Canon 7D or videocamera? HD or SD? AVCHD Editing problems? Worth it? Opinions?!

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Orpheus

Active member
**If you have an opinion on anything I discuss, please post below because every "vote" counts in my decisions going forward.**


My Goal: To shoot small / short film projects to upload to the internet and burn to DVD. (I would also like to do some still photography on the side, whether it is with the camera I buy or a separate still camera---this is factoring into my decision somewhat, but I want to focus on video.)


Note: I have Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 (the production package with after effects, etc..)
Do I buy a 7D? Price vs performance seems tempting, but many people have problems editing AVCHD and I don't have CS5 with the Mercury Playback Engine. (I am buying a new computer soon, which I will make sure has the capability to edit HD, but is that worth it since I plan to output to DVD and the internet?) All of the codecs and conversions don't seem worth the effort depending on where my footage is going to end up...should I stick with Standard Definition? (The videocamera I have now is standard definition: Panasonic DVX100)
I would like creative options, and being able to change lenses seems like more creative options. Also, my projects will mostly be small indie-film-like projects, so I won't really be doing live events.


The downside to 7D is that there are many accessories that will add up if I want to use it primarily for video? Would I be better off putting that money into a videocamera from the start?


I can always buy a separate still camera that takes great pictures to have alongside a videocamera.


OR

That brings us to my second option: Do I buy an HD videocamera? After I get my new computer, I would love to have great looking footage, but since I am only going to be outputting it to DVD in the end, does HD matter? How much better does it look than SD on DVD? People want video on the internet to load really fast these days, and if I shoot HD and upload HD, sure they have the HD option, but I would guess the majority just watch it Low Resolution anyways.


So, that brings us to the big finale: What to do? The Panasonic AG-AF100 is 5,000 dollars and out of my budget. The 7D is within reach, but has lots of drawbacks. An HD prosumer videocamera might take a bit more time to save up for, BUT is it the right way to go if I want to focus on video? Then again, I can take still photographs anytime to practice photography, with some video projects on the side when friends are available to help.
**Please feel free to join in with your opinion on what you would do in this situation, and explain WHY? What things would make you lean towards one option over the other?


Thank you for your opinion!
 
Orpheus said:
**If you have an opinion on anything I discuss, please post below because every "vote" counts in my decisions going forward.**


My Goal: To shoot small / short film projects to upload to the internet and burn to DVD. (I would also like to do some still photography on the side, whether it is with the camera I buy or a separate still camera---this is factoring into my decision somewhat, but I want to focus on video.)


Note: I have Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 (the production package with after effects, etc..)
Do I buy a 7D? Price vs performance seems tempting, but many people have problems editing AVCHD and I don't have CS5 with the Mercury Playback Engine. (I am buying a new computer soon, which I will make sure has the capability to edit HD, but is that worth it since I plan to output to DVD and the internet?) All of the codecs and conversions don't seem worth the effort depending on where my footage is going to end up...should I stick with Standard Definition? (The videocamera I have now is standard definition: Panasonic DVX100)
I would like creative options, and being able to change lenses seems like more creative options. Also, my projects will mostly be small indie-film-like projects, so I won't really be doing live events.


The downside to 7D is that there are many accessories that will add up if I want to use it primarily for video? Would I be better off putting that money into a videocamera from the start?


I can always buy a separate still camera that takes great pictures to have alongside a videocamera.


OR

That brings us to my second option: Do I buy an HD videocamera? After I get my new computer, I would love to have great looking footage, but since I am only going to be outputting it to DVD in the end, does HD matter? How much better does it look than SD on DVD? People want video on the internet to load really fast these days, and if I shoot HD and upload HD, sure they have the HD option, but I would guess the majority just watch it Low Resolution anyways.


So, that brings us to the big finale: What to do? The Panasonic AG-AF100 is 5,000 dollars and out of my budget. The 7D is within reach, but has lots of drawbacks. An HD prosumer videocamera might take a bit more time to save up for, BUT is it the right way to go if I want to focus on video? Then again, I can take still photographs anytime to practice photography, with some video projects on the side when friends are available to help.
**Please feel free to join in with your opinion on what you would do in this situation, and explain WHY? What things would make you lean towards one option over the other?


Thank you for your opinion!
Click to expand...

If you are only ouputing to DVD the expense is not worth it,why cant you burn to blu ray and avchd disc if you get a hd cam set up,you could still make dvds as well.
 
Get the GH2, cheaper than the 7D with a better image. As for AVCHD, just don't edit with it, transcode it.
 
If you do end up with a new computer and CS5 make sure you get a compatible graphics card. If you get anything in the GT200 series and up you should be fine. It is an easy hack to modify your system to use other CUDA cards that aren't listed as compatible by adobe. But be warned, the performance of the the Mercury playback engine can be effected by using a slower card.
 
Panasonic GH2
Windows 7
No need to transcode
Vegas Movie Studio or Pro to edit
Upload to Vimeo & YouTube
Forget DVD, go to Blu-Ray
 
You just get gh2. Cheaper than 7d and works better. 7d is sucks. Always overheating and so much ugy moire. Footage looks gumpy compared to gh2. You will be shock!
Good if you update your nle. The old one sucks for avchd. Get the new one.
 
If you're worried about stills capability at all on the GH2, I use mine all the time even though I have other DSLRs to use.

A smaller, lighter camera ends up being used a lot more because it's more convenient to carry around. People response to it better and act more natural around it. I find it great for street photography, for this reason as well as the articulated LCD screen, I get some great perspective(ie dog's view, higher angles, around corners). The only situation trying would be if you do a lot of sports photography.

