sell my hmc150 for a 7d????

All this being said, I firmly believe that if Panasonic took the HMC150, replaced the lens with a functioning (i.e. full zoom/iris/focus controls) Nikon mount and replaced the chips with a 35mm chip that doesn't overheat, and charged around $5k for it, they would make a killing. Do the same thing with the HPX170, add AVC-Intra, and charged $6,500, they would clean house in the sub $10k market. But who knows if that would ever happen. Probably not in the next few years at least.
 
TheDingo said:
Yes, just look at the "horrible" work shot by Dan Chung with the T2i camera...

Dan Chung filming China’s migrant children using the Canon 550D / T2i
http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/category/canon-550d-t2i/

...My opinion is to keep your HMC150 as it is a work-horse for standard video projects ( i.e. You should be able to make money with it ), and start saving up for a T2i body to have as an alternative camera. You can always rent or borrow Canon lenses once you at least have the DSLR body in your kit.
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Clearly u didnt read all of my post...i said for STILLS...as the OP said he wanted to get into still photography also. We all already know the 7d and T2i are almost identical when it comes to video.

I 2 would say keep the hmc and save for a dslr. make the hmc work for you to pay for ur dslr. I;d say go for the t2i, even though its no 7d for stills...i;m sure its good enough.
 
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The T2i and the 7D still image quality should be the same right? I mean, its a very, very similar 18MP sensor. The 7D will just be faster.

Anyway, the dealbreaker for a DSLR for me was handling. Handling on a tradtional camcorder like the HMC150 vs the T2i or the 7D is completely different. Handling on a DSLR is designed for photography vs the HMC's handling, which is naturally focused on video. Everything just feels more balanced on the HMC.
 
thanks for the advice guys, i already have 2 jobs actually haha i just spend alot of my money on... other things haha.


anyways i film snowboard and rollerblading like the edit below. but i feel like the ti wouldent be a bad idea at all, it'll just take a bit to save up for, but no worries. yeah i use it for mainly action sports but im pretty good and focusing and whatnot on the spot, so yeah. more advice?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw7dTXjIFrY
 
IMO Keep the hmc... I think you will have a lot more problems with jello and stabilizing/focusing a slr when using it for xtreme sports :)

I haven't done snowboards - but spend a lot of time filming blades on blades...
 
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MadHMC150 said:
IMO Keep the hmc... I think you will have a lot more problems with jello and stabilizing/focusing a slr when using it for xtreme sports :)

I haven't done snowboards - but spend a lot of time filming blades on blades...
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really?!?!?! me too, look at my other videos! its awsome to see other rollerbladers on here, rollerblading and snowboard is what i mainly shoot.

the conclusion i've come to is i'm going to keep the HMC and save for a T2i for shallow dof, pictures, etc
 
True, I did the same thing a while back with the T1i , which i found out the hard way is not strong enough for my needs... sold it for the GH1 about a week before the t2i came out. I am glad I didn't have to wrestle with the t2i / GH1 debate when I was in the market to buy :).
 
jambredz said:
Clearly u didnt read all of my post...i said for STILLS...as the OP said he wanted to get into still photography also. We all already know the 7d and T2i are almost identical when it comes to video.
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I did read your post, and the differences between the 7D and the T2i for still photography only come into play if you are a working professional that might benefit from the ruggedness and extra features of the 7D. ( BTW, I've been shooting stills professionally for more than 20 years, mostly studio and corporate location work )

Here's a review that contrasts the T2i against the 7D, which should help deciding if you need the extras found in the 7D:

An In-Depth Comparison of the Canon Rebel T2i and Canon EOS 7D
http://www.cameratown.com/reviews/canont2i_vs_7d/index.cfm
 
I just recently sold my HMC for a 7D and I am more than happy. Yes it is a bit more difficult to do doc work with but it is not impossible. And you could even do some short events with it, I have and it worked fine with no overheating. The real reason I made the change was because I am also a photographer and the combination of both video and stills that imo are prof grade I could not ignore. Now that being said I do miss certain things from my HMC, but when I need a dedicated video camera I just borrow one from work!

Now to your question I would stay with the hmc and get a SLR on the side and not a t2i but a D90 it is a much better stills camera. However if you want the video too then I guess the rebel would be the choice. Also think about buying used for an SLR you can get some good deals.
 
