camera, or your method if you found it useful. Thanks. Jason Staddie W.A.P Attack, Wisperingarrow Prod.Winke Responds:Jason, The best compnaies I know of for different style backpacks are Badlands and Blacks Creek. Both offer several options. I am guessing that one of them should have what you are looking for. We carry the camera, but that is because we always have two guys (one to run camera and the other to hunt) so plenty of hands and shouldders for carrying. With just yourself, you will definitely need a bag of some sort. Not sure I was of much help because we just carrying everything in the open. Sorry about that. Good luck. (11-20-11)
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Jason from KY asks:What type of video camera do you use while hunting?Winke Responds:Jason, We use a Sony PMW-350 when I am hunting (or the kids) on our farm. Big and expensive, but does better in low light. The guys that work for me use either a Sony NX5U, a Sony EX1, a Sony AX2000 or sometimes a Canon XHA1. Good luck. (11-25-11)
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Shawn from MO asks:Bill, I'm 19, from Pike county, MO and study wildlife biology at the University of Missouri. I have been hunting my whole life and have a passion for it. I have always wanted to get into into the sport of filming hunts, but don't really know where to start. Do you have any advice on getting started? How did you?Winke Responds:Shawn, I actually learned about filming hunts from the professionals I hunted with when I was only writing for magazines. I used to hunt with Realtree, Mossy Oak, Primos and others who were always filming the hunts so I just paid attention to what they were doing, more out of curiosity than to really do this. At that time, I planned to just write my entire life, but the market started to dry up so I decided to expand into the web with video so I just applied all the things I had learned from them. There is much to learn. First you need a decent camera that fits your budget. I don't know much about the low-end cameras, but the best mid-price model we have found is the Canon HF G10. With the external microphone it will run about $1,600. I am guessing that there are also others that will work too, at a lower price, but I am just not familiar enough with them to recommend a model. The best higher end camera for most people is the Sony AX 2000. It will run you about $3,500. We do use some cameras that are a few notches up from that, but they are for pure professional use. You will need an arm (Muddy's cheapest is fine for the Canon camera) and a lens controller (Varizoom model that fits the Lanc port) and a fluid head (Manfrotto 701HDV will work fine for the smaller cameras). You can get by cheaper, but eventually this is where you will end up as a minimum if you are serious about nice video. Then you need a buddy to film or to film you. That is where it gets dicey as everyone wants to hunt all the time and they don't want to film so finding a good hunting/filming partner is tough. Self-filmed hunts almost never turn out - that is just how it goes. Anyway, that is rough sketch of what it is all about. Good luck. (11-17-11)
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Jay from IL asks:Bill, I love your series. I have a question regarding what editing software you would recommend. I recently purchased a Sony AX2000 Camera and am ready to start editing some footage.Winke Responds:Jay, We use Adobe Premiere Pro with that camera and it handles the format very well. The latest versions (CS 5 and 5.5) are best. I believe Final Cut requires transcoding to handle the AVCHD format. Thanks for the support. Good luck. (11-7-11)
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Kevin from WI asks:hi Bill, i am looking into starting to film whitetails. do you know of any good video cameras for under 200 dollars? thanks kevinWinke Responds:Kevin, I sure don't, but I am sure there are many mediocre ones for under that price, probably on e-bay. I think even a decent miniDV standard definition camera will be more than that new. I would say something is possible under $400 though. Good luck. (11-3-11)
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Jason from WV asks:Bill, I bought a camera this year to get into filming some of my own hunts. This is also the first year I have used a hang-on stand. I have always used a tree lounger. It was a little nerve racking hanging one of these things for the first time and getting into it, but I bought one of the tree lifelines you recommended last year and it eased my mind a great deal. What tips would you recommend to make filming myself easier. I noticed it will be difficult to have my bow hanging on one side and the camera on the other. How will I ever get a shot to the sides if I box myself in like that? Anyways, your setup and some tips on how you film yourself in the tree would be very helpful. I want to do more than remember my hunts through my journal now. I really appreciate how you answer everybody's questions. I can't imagine how much of your time it must take up to give everbody such detailed responses like you do. Thank you so much and I hope you have an unforgettable season.Winke Responds:Jason, You need a good camdera arm (we use Muddy) for your camera so you can swing it out of the way. Also, I would consider placing it at waist level (when standing) so you can shoot over the top of the arm if you need to. Then you should be able to see the monitor of the camera while at full draw, etc. You can also use your hip to move the arm slightly after you hit full draw to keep the deer in the frame. We never film ourselves because the quality is not good enough (as you can see from all challenges related to self-filming) but for your purposes this strategy should work well. Good luck this season.
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Doug from MI asks:I was wondering what camera and editing software you use to produce your hunting show?Winke Responds:Doug, We use a variety of cameras now (studio cameras, DSLRs, small point of view cameras, etc), but the one that seems to make the most sense for our pro staff right now is the Sony AX 2000. Quite a few of them are using that one. We edit using Adobe Premeire Pro. Many professionals use Final Cut Pro for Mac, but we just like Adobe better and it allows us to make our own computers (PC platform versus mac) and that allows us to save some money on high end computers. Good luck.
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FORD CUTLER from MI asks:Is a Sony VX2000 a good camera to use for taping out doorsWinke Responds:Ford, It is OK, not awesome. Similar to the Canon GL2. You can do better with HD, but they are cheap so that is a factor for sure. Good luck.
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austin from MO asks:how you doin i was wonderin if you could take a look at a camera for me and tell me wat u think and if it would work for tv/website for filming whitetails in ne missouri thanks it a (panasonic ag-ac7) thanksWinke Responds:Austin, I am not a huge fan of that one because of the small 1/4 inch single sensor. Smaller sensors are not as good in low light and they can even look bad very bright conditions. I would look for something with a 1/3 inch sensor. The larger 1/2 inch multi-sensor cameras are even better, but much more expensive. Good luck.
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Aaron from IA asks:Dear Bill, Im looking to get started in filming. Just hoping you might be about to give me some ideas on how to start. And what most hunting shows are looking for in a cameraman. Should I go take class on filming at the local college here? What would you do? Thanks for for time. Aaron Houk Ottumwa,IAWinke Responds:Aaron, Anything you can learn is important. People think that because it is hunting, it doesn't have to be good. That is wrong. The footage still needs to be well composed, properly exposed, in focus and with an interesting camera angle perspective. We have learned that there is much to this that is not so obvious, so I would suggest a filming school. Learn as much as you can about the angles, how to tell the story with a camera, how the cameras work, etc. Again, this isn't Hollywood, but it still requires someone who knows what they are doing to produce good footage. Good luck.
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John from WI asks:Hey Winke I got picked to be on an hunting internet based site. We have to film our hunts and send in the sd cards weekly. I was wondering if you could tell me what i need for the basics of cameras and everything that goes along with it, thanks Bill RuttenWinke Responds:John, Congrats. There is a ton to cover in this regard. Really depends on your budget. If you have a decent budget, the Sony AX2000 is hard to beat. If you can't spend that much, look at the Canon HF G10. It will get the job done, though not quite as well in low light or at longer distances. You will need a decent fluid head (Manfrotto 701HDV will be fine for starters) and you will need a lens controller (Varizoom for Lanc ports will do nicely). Then just get a good steady camera arm (Muddy) and you have the basics. A good tripod is essential if you are going to film from ground blinds. I would not mess with wireless mics the first year. That is something you can grow into in time. Good luck.
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cliff from MN asks:first off I just want to say keep up the good work, love the show. My question is on cameras. Which one do you think would give me the best footage, The Canon hfs 20 or the hf m41 or would you recommend a sony ? I realize these are not top of the line cameras, i'm just looking for a decent camera that won't break the bank. Thanks , and good luck this season.Winke Responds:Cliff, Thanks for the support. The M41 looks better to me. At least it will do better in low light because it has fewer pixels with the same size sensor (roughly). That means that each pixel is bigger which is better for dynamic range (rendering bright areas) and low light. I bought a Canon HF G10 recently for a backup camera for shooting cutaways, etc. It does a great job. I like that it has a manual focus ring. It really is an impressive camera. Granted, it is not as good in low light as our bigger cameras, but under the right conditions (normal light) it produces a TV quality image. A bit more expensive though. Good luck.
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Brandon from TN asks:What kind of backpack do you use to carry your hunting and video gear in when you are hunting without a camera man?Winke Responds:Brandon, I never carry a backpack when hunting without a cameraman. Actually, I never carry video gear when hunting without a cameraman but that is only because we need to get professional video and you can only do that with extreme care by yourself or with a cameraman - so I opt for the cameraman. I would recommend something basic - midsized. Cabela's has a bunch of packs that would likely work well. One example is their Whitetail Day Pack and the Badlands Pursuit pack. Both are a good size. I like the 1,500 cubic inches of the Badlands pack. The Cabela's pack may be a bit too big if you are not carrying a lot of hunting gear with you.
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Bobby from MO asks:Hey Bill, me and my partner are filming for a pro-staff this year and I was wondering what your method is for getting all your cut shots (I need more cut shots and interviews in out hunts) and kill on one 30 minute tape is or do you split tapes?Winke Responds:Bobby, We film everything as we go. We don't often have time to recreate anything with our format (semi-live) so we just keep the camera rolling and film everything that looks interesting along the way, stopping often for a quick interview of what we are doing and why. It takes tons of tapes to do it this way because even without a kill you are filling tapes. I would not worry so much about getting everything on one tape or you will not film nearly enough. Film each day as if it is going to be the day you kill. If it is, the story will be good. It not, the footage can be used as B-roll for the hunt later when you actually do kill. Good luck.
