I'm seriously considering selling my HMC80 for the ease and mobility of a DSLR like the D7000 or the 60D. I have a Nikon D3100 right now and I love how I can get slider shots, stills, bursts, and video all in one package. BUT I love the XLR and image quality of my HMC80. SO I'm toally stuck. I can't decide and I need help. With the pelican case, extra lenses, etc I can get almost 2800 for the HMC80 package which is plenty to get say the 60D with rails, and kit. Anyone have an opnion on if this would be stupid of me to do or not???? HELP!
Am I crazy for selling my HMC80 for a DSLR?
- Thread starter Oaken
- Start date
Although I see a place for dslr, I believe if you are doing video, a video cam will do that job better. As I see it, a DSLR has two advantages over a video cam. One: you can get shallow DOF more easily. Two: you can shoot with a variety of lenses, so in this case (MHC80), you will improve your low light capability.
By the time you add all the kludgy kit to a DSLR to make it do what a video cam will do out of the box, for me, there aren't any advantages.
Grant
By the time you add all the kludgy kit to a DSLR to make it do what a video cam will do out of the box, for me, there aren't any advantages.
Grant
pulpfiction007
Veteran
I'd keep your HMC80, and maybe get a T2i, T3i and one good solid fast lens like the Tamron 17-50 2.8. Use the two cameras together for projects that require it, and then use the best tool for what ever else....HMC80 for event type stuff, DLSR for planned out shoots, etc. Also if you keep the HMC, it seriously cuts down on the amount of things you would need to buy for the DLSR.
The two together is the closest thing to having an AF100.....you get the shallow dof and low light from the DLSR,.... the audio, great Panasonic Mojo, and high quality deep dof shots from the HMC.
The two together is the closest thing to having an AF100.....you get the shallow dof and low light from the DLSR,.... the audio, great Panasonic Mojo, and high quality deep dof shots from the HMC.
Greg Smith
Veteran
What kinds of projects do you shoot? Although I am personally firmly in the "use a video camera to shoot video" camp, ultimately it's about choosing the best tool for the job you want to, or must, do.
Audio is important to me, using either the built-in XLRs or an external mixer and mics, as are the ergonomics of the shoulder-mount package, so the HMC80 seems like a no-brainer compared to a DSLR. The focus and exposure tools available in the viewfinder are another strong selling point.
- Greg
Audio is important to me, using either the built-in XLRs or an external mixer and mics, as are the ergonomics of the shoulder-mount package, so the HMC80 seems like a no-brainer compared to a DSLR. The focus and exposure tools available in the viewfinder are another strong selling point.
- Greg
Well it seems we have more votes for keep the hmc. The Xlr inputs, shoulder mount, great quality video all say the hmc is the way to go. I just like the light weight of the SLR which makes sliders great, jibs cheaper and just the ease of transport. But I suppose I'd be sacrificing too much. I shoot all kinds of stuff from events to commercials to films so I justnwant to have something that does it all. I'll just hold out for the new stuff coming out. Although a T2I sounds like a good idea, anybody want to buy a d3100?? Kidding. Thanks everyone
Oaken,
Though you might still want the dslr, adding a HMC40 gets you much of what you want and would be a great companion to the HMC80. Light weight, small package (think guerilla), but a perfect match for your shoulder mt HMC80, but gives you both form factors. Essentially I do this with an HPX170 and HMC40 after working out the scene files to match since they are different codecs. I have the one advantage in the HPX is pretty good in low light which you would get by owning both the 40 and 80. The one thing I don't get with either cam, is the shallow DOF. I can't tell you how many times I have thought all this over. In the end, if you are a good shooter, your product will be good either way. Run what you brung.
Grant
Though you might still want the dslr, adding a HMC40 gets you much of what you want and would be a great companion to the HMC80. Light weight, small package (think guerilla), but a perfect match for your shoulder mt HMC80, but gives you both form factors. Essentially I do this with an HPX170 and HMC40 after working out the scene files to match since they are different codecs. I have the one advantage in the HPX is pretty good in low light which you would get by owning both the 40 and 80. The one thing I don't get with either cam, is the shallow DOF. I can't tell you how many times I have thought all this over. In the end, if you are a good shooter, your product will be good either way. Run what you brung.
Grant
Felipe Henao
Well-known member
I have the HMC40 and the 60D, The HMC40 is a video camera product of years of development, that works as it should.
The 60D Has Moire, aliasing, external audio is a most, I bet in 2 years they will release a camera without so many problems as far as quality.
DSLR are good to see what is this about, but you have to deal with quality problems, The HMC40 is a fantastic camera without problems.
Last edited:
I have your same setup, HMC80 and D3100. I wouldn't sell the HMC80 unless you strictly want to shoot short films. I don't see much of a difference in picture quality between the D3100 and the D7000, you will loose some functions but almost the same picture quality as both cameras have the same sensor, the D7000 is faster with 2x sensors but more for photography. My advise buy a zoom H4n if you need audio inputs for the D3100. I had the D90, sold it and bought the D3100 instead of the D7000, it's a great camera for the price. I would hold off and see what canon comes up with later this year as a replacement for the 7D. If I expand with another camera I will get the HMC40 as a companion for the HMC80.
Last edited:
Thomas Smet
Veteran
I have a HMC-40 and a GH1K DSLR both from Panasonic of course. If you are considering a DSLR you want want to consider the GH2. They do not have as much aliasing or moire as the Canon DSLR's and they do not have the lame 12 minute record limit either.