IMO mirrorless is the way of the future, all manufacturers will move to it eventually. The advantages aren't talked about so much in conventional photography forums, but to see what your sensor sees really does help you nail a shot first time, and accelerates ones learning if you're new to photography.

You can burn a bluray compatible format to DVD disc, so you can play it back in a bluray player, PS3, Xbox360 or PC. You've just got more limited space, but since you're doing short films you might not have any problem
 
The 7d is also much older... But still a nice camera.

If you are serious about picking up a camera for HD acquisition you should pick up whatever offers the best image and features for the best price. Right now that is the GH2.

I would recommend getting a shoulder rig, Matte Box, ND filters, Follow Focus, Field Recorder (H4n), Video mic, and a good fluid head tripod. All of these items can be used with future cameras not just DSLR's. You probably already have a few of these. They will help you a lot during shoots and can be acquired over time or rented.

I looked around and found this: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-XA10-Pr...r_1_16?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1299192722&sr=1-16 , It looks like a nice portable pro HD camera with XLR inputs and manual features for $2k.
 
Ben_B said:
Get the GH2, cheaper than the 7D with a better image. As for AVCHD, just don't edit with it, transcode it.
Click to expand...


+1 on the GH2, but -1 on transcoding first. He's already using CS4... Upgrade to CS5 and a qualifying cuda video card (you can also use a non-qualifying but need to do a little searching how) and edit the files natively in RT. I transcoded the GH1 footage to remove pulldown and it was a hassle... Now that I have a GH2, I just plop the clips into the project and edit. No worries, no wasted time.
 
On the GH13 I have found that CS5 Premiere Pro on Mac with no Cuda card is fine with native25p but a bit **** with 50i packaged 25p. GH2 should be fine and dandy, but he would need to upgrade to CS5 first.

Personally, I have both FCP and CS5, and I much prefer FCP, even though it doesn't support AVCHD. As soon as it does, I'll be back on that FCP horse as quick as a flash!
 
The GH2 is within my budget and I can also practice still photography. Also, I can acquire gear that I can use with it and other cameras down the line if I am selective. I do have to get the computer first, which I am almost ready to purchase. Having dumped money into CS4 I really hate the fact CS5 is out and by the time I'm ready for that I will probably buy it right before the next version comes out.

From what I am gathering, video production is in a very transitionary stage and I'm just not finding a clear cut answer for my situation, but the GH2 might be an OK first step.
 
You are very right, video production is changing rapidly as new technologies are being implemented on the consumer level. I imagine that this time next year we will see more cameras like the Af100 in the $5k price range as well as some new offerings from canon. With such a rapidly changing industry it would be wise to invest in whatever new technology is available so you can get a long use cycle out of it. The good news is that, relatively speaking, these new dslr's are very inexpensive when compared to their larger pro-camcorder cousins. That means that when a new one comes out you can easily upgrade to the latest unit without having to save up for a while.

Personally I think that the price point for the gh2 is just right. $900 is very reasonable for what you get.
 
dan.carter said:
Panasonic GH2
Windows 7
No need to transcode
Vegas Movie Studio or Pro to edit
Upload to Vimeo & YouTube
Forget DVD, go to Blu-Ray
Click to expand...

Boom +42 to this thread, but I would say pop the $250 for Edius 6 - and you will experience smooth AVCHD editing Nirvana.
 
Blackout said:
Boom +42 to this thread, but I would say pop the $250 for Edius 6 - and you will experience smooth AVCHD editing Nirvana.
Click to expand...
+++ I 'm forced to teach my high school students final cut, but when I'm working for myself it's always Edius. None of that waiting around for transcoding nonsense like we have to do with Final Cut. FCP feels like a dinosaur.
 
Ben_B said:
Get the GH2, cheaper than the 7D with a better image. As for AVCHD, just don't edit with it, transcode it.
Click to expand...

Unless you use Premiere Pro CS5. Edits absolutely anything I've thrown at it natively and like a charm. 50+ MBps hacked GH13 footage? A breeze. Exporting a 20 minute video shot in AVCHD with only accelerated effects on the timeline? 8 minutes to export. PPro CS5 really is everything I've ever wanted in an editing software. Not to mention the integration with After Effects and Encore.

Orpheus said:
Note: I have Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 (the production package with after effects, etc..)
Do I buy a 7D? Price vs performance seems tempting, but many people have problems editing AVCHD and I don't have CS5 with the Mercury Playback Engine. (I am buying a new computer soon, which I will make sure has the capability to edit HD, but is that worth it since I plan to output to DVD and the internet?) All of the codecs and conversions don't seem worth the effort depending on where my footage is going to end up...should I stick with Standard Definition? (The videocamera I have now is standard definition: Panasonic DVX100)
Click to expand...

CS4 was a huge pain with AVCHD (Well, it was a pain with a lot of things). I tried workaround after workaround. I hated Premiere CS4. I liked CS3 much better. But CS5 is the Shiznats. About the only thing I got CS4 to do was HDV.
 
Regarding the GH2 and editing a bloody nightmare for me i loath avchd its slow a pain its crap,a blu ray project i was set to render and burn today crashed as it has numerous times but now the project wont open it just stays indefinately saying opening project wait ,a months work lost, i still have all the files but i dont know if i am going to bother any more, i still have my faithful HDV HV30 thats a breeze to edit.


Editguy do you work with windows or mac with Edius and do you find it will edit projects recorded with different frame rates without problems,lets say like me you have several films on a project some 720P others 24P.
 
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As much as I want to do HD (and have to use AVCHD accordingly), I am still not ready for that headache. Maybe I will just keep shooting in SD with my DVX100 and learn what I can for awhile until this thing works itself out. If what Blazer says is true though, a new comp and CS5 might be the ticket, but I am going to have to get a few more funds on hand for making that transition and getting a camera as well...
 
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