gerbenzomp
New member
I use my 60D mainly for run-and-gun documentary stuff, and right now I'm thinking of selling my XH-A1 just because of the quality of the images I get with a DSLR, and the mood it creates. I think it's also a matter of working out a DSLR set-up that works for you. To me, the biggest issue was to find a workable audio-solution (being a one-man band). I tried experimented with mounting the Juicedlink and the Zoom H4n, but the setup with both of them easily became bulky. Right now I have all my audio-stuff (Sennheiser wireless, Rode Videomic, Zoom H1 and even a small headphone-amp) mounted on a hot-shoe tri-mount on top of the 60D. This keeps it small and light-weight and allows me to take the "audio-module" off in one piece when I'm not doing interviews or gathering on-location sound.
I would even argue that there are a few things that make a DSLR more suitable for shooting documentaries than the XH-A1. I've found that working with a DSLR makes it easier to catch the moment without intruding on the subject or changing the atmosphere. With my XH-A1 I always had to make sure there was enough light on location and when there wasn't I had to turn on the on-camera light, changing the atmosphere and making the subject feel uncomfortable and blinded by the light. Now I can easily film in dimly lit places, preserving the atmosphere. I also found that smaller camera's make the subject feel much more at ease, allowing them open up to the camera. The XH-A1 can be a little overwhelming. I can really notice this difference in the interviews I've shot with both camera's.
I would even argue that there are a few things that make a DSLR more suitable for shooting documentaries than the XH-A1. I've found that working with a DSLR makes it easier to catch the moment without intruding on the subject or changing the atmosphere. With my XH-A1 I always had to make sure there was enough light on location and when there wasn't I had to turn on the on-camera light, changing the atmosphere and making the subject feel uncomfortable and blinded by the light. Now I can easily film in dimly lit places, preserving the atmosphere. I also found that smaller camera's make the subject feel much more at ease, allowing them open up to the camera. The XH-A1 can be a little overwhelming. I can really notice this difference in the interviews I've shot with both camera's.
