So, what upcoming DSLR should I hold out for?

MatthewC

MatthewC

Well-known member
I currently own a Panasonic HPX-170 with a Letus Extreme. I need something smaller and easier to carry around when I don't want 30+ of gear on me.

I've been looking at cameras and have a few questions. It seems the 7D is the most popular choice, but I like how the Panasonic GH2 seems to have less moire/aliasing problems. I've read about the Nikon D300 and while nice it still has the moire issues. I don't like restricting what I can shoot with my DSLR, so it's a big deal to me, is it that bad to deal with in post?

How is the video quality comparison between the two? Are the options better for one or the other? Is there a GH3 coming I should wait for, or a 7D Mark 2? Some other camera even better? Really, I'm gong to dabble on the photography side but this is mostly going to be used for shorts, documentaries, etc. and the better options and video quality attract me. How is cutting GH2 footage with HPX170 footage?

Any thoughts about upcoming cameras is definitely appreciated.
 
Wait for the 1ds Mk9 5k raw, or the nikon D8, 6k raw, maybe pick up a used Scarlet - all options if you hold out long enough

Or just understand that these are disposable items, there is no time that is the right time

All I would do is steer clear of expensive cameras (D3s, 1DS) that dont do what you want

I shot professional still for years on a set of compromised nikons D100, D70, D80,

I got rid of each camera after only a year, but at least I didnt make the same depreciations losses that my nikon D1 buddies where facing

So T2i or GH2 IMO

S
 
of course, a GH3 will come, and then a GH4, or something that we could identify as one

but we don't know how long that will take, so get the camera you need when you need it
 
Yeah, don't wait. If you're using the camera to make money, you have to also think in terms of the fact that you may be losing money now because you don't have that camera. All of the cameras out now are more than capable of doing what you need to do. I have the 5dmkII and the 60d, also a T1i sitting around. Personally, since I purchased the 60d, I don't know how much I will be using either of my other cameras. I do some photo stuff, 60d is more than adequte and I love the flip out screen. I didn't realize what I was missing but it makes life much easier. As soon as the next thing comes out, something else will be on the horizon. And if you decided to upgrade at that time, whatever camera you have now should still be worth something to somebody if you take care of it.

Another option, you could buy a used one and test the waters, that way initially you're not out as much...
 
there is ALWAYS something bigger and better around the corner. as others have said. get what you need, when you need it. make money then buy the next thing.

im like you. im a 170 owner. i sold off my brevis and nikon rig with the intent of getting a 5D. but once i got my hands on one i didnt care for it. and the moire thing was just too much to handle.
its not as good a stills cam as a 5D/7D but im going with the GH2 because it will do what i need it to do.
 
True, there's always something better coming down the line, and generally I am one of those who say don't wait - but I for one am waiting. It's pretty clear that Canon is going to intro something new soon. Depending on which Canon Rumor headline you want to believe, it might be announced as early as March. I've given up on Nikon bringing anything truly revolutionary to market, but you never know.

Panny seems pretty well settled for the year what with the GH2, so if that's your brand I wouldn't wait. Otherwise, lets see if Canon shakes up the DSLR world again, or if it takes a mere side step.
 
Look a t Cf cards - my first one was 128mb, then 500mb, etc its taken 5-8 years to get up to a few gig - for cameras to really improve they need bigger faster engines - it wont happen quickly

while technology is racing there is no reason to think any furture sub $2k cam will be any more thean incrementally better than the current crop

T2i $500, that smokes a 2008 EX1, that smokes a $40k betacam (from a indy film perspective) - that already totally amazing

even if you trade it for $200 in three months you had the cheapest camera rental ever in the history of motion pictures

What do you want - paying by canon to use their camera?

We might get an Alexi basher for $20k in a year- Id stop ant think about buying $80k for an Alexi, but we wont get a 5d basher for $400 for five years

IMO
 
Look, this question comes up all the time, and without fail, someone will answer with the "you can wait forever, there's always something better on the horizon" thing... because it's true.

BUT...

