Camera options and advice?

G

gshort

Active member
Hi all, I am 100% sure you have seen this thread a million times, but I am having a lot of trouble picking a DSLR, I thought if I listed some of my requirements someone could help. My footage will almost exclusively be action sports so 24p is not an issue. Most (if not all) of my footage will be in 720p for web distribution on Vimeo or similar. a certain amount of shots will be at night, usually with the available light, so low light is definitely a consideration. I will have to have a fish eye as a necessity for my style of shooting but I assume all the models have a fish eye lens now? I think I want to have two cameras, one for a static or wide shot and another for hand held/glidetrack/cam/panning shots. All footage will be edited on a Mac in Final Cut Pro as well as After Effects etc.
I was thinking of the 550 or 600d for static shots with a 7d for moving shots. The weight of the 7d would make hand held shots more stable but the swiveling LCD of the 600D could make low Glidecam shots and certain fish eye shots a lot easier to deal with.
On the other hand I had considered a GH2 paired with a GF2 for long lens? I have read that the GH2 etc. have better images at 720 than the Canons, but to what extent? I am assuming that matching panny to panny and Canon to Canon is a good idea? Im not sure my budget could stretch to two GH2s or 7ds after buying audio equipment and lenses. On the subject of lenses also, is there certain lenses you should go for? As in recommended video lenses to suit the specific cameras?
Hopefully with that info someone will be able to point me towards a decent solution, as I am thoroughly confused .
Sorry to post such an over posted question.
 
For action sports....I don't think a DLSR (alone) is the best camera for the job. I would want to have a conventional video camera with AF, OIS, etc. I would suggest a 60D,( or a t3i) AND a Canon HFS series camcorder...they're really cheap right now to make way for the new models. I would capture at 1080 30P, since the canon DLSRs are not that hot @720 (just use it for slow motion) The Canon DLSR will also be the best for the low light shots with a fast lens... People seem to love the Tamron 17-50 2.8 as an all around lens. Then maybe pick up an ultra fast prime for special shots.
A t3i or 60D and the HFS 200, will cost less/or the same as the 7d body alone. Skip the 7d for video only... the video of the t2i/t3i/60d is just the same quality for less money.
Also...I'd recommend the GH2 and Panasonic TM700 but the GH2 is so hard to find right now.
 
I was debating whether or not to go HPX or HMC paired with a DSLR, just because Im used to the larger form factor of those cameras. I also saw http://www.dpreview.com/news/1007/10071401sonynexvg10e.asp
Which could be a great option as well. The HFS is definitely too small and Im looking for something a bit more substantial. NAB is coming up so maybe I should wait and see if anything new is released around that time.
The confusion continues!
 
pulpfiction007 said:
For action sports....I don't think a DLSR (alone) is the best camera for the job. I would want to have a conventional video camera with AF, OIS, etc. I would suggest a 60D,( or a t3i) AND a Canon HFS series camcorder...they're really cheap right now to make way for the new models. I would capture at 1080 30P, since the canon DLSRs are not that hot @720 (just use it for slow motion) The Canon DLSR will also be the best for the low light shots with a fast lens... People seem to love the Tamron 17-50 2.8 as an all around lens. Then maybe pick up an ultra fast prime for special shots.
A t3i or 60D and the HFS 200, will cost less/or the same as the 7d body alone. Skip the 7d for video only... the video of the t2i/t3i/60d is just the same quality for less money.
Also...I'd recommend the GH2 and Panasonic TM700 but the GH2 is so hard to find right now.
Click to expand...


+1, yup, I wouldn't bother with a dslr, get the new Canon camcorder, with the removable mic xlr's. Can't remember the model, but it's their newest camcorder, that shoots to sd cards, and has xlr inputs on a removeble bracket, that slides in to the hot shoe. It's a nice camera and would be perfect for what your doing. I would also grab a wide angle convertor, and a tele convertor for it. this will cover all your shooting needs.
 
The one maranfilms is talking about is the XA10...and I agree it's a nice model. You said though that you're looking for a larger form factor...so that would narrow your choices to cameras like the HMC150, XHA1s, HVX200a, HPX, Sony AX2000 (NX5u). The ones going for the least are the XHA1s and HMC150....both at around $2795. The HMC shoots 720 60p though so that would be perfect for action stuff. If I were you, with what you're shooting that's what I'd go for, or maybe the Canon XF100 (it's a bit smaller though) for $2995 (has a 4:2:2 native codec) Those two would be excellent choices as A-Cams, then add a T3i or similar for lowlight work. I would steer away from the NEX VG10 - It does have a video cam form factor, but it has the same issues for action shooting as a DLSR - OIS only on lens, the AF isn't as reliable, it has aliasing problems, etc. It's also a fairly small camera...just has the large (but slow f 3.5) lens. Also it scans at 30P but records @60i - No 720 60 like the HMC150, XF100, or T3i.
It will be interesting to see what comes at NAB, but remember you might be waiting a while for the cameras announced there to be shipped - esp. with what's happening in Japan.
Check out the XF100 specs...it's a highly customizable camera with XLRs, variable frame rates and resolutions, tons of color, gamma, and picture adjustments, and I can speak form experience with Canon's new OIS - it's pretty incredible while tracking subjects on the move.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I definitely would like something substantial but I think I was so set on the DSLR route because of the DOF (obvious film maker mistake!). But the rolling shutter appears to still be somewhat of an issue, even on the GH2. I agree about the full size Sony with the E-mount lenses, it will have the same issues that the smaller DSLRs have. I think the HVX is getting on a bit and has a raft of its own issues. The HMC intrigues me as memory is relatively cheap and the size is much closer to what Im used to (VX2100). I always assumed for the price that the HMC must be lacking somewhere to be that cheap? The HPX is also interesting but more expensive and the fish eye costs a fortune (as do most of them tbh). I think the audio problems that Canon cameras used to have still have me discounting them but I assume most of that has been fixed by now? The XA10 looks good but still a bit on the small side. However the XHA1 looks good for the money and in terms of form factor. So maybe it has come down to the HMC vs. the XHA1 or XF100?! I still want the t2i/GH2 for certain things but I think for A cam a more dedicated video camera is perfect.

Haha, I love how its just constant confusion in every way! Thanks for all the replies and sorry for being un able to make a decision!
 
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