Need advice

emretufekci

emretufekci

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

We decided to add some DSLR equipment to our arsenal to shoot video and need advice on what to buy.

-We have about 18K budgeted for the gear but we can increase it upto 25K if needed.

-We want a a single system, we dont more than one camera.

-We prefer camera with a 35 imager.

Let us know if we should consider other "parameters" in our search.

Thanks to everybody in advance for their input.

Cheers:thumbsup:
 
Get some good lenses
zeiss
Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8
Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8
Distagon T* 35mm F/2.0
Planar T* 50mm F/1.4
Planar T* 85mm f/1.4

You can get 1D mark IV (less low light noise with 1.3 crop) or 5D mark II (full 35mm)

Also get a good rig and FF for your DSLR

A good field hdmi monitor (marshall 7" or small HD or small HD 9")
 
wow well with that budget, I'd say a Nikon D3s (full frame, low light ability), Canon 1D mark IV (same but with 1.3 crop), or if you can wait for the firmware update the 5D should be pretty nice when it comes out. There might be new cameras by then though- you could wait to see what comes out at CES (happening now).

What kind of stuff do you shoot? That would probably be some necessary info before recommending things like shoulder mounts, dollies, jibs etc.
 
killacam said:
What kind of stuff do you shoot? That would probably be some necessary info before recommending things like shoulder mounts, dollies, jibs etc.
Click to expand...

We are a production/post house that does commercials, documentaries, corporate videos and so on. We have full arsenal of dollies, steadicams, high end cameras...etc

We just dont have any DSLR stuff...at all :smile:

Thats why I wanted to post here on the forum so we don't spend 6 months constantly figuring out all the little tid-bits we would need. We can rely on more experienced operators to make a shopping list.

Then just go buy it all.
 
Whith that type of budget I'd seriously look at a RED. You get full frame, 4k files, and since you have the arsenal of equipment like that it would probably turn to be your full-time rig.

If not going to the RED then I'd look at the new Canon 5dmii with the new firmware, or the new 1dmiv. That thing is pretty sweeeeeet for low light. I've got a 5dmii and I'm very happy with the results. The 4mb file structure sure's kinda pain though.

___________________________
jeff burkholder
www.lifeimagesproductions.com
___________________________
 
Thank for the advice Jeff, we have about 500K of inventory in high end cameras already. We're just looking to add DLSR to the selection.

I hadnt read about the 4mb file structure yet? How problematic is it?
 
OK you have all this kit why do you want to shoot DSLR ?

Seriously !

I can imagine

-we need a shot out of a fridge/glovebox
-we need POV
- we are sending someone climbing - they need a light camera
etc being legit uses of a DSLR


S
 
Looks like you answered your own question Morgan ;-)

emretufekci.... I would get the Canon 1Dmk4.... if you desperately need FF, then the Nikon d3s, but I don't think it has selectable frame rates?
 
stockfuel said:
Looks like you answered your own question Morgan ;-)
Click to expand...

Exactly, we intend to use as handheld,cutaway,behind-the scenes,crashcam,this damn camera is too big to fit in the cuboard replacement thingamegic.

Thanks for the recomendation. Any other tools/accessories we should consider?
 
The 5D Mark II has a smaller foot print than the 1D Mark IV, but it doesn't have interchangeable frame rates yet if that's important to you right now (I imagine it is). The 5D is *supposed* to come out with a firmware update with new frame rates.

When you say "35 Imager" do you mean full frame still 35mm or 35mm movie camera size? The red one does not have a full frame chip in it, it's actually more the size of super 35mm and/or APS-C sized sensor like the 7D has (just to clarify). The 5D and D3s both have full frame sensors with the 1D Mark IV in between full frame and APS-C (APS-H).

The canon Cameras have a 4gb file size not 4mb! That would be terrible! So with a 4gb limit each time you press the record button, you get about 12 minutes of video shooting in HD.

The low light is awesome on the nikon D3s, 5D Mark II, and 1D Mark IV, but you only get a 2gb 5 minute record limit with the D3s. I think it's a great professional level still camera, but not ideal for recording video.

As for rigs, I would check out the redrock micro DSLR 2.0 stuff. Robust, professional look, built to last, and good pricing too. Lot's of options and ways to customize.
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/sc.2/category.1789/.f

Check out this video too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROaV3rSkgBA

Get extra batteries and UDMA CF cards!

For lenses... I recommend prime lenses for the best image. The Ziess are ideal and very nice.

The canon cameras have a mini-HDMI interface for external monitors so keep that in mind.

I'm sure you will get a lot of different opinions and thoughts on this, so I thought I would share mine. Good luck!
 