You have to admit that there are better time to buy than others. Buying a T1i a week before the T2i would've been pretty silly. Buying a GH1 when the GH2 loomed over the corner is probably also pretty silly. Having said that, I think the real question is: do you have a use for the camera you want NOW? If you're shooting with your HPX/Letus and a DSLR is just a nice to have, then now is probably not that great of a time to be spending $500 for a cage made for a 5D. On the other hand, if you have a use for a HDSLR immediately, then just buy used, you'll "lose" a couple of hundred dollars at most when you resell it. Just consider it a long term rental and you'll be okay.

If you want a specific suggestion, the 60D, I think, is the way to go. D7000 also seems pretty interesting.
 
Unless you live in PAL land. Isn't it great? No agonising over whether to get a GH2 or a 60D here.
 
For me it will be gh2 and then I will see about the Sony NXCAM s35 with the sensor of the F3 in a very small form factor at about $ 6000, middle of this year. If it has the base image characteristic of the F3 in terms of Dynamic range, low light etc with the 10 bit uncompressed output I see it as an end. What I mean is that it will be plenty enough that it won't be the technology the limiting factor but my skill. I am a bit fed up always searching and waiting for the camera to come, that won't have any of the dslr flaws (moire, aliasing, codec, etc) and all their benefit (large sensor camera at affordable price . The af-100 could have been it, but I think the video division mess it up by using the same look as there ENG video camera. The dynamic range in particular is not very appealing at all, making the images very videoiiii look.

Note. The gh2 already is a big set-up towards a proper implementation of an affordable large sensor camera. I think that nobody has the excuse of waiting indefinitely for the next best thing because it is really near being the perfect camera for 99% of people.
 
MatthewC said:
So, what upcoming DSLR should I hold out for?
Click to expand...

none

truth in ya face: it's very very very very unlikely we'll see what we are hoping to see. Why? Well... think about it for a second.....................

Canon fo sure will pull out a AF100-isch camera soon. You could wait for that, but then again, it's the neverending waiting game anyway, just go out and shoot. Only thing I would actually bother waiting for would be Scarlet, but it's kinda not coming and when it does it will be too expensive, so yeah... there u have it.
 
Don't wait around for the Scarlet. People were waiting around for that this time last year, and since then it's been totally redesigned, the price went up, and it's still not out.

If you're going to get into DSLR filmmaking, realize that the camera bodies are a depreciating asset, while a good set of lenses will hold their value.

I ended up getting a T2i, and I'm now putting together a set of manual Nikkor prime lenses. While the lenses and the camera cost about the same, in five or ten years only the lenses will still be worth anything. At that point, I'll have whatever the new camera is (preferably something with an APS-C / Super 35mm sized sensor) and I'll still be using the lenses.
 
I owned a Canon 60D for a few months, but I could not live with the moire this camera produced when shooting video, so in December I switched to the Panasonic GH-2, and I am more or less happy with the GH-2. ( the Canon was a better still photo camera, but GH-2 is the DSLR camera to buy for video )

I also expect to buy an AF-100 later this year, so all my GH-2 lenses are a perfect match for the AF-100, and then my GH-2 will become a B-camera.
 
There is a new dslr coming! Very beautful! In 6 months you will find them everywhere. Its called GH2. Lol!
 
I'm also a HPX170 owner, well, seller, I made the decision that a DSLR far exceeds my needs for the HPX170. I'm planning on moving toward the 60D with a nice rig set to do everything I need it to do.

The 60D has the same processor as the 7D so you are getting the same image. One big difference in the 7D is that it has dual Digic-4 processors, so it can handle low light a bit better, and that it shoots at a fast still rate. Not really a big enough difference for me. Sure it has the Magnesium body, I wish they would of done that for the 60D.

But I digress, Depending on your budget, you might want to spend below a grand on the camera and spend the rest either on a nice lens or shoulder rig. Here's my break down of what I plan on buying once the HPX sells.

Tascam Dr100
Ikan Shoulder rig
Ikan Friction follow focus
Canon 60D (kit lens 18-200mm)
Canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM

all priced right around $2600. I should actually make some money from the transition.

The HPX served me well, but a DSLR more fits my needs.
 
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