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Rob from MD asks:Bill, I took your advice and recently purchased a Canon HF S20. I am excited to get started but I am new to videoing. There are five recording mode settings; MXP (24mpbs)1920x1080, FXP (17mbps)1920x1080, XP+(12mbps) 1440x1080, SP (default 7mbps)1440x1080, and LP (5mpbs) 1440x1080, along with frame rates of 60i Standard, 30pf, 24pf , and 24f (native)? I am confused and want to know 1)what would be the best combination of settings to post the hunts on the internet 2)what would be the best settings to make a DVD and 3) what would be the best settings for potential television broadcast? Please help me so I'm ready for the 2011 velvet season! Thanks, RobWinke Responds:Rob, I would use the highest setting (MXP) and run at 30p. Others may have an opinion about the frame rate, but for web video, you want progressive instead of interlaced. It just looks better. It will also air nicely on other media. That is all we shoot. Good luck.
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Todd from MS asks:Bill, I'll be brief. For filming hunts to upload to various internet sites, do I need a GL1,GL2,HFS200,HFS20,HFS21 or maybe something else? Too many choices for a newcomer. You are respected by hunters all over the U.S. Thanks for your help.Winke Responds:Todd, Thanks for your support. Any of those cameras will work. We started with GL2s and worked up the quality list from there. You will notice a difference in image quality between the GL2 and the HD cameras (HD will look better even when compressed for web use), but there are other issues to consider. I think the GL2 has very good audio, for example, and it has the external focus ring that is very important if you are going to be filming hunts where auto focus is not possible (We never use autofocus because it can be fooled too easily). From the list you threw out, I likely would be looking at the HFS20. It is a good, solid portable camera at a good price. All of these cameras will suffer in low light because their sensors are small. We keep buying cameras with bigger and bigger sensors (they cost more, of course) just to get improved video in low light. Good luck.
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James from MN asks:Hey Bill, I am getting super excited for bow season and putting food plots in for coming this season. Last year I started trying to film my own hunts and the hunts of my Fiance. I really love filming her, but I tell ya, when it comes filming my own hunt, it is much more challenging. I find myself more in the hunting mode than in videographer mode so I usually end up just picking my bow up instead of trying to film too. That is something that I am really gonna work on this year. Anyway, as for my question, when I am filming my fiance I use a tree arm for stability, but I find this limits me as far as areas I can cover. I was wondering if you had any experience using a shoulder mounted system for videoing? If so, which one do you use? I would assume that this would give you more freedom in covering 360 degrees around the tree. The camera I am using is pretty small (Canon HFS 100) so I'm not sure if it would even work on a shoulder mounted system. Thanks, JamesWinke Responds:James, That doesn't sound good to me. I think I would stick with the arm. It allows you to move the camera into places your body could never fit. There is no way a shoulder mount will give you more range of view than a camera arm. You may need to look at where and how you are setting up the arm. Every situation is different, but we never have a situation where we can't film every deer that comes within sight, regardless of which side of the tree he is on, using the arm. I hope that helps. Plus, the arm will make the footage more stabile. Good luck.
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Bill from NH asks:Bill, part of the joy of hunting is sharing the time with family and friends which you have highlighted very well with your show and website. Another part that I enjoy very much is the solitude and being in the outdoors by myself enjoying God's creation, and quite frankly sometimes it is just easier to get it done by yourself. Do you ever get the chance to head out by yourself anymore without a camera and cameraman? Or wish that you could?Winke Responds:Bill, No, I don't hunt deer without the camera now. I enjoy the challenge of video and love the memories once we get them laid down. That is the main reason I got into it, to be able to produce professional video of the deer I hunt - to watch them grow and to hold onto the memories of those specific deer longer than would be possible if I only saw them and didn't record the action. I am fortunate to have great camera men that I enjoy hunting with. We have a lot of fun, we hunt hard and are serious about it, but it is still fun. I know it has cost me some great deer over the past few years, but I have shot a lot of deer, it is time to move on and having the memories to look back on is really what it is all about. I think I am prouder of the hunts I have filmed (especially of the kids) than the ones that I have appeared in. There is an art to filming a good hunt and that still intrigues me. I think hunting the deer on our farm and filming the hunts is a very natural complement.
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Which camera and mount were Greg and Jared using on their bows in the recent turkey hunting episode?Jason from IA asks:What kind of camera/camera mount are Greg and Jared using on their bows in the Nebraska turkey episode?Winke Responds:Jason, It was a Go Pro camera with a three-legged jointed tripod mount. That mount can wrap around things like sights and bow limbs.
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Steve from AL asks:Bill, I have been filming several years with Cannon GL2 and do a pretty good job. I have had several people ask me to film their hunts. Not all these people are friends and they would like to pay me for my services. Is there an asking rate for cameramen, and how much do they normally get for something like this? The finished project would be for there personal use only. Thanks SteveWinke Responds:Steve, That is a tough one. I would say $50 to $100 per day would be reasonable if the quality of your footage is good and they hunt both morning and evening. So if you filmed someone's week of hunting it would be about $500 or so. I think that is reasonable. It takes a lot of time and no small amount of skill to do it well. If you are doing it well, you should be able to get that much. Good luck.
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michael from MN asks:Im interested in filming my hunts.. what is the best camera and also I'm interested in sending your staff some trail cam pics of bucks from northern minnesota..Winke Responds:Michael, Starting out, I would look for a camera that can serve double-duty as both a hunting camera and a family camera. For that reason, I would be looking at something like the Canon HF S20. That category of cameras produces some nice footage in good light. If you decide you really love this stuff and want to take it up a notch, you can always buy a camera later that does better in low light. An example might be the Sony AX 2000. Even that camera is not as good as you need for really good low-light video, but it does a better job than the small handicams. We would enjoy seeing the pictures. Good luck.
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josh from MI asks:Hey Bill just wanted to say I think you have the best thing going with your internet show as well as the tv show. I'm addicted! Congratulations on your success. My question involves video equipment and cameras. I have been researching this stuff for the last 6 months and want to take the plunge on getting all the equipment needed for recording and editing. I have two young boys that love to hunt and fish along with a good friend whom I have hunted with for the last 20 plus years and we really want to preserve these memories and maybe even send some stuff out to see if it might get picked up by someone like yourself for a show (in my dreams, right!). I was looking at the sony ax2000 or the nx5u. These are on the top end of my price range for cameras. I like the fact that they are not cassette. Is there something new to the market that is better? Can a guy get all the equipment he would need to basically produce his own product for around 7 grand. camera, mics, tree arm, editing equWinke Responds:Josh, The knee-jerk reaction is to spend too much. You can do it for a lot less than that, for sure. The AX2000 is a fine place to start. We have one and an NX5U. The nice thing about the NX5U is that you get an automatic backup of everything you shoot with the external hard drive. I really like that. But the AX does a good job too. They aren't awesome in low light, but you will spend a lot more to get one that is better (Sony EX1R). You can get by with Pinnacle Studio for editing software for now. Be sure to check and see if it will handle AVCHD footage (that is the format from the NX5U and AX2000) You can also get by without the wireless mic and the shotgun mic for now too. You will need a Wincutter for that camera (thewindcutter.com). We run a wireless on my segments, but on the other hunters, we generally just use the on-camera mic. The wireless is better but more trouble. For what you are looking at doing right now, it is not worth the cost for a decent one. Any good Core I7 quad core computer will handle this stuff. Today's computers are very impressive. Expect to pay about $1800 for one unless you already have a good computer. On camera lights for dark recoveries are cheap (Bescor) and an extra battery. You will need a fluid head (Manfrotto 701HDV for starters - $140) a Varizoom for lens control and Muddy camera arm (those two are another $600+) I hope that helps. Good luck.
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Chris from LA asks:Hi Bill, I'm looking at purchasing a decent camera...I'd like to keep it under $2000, though. I'm looking at the new Canon XA10 vs. the Canon HFS 21 and 31. I see that the XA10 is roughly $1000 more but is it $1000 better? Would you consider the XA10 a "professional" camera?Winke Responds:Chris, I don't consider the A10 to be a professional camera. The lense and sensor are both too small resulting in an image that gets very rough in low light. Either the HFS 21 and AX10 will do fine in good light. You can take that risk and hope for the best. The least expensive modern camdera that I would consider low end "professional" is the Sony AX2000. Most of the better outdoor TV shows now are shooting the Sony EX1R. It is about $6,000 though! I just bought a Sony PMW 350 that was much more expensive even than that. "Professional" is a moving target as your standards go up. I sure hope my standards don't go any higher! That one about killed me.
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Peter from MI asks:Hey Bill just thought I would let you know that sony makes a hd handycam for around $400 that produces amazing footage and even works good in low light we also roll on a XHA1 and side by side footage is hard to tell apart its when u get into super low light that the canon is far above but as far as good light this little camera is hard to beat just thought i would let u know seems like u have alot of questions on this is also great for a second angles.Winke Responds:Peter, Thanks. I am not sure which camera that is. I have used a few small cameras in the $800 range. They did good in good light, but really stunk in low light. Small lens can never bring in as much light as a larger lens so they will always suffer. That is just physics. I am always looking for something that does better in low light because get some great action in low light and then either can't shoot or the footage of the kill ends up being really dark and barely useable. I appreciate the input.
