Switch to 5d mk 2 from hmc150?

G

GRIMWORX

Well-known member
Hey guys

Ive only fairly recently bought my hmc 150 camera. However - the shots I'm seeing from the 5d mk2 is blowing my mind just a little bit.

Is it worth making the switch now? Or given the rate that this technology seems to be moving, should I hold onto my hmc150 for the time being and see what else arises in the future?

Btw - what format does the 5d mk2 record in? My pc can handle staight up avchd fine, would I experience any problems with it?


Cheers
 
Depends what you want to do and if you're willing to sacrifice some of the niceties of a video camera for an HDSLR.

The 5D can produce gorgeous images...no doubt. But, beyond the price of the body, you've got to buy nice glass (not cheap) as well as outfit it with some sort of stabilization rig if you're planning on doing any hand-held shots. Plus, no professional audio. So, if you need to record audio you need a proper field recorder.

Really, it's weighing pros and cons. Personally, i'd keep the HMC. And, pickup a 550d for a lot cheaper to act as your B-CAM. Then, you have the best of both worlds.

In terms of codec,,,

5d shoots to h.264. Most likely you'd want to transcode for editing. On a PC that's something like Cineform for Avid's DNxHD. Pro Res on a FCP setup.

Then, again, I transcode my HMC-150 AVCHD footage. So, I'm a fan of trans-coding to more stable formats just in general.
 
Switch.

Personally, I have both Canon DSLRs (too many of them) and a Panasonic camcorder. I find myself only reaching for the traditional camcorder format when in a run-and-gun situation, or when I absolutely have to have quality on-board audio fed to camera.

For more controlled situations, the 5DII and 7D have become my tool of choice, and though there are hoops to jump through in terms of audio-syncing and footage transcoding, they're worth it.

It sounds like you already have had an emotional "response" to the look of the large-sensor/shallow-DOF footage. Once you have that, it's hard to talk yourself out of switching. Believe me, I've been there.

For music videos and short films, I think the DSLR is the way to go.
 
Stephen Mick said:
Switch.

Personally, I have both Canon DSLRs (too many of them) and a Panasonic camcorder. I find myself only reaching for the traditional camcorder format when in a run-and-gun situation, or when I absolutely have to have quality on-board audio fed to camera.

For more controlled situations, the 5DII and 7D have become my tool of choice, and though there are hoops to jump through in terms of audio-syncing and footage transcoding, they're worth it.

It sounds like you already have had an emotional "response" to the look of the large-sensor/shallow-DOF footage. Once you have that, it's hard to talk yourself out of switching. Believe me, I've been there.

For music videos and short films, I think the DSLR is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Do you not think its worth waiting for whatever happens 'next'? Seems like within short spaces of time there could be something round the corner worth waiting for? Sure this is kind of always the case, but you know what I mean...

Also, ive never shot with a dlsr, and seem to be struggling to find out info about them

1. What mode does it shoot in? Ive got a high spec comp that can handle my avchd just fine...

2. Is there ANY audio on the camera? I can plug a k6 in no worries, but dont usually bother for music videos which is my main bulk of work, but just good enough to hear a vocal line or click track would be all I need from the on board camera mic?

3. I would go for a small shoulder mount, viewfinder/external monitor, and follow focus + a 50mm lens just to get me started. Is there ANYTHING else you recommend to get me off the ground?


Cheers
 
You can always wait for what's "next," but you'd never buy a camera. There's always something new, announced or in development. If you need the tool now, buy what's out now.

As far as your specific questions, read through the Canon and GH1 forums here to learn as much as you can.

But…

1. All DSLRs shoot in some flavor of AVCHD that should (generally) be transcoded before editing.

2. Yes, there is audio on-board, and I've even used it in a pinch. But if you're shooting shorts and music videos, a separate sound recorder (preferably operated by a professional) is the way to go. Use the DSLR audio track to sync your pro audio and you're good to go.

3. All of these things depend on how/what you're shooting. For films/shorts, an external monitor is key. For handheld stuff and music videos, you'll likely want a shoulder mount, but only you can determine what you need.

Personally, I'd start with a DSLR, a fast zoom lens with wide range (17-50 f2.8 or similar), and a monitor (SmallHD or similar). Don't buy more than you need to get started.


--SM
 
Id want something that could do a 'group' shot and a medium- medium close. Would that lens give me both, or do I really need to get a couple of lenses.

