Should I go for 4k?

T

Th3RadMan

Member
I was going to start producing semi-pro to pro level shorts for youtube. I was looking at either getting a dslr or a 4k camcorder

I was looking at the Canon 70d for the dslr and the sony FDR-AX1

I like the dslr because you have the freedom of compatible gear, but it would be nice being able to shoot 4k. Maybe I could even choose the black magic production camera because that one seems decent, even though it shoots 30fps compared to the sony's 60

What are your thoughts?​
 
Wait for the Sony FDR-AX100, shipping end of March. It's much less expensive than the AX1 and every indications are that the image quality is superior (much better sensor).
 
noirist said:
Wait for the Sony FDR-AX100, shipping end of March. It's much less expensive than the AX1 and every indications are that the image quality is superior (much better sensor).
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This, if you absolutely feel the need to shoot in 4K. Since the AX100 is only $2,000 (and that's a damn good price for a 4K camera), why not get both?
But I'd start off with the Canon 70D, mush as I dislike shooting video with DSLRs. Too many compromises and work-arounds compared to, say, an FS100.

And if you still prefer a DSLR, Panasonic will eventually market a 4K DSLR they displayed at CES, maybe released by NAB, who knows?
 
Correct me, anyone, if I am wrong, but it seems to me your decision would be simplified if you could sort out the following


1 Why 4K ? It is because you have clients who want 4K or are you trying to future proof your selection? Remember, the manfacturers are now trying to push 8K

2.Why the choice between a dslr and a camcorder? Both do what they do well and are not so good substituting for each other

Personally, I would not go for 30 fps, you will miss what 60fps camcorders are able to do.

I would not go for a camcorder that does not have a decent zoom. i.e. 15 x or more.

The camcorder is one item to worry about - what you pick is less important than 1) what you learn re how to use it, 2) what lighting system you get and 3) the sound you input to the camcorder.

A bad video with good lighting and good sound is better that a good video with bad lighting and/or bad sound.

I would not go for AX100. The AX1 has a lot more versatility - finance it over 3 years and you will not care about the extra cost. It's very difficult to get steady recordings with a small recorder like the AX100.

Tell us more about what kind of recordings you expect to do, maybe we can help.

I have days when I feel I should have picked a shoulder mount over the AG-AC160 that I continue to regard as a fantastic camera. No way I want to change lenses in the field under dusty conditions. The negative of my AG AC160 A is it hunts under auto focus but I never put anything to auto, for me this is not a negative.

The other thing is whatever you buy, as you drive away a truck is rolling up to the back door of the store with a newer, better, less expensive piece of equipment.

If you watch sports, you can see where the technology is at with the "travelling" camcorders - I predict you will soon be able to lasso a section of your viewfinder screen and have the camera auto-adjust focus, zoom and iris and take you to the target over the arc you select
 
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Th3RadMan said:
I was going to start producing semi-pro to pro level shorts for youtube. I was looking at either getting a dslr or a 4k camcorder

I was looking at the Canon 70d for the dslr and the sony FDR-AX1

I like the dslr because you have the freedom of compatible gear, but it would be nice being able to shoot 4k. Maybe I could even choose the black magic production camera because that one seems decent, even though it shoots 30fps compared to the sony's 60

What are your thoughts?​
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The first thing you should do when contemplating professional work, is a business assessment and business plan.

Do you need a 4K camera?

Ask your prospective clients, not an internet forum.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
What does your business model say? If you don't have one, get one of those first before any camera.

Can you afford not only the camera, but also the computer horsepower necessary for post work with the expected income it brings? Is the media you're creating aided by ultimate image detail and resolution, or is it just talking heads, comedy sketches, or plot-driven narrative? Can you expect increased business due to your 4Kapability? (man, I just made myself groan with that one...)?

Of course if this is just a lark and a hobby, then heck, buy whatever you ding dong diddly like.
 
Everything above and if you are gungho for 4K the new GH4 will be a dslr with 4k and maybe it will even have higher framerates at 1080
 
This is not my usual realm, but I would say unless you fully understand what 4K is, how it is achieved, etc etc... I would steer clear.

I always prefer to get the last of the previous generation than the first of the new one.

I don't know the specifics of the new 4K camcorders but I would suspect they are about as "4K" as my old Sony HDV cameras were "HD" - that is to say, not at all.

If you're making dramatic shorts, I'd say the DSLR route could be more appropriate (I'm not a fan of them, but this is the kind of stuff they're good for). Alternatively, if you have the possibility of doing corporate or events work, you would be better served by the camcorder because there are certain limitations with a DSLR.

I guess you could look at some people who are doing the stuff you want to do and see what they're shooting with?
 
Th3RadMan said:
I was going to start producing semi-pro to pro level shorts for youtube.
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I don't know what a "pro level short" on YouTube is. Does that mean that the cat gets her own trailer? Are you somehow expecting that YouTube will pay you to produce content that they didn't commission?
 
arniepix said:
I don't know what a "pro level short" on YouTube is. Does that mean that the cat gets her own trailer? Are you somehow expecting that YouTube will pay you to produce content that they didn't commission?
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Probably means better quality than the usual garbage uploaded on youtube.
 
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