DSLR will you replace your camcorder?

Tom McKay

Tom McKay

Varizoom
Interested to know of those that have actually made the switch and why?

I just got the new Canon D5M2 for mounting on our new DSLR Rig and it is pretty cool. The zooming and focusing limitations are obvious in regard to video but there are those that can likely shoot with these limitations.

Any comments?
 
I ordered a GH1 today. I'll have at least 14 days to decide to keep it once it arrives. If I keep it the HVX200 is going bye-bye, along with a bunch of other stuff. Why? Quite a few reasons...

1) P2 cards are expensive and large
2) Lenses for better DOF
3) Better in low-light situations
4) Smaller and lighter and less conspicuous for run and gun situations
5) Full-HD resolution (1920x1080 instead of 1280x1080, 1280x720 instead of 960x720)
6) Shoots still photos and I've been wanting to get an SLR camera
7) A lot of control of the picture (shutter, aperture, AND ISO)

The camera isn't perfect, but I'm hoping it will let me shoot the way I want and make some great films as I work around the limitations. If not, it'll go back. I've been scrutinizing all the footage of both the GH1 and the 5DMKII, and really paying attention to what ACTUAL USERS say about them, and found the GH1 to be the best option for me. I'm confident I'll be pleased with it and therefore selling my current setup in the coming weeks.

EDIT: Reason #8: I can shoot hours at a time with less storage than a P2 camera.
 
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On the personal side, the GH1 replaced my walkaround HDV camcorder -- a Canon HV10.

But I'm keeping the HC1 for other situations.

The AVCHD codec at FHD is really stretched thin on scenes with a lot of motion and the image quality drops noticably.

Without accessories, the GH1 lacks audio input control which is a big minus for me.
 
If I still had an HVX200 I would not ditch it for a GH1 because of the type of work I mostly do. But, for price reasons, it is a consideration for the future. The price is really the whole issue for me, I definitely prefer real cameras.
 
I have a HMC150 and it's far superior to the GH1 for the stuff I'm doing. Still I might get a GH1 instead of a 35mm adapter but certain things still bug the hell out of me.
 
I sold my HPX170 and about to sell the rest of my gear. Been trying to hold onto the Letus Ultimate as a Just-in-case thing but it's probably better suited for someone else at this point.

If I'm not shooting RED then I'll be shooting GH-1, no doubt about it. I'm willing to take the compression hit @ 1080/24 in exchange for fun factor and everything else. Truly, the ONLY two negatives I can really find about the GH-1 is the 1080 mud that shows up every so often and no Video Out during recording.

That's a pretty short list of negatives in comparison to the extremely long list of positives. And it's what prompted me to go ahead and move away from Prosumer form factors and adapters.

Hell, RED didn't even get me to do that. LoL
 
Here, here!

Just sold my Letus Ultimate and Ex1 to do the same as Kholi and many of you guys here. I love the Letus Ultimate but in general I just hate working with 35mm adapters.

The EX1 is still an amazing camera but if I can get a couple of GH1s and work within the limitations of the codec, I can come close and that's worth it for me.

For ENG guys of course no way is this going to replace an EX1 or HPX but for the flat broke indy guys, for sure, we'll squeeze every possibility out of these $1500 cameras regardless if there is ever a firmware upgrade.

Its really going to be a great to see how each of us is going to push the limitations of this camera.

In my opinion, the micro 4/3rds cameras are going to be getting better and better and the flexibility of lenses to these cameras is really just amazing. So in my opinion, just stock pile on these cheap lenses now, already c-mount lenses have doubled in price since the G1 came out. I'm sure when the GH1 comes out they'll be a higher demand on ebay for sure.

On a slightly separate note, if there are any Angeleno's who have or are getting the GH1 next week, I'm going to be in L.A. in two weeks and would love to do some tests with some c-mount and FD lenses that I've already picked up. I have the adapters and lenses, I just need the damn camera. :)
 
I am holding out the adapter + prosumer CCD fort while you guys blaze the new frontier. My next ship would be the RED Scarlet. I didint follow the DSLR revolution but I will have a chance to shoot with the 5D in the next few weeks. Will check out what all the hype is all about !
 
