> Aye, a video camera should do the job just fine. I started
> videotaping birds this last July with a Sony 12x camcorder.
> (It's a TR-83, a middle-priced Sony, that can zoom up to
> 12x optically and 24x digitally, but the digital image isn't
> all that good.)

Note that a digital zoom is NOT an increase in magnification; it is
equivalent to blowing up a photograph, with associated loss of detail. I
bought a Hi-8 Canon specifically because it had optical zoom and optical
image stabilization (digital stabilization is also a manipulation of the
image, not an enhanced view of what you are filming). I also recommend for
birds the use of an add-on telephoto; quite acceptable ones can be purchased
for around $100 and up (they screw on the front of the camera lens housing);
they are certainly to be preferred to using the digital zoom, which you
might want to turn off if you have it.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
International Wildlife Coalition Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116 (home)
Home: 1825 Shady Creek Court Messages: (416) 368-4661
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2 Internet: ornstn at inforamp.net
Office: 130 Adelaide Street W., Suite 1940
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5