Getting a NEW camera HELP

Greg_E said:
The Black Magic 5 inch HD monitor/recorder is pretty nice, we have one at work. Just make sure you pick a model of A7 that doesn't overheat and shut down.

You will need to use ND filters for some things with the A7S, but it will open up a lot of low light options.
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The lowlight capabilities are really impressive.

I though the A7 had 14 bit depth but that is only for still photos. I guess its just regular 8 bit for video. The lowlight capabilities are still better then the GH4 and it has a full frame. That is going against the GH4's 4k resolution. Still undecided.

That recorder is nice though.
 
Raw is not that difficult to handle, but you need a fairly powerful computer and big dedicated media drives to handle it. What are you editing with? Computer? Software? BMPCC produces lovely images, but BM 's production quality is highly variable and the BMPCC is rather delicate, especially the HDMI out port unless you put it in a proper cage with a captive cable. Don't know how the new Micro will fare.
Newest version of Resolve has color managed workflows that greatly simplify the basics of working with either raw or log footage. But you need a computer that can run it.
Example:

View attachment Easy Broadcast HD Video Grading in Resolve.pdf
 
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Sony A6300 is worth adding to the list too. A fellow Lightworks user, Craig Marshall, has added it as a Bcam to his Sony VG30's. He points out that it records timecode with user bits, a unique quality for a camera in this price class and one that makes post much easier in some circumstances.

The low angle shots from the locomotive mounted camera in this video of Craig's are A6300.
 
Razz16mm said:
Raw is not that difficult to handle, but you need a fairly powerful computer and big dedicated media drives to handle it. What are you editing with? Computer? Software? BMPCC produces lovely images, but BM 's production quality is highly variable and the BMPCC is rather delicate, especially the HDMI out port unless you put it in a proper cage with a captive cable. Don't know how the new Micro will fare.
Newest version of Resolve has color managed workflows that greatly simplify the basics of working with either raw or log footage. But you need a computer that can run it.
Example:

View attachment 114174
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Interesting. I really don't know how to determine if my PC could handle RAW files or not. I have a windows that I put together myself.
Windows 10
AMD 4.0GHz 8 core processor
8GB of RAM ddr3
solid state drive
GeForce GTX 950 2GB



Greg_E said:
Something I didn't know, the hdmi on the Sony is still only 8 bits:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...rom-the-Sony-A7s2&p=1986638695#post1986638695
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I just discovered that. I am leaning towards the GH4 now. For a few hundred more you get 4k, 120fps in 1080, and the ability to shoot 10 bit depth with an external recorder. The low light sucks on it but a speedbooster should help.
 
If you add more RAM you will probably be fine, especially if using DNxHD/HR or Prores from an external recorder.
 
- In this case hardware is not as important as which software you use. AFAIK, if you're shooting RAW, you have to use Resolve, everything else will be painful.

- The a7 has pretty bad aliasing/moire, and no slog2 so clearly less DR than other Sony cameras. I would go with a second-hand a7S (except *I* actually sold mine and bought an RX100 IV, which is perfect for what I need right now; I will buy a bigger camera sometime down the road).
 
Nx1 could also be an option, if you time it right you could get a screaming deal. Biggest downside is there are few native lenses, and with Samsung all but abandoning the camera world, there probably won't be any new ones... but there are plenty of adapters and the internal 4k is impressively detailed. Not nearly as much Dr as the a7s though
 
Greg_E said:
If you add more RAM you will probably be fine, especially if using DNxHD/HR or Prores from an external recorder.
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Cool!

Samuel H said:
- In this case hardware is not as important as which software you use. AFAIK, if you're shooting RAW, you have to use Resolve, everything else will be painful.

- The a7 has pretty bad aliasing/moire, and no slog2 so clearly less DR than other Sony cameras. I would go with a second-hand a7S (except *I* actually sold mine and bought an RX100 IV, which is perfect for what I need right now; I will buy a bigger camera sometime down the road).
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I was kind of set on the GH4, the ability to get 10bit depth is awesome. Can't do it in camera but I can always upgrade to an external recorder down the line. The low light on the A7 is tempting though. It trumps the GH4 in terms of that.


caseywilsondp said:
Nx1 could also be an option, if you time it right you could get a screaming deal. Biggest downside is there are few native lenses, and with Samsung all but abandoning the camera world, there probably won't be any new ones... but there are plenty of adapters and the internal 4k is impressively detailed. Not nearly as much Dr as the a7s though
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Yeah the GH4 4k resolution isn't that impressive. Honestly I was watching videos of a hacked GH2 and the picture looked better then the GH4's 4k. However it wasn't a comparison of a GH4 with the firmware upgrade to V-log. I'd like to see a comparison of the GH2 vs GH4 with v-log.
 
You will need to read up on some of the v-log threads.

What kind of projects do you have this summer? Knowing this might help. And what kind of final output do you need?
 