Much of what I think on this has already been said, but would add to the pile on by saying that these are both tools, made for different types of work. As big a difference as the tool you would use for house framing from fine finish cabinet making.

You could probably get gigs among your friends and their families, etc. for special family and business events, put the word out through your friends, and lots of other 'event work' around your area by using the 150 for long running event videography, something the DSLR is not suited for, at this time. Once you get a DSLR you can use it when you need 'that look'. It's really all about using the right tool for the right job. If stills are primarily your game, with short burst video clips, then the DSLR might be the right tool. If you want to produce longer running video with great audio, then continue to invest in the 150 toolset, including getting great mics, lavs, maybe a pre-amp, and the editing bed tools to make it fly.

However, check out the video done recently by this guy on our board with a 150. This is a great example, IMHO, of creativity making a better product than just the tool. It could have been shot with just about any old camera. I think it's just a fun piece of work. Best of luck to you

[FONT=Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSJRbCBXejU


 [/FONT]
 
Mike Harvey said:
All this being said, I firmly believe that if Panasonic took the HMC150, replaced the lens with a functioning (i.e. full zoom/iris/focus controls) Nikon mount and replaced the chips with a 35mm chip that doesn't overheat, and charged around $5k for it, they would make a killing. Do the same thing with the HPX170, add AVC-Intra, and charged $6,500, they would clean house in the sub $10k market. But who knows if that would ever happen. Probably not in the next few years at least.
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I've been thinking the same. I'm sure a large chip lower cost camera must be on Panasonic's radar. There is certainly a market and demand for such a camera.
 
Bucknfl said:
I've been thinking the same. I'm sure a large chip lower cost camera must be on Panasonic's radar. There is certainly a market and demand for such a camera.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't even need to be a full 35mm chip... just pop the GH1's in there. I was just looking at some GH1 footage on Vimeo and... dang. I can't imagine it would be expensive to do.
 
HMC150 or DSLR

HMC150 or DSLR

Here's my take on the subject.

First, do not buy a DOF Adapter - the images are simply too soft. If shallow depth of field is necessary for the majority of your projects then you should get the 7D (Two T2i's would be better than one 7D because of the overheating issue).

Second, if you cannot afford the necessary ancillary gear to get the job done right using a DSLR (such as follow focus, JuicedLink CX231 & DN101, Shotgun Mic, RedRock Shoulder Mount, etc) then the HMC150 would be more appropriate.

Third, if you're going to be making money with whichever camera - choose the one that will make money the quickest so you can re-invest in the other gear you still need.

I've done one live show using the 5D (and it didn't go so well). To many "out of focus" moments (although the shots that were in focus looked great).

For Music Videos, TV Commercials, EPK's, short films - DSLRs are the way to go for sure.

I've spent a crapload on accessories for my 5DMKII just to get it to perform like a video camera, but unfortunately I'm realizing that I still have to spend a lot more...

Here's a rundown of the obstacles you'll face.

AUDIO:
On the 5D at least I have manual audio levels (finally), not so on the T2i/7D -- You'll need the JuicedLink CX231/DN101 mentioned above to get prisitine audio into a 7D along with a shotgun mic.
NO HEADPHONE JACK - even with the above you have to rig up some awkward way to monitor your audio. An alternative is the Zoom H4N and sync it up in post.

LCD/Viewfinder --- I bought a Zacuto ZFinder V2 to be able to focus on the 5D Mark II. Yes you can use the 10x zoom function on the LCD screen to focus (prior to recording), but once you start recording it's near impossible to focus on the fly using the LCD screen on the camera. You have to spend money for the Zacutto or a portable monitor. And even then you're not approaching the ease of using the HMC's viewfinder/LCD (which can angle)

SHOULDER MOUNT - Holding a 5D steady is impossible without some sort of support. I bought a Redrock Shoulder Mount Deluxe for $395 just to make the 5D almost as easy to hold as the HMC, but in reality I spent another $300 on gizmos to raise the camera up/shift it left so the Zacutto Z-finder lines up with my eye.

And with all of this I pull out my Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS Lens and GULP/// it's near impossible to get it onto my RedRock setup because you have to mount that lens by the lens tripod holder which is at a completely different height and location than my 5D/Zacutto Z-finder.

FOLLOW FOCUS - Now after spending thousands on accessories I'm tapped out and I've come to the realization that I am going to have to buy a follow focus unit. The Cinevate Durus unit looks nice, but it will run me another $1,500.

