Sorry for a long break in my blog. (No reason?, Well I don't want to lie. Just being lazy sometimes). I have always wanted to have a camcorder that meets my need without too many complications. I had thought with my Canon EOS 5D Mark II, I could use the video aspect of it and that should be enough, but that is not the case.The EOS 5D takes care of my photography aspect of my hobby. Sometimes, I think it makes me a bit lazy and makes me look better than I really am. This is an advise to all you budding photographers: buy quality lenses for your cameras. It is all in the lens. People are very impressed at the quality of my work, well, people that are around me. They must be, as I get requestes for services. Not being a business professional photographer, I turn down a lot of requests to photograph weddings and other events. Lots of money being thrown away, a friend told me. I still have my day job. So I stay at being refered to as Professional hobbyist photographer. Whatever that means.

Sometimes when I go to events with my gear (especially when I mount on the camera, my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Zoom Telephoto Lens http://www.photoafricana.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=11 , photographers and guests with their point and shoot cameras get intimidated. You get comment like "this is the real professional here" hmnn. It is fun though. Have you noticed when asked to be official photographer of an event that you hardly participate in everything else that is happening at the event? If it is a wedding, you are focused mainly on the bride and groom. You don't even hear the music, comments jokes that go on. You are in your own world. Just to get the best product out at the end of the day.

Well back to the video aspect of this blog, that is why I am writing today after a long layoff. I decided to buy a camcorder that will not be professional equipment but good enough to produce quality pictures. It will not too complicated to use but have the ease of my knowledge from still photography. While contemplating and browsing the web, I usually start with comments by CNET, I had the TV on and boila, NBC television wanted to talk about the type of camcorder to buy in this holiday season (Thanksgiving holiday was coming up). At the end of the broadcast, I had narrowed it down to Canon Vixia HV40 miniSD HD Camcorder. So research on the internet continued, then comparison with other top of the line camcorders that are not for professional use. It looked good. The next thing is where to buy at good price. Next research. The first place was at  photoloon.com for $639. Very cheap price but the don't accept paypal. Now, buying online, one has to be careful, at least reduce your risk. The next was Buyer's Edge through Pricegrabber.com for $698 and free two days Fedex delivery. I jumped at it. Now am still waiting for the camera. Maybe it will get here on Monday. No message, not even an email. Paypal confirmed payment though.

I have learnt not to buy a package deal when ordering cameras online. Suppliers usually put together low quality accessories with high end cameras. So I went to B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?KW=BUTTONS&img=BH_80x80.gif) to look for Canon extra battery, I bought Canon BP-2L14 Battery for $49 with free shipping. Then off to ebay for a 43mm Hoya ultra violet filter for $10.

I will keep you posted how it all turns out. Maybe I will post some video later. If everything goes well, we may offer the products at photoafricana.com. The prices might have come down then.