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Brent from KS asks:Mr. Winke, I have a question about camcorders. My budget for a camcorder for filming deer hunts is around $1500. I would like a camcorder that is hd, has audio inputs for a shotgun mic and possibly a wireless mic. I also would like an input for a varizoom controller, and would prefer 20X optical zoom. I'm not positive if I should go with mini dv tapes or sd type media? What's the advantages over the other? Is it at all possible for me to find a camcorder in this price range with those options? This will be my first camcorder and am just getting started in filming. Thanks for your help!Winke Responds:Brent, I don't think it can be done with decent quality equipment. Even buying used, you are going to have to compromise somewhere on your list of specs. The best bet to do all that is a used Canon XHA1, but that will be pushing 2,000 for a good one all by itself. You can buy a lower end camera without the XLR audio support. It will not likely have a 20X lens either. I guess I would decide between going high end right away versus just gettting into it. If you are willing to just get into it, you can get it done with a Canon HF S20, an external stereo microphone and the other accessories you will need including a camera arm, Varizoom, SD cards, etc. for about your budget. This is not a high end camera nor is it 20X but it does have a built in digital zoom that will take it from 10X to 18X I believe. I am thinking you should call Campbell Camera (look for their website on Google for their number) and talk to them about what you are trying to do and they can reccommend a strategy. Good luck.
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josh from MI asks:bill do you have any knowledge of the handheld mini hd camera offered by kodak. I see some of the other hunting shows using them but was curious of the quality and if they could be used as a pov camera for a second angle. thanks again for any advice. Love the show!Winke Responds:Josh, Mike Sawyer had one something like that when he was here last. His hunt was a bust so we never tried to pull any footage from it. I can't remember if it was a Kodak or other, but it did fine from the little bit I saw of it. Obviously, with the small lens the quality is not going to be great, especially in low light, but in bright light it should do a good job. Definitely worth considering. We have been running a Hero Go Pro for a second angle camera sometimes and they work great too. Good luck.
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David from KS asks:Howdy, I was wondering what camera you would recommend to film hunts with since the one I use'd last year quit working. I am willing to spend any where from $5-900, also I was curious if you would any good used cameras for sale ? Thanks for keeping it REELWinke Responds:David, I might be convinced to sell the GL2 we have here. I just had it into the shop for new heads so it should be good to go for a while. It would fit into your price range. Another option is the Canon Vixia HF S20, it is HD but doesn't have a decent manual focus ring so it is hard to focus when filming through branches, etc. especially when wearing gloves.
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Gary from MO asks:Bill- I would first like to tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing over the years. I too enjoy writing and have a similar style. I was very pleased when I started seeing your video footage on TV in the last few years. I have been filming hunts using 2 Canon GL1s and occasionally a Sony HDR-HC7. I am constantly trying to find a quality tape that works equally as well in both cameras. I am currently using Panasonic PQ tapes in the Canons and Sony Premiums in the Sony. I would love to find one tape that I can buy in bulk and use in both. What do most of your pro staffers use in their Canon/Sony cameras? Any suggestions? Also, I know you are full of pro staffers, but I would love to get an application after the first of the year. I hunt in NW Missouri and SW Iowa (and probably KS in 2011). Thanks and Happy New Year!Winke Responds:Gary, We are in the process of trying to wean everyone from tape. The new solid state cameras are very good. You can buy a good HD single sensor camera that records to SD cards that is just as broadcast-worthy (if not more so) than the GL1. I would be looking at the Canon HFS20 and they have a new one we will be watching called the AX10. Of course you can get a used XHA1 for nearly what the higher end single sensor cameras are selling for. The prices will all come down, technology is changing so fast. To answer your question, we have done fine with the PQ tapes even with the HDV cameras. The pro staff seems to mostly use Sony tapes - that is what we get in the most. We have run them in the Canon cameras and they are fine. Just clean the heads before switching tapes because they are not always compatible and switching may cause some "gunking up" of the heads at first. Pick one and stick with it. Don't jump back and forth from brand to brand or you will end up needing to clean the heads often. I sent you the application information separately. Good luck.
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Brandon from MI asks:What camcorder are you using to shoot your shows?Winke Responds:Brandon, Right now the camcorder I am using is the Sony NX5U. It is a good camera, not top end, but good.
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Josh from IA asks:Bill, my buddy and I are expirementing with filming. What camera would you reccomend? This will be for mostly bow hunting. Thanks! JoshWinke Responds:Josh, I think to start you have two basic options. First you can get a good consumer level HD camera such as the Canon HF-S21. It does a nice job but is somewhat limited by the size of its lens. It is a good camera, however. I am just not sure how well it will work for broadcast purposes because I don't know if the audio would be sufficient. The other option is to buy a used GL2 (I actually have a good one I would sell). This is a more traditional low-end broadcast camera. We actually filmed a number of actual TV shows with the GL2 when we first started out. I sent one hunt to Realtree shot on an GL2 and they aired it on their Monster Bucks TV show. And we have used footage from the GL2 for our own TV shows and it turns out fine. Those are your two best options at this time. If you have a big budget, there are lots of better cameras, but I would recommend starting cheap and then upgrading if you like it. Good luck.
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Tom Cline from MI asks:Bill great show. I see all the hunters complaning about the rut,bad weather, moon phase and so on. I myself had one of my best years ever. I took a Michigan 10pt 140",Montana 10pt 142",Colorado 6x6 280" bull and a North Dakota 13pt scoring 182" gross all on public ground and all between 11am @ 1pm midday. I am a former Guide for Eric Albus (MRO)and a contractor. I take every fall off work and hunt for three months in 3-5 states a year.I am in the process of buying a new AX2000 HDR Camera to video some of my hunts this year starting with Turkeys. Was wondering if you would take a look once i get going. I did a little camera work out west so i dont think I'll have a problem getting started. A list of camera gear would help and thoughts on this camera choice.Winke Responds:Tom, I remember Eric well. Good guy. I used to hunt the Albus's ground along the Milk River when I hunted out there. You were one of the few who I speak with had a good deer season. Congrats on a great year. The AX 2000 is a good camera for general hunting video type filming. We use them too. In fact, I just bought one to replace a Canon XHA1 because I love the efficiency of going to all solid state. No more tapes for me. You will need a camera arm (Muddy Outdoors), a fluid head (manfrotto is best), a recovery light (Bescor), a good tripod (Gitzo) and a wind muff for your microphone (thewindcutter.com). You can get a lot more elaborate and spend a lot of money on audio, but this should get you started. Good luck.
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Jason from WV asks:Bill I was blessed enough this season to harvest the best buck of my life up to this point while sitting in a saddle on November 8th. I have re-lived the moment dozens of times since then cause I know memories soon start to fade. I have never filmed a hunt but would like to start next season so my memories in the woods can be preserved. I would be filming alone so I was wondering what advice you would have for me. I know it will be difficult to do alone. Would I be better to buy one of cameras that mounts on my hat? Any suggestions to make the process a little smoother for a beginner at filming?Winke Responds:Jason, Congrats on the buck. That had to be an awesome day! I would buy a decent camera and Muddy camera arm. Do it right. It is a bit more costly route to go, but the quality of the video will be so much better than anything mounted on your hat. You'll be able to pan, zoom, focus and do all the stuff necessary to produce a good looking video of the hunt. A decent HD handycam is a good starting point. Be sure to get one with a decent manual focus so you can focus through brush when filming bucks passing in the distance. Good luck. I think you will really enjoy it.
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Cliff from ME asks:Bill,Have a question on battery life.Do you leave your camrea on the whole hunt or on and off when filming?Winke Responds:Cliff, We do leave them on the whole time. We often carry an extra battery just be safe. Good luck.
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Steve from MI asks:Hello Bill, I followed your advice and purchased a Canon GL2 camera. I have a remote zoom and focus controller for it. I was wondering what you recommend buying for audio equipment, a shotgun mic, wireless mic, or do you need both? If I can afford just one, which should I buy first and what brand? I appreciate your time and help and love what you guys have started. Good luck and shoot straight! Steve from the U.P.Winke Responds:Steve, I would just get a Windcutter wind noise reducer the camera's onboard mic and go with that for now. The GL2 has pretty good built in audio. We have filmed several episodes of TV (ours and other shows) with the GL2 using the onboard audio. As you get more sophisticated you can upgrade to a BeachTek audio mixer and add a shotgun and wireless. You probably need both. Good luck.
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Raymond from NC asks:I had a question about the DLC covert cam I think in the last video you were using them or it looked like it if so what is your experience with the dlc cams I been looking at the DLC covert assassin 2. Thanks bill and good luck this season.Winke Responds:Raymond, I have not tried that one, but I have been impressed with Coverts overally. They seem solid, small and dependable. One good resource on the web is Trail Cam Pro (www.trailcampro.com). Good luck.
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Justin from VT asks:Hi Bill. My step dad and I did some hunting/filming this weekend for my 18th birthday. Its the only time all season for the most part that I get a cameraman so we like to take advantage of the time we have and do a lot of filming. I set some morning stands in a really nice spot on a ridge with a bowl below that has a brook at the bottom. We're set up on the edge of thick cover and mature open timber that opens up to a little bottleneck were the deer can bed out on a thick flat. Its really a perfect travel corridor. Anyway, how do you film and not get picked off by deer? We are 25ish feet up in a tree with multiple branches so you can't see us against the sky at any time. Saturday a doe picked us off while I was filming and Sunday a doe picked us out while my step dad was filming. Both does were within 15 yards, but we both are experienced with close deer encounters and were really only moving our eyes while they were looking at us. The deer got in close before seeing us but weren't offWinke Responds:Justin, Sounds like you are doing everything right. I can't offer a lot of advice on that. My guess is that those does (maybe the same one?) is just wary and probably needs to be shot. I have run into before. A doe that figures out where I am hunting then comes looking for all the time. If it was two different does, you likely may need to alter your setup. We often setup with both stands behind the tree trunk as much as possible. That way we can both use the tree for concealment. That is about all I can offer. Good luck, sounds like some quality time with your step-dad either way.
