Canon 5D rig or HVX rig?

T

troopercooper

Active member
Right, I did a search and couldn't find anyone who had asked this before, so lets talk!

My current rig is a pretty basic HVX200/Red Rock M2 adapter set for Nikon lenses. All in all, the rig is worth a fair amount - £2650 at the very least. It doesn't get a whole lot of use, but then my big project is still in the planning stage.

I am considering selling the rig up for a Canon 5D Mark II. Eventually, I will be shooting a large-scale action film and figured the 5D Mk.II could double up as both a stills camera and a second unit camera. Thoughts?
 
i have a hmc rig right now. i find myself using it less and less as i have so much stuff to move and put back together (i normally shoot by myself). Very time consuming and very heavy. Also, low light is much, much better (than with an adatper) and has a very low profile. I think for transportation and low key set ups, 5D is the way to go.
 
Bad idea, DSLR's are no replacement for an HVX or EX1. You're giving up professional sound and a robust codec and will have to deal with audio workarounds, conversion from 30 to 24P, rolling shutter issues and moire. I would not sell an HVX and replace it with a 5D.

Would I supplement an HVX with a 5D or other DSLR? Yes, but there are many situations when the 5D can and will bite you in the ass and where a prosumer camera will be better suited.

Perhaps selling the Red Rock M2 and putting that money towards a 5D would be a better option.

Another thing, a "large scale action film" is the exact scenario that would tax the limits of what a DSLR is capable of. Rolling shutter would be nasty in that situation.
 
Hi guys,

As mentioned before, the 5D would simply be a 2nd unit back-up to our eventual primary (we are looking into the options that will give us best VFX capability, and our eyes are glancing toward a Red or Alexa), so we'd hope that the rolling shutter issues wouldn't be so to the fore - though all the other comments have been taken on board.

It's a hard situation to consider - I cannot budget a second camera so it's one or the other (selling the M2 to get a DSLR would be somewhat redundant in my eyes - the capability to have awesome stills but at that budget no video capability, ok digital but no depth of field), which makes all this very hard.

Pete
 
I shoot with an HVX and EX-1...also, 5d2 and 7d. If I had to give up one or the other, it would definitely be the DSLRs. They're awesome...for some things. But the "Real" camcorders are awesome for almost everything:)

Point being, the DSLR at this point is NOT a replacement for a real video camera. It's a peripheral, kinda like your 35mm adaptor. WAY too many drawbacks to rely solely (while you're waiting for the Red or Alexa). I wouldn't even call the 5d2, as it sits right now (without the FR firmware) a decent 2nd cam on an action set. Yeah, it'll be great for set shots and stills...talking heads or limited DOF/lighting shots...but for 98%, you're going to NEED that "Real" camera ability.

Don't get me wrong. I love my DSLRs. BUT, to rely solely on them at this point would put me out of business. The future is bright, the 3rd party companies and accessories are coming out of the woodwork...but until these sensors are optimized for video instead of stills, we have to continue to rely on our relics like the HVX and EX:)

J
 
I dumped my HVX and have not missed it one day since getting the 5d. The best thing about the hvx for me was the letus or brevis attached to the front of it, and neither combo is half the movie making dream my 5d is IMHO.
 
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