Canon XF300 Panasonic AF100 Sony EX1R

[jideobi]

Which camera would be best for shooting weddings Canon XF300 or the Panasonic AF100 or the Sony EX1R

[Homunculus]

well considering that those are video cameras and af100 is probably technically a digital cinema camera it's not really made for that. but I think it does hav ea video mode as opposed to film mode no?

[ulisses]

Probably in weddings you'll need servo zoom right ? So forget the AF100 for now.
EX1 has the worst ergonomic that I ever saw in a camera.
Can't say about XF300...

Ulisses

[dpc]

For strictly weddings -- I'd go with the XF300.

[Matthew B]

Depends on the style of wedding you're shooting. Wedding videos are now moving towards the more cinematic style, hence all the wedding videos that are being shot on the 5d. I for one cannot stand to see zooms in wedding videos, it is why it is called a wedding VIDEOs, what you should be aiming to make is a wedding FILM. If i were you i'd go with the AF100, it just gives you so many more lens options and overall a more intimate looking wedding film. Not to mention you could get a couple of 5d's or GH1's as second cameras and cut the two together without huge jumps in image look.

[Michael Olsen]

Depends on the style of wedding you're shooting. Wedding videos are now moving towards the more cinematic style, hence all the wedding videos that are being shot on the 5d. I for one cannot stand to see zooms in wedding videos, it is why it is called a wedding VIDEOs, what you should be aiming to make is a wedding FILM. If i were you i'd go with the AF100, it just gives you so many more lens options and overall a more intimate looking wedding film. Not to mention you could get a couple of 5d's or GH1's as second cameras and cut the two together without huge jumps in image look.

It's not as easy, and it's not as cheap. But I find the end product worlds better. :beer:

[Matthew B]

It's not as easy, and it's not as cheap. But I find the end product worlds better. :beer:

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

[BowiesInSpace]

I used my Canon XH-A1 on weddings for years. You can go with the XF300 and you won't be disappointed. Great ergonomic camera for handheld, 50mbps, 4:2:2 color space, great video camera glass.

Although I also agree with the guys above me. If you're looking for the cinema wedding niche, the AF100 would be perfect. It'll be really popular for weddings and events. Now that I think of it most clients won't even be able to tell the difference between 50mbps 4:2:2 and 24mbps 4:2:0...

There's no such thing as a future proof camera but just decide what do you need now, and what are you going to need 3 years from now. Get whatever fits best to both those questions.

[CineStill]

I think if you were covering the wedding with 2 or more cameras and want an obvious shallow depth of field then the AF100 would be great - but I would find it hard to cover a wedding with only one camera that had no servo zoom or auto focus.

[PaPa]

i use primarily my 7D for weddings and i pull out my xh a1 for long speeches and for the ceremony. Then during the ceremony i go back toj the 7D for the important moments.

7D is on my glidecam 4000 with a light on top ( for reception at night ) and my xh a1 is slung around my side.

[Razz16mm]

Depends on the style of wedding you're shooting. Wedding videos are now moving towards the more cinematic style, hence all the wedding videos that are being shot on the 5d. I for one cannot stand to see zooms in wedding videos, it is why it is called a wedding VIDEOs, what you should be aiming to make is a wedding FILM. If i were you i'd go with the AF100, it just gives you so many more lens options and overall a more intimate looking wedding film. Not to mention you could get a couple of 5d's or GH1's as second cameras and cut the two together without huge jumps in image look.

I think of a good servo zoom as an infinitely variable prime lens. One does not have to use obvious zoom moves in the finished film. A good wide range servo zoom is the best lens solution for the fluid nature of event photography as it allows you to respond quickly to get shots you would miss if you had to stop to change lenses. They also work better for following action that is moving toward or away from camera as you can maintain the composition of your moving subject within the frame with subtle zoom techniques that don't call attention to themselves.
The smaller chip video camera is also a lot more forgiving on follow focus with unpredictable movement unless you are a highly skilled operator with manual follow focus techniques. Autofocus is not reliable in many situations, especially low light.

[Matthew B]

I think of a good servo zoom as an infinitely variable prime lens. One does not have to use obvious zoom moves in the finished film. A good wide range servo zoom is the best lens solution for the fluid nature of event photography as it allows you to respond quickly to get shots you would miss if you had to stop to change lenses.

There are still lenses with good zoom ranges aswell remember. 70-200 f2.8L is a beautiful lens, and the 24-105 f4L is a really good allround lens too. I have shot weddings on the 5d and on the ex1, and i much prefer shooting on the 5d, it forces me to be more attentive to details and keep my eye out for special moments, not to mention the much more intimate look the end result is.

[Finnegan]

It bugs me to no end that Canon decided to use 1/3 inch sensors in their XF line of cameras. I shot on a Canon XH-A1 for years, and a GL2 before that (currently on a Canon 7D which I hate) and I was really looking forward to seeing a professional Canon video camera with a larger sensor, since 1/3 inch sensors are irrelevant for filmmakers these days. It's the perfect camera for my uses except for that sensor, were it any larger (even 2/3) I'd buy it immediately. Instead I'll wait for something better, possibly Scarlet.

[Igelkott Film]

I'm about to shoot my first wedding efter buying my af100. But i find myself in a pickle.

Its i bangladesh wedding and the will be flashing all throught the night and I have hade the XH-A1 for weddings before.

Af100: 17-50mm (34-100) 2,8 MOS
XH-A1: 4,5-90mm (32-600) 1,6-3,6 3CCD

Would you keep shooting with XH-A1? Considering its a wedding with huge amounts of still cameras flashing.
Or is there a fix to flash banding?

[Vultch]

It bugs me to no end that Canon decided to use 1/3 inch sensors in their XF line of cameras. I shot on a Canon XH-A1 for years, and a GL2 before that (currently on a Canon 7D which I hate) and I was really looking forward to seeing a professional Canon video camera with a larger sensor, since 1/3 inch sensors are irrelevant for filmmakers these days. It's the perfect camera for my uses except for that sensor, were it any larger (even 2/3) I'd buy it immediately. Instead I'll wait for something better, possibly Scarlet.

Agree... The XF305 was on my list too until. Small sensor size and fixed lens

[accelv]

I wouldn't shoot a wedding without a servo zoom. How would you do a dramatic slow follow zoom of the bride walking up the aisle without a good servo zoom? A DSLR with a fixed lens just won't cut it. I'm happy with my HMC150 for weddings. DSLR's are just too much work and too limited for critical action, and you often need two or three shooters. 3 CCD camcorders produce superior color accuracy and sharpness without the jello effects and flash artifacts. Audio is a breeze with a camcorder. The biggest differences are low-light capability, depth of focus, recording time, and interchangeable lenses. Cost is about equal after adding rigs, lenses, and audio recorders to DSLR's.

[chervas]

AF100 with a Canon 2/3 J lens with 2x, beautiful , best of both worlds.