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max from MD asks:what type of cameras do you use how well do they work in bad weather and how do you bring it altogether for a show.Winke Responds:Max, We use Canon XHA1 and Sony NX5U cameras here, but many on the pro staff also use Canon GL2 cameras. They don't do well in rain so you need to keep them covered. In cold weather the LCD can be sluggish but the cameras seem to still record the action fine. We get the footage onto the computer and use a program from Adobe called "Premiere Pro" to produce the finished shows. Some of the guys use Final Cut Pro (Mac computers).
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Jamie from NC asks:I am in the market for a video camera. I was just wondering what brands and models of video cameras do you all use on Midwest Whitetail, or what would you recommend? I film my own hunts a lot so I need something that I could easily use by myself. Thanks, JamieWinke Responds:Jamie, I think the latest small cameras might be the ticket for you. We use larger professional cameras, but if I was doing this for a hobby and wanted really nice footage at a good price, I would probably be looking at the Canon Vixia HF S21. It is about $1,200 but will do nearly everything you could ever want in a small package.
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Devin from MO asks:Hey Bill, do you use a firewire or usb cable when transfering video from your Canon Gl2 to the computer, I use a Dell laptop and not even sure if it supports a firewire jack on the computer. Also if the computer wont recognize the camera when I plug it in would should I do? I dont have a cd with the camera. Didnt know if Canon had something to download or not. ThanksWinke Responds:Devin, We use firewire. I don't even think you can do it via USB. You can purchase an adapter that fits into your laptop's slot that will give you a firewire port. That is what I would do. Some computers don't recognize the camera, but generally the software we use to capture the footage still sees it. All you can do is try and if the computer/software won't recognize it, then you will need to call Canon customer support and maybe even Windows customer support. Good luck.
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mohammad ali from MI asks:Hey bill, if you're hunting on a tree stand and you have someone taping you , do they get their own stand too or they just sit on a tree branch and tape?Winke Responds:Mohammad, The person filming the hunt has his or her own stand up in the tree. We set them up so that person filming has a good angle for filming.
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Andrew from WI asks:What kind of camera is best? I have heard you mention the Canon GL2 on here before and I know via fb that you now have a Sony! The Gl2 is not HD I believe but the video quality of the shows always seems quite good. Would you recommend a Sony or a Canon? Is HD necessary? Love the show!Winke Responds:Andrew, We use a lot of GL2 cameras. We also use the Canon XHA1s here too. However, with the semi-live format of the show, it sure is convenient to film right to SD cards and pop them in a card reader. In fact, it is awesome to get away from tape. That is why I bought a Sony NX5U this spring. I love being tapeless and that camera is at least as good as the XHA1s at capturing good hunting footage. The camera most of our guys are upgrading to right now is the Sony AX2000 because it is priced right and is tapeless. It is basically the NX5U without some of the bells and whistles. From what I have seen so far, I can definitely recommend it. HD is not necessary, but we are increasingly encouraging our guys to upgrade to it because the footage is so nice and clean to work with. I feel like our end product is better when shot with a good HD camera even though we end up compressing this stuff for the web in the end. Good luck.
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Curtis from IA asks:Have you had any experience or known anyone who has had a good experience with the bow cameras? Thinking about purchasing one just for my own pleasure of watching my hunts.Winke Responds:Curtis, We have played with the Roscoby Riser Cam some and does pretty well. I think I would also consider getting a small HD camera that you can mount to the tree using a camera arm that you can swing into place to film nice bucks passing in the distance or maybe film a shooter coming in as far as you dare film him. You can then integrate that footage with the riser cam footage to get a pretty cool final product.
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Brian from MO asks:Bill, Ive heard you got sonys new NX5U. Im about to pull the trigger on that exact model myself. Two questions please. How do you like it? After having this camera do you wish you would have maybe bought one with less bells and whistles(cheaper)? Sony has, in my opinion the very best picture, but there are several of their HD cams that have the G lens and can be purchased for a whole lot less. The AX2000 for instance is a tapeless camera and about $1200.00 cheaper. Some say the NX5U is more advanced for a better picture. What do you think? Thanks for any help.Winke Responds:Brian, I love it. I only wish I could afford to replace my Canon XHA1s with more of them. I am glad I bought the NX5U over the Sony AX 2000 for one reason - automatic backup of my footage with the 128 GB drive. It will record HD to the cards as well as to the 128 GB drive at the same time. I use two 16 GB SD cards and just download them to the computer as we shoot segments. Then, after we know we have everything on the computer and backed up to a second media, we delete the data off the 128 GB drive by simply reformatting it. Also, if I am going to hunt out of state, more than likely, the entire hunt will fit on the big drive. I have a complet backup. I have never owned any other Sonys so I don't have a basis for comparison, but I would say the footage is really good. Also, I have read that AVCHD is a cleaner version of HD than HDV. It seems to be the case. I did have to upgrade some things in my editing system to handle AVCHD format though. So if you are editing it yourself, you may want to do some reseach into whether or not your current computer and software setup will handle it. That said, for what it is worth, most of the pro staff that are upgrading to this tech are buying the AX 2000. Scott Prucha has one and it does a great job - just no automatic backup. That is only real difference.
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Clede from NY asks:I run a Sony FX7 with a beachtek adapter, shotgun mic, wireless mic, Manfrotto HDV701 head totaling 8 lbs. I am curious as to whether or not the Muddy Outfitter arm will be sufficient or if I should look at the Hunter arm for this set up. Will there be a lot of play in the Outfitter arm putting 8 lbs of weight on it?Winke Responds:Clede, I think 8 pounds would be pushing it for the Outfitter. I would suggest the next larger size. We do fine with the GL2 and small heads without external audio, but you start getting over 5 pounds and swing the arm way out to the end and it gets a bit bouncey. I think it will support it, but the footage may be a bit bouncey when you extend the arm. I would go the next size up - the Hunter.
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Todd from IN asks:Bill, Im looking at getting a camera to start filming my two sons. However with the prices very similar would you recommend a Sony HVR1000 or a Canon XL2/XL1. I know the Sony is HD but it just seems like the Canon is the better camerea.Winke Responds:Todd, Given those options, I would take the XL2. It is more serious professional camera with better support for external audio and other features that make it a true professional camera. I am sure there are many using the Sony that would argue, but that is my thought. I have both Canon SD and HD and Sony HD consumer and pro cameras here so we have tried quite a number of cameras, I like cameras that have professional features because there tends to be fewer compromises and you generally don't pay much more. Good luck.
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Justin from VT asks:Hi Bill. I've been filming hunts with family and friends since I was 14. Now I'm 17 and I'm headed off to college and eventually hope to end up doing outdoor video work of some kind (hunter, cameraman, editor, something). I've gotten proficient with the prosumer cameras and good editing software (Final Cut), but have a bit of a snag. In the area of Vermont where I hunt a once in a lifetime trophy is about 120", maybe 130". I know there's a craze for big racks in the hunting industry with dvd's and tv shows, but do you feel that there is or will be an audience for watching hunting that's not 170 class deer? Does anyone want to watch a dvd with mature 3, 4 and 5 year old deer with "sub par" racks? I could obviously move to the midwest and try something but if possible I think it would be cool to show an area of hunting rarely seen. Thanks a lot and good luck to everyone this coming season.Winke Responds:Justin, I think that people will enjoy watching material that is educational, well filmed and that tells a good story that is unique to the area. For example, a good DVD documenting the style of hunting, locations, challenges, action from your area would sell well locally. DVDs don't really sell all that great anywhere anymore so I wouldn't really expect large sales, but it could possibly be enough to make a few dollars. I am sure that by the time you graduate, the way people watch hunts will be different. Just stay on top of the technology and focus on telling good, educational stories with excellent footage. That will never go out of style. Good luck in school.
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brandon from IA asks:I am a huge fan of your site I was wondering what a good site would be to buy a camo rain cover for my gl2?Winke Responds:Brandon, Thanks for the support. I appreciate it. You can find those pretty cheap on E-bay (search under Canon GL2 Rain Cover) or you can find a bag and cover on www.bhphotovideo.com. Do a search under PRC-MDV Rain Cover on that site to see a good one.
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Justin from MT asks:Bill, I very much enjoy your site, and especially appreciate the Divine moments section, and your witness in having that as a part of your program. I am looking at buying a used Sony HVR Z1U. (I have found them anywhere from $2,100 to 2,800 on ebay) I was wondering if you know anything about this particular camera, and what your thoughts as to the use and quality of it in the field. Also would this camera be of good enough quality to use in a production type setting? Your opinion is very valued, and your input greatly appreciated, Thank youWinke Responds:Justin, I appreciate your support and comments. Thanks. It looks good but for one thing: the 12X lens. I am not a big fan of 12X for filming deer or filming hunts simply because you are so limited in what you can film especially during the summer when we are often filming across fields. I would focus on 20X lens cameras. I have gone to tapeless and will never go back (cameras like the Sony AX2000 are great for that - I have a Sony NX5U). However, if you don't mind capturing off tape, the Canon XHA1 is a great camera for filming outdoors and you can get them for about the same price you are looking at on e-bay. We still use two of them and will eventually upgrade to more tapeless format cameras when the time comes. Good luck.
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Cameron from AB asks:Hi Bill, Id like to start making some hunting videos and recording the bucks I see while scouting and I was wondering if I can get the same quality video out of a high definition camcorder as you guys do out of your professional rigs? What features should I look for?Winke Responds:Cameron, You should look for cameras with three sensors (they are called 3 CCD or 3 CMOS cameras). There are a few in the lower price ranges (look up Panasonics) but most decent to very good 3 sensor cameras are at least $1,500 and up. The low end Panasonics would be a good way to get started without spending a lot of money and the camera is also good for filming local events that your family may be engaged in - like Christmas, etc.
