When many people think of ghost investigators on the job, they picture radioactive backpacks and photon guns.....oh yeah and those nifty ghost traps too.   I get asked quite often about the equipment I use, what is does and where to get it.  I am going to spare you all the technical jargon and specs of each piece of equipment and just give you the basics in plain talk.  Hopefully you learn and a bit about the equipment we use and lose some of those misconceptions.  If you are considering having investigators out to you house, this page may also set you mind at ease, knowing beforehand, what they will be bringing with them.  This is not all the equipment investigators use, but it is the most common.   South Jersey Ghost Research uses all of the equipment shown below and many of the photos of equipment are of things right out of my toolboxes.  - Dave Juliano


Cameras:

  

I use a Canon sureshot80 35mm camera with 400 speed film indoors and 800 speed film outdoors.  I also have used a Fuji Zoom180 35 camera.  Both of these cameras cost under $100.00.  You do not need to have an expensive camera to get good results.  I do recommend an autofocus 35mm with a flash.  35mm cameras are available everywhere and you should have no problem finding one to fit your budget.    Ghosthunting 101 Camera Tips

Where you can order these:
buy.com
Yahoo Shopping  
 


            
I also use an Canon Power Shot SD1000.  This is a very popular model among ghost hunters.  It uses smartmedia memory cards.  An 256meg card can hold up to 400 photos.  You can also buy additional memory cards up to 4 gigs.  I get great results and the flash is very bright and works great outdoors at night.  I have also seen great results from digital cameras by Kodak, Canon and Nikon.   There are many levels of photo quality available now and denoted in megapixles.    I used a 3.1 MP for years with excellent results.  I now use a 7.1 MP camera.   The higher the number the better quality of the photos IF you are going to print them out on good photo paper with a very good photo printer.   For viewing on computer screens, the lower megapixel cameras are fine and still print photo quality photos.   Many department stores (Walmart, Target, Kmart) and computer stores carry many different models of digital cameras.  A good one starts a about $120.00 and the go up from there.      Ghosthunting 101 Camera Tips

Where you can order these:
The Shadowlands Ghosthunter Store

Yahoo Shopping




Atlantis DHC-200 digital with motion sensor and Infrared night vision

We also use motion sensor scouting cameras.   When somethign trips the motion sensors the camera takes photos of the area simultaneously.    The latest version we use is show above.  It is a digital camera scouting camera but instead of having a regular flash, it uses 16 infrared LED light bulbs that enables the camera to take infrared photos in total darkness when the motion sensor is triggered.

Where you can order these:
Dick's Sporting Goods
Yahoo Shopping


Video and Audio Recorders

        
           ccd-tr716                                                           IR Light Extender

The camcorder of choice is the Sony camcorder line.  This camcorder features a nightshot feature which records in total darkness.  The nightshot setting uses infrared light to record beyond what the human eye can see.  We have been getting great results using it.  We use these camcorders instead of nightvision scopes.  Night vision scopes tend to more expensive and they are easily damaged by light and pose a risk to the users eye with a lot of camera flashes going off.  The Sony line is the only one with the nightshot feature and they start at about $200.00.  There are a variety of models featuring color viewfinders, side screens, 8mm, HI8 and digital formats.    You will also want to consider getting an IR light extender for your camcorder.   This increases the distance you can film in total darkness from 10 feet to 100 feet.   Ghosthunting 101 Recording Tips

Where you can order these:
Bestbuy.com
Yahoo Shopping
Geeks.com




24G-4PK-NV-VIDCAM remote wireles infra-red video cameras & receiver

I also use a wireless camera set up.  This set up have 4 cameras that can see in color and in total darkness thanks to 20 infrared LED lights.   I've used this with a receiver hooked up to a 13" TV/VCR combo but now I bought a $40 USB video capture device and I view and record the video directly on my laptop.    Now I can record EVPs, Record video and track temperature changes all from my laptop.   This kind of set up is also easy to move around and it is not invasive when entering a private home.

Where you can order these:
Geeks.com 



A normal tape recorder or a handheld one is an invaluable tool.  I recommend when you are attempting to record spirits, use an external microphone in order to reduce the amount of noise generated by the internal mechanics of the recorder itself.  You can also use these for interview witnesses and keeping notes during an investigation.  Hi grade or metal tapes seem to work the best.  These are available at all department stores and many other places as well.  Most start at $15.00 on up.   Ghosthunting 101 Recording Tips

Where you can order these:
The Shadowlands Ghosthunter Store
Yahoo Shopping



Digital voice recorders are becoming more popular and the majority of investigators use them instead of tape recorders.   We have gotten good EVP results with this type of recorder with and without a external microphone.   It is also easy to transfer your EVPs to your computer.  This piece of equipment is also well suited for notes and interviews.  They start at about $40.00.   They are available at any retail store of office store.  Ghosthunting 101 Recording Tips

Where you can order these:
The Shadowlands Ghosthunter Store
Yahoo Shopping



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