Best camera under $5000

thefilmaddict

thefilmaddict

Veteran
Our company is looking to buy a second camera. We don't have a huge budget. $5000 or under would be good. It's hard to keep up with all of the new cameras that Sony, red, Aja, black magic, canon and Panasonic release. Our only requirements would be 4K and the ability to change lenses. We have nice ef lenses.

What at would you pick and why?

Thanks!
 
"Best" is hard to define. But some to consider would be the Ursa mini, JVC300 some of the Mirrorless Sony's and the FS5. DVX200 would be included but it is fixed lens.
 
URSA Mini for sheer image quality - very cinematic....if that's what you want. The standard 4k version is shippping. The more expensive 4.6k version is not shipping yet.

There's that new Sony FS5... but I have been severely unimpressed with what I've seen coming off of that camera.

If you guys do a lot of events and run-and-gun then maybe a pair of Panasonic GH4's should be on your short list. Heck you could get 3.

There are the Sony A7SII and A7RII that do 4k, but results are very hit and miss with those cameras. Color grading can be difficult with them. There are tons of forum entries all over the web dedicated to the difficulties folks are encountering with that. Also they have a tendency to overheat if shooting long 4k clips or working out in the sun.

But most importantly - what is you main camera that this would be a second to?

I personally would pick the URSA Mini hands down. Gorgeous imagery, easy to grade, built in XLR mic inputs that sound great, great form factor, full 5-inch flip-out screen, and has an optional EVF that is just fantastic should you want to add it. Even if you do you'll still be in under $5,000 if you get the EF-mount version. The PL-mount version costs a little more.
You can tell by my signature that I'm pretty fond of the Blackmagic cameras.

But YOU SIR have the best signature line I've seen all month!
 
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slidemaster said:
"Best" is hard to define.
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Exactly my thoughts..... Along with when you state 4K, are you worried about framerate? If you want 60p, expect to pay more....... And a true video camera or a DSLR type hybrid?

At the moment I'd say the FS5 is probably one of the first to look at if you want interchangeable lenses and 4K - that's assuming 60p isn't an issue, and you want a "true" video camera......?
 
thefilmaddict said:
Our company is looking to buy a second camera. We don't have a huge budget. $5000 or under would be good. It's hard to keep up with all of the new cameras that Sony, red, Aja, black magic, canon and Panasonic release. Our only requirements would be 4K and the ability to change lenses. We have nice ef lenses.

What at would you pick and why?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What are you using the cameras for?
 
5k for the body only or a ready to shoot package?

If just the body, I would wait for URSA Mini 4.6K version. And if you can wait, I would probably wait until NAB 2016 in April and see what is announced there. Otherwise, JVC GY-LS300 - 4K, Super 35 sensor, MFT mount, you can change lenses, J-Log, pretty good images. If the form factor is not a big deal, Sony A7S with proper rigging and accessories could be the right choice, but compared to real video cameras like LS300, it is VERY cumbersome to work with. If you are okay with that, go for it.

If the 4K is not 100% necessary, Canon C100 mk1 or mk2 would be a great buy. Hook it up to a recorder and you'll get nice ProRes out of it.

RED is out your price range. AJA Cion is not a camera anyone should consider.
 
I would say:
-URSA e.f. 4k (no run and gun or lowlight cam but has everything you need exept for evf)
-URSA Mini e.f. 4k (ceap for what you get. No lowlight. Only sdi out just like URSA)
-Sony FS5 (the whole package but little over your budget. Compressed image but quite decent. No slowmo in 4k)
-Panasonic DVX200 (M43 sensor and fixed lens.no lowlight camera. Lots of options)
-Sony A7sII or A7rII (FULL FRAME!!!, superlowlight, need allot of stuff to be a real videocamera)
-JVC LS300 (Bad highlights, no lowlight camera)
 
Great options, guys. We currently use a Sony FS7. This new camera would not be a b cam. It would just be a cheaper camera we would use instead of the fs7 (on lower budgets). Our main gig is local commercials, but we try to make them look national. Even though we air in 1080, we shoot in 4k to reframe shots if needed and hopefully future proof our work. We also just think that 4k to 1080 looks better. We like shooting in log sometimes.

A few more questions:

1. can any of these cameras shoot log?
2. can any of these cameras shoot raw?
3. can any of these cameras shoot 4k slow-motion (my guess is not)?
4. how good is the internal recording of 4k in these cameras? Do any demand an external recorder?
5. for the cameras that can't shoot log, how is the straight out of camera (baked in) look? Again, we are going for a cinematic look (i know that's subjective).