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Darren from MO asks:Bill, In your opinion, what do you think is a better camera for filming hunts, the Canon XL1, Canon GL1 or Canon GL2?Winke Responds:Darren, I like the GL2 because it is light and simple to run. The XL1 probably produces slightly better footage in certain conditions (low light for example), but it is much heavier. It is a tradeoff there. The GL1 also works well, just not quite as many bells and whistles but it does work quite well for filming hunts.
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Dave from AR asks:i hear you just got the Sony HXR-NX5U, well i was wondering what you think of it so far and if you have got to play with it any yet? I have the Canon XHA1 it took a little swim during turkey season. Now i'm going to get the NX5U or the HVR-Z5U, still debateing between the two.Winke Responds:Dave, I love it. The AVCHD format is a little hard to edit smoothly with most computers, but I have upgraded software and computer to handle it. I would never buy another tape camera. Capturing from the SDHC card is a breeze. I have the big 128 GB external drive that I use for backup, so I get two copies of every clip and I can capture it in no time flat. Did I say I love it? The camera is perfect for what we do.
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Chad from VA asks:I'm looking forward to this up coming deer season and watching your show. I'm looking more forward to filming than hunting. Can filming take away ones passion to hunt? I'm thinking a camera man may just be the best thing going as long he hits the record button. I see a lot of pictures showing the video camera in the harvest picture, is that to show it was filmed or for sponsorship? Is the hunter supposed to provide the camera man with a stand to film from and snacks while hunting. Trying to figure out all the Hunter/Camera man ethics before season gets here. I hoping the camera man gets treated well ;-) ThanksWinke Responds:Chad, We try to make it policy here at Midwest Whitetail for the cameraman to carry everything, do all the work, hang all the stands, carry all the food, wait on the hunter hand and foot. Since I am usually the hunter, I am all for this kind of relationship. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work out that way and the camera man gets treated like a king. So if it works that way out in VA, you will fare just fine. We include the cameraman in the photos to show it was filmed but also, the cameraman takes a great deal of ownership and pride in the hunt and in the success too, nearly as much as the hunter. In a sense, it is becomes his success photo too. I am sure you will have a lot of fun. Good luck.
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Tye from AL asks:Bill, thanks for the advice on the GL2, I bought it the other day and now I'm eagerly awaiting it's arrival. In the meantime, what accessories would you suggest I purchase to go with the camera for filming. I know I'll need a camera arm, but aside from that have no idea where to start. Any insight? What camera arms do y'all use?Winke Responds:Tye, We use the Muddy Outdoors arms. www.gomuddy.com. They sponsor our show too. Make harnesses, arms and stands. You will also need a fluid head. The Bogen Manfrotto 701 HDV is a good starting point. B&H Photo is a good source (online). Also, get a wind muff for the microphone. You can find that at www.thewindcutter.com. That will get you off to a good start. Also, get a cleaning tape and some MiniDV tapes. We always have a spare battery too, just to be on the safe side. Again, B&H can help you there. I have also bought generic batteries and done just fine. Amazon has some of those. Good luck.
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Tim from IN asks:Bill, I was wondering what you though about the Sony HRV-HD1000U. I know its a shoulder mount camera, but when they are on the tree-arm it doesn't matter, right? I was just interested in your take on this camera.Winke Responds:Tim, It will still work fine with a quick release plate and a fluid head used on a camera arm. No problems there. I have not done anything with that specific camera. I would do a search of the web for reviews on that camera and learn about its pros and cons. There is a reason is it is less than half the cost of most other HD camderas. Maybe it is not a big deal, but maybe there are some legitimate image quality issues or lack of features you need to consider. Overall, the reviews seem positive, but it does seem be poor in low light and it doesn't have any XLR inputs so that limits some of the external audio you can use with it. Probably a good camera for the money! Good luck.
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Josh from MO asks:Mr. Winke, I was wondering how many people from the various pro-staffs have experience with other hunting shows? There are a few pro-staff members who carry themselves differently then the rest like, Jeff Bryant, Mike Lutt, Clay Turner, Mike Earp, etc...It is amazing how some people carry themselves better on camera. Thanks a lot, I love the show and I'm always watching. Please tell your staff I enjoy all of them, but a certain few make it much better.Winke Responds:Josh, Most of them have a little bit of experience but not much. What you are seeing is their individual personalities. Some people are just more comfortable in front of the camera than others and that shows. It is not to suggest that the guys and gals that are less comfortable have less to share, they simply need the experience to gain confidence. People get better at everything with practice. Some of the guys just came into it gifted in this way. Thanks for your support. We appreciate it.
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Tye from AL asks:Bill, I have an opportunity to buy a Canon GL2 that has five hours of use for $900. Is that a good deal? Should I jump on this or keep looking?Winke Responds:Tye, That is a very good deal. I would go for it.
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Brian from MO asks:Do you keep your Mini Dv tapes or do you tapeover them after you have transfered them to your computer? Just wondering if there is a valid reason to keep them. Thanks for all your help and answering all my questions.Winke Responds:Brian, We usually keep the successful hunts just to be careful, but really if you capture them and back them up at least one place you should be fine. I have had to send the actual MiniDv tapes in to Realtree on one occasion because they were not set up to use the format we capture in. We capture in .m2t. In general, the experts recommend not taping over them, so it is best to follow their advice. Now we are moving to Sony solid state cameras with the AVCHD format. It is sure handy to use the flash memory, but the format is harder to edit without a powerful processor and graphics card.
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Brian from MO asks:I saw you answered a question about zoom controlers. You said you use the VZ Rock and the Stealth. I am shopping for one but on Campbells they say neither of those work with the Canon XH-A1s. Is this correct? I have a GL2 right now but am wanting to upgrade to the XH-A1s and am concerned the zoom control wont work on both. If not which model might work with both? ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, They come in different styles for different cameras. Just make sure the one you get says in the specs it is rated for Lanc (that is the name of the controller input on Canon and Sony cameras). Some fit other cameras instead. Yes, the Lanc controler will work for both cameras - we do it all the time. As I said, just make sure it says it works with Lanc. Good luck.
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Brandon from IA asks:where would I be able to find a camo camera skin for a gl2?Winke Responds:Brandon, I am not sure what Campbell Cameras has for camo skins for the GL2, but they would likely be the best source I can think of. You may want to get them a try.
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Woody from VA asks:Bill, what brand/model Zoom Controller do you use for filming? ThanksWinke Responds:We use Varizoom. The Stealth is OK, the VZ Rock seems a bit more instinctive to use.
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Brandon from IA asks:what would be a good fluid head for the muddy camera tree arm.Winke Responds:Brandon, We use the Bogen 701HDV with that arm and it works great. There are heavier heads that probably do a better job and lighter, cheaper ones, but as a good mix of quality video and lightweight, it is hard to beat the 701HDV.
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Brandon from IA asks:Bill, My buddy and I just bought a gl2 from Travis Patton yesterday.How could we become prostaff for the Iowa Show.Winke Responds:Brandon, Thanks for the interest. Please contact Scott Prucha at scott@midwestwhitetail.com. Scott is handling the pro staff for me this year and he can get you the application information. Thanks.
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Brian from MO asks:Hey Bill, just wanted to send you a link for a deal on a camera. http://www.zoommania.com/descript.asp?prodid=3238B001 Canon XHA1s for 2699.00. You cant buy them on Ebay that cheap. I think it is important to buy the updated s model. The benifits are worth it. You can program the OIS to a button to turn it off and on easily like on a GL2. They have had alot of problems with the headphone jack on the XH-A1. I dont know if you have had the same problem on yours,but the have upgraded the jack on the s model. Also I was wondering if you could take a look at some footage I edited for a friend and give me any tips. The camera work is decent but I am really interested in what you think of my editing. Thanks the link is below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0403FYGtFwWinke Responds:Brian, I would be very careful with that one. Just walk into it cautiously. I agree on the S model. Another benefit of the S is that you can zoom and focus simultaneously (like when the buck is running off after the shot or coming in at a fairly fast clip). With the old model, you had to stop zooming to catch up on the focus. I actually have the regular A1 and the S model so we have had a chance to play with both. We have not had the headphone issue yet, but we don't monitor all the time either (no good reason - too lazy). I'll take a look at your video and get back with you.
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Brian from MO asks:Hey Bill just saw an answer to a question where you mentioned a Bogen HDV 701 fluid head. Do you replace all your heads with this head? Does it make that much difference? I am curently using a GL 2. How much better is the XH-A1 in your opinion. Thinking of upgrading, not sure if the money difference is worth it. ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, A good fluid head makes a huge difference. We had some real cheapies in 2008 and it cost us some good footage. The 701 is not a high end fluid head but it is pretty decent and works well with the Gl2 and the Muddy Arm. I just sold four GL2s to upgrade to another HD camera. I am looking at the XHA1 or the new Sony AX2000. I will wait a bit longer to see what else surfaces. I don't really need another camera until about mid-July when we start filming summer bucks. The HD is definitely a lot nicer than the footage from the GL2. The GL2 is adequate, but the HD just looks nicer.
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Bill from AL asks:Bill, i would really like to start filming hunts, can you recommend a good starter camera for a hunter on a budget? thanksWinke Responds:Bill, A Canon GL2 is pretty hard to beat as a starter camera. It has all the image control you need and if you buy used, is quite affordable. Combine with a Muddy arm and a Bogen HDV 701 fluid head and you will have a good combo. Good luck.
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Brian from MO asks:Hey Bill, Do you use a uv filter on your cameras? What are the benefits to doing so? ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, We do on some cameras. The best reason I can come up with is to protect your main lens. Beyond that I am not sure what value it would serve. Possibly it makes some of the colors render more correctly in extreme situation. I would have to look into it. I don't see a difference beteween the footage we get from cameras without UV filter and those with.
