Recording Illuminations on a camcorder

[Ultra Magnus]

Hey everyone!

On my next trip to WDW, I plan to record a pristine version of Illuminations as a video souvenir. Unfortunately, the versions I already have are not really that good; camera keeps losing focus due to bright fireworks in the dark. Is there any tips you guys recommend for being able to record the fireworks without loss of focus?

Maybe there is a special spot you look at where you can fix manual focus, I don't know I would normally fix focus on the Globe, but that doesn't come until a few minutes into the show:hammer:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Some recommendations :-
1) Ensure that your camcorder has a really low "lux" recording level (measuremeant of candle power - the lower the reading the better the recordings in the dark) (and usually the more expensive the camera !!)
2) Ensure you use a top quality, brand new tape
3) My recordings have been on autofocus - use a wide camera angle to take in the globe and quite a bit of the lake. The tighter the camera angle (zoom) the harder it is for the camera to focus (especially in low light).
Hope this helps a little and good luck.

 

[Ultra Magnus]

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
Some recommendations :-
1) Ensure that your camcorder has a really low "lux" recording level (measuremeant of candle power - the lower the reading the better the recordings in the dark) (and usually the more expensive the camera !!)
2) Ensure you use a top quality, brand new tape
3) My recordings have been on autofocus - use a wide camera angle to take in the globe and quite a bit of the lake. The tighter the camera angle (zoom) the harder it is for the camera to focus (especially in low light).
Hope this helps a little and good luck.

Thanks for the tips! However, I do not have the expensive equipment needed for a wide lens Also wondering how you can use autofocus. Do you use your zoom to rectify it when it starts to blur out? If you do, doesn't the video look...kinda funky on playback :hammer:

TIA

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If the angle of view is relatively wide then the camera SHOULDN'T re focus when moved away from a central point (the globe) as the fireworks are usually only travelling upwards and not nearer or farther away from you.
If in doubt set the focus to manual and use the globe as a reference point and then as above, there shouldn't be any need to alter the focus.
Hope this helps.