With that said a DSLR is not a perfect replacement of a video camera. Things like zooming and adjusting the iris are a PITA compared to a video camera. You will also end up spending oodles of money on gear to make a DSLR usable. You will need to buy an army of lenses which will end up costing you a lot more then the DSLR itself.
For me DSLR has one key advantage over the HMC-40/80 and that is low light performance. The thing is however you have to have fast lenses for that to be true. The stock zoom lens is way too dark to show any serious low light advantage over a video camera. With some really fast lenses my GH1 spanks my HMC-40 in low light performance but I'm really starting to spend a fortune and there is virtually no hope for a zoom lens for low light.
I also look at both my cameras with two concepts of quality.
Aesthetic quality and picture quality
The GH1 wins in terms of aesthetic quality due to it's more artistic style of shooting.
The HMC-40 wins in terms of picture quality because there are no interpolation issues. If you shoot 1920x1080 you get 1920x1080 clean solid looking pictures (as long as your light is good)
With that said a DSLR is not a perfect replacement of a video camera. Things like zooming and adjusting the iris are a PITA compared to a video camera. You will also end up spending oodles of money on gear to make a DSLR usable. You will need to buy an army of lenses which will end up costing you a lot more then the DSLR itself.
For me DSLR has one key advantage over the HMC-40/80 and that is low light performance. The thing is however you have to have fast lenses for that to be true. The stock zoom lens is way too dark to show any serious low light advantage over a video camera. With some really fast lenses my GH1 spanks my HMC-40 in low light performance but I'm really starting to spend a fortune and there is virtually no hope for a zoom lens for low light.
I also look at both my cameras with two concepts of quality.
Aesthetic quality and picture quality
The GH1 wins in terms of aesthetic quality due to it's more artistic style of shooting.
The HMC-40 wins in terms of picture quality because there are no interpolation issues. If you shoot 1920x1080 you get 1920x1080 clean solid looking pictures (as long as your light is good)
Last edited:
Thanks everyone! I think I'll just upgrade my DSLR to a T2i now that they're cheap. By the way Canon has these now: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_267070_-1
That's good deal!!
That's good deal!!
Thomas Smet
Veteran
If you want my opinion I think a Panasonic DSLR would be a better choice for you. Canon EOS lenses are very expensive. The micro 4/3 format while not perfect has much cheaper options for lenses at least in terms of wide angle. The Panasonics also are not limited to 12 minutes of record time. I'm not talking spanned files but the camera actually stopping or overheating if it records for longer then 12 minutes. Quality wise the GH2 is also a very good match to the HMC40/80 because it is a Panasonic camera.
Finally your HMC80 will resolve a lot more detail then a Canon T2i. Nobody really knows what the heck Canon is doing to down scale their video but Panasonic is hands down the industry best at down scaling a DSLR sensor to resolve HD resolution with as little artifacts as possible. In fact the Lumix line of cameras are just better at video period. Now for stills Canon may have a slight advantage but I don't think that is a major concern for you.
Oh one last thing. If you don't usually shoot 24p video then Panasonic is the only logical choice. It's 1280x720p 60p HD mode is lightyears better then any Canon DSLR. I would even go as far as to say the Canon 60p modes are totally unusable.
Finally your HMC80 will resolve a lot more detail then a Canon T2i. Nobody really knows what the heck Canon is doing to down scale their video but Panasonic is hands down the industry best at down scaling a DSLR sensor to resolve HD resolution with as little artifacts as possible. In fact the Lumix line of cameras are just better at video period. Now for stills Canon may have a slight advantage but I don't think that is a major concern for you.
Oh one last thing. If you don't usually shoot 24p video then Panasonic is the only logical choice. It's 1280x720p 60p HD mode is lightyears better then any Canon DSLR. I would even go as far as to say the Canon 60p modes are totally unusable.
vision_filmz
Carbonite Member
This post was really uncalled for. there are several amazing projects shot on Canon dslrs, please don't say this as you are incorrect. I can provide footage stating otherwise. OP the HMC80 is an amazing camera , buy a t2i or 60d to go along with it and you will be good. Or even a gh2
Thomas Smet
Veteran
This post was really uncalled for. there are several amazing projects shot on Canon dslrs, please don't say this as you are incorrect. I can provide footage stating otherwise. OP the HMC80 is an amazing camera , buy a t2i or 60d to go along with it and you will be good. Or even a gh2
I'm not saying the Canon DSLR's are bad, just that the OP will have do deal with a few more restrictions compared to a Panasonic DSLR. I'm just trying to point out that they should at least consider it. I only brought it up because I felt a Panasonic would have been an easier match and transition for the OP. I consider any camera to be a good one.
Canon SLR lenses are not all that expensive, especially if we're talking about getting a couple lenses to cover the normal range of shooting. A Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 is $700 and will cover you for the ranges that you'd typically shoot for in cinema. You could get super fancy and buy a set of primes, but for a beginner I don't think it's necessary.
On my shoots I use a combination of HMC40, HMC150, T2i, and 5D. Different tools for different jobs, they're all good tools that have strengths and weaknesses.
On my shoots I use a combination of HMC40, HMC150, T2i, and 5D. Different tools for different jobs, they're all good tools that have strengths and weaknesses.