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Brad from NY asks:I recently tried to film some pre/post event footage in a moving vehicle. Any tricks or products to help keep the camera still or do I just need to get better holding the camera steady?Winke Responds:Brad, From our limited experience, there aren't any tricks. Your arms need to act as shock absorbers and soak up the jolts and vibration. If you try to hold the camera rigid, or brace it against the vehicle in some way, it will vibrate too much. Practice will make your better at keeping the arms soft and letting the camera float a bit as your arms soak up the bumps and vibration.
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Charlie from NY asks:Winke, My buddy John and I want to start videoing our hunts. I have been online and on the phone with Campbell but felt like because I wasn't "someone" they seem to give me a lot of time. The HF S100 package they offer for around $1100 is in my price range but don't know anything about cameras? My buddy and I take some nice bucks every year last year from Illinois and Indiana, this year adding Ohio as well. Not that we think we are pros but want good quality to send or videos in here or maybe make our own videos. Any thoughs you can share would be very helpfull.Winke Responds:Charlie, The only thing I don't like about the HF package is the camera's 10X lens. I like a 20x lens for a number of reasons. Otherwise, I am sure it is a fine choice. I would almost rather buy something used and get the 20X lens. It is always risky buying used, but that is often the best value if you can sort through the listings. Good luck with the filming.
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Clint from AR asks:Great show this year. Cant wait til next season. We only have about 7 months to go til October! My question is...Which camera do you recommend, the GL1 or the GL2?Winke Responds:Clint, Thanks. I appreciate it. They are both fine for filming hunts. The GL2 shows two channels of audio on the viewfinder making it easier to tell (with headphones) if you are getting proper audio. Otherwise, they are pretty much interchangeable. If you are trying to save money, the GL1 will get you by just fine.
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Preston from NY asks:Hey I was wondering if a Canon GL2 camo wrap will work for a Canon GL1?Winke Responds:They are slightly different shape. It might be a good starting point, but I am guessing you will need to make a few small cuts here and there with a scissors to make it fit perfect.
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Brian from MO asks:Hey Bill, Do you ever speed up your shutter speed for cleaner slo-mo footage? If so where do you set it? What apeture setting do you use, or do you just use auto mode on your cameras? ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, It sounds like a great idea that I will have to try. I have to admit to being pretty simple when it comes to camera setup. We set auto iris (auto exposure) and manual focus. We sometimes play with the audio input levels to balance them, but generally we try to just run auto there too. I set the white balance manually. I usually keep it around 5600 except indoors. That works pretty well except on really red sunsets then you have to drop it down around 5200. That comes from my still photography training. Everything I know about filming I learned from Realtree hunts and hunts with other company. They generally don't attempt anything too complex either. We will probably start looking for ways to be more artistic in the future as everyone gets more comfortable with the basics.
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Brad from NY asks:Hey Bill, I just bought a canon gl1 and am wondering what lenses you recommend for certain occasions? Ex. long range scouting, the hunt, and the interviews?Winke Responds:Brad, We use the stock lens for almost everything. It is too much hassle to carry extra lenses and throw them and off. Even the big boys (Realtree, etc.) don't mess with that. Only when you are trying to achieve a certain look, such as maybe when filming the buck display at a deer classic or something like that, where you need to get closer to avoid interference from the people, would I consider putting the wide angle lens on. You will 99% of what you need with the stock lens on the GL1. Good luck.
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Brian from MO asks:Hey Bill, I just purchased a GL2 on Ebay. It came with a wireless mic system and alot of lenses. Im pretty excited about it but was wondering what other accesories does a hunter need? There is a 2.0x zoom lens, a 0.3x wide angle lens and a 0.5 macro lens. Are these lenses helpfull in hunting? Do you use a wind screen on your mic? I have shot quite a bit of video on a handheld sony and was wondering how much better this GL2 is. Thanks for any input.Winke Responds:We don't use the extra lenses while hunting. The GL2 has a nice 20X lens already so the 2.0 might be good for summer filming, but too much power for fall hunting. The wide angles are nice for cool perspectives in the stand, and you should play with them a little, but if you are like us, you get sick of swapping lenses when in the tree. So again, we don't carry the wide angle lenses either. We use a windscreen on the mic. If the camera doesn't have a BeachTek sound mixer, you are going to get only one channel of audio when you plug the wireless into the camera. If you want two channels, we prefer two channels so we get the ambient sounds like bird, crunching leaves, etc. you will need the BeachTek and a separate shotgun mic. The GL2 will be noticeably better, especially as relates to low light and also when you need to manual focus (which is most of the time). Good luck
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Brian from MO asks:You commented that your staff has spent six months learning how to produce shows. Where and what was studied? How can a novice get better? ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, A lot of it was self-taught by the guys through trial and error. I held a "producer's school" to get everyone started on the same page and then I subscribed to a good online tutorial website that they could refer to as they learned and practiced. We did a few test shows per state to make sure we were roughly on course. I micro-managed the first few shows from each state but then the guys just took it and ran with it. The tutorial site I used was www.lynda.com. Good luck.
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Cliff from ME asks:Bill great shows, With the cold temps how do you keep the cameras warm.thanksWinke Responds:Cliff, We didn't keep them warm. They worked fine except for the fact that the LCD monitors start to get really sluggish. There was a definite lag on the monitor when panning, zooming and focusing. It was kind of tough to know if you had the shot or not, but when we went back to the office and captured it, the shot was always good. So we just went with it. In fact, it was about zero with a 20 mph wind the night Chad shot his buck. It looked pretty bad through the monitor when I was filming it, but the footage was just fine.
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Cliff from ME asks:Bill,Would like your advice on camera stand placement.At hunters stand height or above the hunter.ThanksWinke Responds:Cliff, We like to put them at the hunter's stand height so the interviews are on the same level and more eye-to-eye, but the standard formula from Realtree is to go a foot above to two feet above for the camera stand. We are going to stick with keeping all our stands at the same level for most situations. A little bit harder to film on the side of the tree where the hunter is standing, but we find ways around that.
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Justin from VT asks:Hey Bill. I just asked a question recently as well, so my apologies if I'm taking up a lot of your time. I have another question about camera gear. I currently have a canon GL1. I saw in an archived question that Realtree was using some of these to film for Monster Bucks and Roadtrips, or something like that. I have never been able to get great video out of my Gl1. I have had a two film classes at school using $10,000 plus cameras, so I have a pretty good handle on manual settings, but still I can never get the video quality I'm looking for even after trying many camera settings and different video filters and things in Final Cut. Do you have any idea how the Realtree team editors get the Gl1 video presentable for DVD and or their web site? Every Monsterbucks DVD I've seen has been fantastic quality that I'm just not seeing in my Gl1. I've actually had much better luck in terms of video quality/presentability with a handheld canon HG10 AVCHD camcorder. Thanks very much.Winke Responds:Justin, I don't know what the problem may be there. I am pretty sure Realtree is not doing anything special with those cameras or that footage. It may be possible that you are trying to stretch the standard definition footage on an HD monitor and it is pixelating on you. We have had good luck with GL2s, which are nearly the same as the GL1. In fact, we even had one of our hunts last appear on Realtree's Monster Bucks DVD and also their Monster Bucks TV show. We shot that hunt with a GL2. So there may be something wrong with your particular camera, or you are trying to view it on a high definition monitor and thus it looks grainy. Keep working with it. That camera should produce some pretty nice stuff. But I guess you are kidding yourself if you think the SD stuff will ever look as good as the HD stuff. We are slowly switching to all HD cameras even though we compress the video to the small player we have on the site. HD looks better, but the SD should also work for most things.
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Justin from VT asks:Hey Bill, I've just got a quick question about types of microphones for filming hunts. I've been using a mid-range shotgun mic that works very well, but when you get more than a few feet away from the hunter, or when they turn their head while talking, the audio drops off. I've decided to upgrade to a lavalier lapel mic system for next year. I was just wondering, with a canon gl1 camera is there any way to get audio from a shotgun mic (audio from the deer walking and the shot and such) plus the audio from the hunter talking? Maybe the lavaleir mic will pick up the audio that the shotgun mic was picking up before? I'm lost on this one. Thanks a lot and good luck as you finish out your season.Winke Responds:Justin, If I remember that camera correctly, it is like GL2 in that it supports only one audio input. We use BeachTek audio mixers and then use a shotgun and wireless with XLR connectors into the small BeachTek and then the output is the mixed audio that goes into the camera on the audio input jack. It is actually a pretty simple setup. Best regards.
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Brandon from FL asks:Bill, Considering your busy winter schedule, I commend you on your dedication to answering your fans questions. Your show is the best idea in the hunting industry in many years, and I appreciate your hard work. The question I have has to do with frame rates. My second camera(or POV)is a Canon HV40. It has options for different HD frame rates. Standard HD, 30, 24, and 24F. Which is the best to film and edit? It already compresses to mini dv tapes. Thanks a ton, and good luck with the "No Name Buck"Winke Responds:Thanks Brandon. We use 30f for all our video. We do that because we end up putting most of it on the web and you have to de-interlace before compressing for the web so the 60i is not the best choice for us. I have read several forums on this subject and the opinions run all over the place so I just stuck with 30F. Good luck with the video.
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Bradley Burrows from MO asks:Hey Bill, i live in northern Missouri and own a Canon XL2 and have been filming for my best friend and hes been filming for me. we have thought about stepping it up a notch and was wondering how we could become a part of your hunting staff? i watch every show you own and love them and me and my buddy would like to become a part of the pro staff and was wondering if you could send me some info on how to become part of the team or let me know on facebook. i would really like to be part of your prostaff. im friends with you on facebook. thanks a lot Bill!!Winke Responds:Bradley, I am telling everyone the same thing right now. I will be adding some pro staff across the boards in every area, but I am going to have to come up with the full plan on how I am going to do that. I will have that put together by late in January, after all the seasons and the main trade shows are wrapped up. Please contact me then and I'll get you out the information you need to apply for the pro staff. Thanks for the interst. I appreciate it. Merry Christmas.