Monitoring is annoying if you are used to pro cameras. You need to convert the mini hdmi to sdi (aja and blackmagic make mini converters for this around $500) but you lose sound from the on camera mic (everything is recorded double system and synced old school with a slate as there is no time code, but the on cam sound is a good reference). It also outputs a lower res signal during recording and blanks out the rear lcd when you plug in hdmi (and the eyepiece is blocked by the mirror) so shooting is difficult. Playback from camera after the take is good quality hd though, so at least you can check that take after. I find that I shoot everything using a zacuto z-finder attached to the rear lcd and check playback each scene after rehearsal to do any final needed tweaks. I am not sure if this is a problem with the 1d mk iv but if they fixed this for that cam, that alone would make me jump on that over the 5d (plus better low light performance, real ntsc derivitive framerates etc).
 
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If you do go with zeiss primes, you may want to look at the ZF series (nikon f mount) as they have manual aperature rings (canon EF mount versions do not) and a longer flange distance that allows them to be adapted to more camera systems such as RED. The drawbacks are that they focus in the "wrong" (non-cine) direction and you have to use an adapter from photodiox or novoflex. You can overcome these things by using a follow focus with reversing gear and getting a high quality adapter like the ones I listed. The camera body you choose is going to have a huge impact on which lenses you choose as you will need more on the wide end if you go with 1d4 or the 7d. There are companies that sell sets of zeiss ZF primes that are geared and have step up fronts on them if you want to get it in a one stop shop kind of buy (and it seems like a good idea considering your nice budget) someone else can chime in here, but I have been referred to http://www.rplens.com/products.htm . I can't speak for them personally.
 
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I should also mention that you need a good sound recorder. I went with the sound devices 722 t with no timecode (these cameras don't have timecode).
 
(as above posts)

Your kit requirement is totally different from what 90% of people on this board are doing which is attempting to build cinema rigs with a DSLR because they cant afford RED

if you are not in a hurry get a 5dmk2 when the firmware is out giving 24/5/30p

right now id not iknow what to get

D3 is 720p 24p - good 720
7d is crop sensor (this will count against you on the cupboard shot) but has 24/5/30 softish 1080 and wooly 60p
5d is fullframe OK 1080 at 30p - fine for mild slomo or costly slow retiming

your choice

lenses IMO

nikon 14 2.8
and then probably ziess primes either nikon or canon

nikon will fit canon cameras but not the other way round

but nikon lenses focus in a different direction to cine lenses

grip is probably sorted from your stock

the only other things you might need are

HDMI monitor
Z Finder or LCDVF screen viewing loupe

S
 
i forgot the 1ds 4 from my list

this is probably currently the one but does not apprear to represent too good value $ per image quality

its a couple of stops better than the 7d, a bit larger sensor and twice the price and still affected by moiree


7d is the safe bet
D3s is the unknown horse because the 720 may actually be as good if not better than the canon '1080'

S
 
wow I guess I should have checked the link in your sig- you guys are fully decked out! so you have a varicam, an f900, an hpx3000 along with steadicams, dollies, a wireless follow focus, cranes and 35mm adapters etc. have you considered selling one of the 2/3" cameras and going with a Red? or I guess an Epic or S35 and above Scarlet or whatever.

anyway it looks like you have a Zeiss Prime set (that you use with the adapters) so it seems like you're pretty set with everything except for the actual camera itself. maybe a shoulder rig since that seems DSLR specific although you probably have 15mm rods as well. one lens you may want and I wish they made for all mounts is a Tokina 11-16. extra cards and batteries? that's about it, I'm sure a lot of people wish they had all your gear. for most people the price of the 1dmarkIV (or D3s) might not be justified compared to a 7D say, but in your case the low light performance is probably worth it. It is basically the same camera but better (maybe not as much as the price would indicate but better).
 
killacam said:
saneproductions said:
whoops yeah, but dan chung (pressphotographyshooter) used it at around 13.5mm on the 1dmarkIV. there's an EF 14mm 2.8 I think and the Canon 10-22 but it's a 3.5 at the wide end I think.
Click to expand...

The 10-22 is also EF-S so no go for full frame. You may want to be careful when you recc somthing like this as the person could buy the wrong thing.

The 14mm 2.8L series rectalinear lens is made for full frame and a super nice piece of glass if you have $2400. We just bough one for my work, so I will report back after I try it out. I know it is great though from talking to other DPs.

The 16-35 f2.8L and the 17-40 f4L are also very nice I have the 17-40 for my personal cam and have used the 16-35 and it is super nice too (but twice as much as the 17-40 f4L which is IMHO a super bargin at $700).
Click to expand...
 
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