Question for the Pro's about DSLR video

H

handymus

Active member
Ok, I have an HMC150 and a new Canon 60d. Since the DSLR's have severe limitations compared to video cameras...ANY video camera of any worth....why do you think the industry is moving full speed to their use, or am I wrong in stating that?

I see the beautiful video that my 60d can capture, but it is not near ready for any extended use at all, since it is limited in shooting time etc. (no auto focus drives me crazy, but I am not a pro...) Do you ever zoom and focus, without it looking amateurish?

Would you keep one as another "tool" for your use, or would you use it as a primary video camera, given the choice?

FYI - I came out of work the other day, and they had been filming Hawaii 5-0 outside my workplace. I spotted a camera car, and the thing was decked out with dslr's mounted all over it. (I counted 6...3 in front and 3 in back)

confused in Hawaii
 
Not to be rude, but this discussion has been done to death. Infact, there's tons of threads on this very question all over DVX user.

The main reason people use DSLR's is for the ability to easily control the DOF. And their far superior in low light ability. Although this has changed with the anouncement of the AF100. Which is a proper video camera with a large sensor and all the other features we have given up with using the dslr's.

My guess would be the DSLR'S are small and easy to hide. Plus their considered to be disposable on a large budget movie.

Did you happen to see what kind of lens was mounted on the camera in the car? Was it a stunt car.?
 
Well one thing that sounds appealing to me is the fact that I can get great video with a better dof. So you could shoot something in a very confined area and have only the subject be in focus. However, in most other areas, I am with you. I don't get why it is so big. I think it is a bit more of a fad than a standard, but I guess we'll see. Also, when it comes to focus, there are only rare occasions that call for auto focus, imo. Auto focus doesn't know what you the shooter are wanting to shoot and it can go in and out when you are shooting something that isn't obvious to the auto focus. So manual is really the way to go anyway.
 
DSLRs have provided a "look" that you couldn't really get any other way. They're cheap, they're small, they can be mounted anywhere, if one falls off and breaks it's no big deal, you just get another one...

But they're not taking over the industry, and the industry isn't moving "full speed" to their use. They're used for specific purposes. There are those who will differ, but I think that the DSLR will never be adopted for mainstream A-camera production. With the AF100, the F3, and the new Sony NXCAM middle of next year, there are going to be plenty of alternatives that offer everything good about the DSLR, with none of the drawbacks. I expect those products to make significant inroads.

No doubt DSLRs have shown up in all sorts of places that very few could have predicted, that's for sure! A camera car is a fairly ideal place for them, as they're so small that you can mount multiple units and the results don't take up two lanes worth of space.
 
Thanks for the replies, and yes I realize that there are loads of discussions on this subject. I am not trying to create any DSLR vs anything argument.

I do see the points that you all make, and since I am not a pro in the "industry" I value what you guys say on the issue.

Would you agree that this type of video would be just another tool that you would use, as needed?

I didn't walk over to the car to check it out...it was parked, and I was driving past. I didn't even see exactly what DSLR it was, and no it wasn't a stunt car.

Maybe I should clarify a question...because of the limitations of the DSLR, would you use it mostly for shots that didn't require zooming, or manually following a subject that is moving in and out of focus? That seems to me to be mostly the types of shots I have seen.

Just trying to understand the appeal more from people in the industry. Thanks for taking the time to read and reply.
 
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Would you agree that this type of video would be just another tool that you would use, as needed?
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Definitely you'd use it whenever it was appropriate. There are all sorts of scenarios (stealth, lightweight handheld, helmet cam, tight-spaces, crash-cam, cockpit-cam) where the DSLR is the the preferred way to go.

Maybe I should clarify a question...because of the limitations of the DSLR, would you use it mostly for shots that didn't require zooming, or manually following a subject that is moving in and out of focus?
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What the DSLR does very well, is headshots of people, with shallow DOF and backgrounds out of focus. What it doesn't do well, is wide-angle shots with lots in focus. And its operational capabilities aren't like what you'd get from a pro video camera or cinema camera. DSLRs can make for a fine substitute for a digi-cine camera on low/no-budget shoots, as long as you watch out for the aliasing. What they don't do well is stuff like sports or events or news (and yes, I know that people do try to use them for those purposes, but ... there's a huge difference between "making something work" and doing it well).

Zooming during a shot is pretty much right out, and following focus is not so easy on the SLR in so-called "run and gun" or live events.
 
Barry_Green said:
DSLRs have provided a "look" that you couldn't really get any other way. They're cheap, they're small, they can be mounted anywhere, if one falls off and breaks it's no big deal, you just get another one...

But they're not taking over the industry, and the industry isn't moving "full speed" to their use. They're used for specific purposes. There are those who will differ, but I think that the DSLR will never be adopted for mainstream A-camera production. With the AF100, the F3, and the new Sony NXCAM middle of next year, there are going to be plenty of alternatives that offer everything good about the DSLR, with none of the drawbacks. I expect those products to make significant inroads.

No doubt DSLRs have shown up in all sorts of places that very few could have predicted, that's for sure! A camera car is a fairly ideal place for them, as they're so small that you can mount multiple units and the results don't take up two lanes worth of space.
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could not have been better said; all our HDSLR's are disposable or 'impossible angle' cameras such as low light. they are usually all B-roll or mounted in places where they could be easily demolished (such as track cars), and in comparison to our (ancient by comparison) XH A1 cameras, they are NOT the tools of even a semi-pro. there are no even semi-pro monitoring systems integrated into them, and audio is never used. actually the last 2 house shoots we shot, i used a T2i for video and an XH A1 recording as B-roll (zoomed in to speaker) with 2 mics on XLR for audio capture; we used the T2i video and XH A1 XLR captured audio.

i have to admit they are convenient for tight spaces, shallow DOF shots, and low light situations, but they are NOT a replacement for a serious endeavor.
 
Thank you Barry. I appreciate your insight, (and your book btw). Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me understand.
 
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