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Steve from KS asks:Bill, my hunting buddy (we will call him Brent) has an issue that is quickly becoming mine. Brent has already filled his buck tag (we're only allowed one in Kansas) and it constantly showering me and his other hunting buddies with his 'wisdom' on where to sit, what to do, you should go here, you should go there..blah, blah, blah. Brent harvested a nice mature deer on Nov. 4th after only a short time in the woods. With so much preperation and planning put into the season, he did not get enough of the hunting 'fix' and is now a full-blown nut case. He has even gone so far to ask me if he can go with me and wait in the truck while I hunt! He "just wants to see if anything comes out of the woods". Geez. Brent is a faithful follower of your site and show so I know he will listen to your advise. What do you reccommend that an avid deer hunter do with his time while everyone else is out hunting? Signed; Pestered in KansasWinke Responds:Steve, That is so funny. I actually laughed out loud on that one. Brent needs to start filming. Go film bucks from his stands, film you guys hunting, film songbirds, film everything that moves. He will love it and you will all have a great time looking at his video work. I really think it is a good win-win. Good luck.
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Richie from MS asks:Bill, This will be the second year i have watched your show, i live in the southeast area of mississippi. i have been trying to get my group of hunting buddies to begin filming our own hunts. we hunt several small pieces of property. we try to manage the best we can but will possibly lose the property in the near future. we take many trips up to the delta throughout the year and we go to the midwest once a year as well. so we dont sink much money into the land except for seasonal food plots. not much natural resource here since hurricane katrina. my question to you is how would you feel about having a mississippi team on your shows. my father and i are working on gettin a long term lease to have along with all of our national wildlife refugee hunts that we go on. i am a hunter its what i love and would love to one day be the only thing i do, i have a trailer from the video we were gonna put out next summer if you would like to see it let me knowWinke Responds:Richie, It is something I need to consider. I am pretty sure it would be a worthwhile project. I just need to determine if it is something we can tackle right now. Lots of work to put these teams and shows together, but I will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks for your interest.
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austin from MO asks:if i got a hd camera wats the chances of getting on a missouri teamWinke Responds:Austin, There is much more to this than having the camera. A big learning curve on how to shoot the stuff that tells the true story. When the season is over, please contact me again and I'll send out some information about applying for any open MO slots. Thanks for the interest and the support.
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Luke from MO asks:Hey my friends and I have started videoing hunts and we use HD cannon's. Is that the best way to go? also how do you get herd about we have a website and everything, its just hard to get a start and we have some really good videos out so far on the internet, we have some good buck kills and great bowfishing, Thanks!Winke Responds:Luke, It just takes time. You have to work hard and do good work and improve and pay your dues. Most importantly, you have to start at the bottom being willing to help companies you like knowing that you have to do a favor before you can ask for one. It is tough, there is no doubt, but it can be done. Keep it up. I tried to access your site, but the link was broken. Is it working? Good luck.
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Jarred from OH asks:Bill, I am looking for a good camera to use in the field while I'm hunting and scouting. I know you have always been a big fan so which models do you recommend? Thanks and good hunting, JarredWinke Responds:Jarred, We used the Canon GL2 quite a bit. It does a good job and is not too expensive. It is not HD, but unless you are going to burn the footage onto Blu-Ray and use a Blu-Ray player to watch it on your TV, HD doesn't get you much. You can always upgrade later. Good luck.
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Javin from OH asks:Bill, I don’t want to keep you long. But I was wondering if any of the pro staff film HD onto SD cards, or do you all use tapes? Thanks. I’m really enjoying the shows and gettin all my friends into them, keep them coming!! Sorry about the Great 8! Almost looks like he actually pulls himself toward the ground. Any way, “better luck next time” JavinWinke Responds:Javin, Thanks for your support. I really appreciate that. It definitely helps. Most of the guys use SD MiniDV tapes. A few use HDV MiniDV tapes. I am not aware of anyone using the Solid State cards for capturing video at this time. It will definitely come and there are some great cameras out there using this technology, but they tend to be pretty expensive.
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Chad Deckert from AL asks:Hey I have mentored youth video footage of my kids in the field...with misses and kills. Do you want me to send them? If so how?Winke Responds:Chad, As a rule we haven't been accepting hunts from anyone outside the pro staff. However, if you can get ahold of us after the season we might be able to figure something out for next year. There is so much to learn about what we need to make a show that we try to focus just on the current pro staff who we have spent a lot of time teaching over the summer months. Thanks for your interest.
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joe smalligan from MI asks:just wondering what kind of video cameras you guys use??. i have a sony pdf-150 that we use for filming. its getting a few years old but still works. i'm looking to upgrade but dont want to spend a fortune. thanks and good luck w/ the upcoming rut. i'll be in southern ohio during the rut so it'll be nice to get out of western mi and get after some big boys!!!Winke Responds:Joe, We mostly use Canon GL2s and Canon XHA1s. These are not high end cameras, though the XHA1 is really all the camera you would need for broadcast. If you are looking to upgrade, you might look at some of the reviews of the Sony FX7. Some of our guys use that one too. It is HDV and is not real expensive. Specifically, any footage from Brian Rhodd in Kansas was shot with that camera. I have read both good and bad reviews on this camera, but the footage we have captured off that one so far has been impressive. Good luck.
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Cal from MO asks:What type of editing software do you use and what kind of video camera? Also what video camera do you recommend that isn't too pricey. Thanks.Winke Responds:Cal, We use Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, but some of the teams use Final Cut Pro (for Mac). You can get by cheaper with Pinnacle, but I am not sure what features you give up. I would be afraid to try it for what we do. The best low end camera we have found is a used Canon GL1. The GL2 is also good, but a touch more expensive. We use the GL2s and Canon XHA1s mostly.
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Kevin from MO asks:Do you have any older camera equipment that could still be used for filming wildlife? I bow hunt mostly but all other types of hunting as well & so do my kids. I have looked at the POV1 but I don't really know what I need to get started without spending a fortune. Do you (entire staff) sell the used equipment? I would like to learn more about filming hunting & fishing adventours. By the way, this site is awesome.Winke Responds:Kevin, We don't have anything to sell right now, but if I was buying on a budget, I would look for a good Canon GL1 off e-bay. That is a good low-end professional camera that will shoot very nice stuff that you can watch later with pride.
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John from IA asks:What type of cameras are the ones they were showing in the recent Ohio show? They looked fairly small so I wasnt sure? Also, If you new of a mountain lion/cougar living in your area would you do anything different, maybe carry a pistol or just not worry about it thanks!Winke Responds:I contacted Jason and this is his reply: "Damon was using a Sony HDR-HC1. It's the same camera that I use. They actually don't even make them anymore but are for sale on ebay quite often. The only problem with these cameras is that they are horrible in low light and have a minimal but typical 10 power Sony zoom. I have a 2x lens I screw on if needed but actually the 10 power does fine for most bowhunting situations. The camera records 1080i HDV to a tape. They also do not have XLR inputs." I think I would probably carry a gun if there was a known mountain lion in my area, but realistically, they are not likely to mess with an adult.
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tyler from MO asks:hi, my name is tyler. I am from Missouri. I am a serious bowhunter and spend all extra time availabe hunting and scouting mid western game animals, especially whitetail deer. for the past several years i have wanted to start recording hunts on video to share with other hunters everywhere. Just this year i have started videoing hunts and have yet to put a monster on the ground. I am just getting somewhat familiar with the whole recorded hunt thing because most all of my bowhunts have been solo. As you know, an extra guy in the tree and camera gear and extra scent adds a whole new challenge to bowhunting whitetails. A couple of friends and i are really enjoying it though and are having a blast putting together some cool footage. (again, nothing with any monsters yet, but our time will come.) My question is: what does it take to start a show or website, who do you talk to and basically how do i get started and get my footage out there for everyone else to see? thank youWinke Responds:Tyler, You can do it on a small scale fairly inexpensively using YouTube to serve your video. Most domain name registration and hosting sites offer some kind of web development tools that permit you to put together a basic site. Then you can just use that site along with the "embed code" found next to your YouTube videos to embed them right on your page. I think vimeo also has this feature and works well on a limited basis. You bypass most of the expense that way. Unfortunately, mine was not a cheap site to make and we serve all our own video so I have to pay for the bandwidth - which isn't cheap either. So keep it simple at first and then see where it leads. Good luck.
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Justin from VT asks:Hi Bill. If you've seen some of the other questions I've asked, you'll know I'm a pretty big fan. This question however isn't as much about hunting as it is about camera gear. I just bought a used Canon GL1 and its quite a bit larger than my previous Canon HG10 that could fit in a pocket. I'd like to be able to keep it safe while hauling it through the woods along with all my other hunting gear (I mainly film myself, but would also like a case or something to put it in for my occasional camera guy). How do you guys carry cameras into the woods and still keep them protected? Also, on those cold days how do you keep the cameras warm? When the temps dip below 20 degrees my cameras always seem to go into the "auto protect" mode due to the cold. Thanks.Winke Responds:Justin, We usually keep them in a basic back pack or we carry them in our hands. Personally, I like hand carrying them best because if I fall, I can protect the camera much better if it is in my hand. There are likely some pretty good cases out there, but a simple pack like Nikon's Recon pack, will do a great job. Keep it in a plastic bag because dust in the pack can be a real camera killer.