Greg_E said:
You will need to read up on some of the v-log threads.

What kind of projects do you have this summer? Knowing this might help. And what kind of final output do you need?
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Yeah I don't know much about it.

I am filming a Punisher fan series that I am putting up on YouTube/Videom Its going to be five 10 minute episodes. Not for profit of course. Will take me also summer to complete though as I have a very small crew.
 
1080 or 720 resolution? Assuming 24p for the output frame rate. I think the black magic 5 inch monitor will do 1080 at 60fps, and considerably cheaper than other choices. A used GH4 is probably the thing you need, but maybe a G6 or G7 would fit the bill, and they are much cheaper. Except for your need of 60fps, I'd still probably go with a GH2. I wonder if Twixtor would give you the kind of slo-mo that you need, it's software that looks at motion and creates the additional frames based on what is moving and how much it moves.

Just thinking it would be good to stick with the camera that you know vs. something you need to build a new rig to handle, and figure out the idiosyncrasies for the new camera.
 
Greg_E said:
1080 or 720 resolution? Assuming 24p for the output frame rate. I think the black magic 5 inch monitor will do 1080 at 60fps, and considerably cheaper than other choices. A used GH4 is probably the thing you need, but maybe a G6 or G7 would fit the bill, and they are much cheaper. Except for your need of 60fps, I'd still probably go with a GH2. I wonder if Twixtor would give you the kind of slo-mo that you need, it's software that looks at motion and creates the additional frames based on what is moving and how much it moves.

Just thinking it would be good to stick with the camera that you know vs. something you need to build a new rig to handle, and figure out the idiosyncrasies for the new camera.
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I'd be shooting in 1080. The GH2 can do 720 and 60fps though, which is usable. I've looked at Twixtor before, would just be a matter of learning how to use it I guess.

I just got a used GH4 though for $950.00

Its a lot of cash for me to spend but I have the income to dispose right now. Was really torn between that or a GH2. GH2's really do give a nice image, especially for YouTube.

I guess I'll probably be able to use the GH4 for a lot more projects though, especially if I want to start doing more professional stuff.
 
Yes, but 10 or more bits would be better. Still way better than 8 bits at 4:2:0 (of course). I wouldn't let it sway me from the purchase but it might push me to a higher level (and price) like an FS camera.

The big thing for the OP is that the GH4 will give a similar operating feel and he already has lenses adapted to work on this mount and sort of knows the angles for each lens. The angles will change a little because the GH4 has a smaller crop than the GH2, but not by a huge amount.
 
sgttom said:
Still it can't record raw files, which is really what makes me lean towards the Canon MKII, also the fact that you can get a used Mk2 for $400.
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If you find a 5D mkII for $400 pick it up immediately. Assuming it's not a scam. Which it probably is. I've never seen one for less than $800. At the least tell me where you're seeing those prices.
Same with the BMPCC which you claim can be had used for $400, again I've never seen one for less than about $650 except when Blackmagic had their sale on them for $500 and most of the time they go for $700-800 used.
 
roxics said:
If you find a 5D mkII for $400 pick it up immediately. Assuming it's not a scam. Which it probably is. I've never seen one for less than $800. At the least tell me where you're seeing those prices.
Same with the BMPCC which you claim can be had used for $400, again I've never seen one for less than about $650 except when Blackmagic had their sale on them for $500 and most of the time they go for $700-800 used.
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I saw a few of the BMPCC ebay for $650 buy it now.

I'll see if I can find the damn websites again. Wish I would have saved them.


My new GH4 just came in the mail btw. The 4k, 1080 96fps, and vlog are what pushed me towards it. Also have heard about questionable build quality when it comes to the BMPCC.
 
I have seen one BMPCC for sale here that would have been about $400 to $500 if you bought the entire package of stuff. But that's the lowest and only seen once. I don't think it lasted very long before someone grabbed it.

The 1080 at 96fps would probably be very useful for what you want to do, still not sure of the vlog benefits yet unless you have an external recorder.
 
Greg_E said:
I have seen one BMPCC for sale here that would have been about $400 to $500 if you bought the entire package of stuff. But that's the lowest and only seen once. I don't think it lasted very long before someone grabbed it.

The 1080 at 96fps would probably be very useful for what you want to do, still not sure of the vlog benefits yet unless you have an external recorder.
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Yeah I was reading up on it. I'll probably be using Leeming LUT one.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...UT-One-%96-the-best-LUT-for-the-Panasonic-GH4

Looks like you can get the same DR as you can with the V-log if you expose properly.

I got the V-log update anyways, for when I get an external recorder (if I ever get one).

I used the 96fps yesterday. Pretty cool effect.
Utilized the slow mo at :57

I accidentally didn't have the camera on auto white balance so the color were weird. Plus exposure was pretty poor in many shots. Just getting used to using the camera.
 
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