I've become a 5D crack addict, always pouring all of my resources into trying to chase a dream.

If you're just playing around or experimenting then you don't necessarily have to buy a lot of accessories, but if you're trying to get professional work using a 5D/7D/T2i then, you'll become a 5D crack addict like myself and sell yourself onto skid row trying to keep up with the never ending list of things necessary to get it to perform like a traditional video camera.

HELP HELP HELP!

I need to enroll in "5D Anonymous"
 
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BobbyinHollywood said:
Here's my take on the subject.

First, do not buy a DOF Adapter - the images are simply too soft. If shallow depth of field is necessary for the majority of your projects then you should get the 7D (Two T2i's would be better than one 7D because of the overheating issue).
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I won't argue that an adapter results in loss of sharpness, but I've seen plenty of stuff shot with an adapter that looks plenty sharp and has gorgeous bokeh. Are they on their way out? Yeah. But, they're still capable of producing gorgeous images as well.
 
Mike Harvey said:
It wouldn't even need to be a full 35mm chip... just pop the GH1's in there. I was just looking at some GH1 footage on Vimeo and... dang. I can't imagine it would be expensive to do.
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I can't see canon or panasonic bringing out a camcorder with so many bodges and compromises as this device.

A DSLR that shoots video is one thing, the users expect compromises and are willing to put up with them in the knowledge that video is not the primary function of the camera. But if they bring out a large sensor video camera, then surely they would want to do it properly, which means something like the Red Scarlet (without the raw codec and with less modularity) with a selection of purpose designed lenses (possibly including a motorised zoom).
 
Sorry if this is a repeat post - but this is an interesting comparison between DSLR camera types (and film). I had been considering getting a GH1 as a low light / shallow DOF camera to accompany the HMCs, but now I'm not so sure. It's didn't hold up so well as the 7D.

http://www.zacuto.com/shootout
 
Justyn said:
I love the 7D and have shot a lot with it over the past couple of weeks but man there's a few more things that really suck about it.

The camera will overheat on you like it has on me and then you have to set it down and let it cool down for 15 minutes. This happens on all long interview shoots and shoots that are just rapid fire productions....

The workflow is a bit more of a PITA..

The lack of real video controls like zebras and WFM and other monitoring.

Finally.. The audio sucks and you'd need to get an external recorder......

The 7d and other DSLRs are niche speciality cameras... They would be perfect music video camcorders but horrible run and gun shooters and terrible for longform docs and events that you need to roll and roll.

cheers and enjoy the diversity but don't give up the 150 unless you are doing purely cinematic short run shoots or music videos.. If you do or want to do other things then the 150 is a gem.... All that comes from a guy who's totally buying something cause it can give you the dof you want that you can't get from the stock 150.
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Totally agreed.

I come from the other side of the camp, actually. I am mainly a SLR still photographer who has a need for video for selected events. I find that even the fabled 5DMk2 doesn't cut it for run and gun and events. The audio AGC resulted in truly horrible sound, no XLR, no pro video controls, no rotating screen, and the worst part: absolutely horrible ergonomics. It was becoming literally impossible to hold steady at arms length with a bigger lens, plus hotshoe mikes tend to slam into your face when you try to use the optical viewfinder in still mode. I came over to the HMC camp because of all of the above. And back then, absolutely no manual controls, although this has been remedied by new firmware.

It's an absolutely magnificent still DSLR and you would still have to pry it from my hands, but it's not a video camera that suits what I need it to do.

Buy the camera that does what you do most often. If you mainly need a video camera, buy a HMC. If you mainly need a still camera, buy a Canon.
 
studio1972 said:
I can't see canon or panasonic bringing out a camcorder with so many bodges and compromises as this device.

A DSLR that shoots video is one thing, the users expect compromises and are willing to put up with them in the knowledge that video is not the primary function of the camera. But if they bring out a large sensor video camera, then surely they would want to do it properly, which means something like the Red Scarlet (without the raw codec and with less modularity) with a selection of purpose designed lenses (possibly including a motorised zoom).
Click to expand...

That is exactly the camera I'm thinking of... Scarlet-ish without the RAW codec or the modularity. Frankly, even if it were an attached lens instead of just the mount a lot of folks would be happy.
 
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