Covid camera!

ahalpert said:
Seems funny to me that you're concerned about ergonomics and leaning towards a standard video camera body - but you would still entertain the notion of an iPhone? I would think that the ergonomics alone would disqualify the iPhone.

But if you don't want to look like a pro, you can't do better than an iPhone. Why not use a DSLR/DSLM? You can shoot with camera-to-face like a stills photographer and not look pro, and the EVF lets you shoot in daylight. You said you don't need to do fancy camera moves, so the unrigged body probably won't impede you. You won't get a servo zoom (or a good one at least) but again, you said moving photos. With a flippy screen, you can shoot from the waist. You can put a mic on top when you need to.

I think all the current Canon and Sony bodies have very good AF. Sony even has eye AF (does Canon have that anyone?) Sony SOOC color seems to have improved lately. Don't know if either brand has good codecs in the lower-end and fixed-lens bodies though.

I think you may look pro with any dedicated video camera with a top handle and a servo zoom. But I don't know where you're shooting and what degree of discretion you require.
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Well I look pro because I stand with my legs in a positive solid pose and support the camera against my body somehow - unlike mums with palm cams and kiddies with BM pokets I dont wave the camera around in front of me.

iPhone was not my idea - but it has value for looking amateur and not being something you leave at home. My Mrs vixia sony phone does a really good 35mm equiv interview shot. The iPhone can do that with narrow DOF?

DSLR - I have GH4, nikon D600, BM micro, Sony NEX5n - again they never gelled as hendheld cams.. great for car mounting and 'fridge cam' for sure but for handheld, ive never enjoyed. I used to enjoy (in 2010) my 5d2 with 24-105, rvm, and an eye loup on the back - in fact one of the setups I really enjoyed.

5d2.. https://vimeo.com/15051688 one of my first videos. here it was all hheld with 24-105 and I also had a 400 2.8 on a tripod which I could put the camera onto the back of - a mild cheat!
 
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I doubt it, but I'm not sure. (At least for the 'standard' IS.)

But maybe for the more intense ones although I don't know what the crop would work out to.

The G60 had three different kinds. Very effective.
 
NorBro said:
Seems like the Canons are calling your name. You really don't have other choices with reliable AF and ND filters.
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Thats what I think, because the funtionality is basically EX1, but in a smaller package. I do like the EX1 for the zoom (compared to the FS7) I find myself using it more in these unscripted situations.
 
I looked it up...it crops in the 'dynamic' IS mode, but appears to be a regular 25.5 mm in the others.

Canon Note.jpg
 
Well the above mentioned 'g60' is $1400 or something - ultimately it doesnt matter $500 each way if its gonna last a few years, my ex1 has been good for a decade which is not many $ per year.

Its about having some docu fun - a camera that is a joy to have in a satchel - close at all times.
 
The XF400/405 60p models should get an update very soon if Canon is still planning on making those kind of cameras. They are going on about 3 years now.

The XA50/55 and G60 30p ones are from last summer.
 
THe speed I need to 'draw' I guess Icould not find the slo mo button ? Unless it is right there so 60 (50 in pal) might not be that handy

Im in the UK so would not buy from USA.

I was really just canvassing a mode of camera.. iphone, gopro, handycam?

And use experience.

I see xf400 for 1500uk with v low hours or hf 60 for same, new.

Exact cost is not of interest :)

There is a a XC15 for less than a grand though (new!) should I be considering that? (the fat codec of the XC series has always interested me)
 
morgan_moore said:
There is a a XC15 for less than a grand though (new!) should I be considering that?
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No...mediocre quality (even with the specs provided), weak ND, no DPAF.

Many dreamed for a modern day XC20 but it never came.

So many great cameras can be made with bigger sensors and faster, fixed zoom-rocker lenses, but they just don't make them.
 
Doesn't the Hf g60 lack dpaf? And have a dinkier body?

I would personally go for the xf400 (or the xa50 if you want to save a few quid and don't need 4k slow mo)
 
It's that one, but sometimes B&H specs are wrong (or they don't always add everything) because humans copy and paste the information, and not everything is always updated or translated correctly from Japan (honest mistakes) somewhere along and during all of the website updating.

I owned the camera and used it a lot with the DPAF face-tracking (so I know), but it's also on Canon's website to confirm.

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/...etails/camcorders/consumer/vixia/vixia-hf-g60

Canon G60 Note.jpg
 
Copy that - so it's basically the xa50 without a top handle or xlr inputs? Looks like a good deal
 
And no XF-AVC (8-bit).

It's a great camera with a really nice image. Has WDR too.

The levels of smooth zoom speed will alone satisfy many people using the rocker.
 
It's nice that they give so many similar options at different price points if you want to forego some features to save money. If I needed a camera like this I would probably get one of these
 
They are very convenient cameras with a lot of features, but they cannot compare to even $500 4K mirrorless systems in the cinematic IQ department.

Big sensors and fast glass just go a very long way. Even with line-skipped, pixel-binned 1080p. People's brains love shallow DOF.
 
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