Best low light camera?

Liam Hall

Liam Hall

Veteran
Which camera is the current king of low light performance?

I'm looking for recommendations for a night shoot in the Amazon Rainforest. Minimum specs, 10bit, 4K, S35.

Thanks,

Liam.
 
You should add water sealed.

I'd probably recommend a speed booster as well to get a little more light.
 
No question, it's the VariCam line. VariCam Pure/35/LT. Trekking through the rainforest I would think the VariCam LT would be your preferred choice. Super-35, 4K60p, Dual Native ISO with bases 800 & 5000. Can be pushed up to 12,800.

There are some of the little mirrorless cameras that boast crazy ISOs, but they are not 4K or not 10-bit. And they are not pro-level tools with pro-level features like the VariCams.
 
For the cost and that particular filming mission, it might be worth to bring two Pocket 4K cameras (one for back-up).

Dual-ISO and there are Speed Boosters that can turn the FOV closer to full-frame (and of course S35).

Or a GH5S.

If no SBs then there aren't many choices. Maybe a C200, but acquiring the 10-bit from the RAW is an entire process you'd have to consider.

If there's a budget, RED GEMINI.

(And obviously the Panasonics above...EVA1 too.)
 
I'm not sure what you personally saw/tested, but maybe try it again in the 2500 base (unless you already did and it wasn't good for you).
 
It's also worth pointing out that there's a real difference with low-light numbers between the cinema cameras and mirrorless'.

The cinema cameras have pretty average low-light ISO usability, and cannot compete with the higher ISOs the stills cams have, especially the Sonys and Canons, which unfortunately do not have 10-bit (only the EOS R, externally).
 
And don't forget the Panasonic S1 FF camera. It has better low-light performance than the GH5s, shoots 4K 10-bit 4:2:2, it's weather-sealed, and has good dynamic range. ( the Cinema5D site has the S1 as their third best DR camera after ARRI Mini and the BM Mini Pro 4.6K G2. Forth best is the Sony FS7 ) I don't think there's anything better at this price point.
 
Great comments everyone. I've been considering Gemeni as I shoot Red every once in awhile but Varicam LT is actually a good call, thanks Mitch.
 
deltoidjohn said:
I can't figure out if this is ironic or not?
Click to expand...

Lol - I feel that way most of the time:-)

I will have some lighting and a dirty great big projector. We're doing a job inspired by French artist Philippe Echaroux - trying to achieve something like the below:

PE1.jpg
 
A Forza 60 battery powered is a nice addition. Get some soft mounts to attach to trees without hurting them.

As they are night shoots, i assume the LED light won’t overheat.

The COB design is more versatile than a brick light and not much more in size or weight. Has a lot of punch when you need it. Can do fake lightning fx, for match cutting that storm... haha. Maybe it isn’t that kind of shoot.

The Forza60 on batteries is not much more space than a cinema prime. But it does lack a bowens mount, so, i use it as a mcguyver light, rather than a do it all. It creates nice room fill during the day bounced from the ceiling.

...anyway, back to low light 10bit cams...
 
James0b57 said:
A Forza 60 battery powered is a nice addition. Get some soft mounts to attach to trees without hurting them.

As they are night shoots, i assume the LED light won’t overheat.

The COB design is more versatile than a brick light and not much more in size or weight. Has a lot of punch when you need it. Can do fake lightning fx, for match cutting that storm... haha. Maybe it isn’t that kind of shoot.

The Forza60 on batteries is not much more space than a cinema prime. But it does lack a bowens mount, so, i use it as a mcguyver light, rather than a do it all. It creates nice room fill during the day bounced from the ceiling.

...anyway, back to low light 10bit cams...
Click to expand...

They look good value. Current plan is to hire in something like Arri M90s or Arrimax which I'll use for long throw shots and use my 120D mkIIs with fresnels for accent lighting, closer shots or difficult to access places. Will work all that stuff out on the recce.
 
Liam Hall said:
They look good value. Current plan is to hire in something like Arri M90s or Arrimax which I'll use for long throw shots and use my 120D mkIIs with fresnels for accent lighting, closer shots or difficult to access places. Will work all that stuff out on the recce.
Click to expand...

Oh fantastic!

Wasn’t sure what kind fo shoot it would end up being. The Aputures are far more versatile and have that extra little punch if you can handle the bit of bulk, in which it sounds like you can.

The Forza60 is loosely 90% of the Auputre mk1 output. Considering the size of the reflector, they may actually even out over distance. The MKii is decidely more powerful.

With the kind of setup you are planning, the Varicam 35 and Red Gemini can live in that world pretty easily. They’ll give that extra bit of polish and color fidelity, while still allowing some night ambience to read.

I’ve never seen a camera that was a “low light king” that didn’t destroy the image or fudge the numbers from iso12800 upwards. Canon has that 4million iso sensor in a box camera. The mv30 or something? That could be good for specialty shots.
 
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