Thanks!
 
and dslr or video body is fine. I love real xlr audio inputs, but i would put up with dslr type if the image was still solid (even if that means using an external audio recorder).
 
For that price range and for commercial use where you might have an assistant to potentially rig up matte-box w/ filters, URSA-mini seems like it can tick a lot of boxes. Plus, if you want to shoot log, that means you might have an interest in color grading...so 10bit might be an important feature for you.

I I also think that GH4 w/ external recorder can give you a good image, although I'm not sure off the top of my head if the 4k output via HDMI is 10bit. Plus, the yagh box is a potential solution for audio inputs...which DSLRs suffer from.

And if you are looking to deliver 1080, perhaps you might consider a used F3 with RGB upgrade and a recorder. This can give you stunning HD...I believe even 12bit 444? At least 10bit 444. These are super cheap! And I believe for $6k you could get a ready to shoot F35. Which in my humble opinion is the best HD image. You don't get the 4k crop ability, but you get the highest quality digital image.

I I think the FS5 can be a good companion to your FS7, but I also agree with others in this thread who think it might be a bit limited...but not a bad offering for the price. 4k is 8bit but I believe HD is 10bit. In my opinion 8bit is not a professional investment so shoot for 10bit or higher.

Lastly, you could also consider a FS700R w/ recorder. Not as neat of a package as the URSA mini or FS5, but very capable camera. 12bit 4k RAW, and even super slow motion capabilities. Also internal NDs.

Best of luck!
 
Pony up and get anothe fs7 - bmc with matte bix and new media will just be confusing.

the dividends of simple unified workflow matched shots one media type one service centre will just pay for itself in weeks

same glass same adapters - assistant only learns one menu bla la

you will be in production seleting the bm then thinking low light might require fs7 and and it will just be horrid
 
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You say no “B camera,” but I can’t imagine that you will never want to mix the images. That being said, it might make sense to stay in the Sony camp: another FS7, a FS5, A7RII or A7SII.
There are subtle differences between all of the cameras that have been mentioned. There is no best camera. You just have to learn about each camera individually.

You have yet to say why you want a second camera that is less capable than the FS7. What do you expect to do with it that you can’t do with the FS7? You can certainly shoot films with the FS7.
 
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thefilmaddict said:
Great options, guys. We currently use a Sony FS7. This new camera would not be a b cam. It would just be a cheaper camera we would use instead of the fs7 (on lower budgets).
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In which case, I'd also suggest a second FS7. It just gives so many more options, spare to the first FS7, commonality of workflow in your company, easy transfer of all accessories - and great if on occasion you do want to use two cameras on one shoot....... And (maybe most important of all) if set up the same, operationally you don't even have to think "which camera am I using today....?" I fully agree with morgan_moore above.

OK, it may be dearer than some other options - but simple interchangeability of other equipment may negate that anyway. And it's likely to hold second hand value better than a cheaper camera.

Only reason I can think of to NOT get another FS7 is if you actively want a camera which is positively (say) smaller, lighter etc, and in which case the FS5 may well be best as it will still maintain a lot of commonalities with the FS7. (And should still be a decent match in a 2 camera shoot.)
 
Sure, FS7 would be ideal. 2 matching cameras is ideal. But that is more than twice the budget the OP has expressed.

Also, different brands is just a matter of growing comfortable with the system...like anything. I am often going back and fourth from different systems and I take it upon myself to be professional. I suppose whether that will be an issue is up to the op to decide.
 
I own the Sony F55, and shoot regularly with FS7, RED, Canon DSLR's, C100, BMD...

The best camera under $5000 to me is the Canon 5D mark iii. Excellent in low light, amazing lens support of course, and you can install magic lantern if you occasionally need RAW. Otherwise I'd look at something like the Sony A7 mark i with external recorder, or A7 mark ii's that can shoot 4K internally and probably smoke the FS5 - which if you're really looking at, then pricewise I'd sooner go for the FS7.

my 2 cents, good luck whatever you decide.
 
I'd say A7SII. It will fit well in your established workflow if you are already using XAVC, yet it is differentiated enough from an FS7 that it will often be a clear choice which camera to use on a job but similar enough to make a good matched B camera. It also differentiates in that it can be valuable as a lightweight gimbal camera with good AF, a very low profile camera for discreet shooting, and a nice full-frame camera for that larger format look.

Alternatively Ursa Mini 4.6k is barely in your budget and doesnt even exist yet and barely makes sense if you have an fs7 already. Not to mention the expensive media. However, it could prove to be useful if you have a use for 4k SDI, TC IN, and RAW DNG, all of which even the FS7 does not have without significant additional investment.
 
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