The Flip Ultra (First generation) has had a price slash recently, as I write now I’ve spotted one at £79.99 onAmazon UK, that’s around £68.00 less than the Flip Ultra HD!
If you are Stateside see the Flip Ultra at Amazon US.
But is it worth considering the older model? The answer is yes, absolutely. If you are on a tight budget and want an entry point into the world of Flip then grab the chance now. Ok so it’s only Standard Definition, non-widescreen and doesn’t have rechargeable battery pack!
But I’ve been using my original Flip Ultra for over a year and didn’t miss any of those features before they came along. You’re unlikely to be making professional content with the Flip so you do you really need HD or widescreen? Yes these are nice features but you can still shoot very decent videos without them.
The less the unit costs the better. Why? Because I let my 6 and 3 year olds use it. And if (in the unlikely event) they decide to drop it down the WC when I refuse to buy them chocolate, at least I have taken less of a hit in the wallet. Letting them use my Flip Camera really does give them something to be creative with and have fun. Better for them to learn to create video themselves than just stare at the box.
Of course Adults are also prone to destroy Camcorders, I once lost a load of Camera gear on a beach in the Caribbean when the beach I was on got hit by a King Size wave! It’s the last time I will ever take a £1,000 Camera on holiday!
So in my view if you have the cash, yes go for the Ultra HD or Mino HD but the Standard Ultra will do you fine and the videos you capture in terms of sentimental value will be worth the cash.
I like this video because it’s honest. It shows the pluses and minuses of choosing a Flip. As you might have figured I am a Flip fan, but you need to use the camera to its’ strengths.
As I’ve said before I use the Flip because it’s hassle free and I can take it everywhere, no clip on batteries or big bags required. I wouldn’t bother lugging a bigger camcorder around (especially as I am already weighed down with a laptop on the tube or a bag full of Kid Stuff at the weekend). I’d rather capture the moments than miss them whilst my super all singing and dancing, tea making camcorder sits at home.
If I was going to shoot a sports day or school play from a distance I wouldn’t rely on the Flip and shoot on something else, it’s zoom wouldn’t get me close enough but for the buzz afterwards, it’s great.
Until you own a Flip it’s hard to get why they are so cool and convenient but this video will give you a clue.
Right now I have been noticing how fast my children are growing up. Every second seeing them learn new things and develop their own characters seems priceless. But I often worry I haven’t been able to capture these memories. I definitely want to be able to look back in a few years with them and on my own at their childhood. My Mrs. has often moaned we don’t have enough video of the kids.
If you are like me you are pretty busy and sometimes the home video is low on the list of things to do, it can seem a hassle, a nagging thought. But I have noticed because the Flip Ultra is so effortless to use and handy to carry I have shot around 400% more videos of my kids recently. I am sure in years to come I will be pleased I did bother to shoot videos and in the process kept the other half happy!
"Your programme is absolutely first class and I wish I'd seen it before I spent £3,000 on professional video production! "
Scott Watson, Summit Training