Selling my DVX100 that I simply LOVE in order to get this.
I think it will suit my shooting style, and seriously, what you get for 2k is simply great.
 
DSLR for video

DSLR for video

Canon 5DM2 on a Zero Gravity Rig.

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VariZoom_ZeroGravity_Rig_1.jpg
VariZoom_ZeroGravity_Rig_3.jpg



LuckyStudio 13 said:
I am holding out the adapter + prosumer CCD fort while you guys blaze the new frontier. My next ship would be the RED Scarlet. I didint follow the DSLR revolution but I will have a chance to shoot with the 5D in the next few weeks. Will check out what all the hype is all about !
Click to expand...
 
Sold my XH-A1 and bought a GH-1. There will definitely be some trade-offs, but for my shooting situation and style, it will work great.


Tom McKay said:
Canon 5DM2 on a Zero Gravity Rig.

VariZoom_ZeroGravity_Rig_4.jpg
VariZoom_ZeroGravity_Rig_1.jpg
VariZoom_ZeroGravity_Rig_3.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey Tom. I hadn't heard of the Zero Gravity rig before seeing these pics. Looks very interesting. Any report on how it feels/works with a DSLR attached? Any footage? I'm looking to get some type of support system for the GH-1 in the next month or two.
 
Kholi said:
If I'm not shooting RED then I'll be shooting GH-1, no doubt about it. I'm willing to take the compression hit @ 1080/24 in exchange for fun factor and everything else.
Click to expand...

I agree,

Everything Kholi said........... Except fore RED; I don't have one. ;-/

Now I just have to wait for Panasonic to deliver my GH1 "" ;-( "" and my Nikon to Micro 4/3 to arrive from HK!

I have seen a lot of 1080, and if you don't go willy wacky with it, it looks awesome.

Better then my last fun camera could have ever looked; the HV20!


GH1= >> { fun factor }


.
 
Please let me know how it goes with the Nikon to Micro 4/3 from Hong Kong, I will probably be wanting to get one.
 
Replacement for me. Canon XL Sold.

I have a D90, I still like it better than videos, despite the noise noise noise and no manual.

The main two reasons these things work for me is

a) Beirut is SD land. Still. Even on the highest end, 35mm film is scanned at a pixel width of 720. D90 footage, fixed by Lee, and then scaled down to 720 is damn near perfect. Even Red footage here is finally taped (yes taped) to 720px wide. People here either go with RED, if they can't afford it they come to me and get 24p Shallow DOF.

b) Beirut is high security. These things are soooo low key for video its great.

I'm eventually selling my D90 for a GH1 or a Canon, whichever I can afford first, both combined cost less than my current non-existent dream cam, no not a scarlet, rather the Acam Dii.

I'm putting up with the D90 as long as i can so when i get the GH1/5Dii I'll stay on cloud nine for a while. I like limiting myself. I like half-assed equipment cause if you can pull stuff off with half assed equipment you've added a miracle factor.

I'd mix with an a cam if they come out. All my super8mm lenses could fit on an a cam dii.

I'll be in trouble the minute i have to finish to HD. Till now I've scaled down way past many artifacts.

I like em. More than video cams. Even if video cams are steadier and more durable. I don't come from a film background but a fine arts one, lines are a lot blurrier so it's kinda ok to do it anyway you like as long as there's concrete justification aesthetically.

I really do hope to go to film school. Even some coursework.

VDSLRs. I think it's the way to go.

Oh, and most importantly, they fit in your bag, in between actors, in corners, you can hold em upside down, they're smaaaaalll.

T
 
I think there's enough talent around to make these VDSLRs the three legged dog that wins the derby.

They are truly moving and touching pieces of equipment.
 
I think I will be replacing my hv20 with a GH1. Form Factor and low light make it a true leader. Hopefully Panasonic can double the price and make that video cam version with GH1 sensor and HPX-170 controls.
 
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