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David from WV asks:I am interested in beginning to video some of my hunts with buddies. What cameras do you use...and what would recommend for a beginner who has limited funds?Winke Responds:David, You can get by with almost anything, but to get pretty good quality for the money, I would purchase a used Canon GL1 off ebay. You can get good ones for around $600 to $700. That camera will do a really nice job and has a good manual focus ring that you will need when filming deer hunts. The GL2 is also a good choice but is slightly more expensive. Good luck.
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steve from IL asks:Just wondering, after you video all the footage, where or how do you do the editing to get it into a show? Thanks, SteveWinke Responds:Steve, We do it all at separate sites. The IL show is produced by Nic Difilippo and his high school class in Mahomet. The main show is produced in my office, the other shows are also produced at remote locations to take advantage of local perspectives. I want the Wisconsin show hosted and produced by Wisconsin people for example, because that brings the true flavor. We use professional editing software and good computers. Everyone spent the last six months or so, learning to do this. I am very impressed with how much they have learned.
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Delbert from IN asks:Dear Bill I have a GL2 and all the goodies to film(camera arm, shotgun mic,wireless nic,fluid head etc...) If we get some worthwhile footage would you want to use it? I am not asking for anything in return except information on how I can improve the footage! It will be me and my 16 yr old son filming and hunting! Good luck and God BlessWinke Responds:Delbert, We would love to take a look at it. However, our agreement with the show sponsors is that we can't show competing products in the show, so that might limit us in how or if we can use it. Maybe next year we can get you into the IN pro staff if the footage is good. Thanks for your question and have a great weekend.
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Dean from NJ asks:Again, love the show, it is actually quite addictive! This year i bought a video camera and camera arm and plan on videoing hunts of me and some buddies bow hunting. How high do you usually set up in the tree? Is more height needed because of the extra person up there? Also i see you are adding abunch of states ilke Pennsylvania to your "team", are thier any plans on coming to New Jersey? Thanks for you time and effort. Dean HetzelWinke Responds:Dean, I didn't change my height, but it probably makes some sense to go a touch higher. More important is making sure there are a few branches at stand height to break up your outlines. The deer that I am hunting are not particularly stand-shy. They don't look up and if they see us in the tree they may not even spook as long as we aren't moving. So in other areas (like NJ) I'm guessing you would need to set up a little higher. We may expand to NJ next year. For this year, PA (and a big group in MD who will appear on the PA show) are as close to you as we will be able to get. Good luck this fall.
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Matt from IL asks:Hi You guys show a lot of different cameras on some of the shows and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a camera that would be good for just one person trying to film and hunt at the same time. I have no idea how much the cameras are that you guys use, but would under 1000 dollars be reasonable? Thanks Matt Pike County, IllinoisWinke Responds:We get by pretty well with the basic Canon GL2. You can definitely find them used on ebay for under $1,000. Use a good camera arm like the Muddy product and a basic fluid head so you can make smooth adjustments. With some practice I think you can probably get where you do a good job self-filming. It will never be as good as it would be if you had someone filming it for you. We don't allow self-filmed hunts on Midwest Whitetail because you lose too much. But for home video, it would likely work fine. Good luck.
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Brian from MI asks:Bill, When hunting you have to be able to hunt in all types of weather. How do you keep all the expensive camera equipment protected from the rain and snow? Thanks for the help.Winke Responds:Brian, We aren't too high tech here at Midwest Whitetail. You are going to laugh at this one. We use small black garbage bags and make a hole in the bottom for the lens. We use rubber bands to hold the opening tight to the lens hood and then make a hole in the side for the flip out LCD screen. We put a clear sandwich bag over the screen and another rubber band to hold it in place. Pretty fancy stuff. There are manufactured camera rain covers (some in camo) that are custom made to fit the gear we carry, but I just never got around to buying them. I'll probably have to get a few of them this year.
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John from IA asks:Bill, I live in southern Iowa and I have been looking into buying a camera to film my hunts, I have mostly been looking at the canon GL2 because of price but are there any other options in order to spend a little less money and still get a good quality videoWinke Responds:John, Not really. You need a 3 sensor (CCD) camera to produce the best color and the cheap handycams have only one sensor. Also, you need a good manual focus system and again, the small cameras don't have those either. We bought the GL2s we used last year used off ebay. If you have experience on ebay, that is one option. Otherwise, you can look at the GL1. It has most of the same featues of GL2 and the same picture, but it should be cheaper anywhere you can find it - again probably used. Those are good cameras. We filmed one hunt with them that Realtree used for the Monster Bucks video and they are going to use it for an episode in their Monster Bucks TV show. I am sure the footage is not as nice as what they get from their pricier cameras, but I guess it was good enough. Good luck.
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Rick from MI asks:I met you at the Grand Rapids show and peeked at your camera. What kind of extras was on your GL2? Thanks and Great show!Winke Responds:Rick, That one had an Azden shotgun mic, a Samson wireless mic setup, a BeachTek audio mixer underneath and two XLR cables leading from the mics to the BeachTek. I also had a 700RC2 Bogen head on a Muddy Outdoors Camera Arm. Good luck. Thanks for supporting the show. Bill
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Jake from MO asks:Hey Bill its Jake, i was wondering if you could give me some web sites to visit for farely good prices on cameras and farely good cameras like the 20X you suggested in the other e-mail. Thanks   again! JakeWinke Responds:Jake, I bought a lot of stuff from B&H Photo www.bhphotovideo.com. I also bought quite a bit of stuff off Ebay, but you have to be really careful using that approach. Good luck. Bill
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Jake from MO asks:Hey Bill, my names Jake from missouri im fifteen its sad to hear the shows ending the depreshion is starting to set in but anyways i have a question about pree season scouting such as velvet and just early season scouting period. How do you scout and film from the ground, truck, or stand and why.Winke Responds:We mostly hide in fence lines and occassionally in ground blinds and tree stands. Whatever the location provides. The cameras we use have 20X lenses on them so we can get some pretty nice footage without being right on top of the deer. That helps, because you want to be able to get out of there at dark without spooking them. Good luck. Bill
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Cody from MN asks:Bill, for us serious hunters looking at catching our fall hunts on camera, what equipment would you recommend using? Important also, what equipment have you or others used that would be more economical yet still captures the best bang for our buck. My good buddy and I have been researching for camera, editing software, etc. Any input to help us passionate deer hunters make the right step towards a small dream. Your help is appreciated and once again...Excellent SHOW! Cody from S. MNWinke Responds:Cody, We ended up using mostly Canon GL2 cameras this past year. I bought several of them off ebay. You have to be a bit careful with that because once in a while I got burned. That is a great camera for most advanced amateur filming (which is what we do). You can get pretty sophisticated with the audio and you really need to take the time to get that worked out. You can run off the on-board mic, but you had better use a wind cutter. The best solution is to use a shotgun mic and a wireless mic with a Beach Tek unit attached to the camera to create two channels of audio from the two feeds. We also used one Canon XHA1 HDV camera which is definitely overkill for the web but looks awesome. We use Adobe Premiere Pro to edit, but for amateur and advanced amateur work Pinnacle might be just fine. Most pros use Apple Final Cut Pro, but I have always been a PC guy so I bought the Adobe software. I hope that helps. Bill
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Chad from MN asks:Bill, I am interested in starting to film my hunts,I hunt in NorthDakota,SouthDakota,and Minnesota.I am wondering what kind of cameras and gear you use for your show. I would like to buy some gear and send you some great footage for your show.I love your show, Ive seen every episode. Thanks Chad RippentropWinke Responds:Chad, Thanks for your support. I really appreciate that. For this web stuff we are mostly using Canon GL2s. They are great little cameras and are really all you need for most recreational and even low end professional filming. We also use a Canon XH A1 HDV camera, but that is certainly overkill for the web since we end up compressing the video so it doesn't take as long to download. You can pretty sophisticated on the audio, but if you use a wind muff on the onboard mic and always look at the camera when talking, you get by pretty well just using the GL2s onboard mic. I bought most of our cameras off Ebay and three of out five of the GL2s worked fine. The other two I had to send in to Canon to get them worked on. Good luck. Best regards. Bill
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Justin from MI asks:Bill, Wondering what kind of camera's you are using and also what kind of software you use to edit your footage thanks JustinWinke Responds:Jusin, We are using Canon cameras, for the most part. Some of the pro staff also have Sony. I use a Canon XHA1 and a few GL2s. We edit using Adobe software: Premiere Pro CS3, After Affects, Soundbooth, Audition. I built a couple of workstation computers that have 8 processors each, but that turned out to be overkill. A good quad core would work fine too. It is pretty computer and software intensive, but there is no other way to handle the volumes of footage we run through. Good luck. Bill
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Bryan from MO asks:Bill question #1, What video equipment do use currently use? Make / Model...etc. #2, Consider posting a link on your homepage of a " Midwest Whitetail" reading list - 6 to 10 - hard / soft cover titles, that you and your staff would recommend that serious whitetail bow-hunters should have on the shelf at home... Can't wait for the Monday Morning "updates". Regards.Winke Responds:I have a couple different camera setups running. The camera that I carry when I hunt is a Canon XH A1 which is overkill for the web, but is very nice for possible use on a video, etc. The other setups are all Canon GL2s. I use a shotgun and wireless mic on the XH A1 but we run with the onboard mics on most of the GL2s. I have several young guys running around with the cameras so I try to keep it simple. Good idea on the books. I learned from reading guys like Wensel and Roger Rothaarr. Some of today's authors are good too. I'll do that with blog at some point. Monday's show has a nice kill off Brock Halsted's hit list. The buck went down last night to Brock's father-in-law in a food plot. In fact, they just left my office to do the cutaways. Thanks for your support. Bill
