HV20 , 30 , 40

[Chuck Engels]

Looks like the Canon batteries are pretty interchangeable. It even looks like the batteries for my ZR950 will work with the HV40, very cool !!

[jackfalbey]

I have the Impact NB-2L22 ($10 less than the Pearstone at B&H) for my HV20 and it fits tight and works great.

And I highly recommend permanently attaching a Tiffen UV filter to protect the lens and lens hood. I'd rather replace a damaged $10 filter than send the cam back to Canon for a new lens!

[George Tyndall]

I have the Impact NB-2L22 ($10 less than the Pearstone at B&H) for my HV20 and it fits tight and works great.

With 2 of those Impact batteries and the following fast charger, I've been able to get about 5 hours of continuous recording with my HV30. That's with the LCD screen continuously open (but minimal zooming).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... i_Ion.html

[Chuck Engels]

Good advice George and Jack. I have a Canon multi battery charger that plugs in to a wall or car.
My ZR950 batteries should work great which will give me 3 batteries total between the two camcorders.

The filter is a must, that will be my next purchase I'm sure.

[karri]

I have the Tiffen UV filter, too, on my HV30 like jackfalbey says, definitely a good idea.

[momoffduty]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, much appreciated. Would you recommend this filter kit?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... ilter.html

Side note: As I was researching filter info, read a few other forums. And I can honestly say Thanks to Muvipix for the courteous responses. Can't believe how snarky some of the other forums are.

[Chuck Engels]

Lots of people recommend larger size filters, check out this thread
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=11668

[Bobby]

Cheryl, there are all kinds of filters at all kinds of prices. If you look at the same website you can find a Tiffen UV 43mm filter for $4.50, and a Tiffen polarizer for $20. I do recommend that you have a UV protective filter, and you will also find the polarizer quite useful if you are doing a lot of outdoor work with lots of sky or water. I don't think you will use the warming filter much for video, although if you are shooting fall leaves it might be nice.

But big filters cost big money - I spent quite a bit on filters for my DSLR. I wouldn't go into big filters and step-up rings, etc. unless you are really getting serious.

[Bob]

Cheryl, I would not recommend the filter kit.

I would get a good quality multicoated circular polarizer and UV filter (but see my comments below) and forget about the warming filter.

There are three reasons people use UV filters: 1) UV filters are neutral colored and can act as a cheap protective device for the lens, 2) They cut down on excessive UV, and 3) they cut down atmospheric haze.

In regard to reason 2, with film photography, UV filters were more important than they are today with digital sensors. Film is much more sensitive to the ultraviolet range and excess UV, such as what you would get at higher elevations, for example, would definitely create a blue cast. Digital sensors are the opposite, they are more sensitive to the infrared which is why digital cameras install an IR cutoff filter in front of the sensor -- in general, UV is not a problem with digital cameras. The main exception is with some digital cameras that are prone to purple fringing. In those, UV can make the problem worse and a UV filter can be helpful.

In regard to reason 3, UV filters definitely cut down on haze. The atmosphere scatters higher frequency light more than lower frequency light. Cut out the UV and your scenic or distance shots will be sharper. But, not all UV filters are equal. The Tiffen UV filter is not much better than plain glass. Hoya makes a much more effective UV filter. However, the Tiffen Haze-1 is quite effective in cutting UV with the difference that the filter is slightly more yellowish and may warm the image very slightly. Usually that's not a problem and barely noticeable, if at all. If you want a Tiffen filter for UV, get the haze-1. They also make a haze-2 which is a little stronger.

You can warm or cool the image using the color balance effect or correct slight color casts. You don't really need the warming filter.

The circular polarizing filter is one of my favorites. I personally wouldn't be without one. I definitely don't use one all the time, but they are definitely useful at eliminating certain kinds of reflections and producing more saturated colors. Because of the construction of the filter, they are more prone to vignetting, especially with wider angle lenses. The problem is worse if you use more than one filter at the same time. Which is one reason why people sometimes get larger filters and use an adapter ring to mount them (The other reason is they don't want to buy filters for every lens mounting size they have ). I get the right size for my lens and take off the UV filter when using it -- that way I don't vignette and I can still use my lens hood.

Don't get the cheapest "noname" filters you can find. I'd recommend getting multicoated filters because they are generally made to a better optical smoothness and the multicoating produces less flare.

[momoffduty]

Thanks Bob & Bobby. Still overthinking on which one I want. Here is a Hoya kit and the reviews are good:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci ... 4294955307

The 55mm may be good to get and will also fit our Nikon D40. Most interested in the circular polarizing filter and the kit looks like a good deal, better than buying a UV & polarizing filter separately.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... ifications