Help deciding on HDSLR or Video Camera

K

Kuato_Lives87

New member
Hey guys,

I have finally come into a sizable chunk of money to spend on a camera and lens kit. I'm just decided right now on whether or not I should go in on an HDSLR camera or a professional video camera. It's important to me that I have an interchangeable lens system so the HDSLRs seem good for that but the fact that most HDSLRs don't have great control of audio concerns me. For my purposes I primarily want to shoot shorts and quality looking material as close to a filmic product as possible without buying a RED for upwards of 15K. I was hoping some of you folks would have a few options for me on camera's to look into. Price isn't a huge issue right now but I want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck. I know there's a lot of debate on HDSLR versus video cameras but I'm pulling my hair out trying to decide on which avenue to go down as I continue my research on what to buy.

Anyone have any good experience they could share with me on how either of these two options have benefited your freelance/filmmaking/creative endeavors?

I appreciate the help.
 
Right now, I'd purchase a dirt-cheap used AF100 and spend the rest on lenses and support gear that you can take with you to upgrade to another system. Ideally, you could invest in Zeiss CP.2s, but otherwise I'd suggest a look at the Rokinon Cine lenses. Anything manual aperture will move with you a long time.
 
3 Cameras I would buy or should I say two systems I would use.

Panasonic GH3 and BMCC
These are simply amazing and will compliment each other.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892456-REG/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GH3_Mirrorless_Digital.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...am26kmft_Blackmagic_Design_Cinema_Camera.html

Comes to around $4300... Factor in some lenses and hard drives and your up to about $6-7k for some professional cameras.

My other option if I had the money would be the Canon C100
imo this is the Best 1080p camera on the market under 10k. The cost is $6500

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889545-REG/Canon_EOS_C100_EF_Cinema.html

Vimeo footage can be found for both. The advantage of the C100 is xlr, nd, etc. the advantage of the Gh3 is price, frame rates and possible hacks. BMCC is dynamic range and raw.

No one camera is perfect but if I were buying today these would be my options.
 
IMO DSLRs are handy B cameras only really

For a solid A camera you probably want a video camera. AF100 FS100, C100 and up

Basically the monitoring, audio and ND (if included) are so much better

These things make it possilbe to work fast and efficient

I have never been on a shoot where fast and efficient was not key by the end of the day!

The BMC is a different choice - very much a film makers tool - and a very cool one at that - but dont underestimate the lack of ND, huge files, weird lenses and power that you will need

S
 
I think an important ? is how much of a benefit would it be to shoot inconspicuously? You may have scenes in your movies that take place on trains, inside cabs, walking down the street, on the beach, etc.. Are you going to get permits, releases, etc.? Do you want to call attention to your shoot, or do you want to try to blend in?

If you are going to try to shoot incognito, then a real video camera w/ XLR's dangling off it or a pimped-out DSLR w/ mattebox, follow focus, etc. are going to be problematic. For such situations, it's best to use a normal DSLR w/ screw-on filters (if needed) and lavs recoding to an external recorder.

So you really have to think about what will be the reality for your locations. If you are going to have a crew and control over the environment, then the video camera vs DSLR debate has more merit, as will the boom vs lav and external vs internal audio recording debates.

But if you're going to be filming in a lot of public places, then a DSLR is probably going to serve you best. And you might be able to use the money you would have spent on base plate and rails, FF, mattebox, external video recorder, professional tripod, etc. instead on good fast glass (image stabilization is a nice feature to have, BTW), nice lavs and an external audio recorder. Now realistically speaking, you may very well find that you will need a FF and rails to pull focus consistently in some setups. But also realistically speaking, you may very well find yourself in situations where you need to pull all that stuff off, stop down a bit (to widen the DoF) and hope for the best.

We've all heard that we should pick the best tool for the job. But we need to ask ourselves "What does the job require?" Once you can honestly/accurately evaluate what your shoots are realistically going to be like, it will be easier for you to decide how to spend your resources.

JMHO, and hope that helps a little.
 
Last edited:
morgan_moore said:
IMO DSLRs are handy B cameras only really

For a solid A camera you probably want a video camera. AF100 FS100, C100 and up

Basically the monitoring, audio and ND (if included) are so much better

These things make it possilbe to work fast and efficient

I have never been on a shoot where fast and efficient was not key by the end of the day!

The BMC is a different choice - very much a film makers tool - and a very cool one at that - but dont underestimate the lack of ND, huge files, weird lenses and power that you will need

S
Click to expand...

I disagree 100% with this statement.... I just seen some amazing documentary work shot on Canon 5d Mark II that will even have you retract that statement..... Truth is, the talent starts with the film maker and knowing his tools. Playing to their strengths and executing. A Dp can shoot on several different cameras and will show you lighting is key, framing is key, all of this is cinematography and a video camera or dslr does this.

Truthfully just buy a Camera, learn it, master it. I've seen stuff done on GH2's that would shock anyone.... Same for 5d footage.
It's all in the art.
 
There is no denying that DSLR can look good

If you are working with a sound man 80% of the pain just goes away

Monitoring on a 5d (2) is a royal pain, just the lag when you press record seems eternal when you are actually shooting on a job

After 2-3 months 90% the small HDMI will be bust (if you use for work daily)

And one unsynchable sound take could mean bad bad news

Ive used DSLR since the D90 and while I am a fan of the image just find them almost 100% non functioning as A cameras under commercial pressures

They are wonderful Bcams and special shot cams (eg car mount)

Put into context of the C100 and FS100 buying a $3g DSLR for filmmaking is to me just nuts..

I own 5d, Fs100 and NEx5n, frankly the 5d is for sale as it never gets used.

IMO

S
 
Last edited:
Morgan, I agree that if you're shooting paid professional work a real video camera would be best. Off the top of my head, I'd say an FS100 is a great starting point.

But on the other hand, if you are going to gorilla style make your indie baby a DSLR can have some real significant advantages.
 
Shot on a 5d Mark II, this is just 1 example..... Who knows what hoops they had to jump through, but man this looks Nice. Also I never had a problem monitoring off of the camera, guess I just have great eyes.

 
BobbyMurcerFan said:
If you are going to try to shoot incognito, then a real video camera w/ XLR's dangling off it or a pimped-out DSLR w/ mattebox, follow focus, etc. are going to be problematic.
Click to expand...

You mean a rig like this?
 

Attachments

  • tumblr_kxpb58VWqM1qb4njgo1_500.jpg
    tumblr_kxpb58VWqM1qb4njgo1_500.jpg
    66 KB · Views: 0
Kuato_Lives87 said:
For my purposes I primarily want to shoot shorts and quality looking material as close to a filmic product as possible without buying a RED for upwards of 15K..
Click to expand...

Black magic cinema camera HANDS DOWN....if you can get your hands on one (which wont be for now since you are kinda late to the party).
 
jambredz said:
Black magic cinema camera HANDS DOWN....if you can get your hands on one (which wont be for now since you are kinda late to the party).
Click to expand...

Except you can't really get your hands on one at the moment. Plus the workflow is not exactly casual.
 
Gary Huff said:
Except you can't really get your hands on one at the moment. Plus the workflow is not exactly casual.
Click to expand...

True about availability...however regarding workflow, it also does shoot Prores HQ and DNXHD if RAW isn't your cup of tea...or if you just cant handle it presently. Those are MUCH better than any thing a dslr is giving us. But yes...you actually need the actual camera to do anything :)
 
Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback. I think I'm leaning towards getting an actual video camera at this point. I think I'm gonna aim most of my cheddar at a nice lens kit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top