Id most definately have to sell the hmc to afford it, and its less than a year old! But I cannot get the mk2 shots out of my head, they are EXACTLY what I want.

151 is a good cam, but its just no hitting the mark for what im after.

Would you not suggest a follow focus is needed? I can imagine it being incredibly fiddly to focus on the end of the lens.
 
ps

I tend to shoot 720p at 25fp and 50fps for slowmo/overcranking usually at 1/60 shutter

Is all this or similar available on this cam? And yes im european!
 
GRIMWORX said:
Do you not think its worth waiting for whatever happens 'next'?
Click to expand...

If I were you, I'd get either the new 50D or the 7D with the kit zoom lens. The 5D mk2 is due for a refresh very soon which will fix many of it's notable shortcomings.

However, if you have gigs that require crazy shallow depth of field, go for the 5D now.

Both of these cams (7D, 5D) are fantastic for music videos and shorts. You will not ever reach for you Panny again unless you are doing true run-n-gun, or have projects that push the limits of the DSLRs.

Cheers,
Paul
 
GRIMWORX said:
ps

I tend to shoot 720p at 25fp and 50fps for slowmo/overcranking usually at 1/60 shutter

Is all this or similar available on this cam? And yes im european!
Click to expand...

I'm about to buy the 5D2 and the 7D but for different reasons. The 5D2 does not support 720 in any flavour, so you're stuck with 1080/25p.

The 7D supports both 1080/20p and 720/25p & 50p so that would be the one to go for in terms of easy slo-mo / over cranking.
 
I own both the HMC and a Canon 7d. I would not dream of not have the hmc because sometimes..you just need a video camera..and one that wont over heat....when u need it most.
 
Skilled said:
I own both the HMC and a Canon 7d. I would not dream of not have the hmc because sometimes..you just need a video camera..and one that wont over heat....when u need it most.
Click to expand...


Yeah, it really is all about what you shoot. This person started out the thread saying he shoots music videos and short films. Unless the short films are documentaries with long interviews, overheating is not a problem. The only thing I use small video cams for now are the very occational live performance gig.
 
GRIMWORX said:
ps

I tend to shoot 720p at 25fp and 50fps for slowmo/overcranking usually at 1/60 shutter

Is all this or similar available on this cam? And yes im european!
Click to expand...

It's available on the 7D, the T2i, and the 60D. However the image quality in the 720p modes is quite poor. Inferior to the HMC-150 by far. Very soft, lots of aliasing, poor downscaling...no where near a full 720p in resolved resolution. The same is true of the 1080p but it holds up better, but the 720p can be pretty atrocious.
 
Exact said:
I'm about to buy the 5D2 and the 7D but for different reasons. The 5D2 does not support 720 in any flavour, so you're stuck with 1080/25p.

The 7D supports both 1080/20p and 720/25p & 50p so that would be the one to go for in terms of easy slo-mo / over cranking.
Click to expand...

7D has 1080/24[25]p. What are you thinking of that does 1080/20p, the T1i (500d?)
 
Paul Nordin said:
If I were you, I'd get either the new 50D or the 7D with the kit zoom lens. The 5D mk2 is due for a refresh very soon which will fix many of it's notable shortcomings.

However, if you have gigs that require crazy shallow depth of field, go for the 5D now.

Both of these cams (7D, 5D) are fantastic for music videos and shorts. You will not ever reach for you Panny again unless you are doing true run-n-gun, or have projects that push the limits of the DSLRs.

Cheers,
Paul
Click to expand...

Still, saying that you should get the 7D over the 5D because the 5D is due for a refresh is like saying you should get the lower-end 2010 car over the higher-end 2010 car...they're BOTH due for a refresh...but one is the higher end camera. I say this because even though the 5D has been out longer and is more likely to be refreshed first they're both basically the same generation in terms of video, and a 5D mk III won't make your 7D any better any more than it will make your 5D mk II better, so you might as well get the best camera that's available now, which is, IMO, the 5D (at least from the Canon line. I do like me some GH1.)
 
I recently sold my hmc150 and used the money to buy a 5d. It was pretty much an even trade in terms of price but I must say I am loving the 5d mark ii. The video is great, and I have found a new enjoyment for taking photos. If you buy the 5d kit, be sure to pick up the 50mm 1.8 lens.

Also, get a zoom h4n. Have fun and you are going to love the 5d.
 
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Ben_B said:
Still, saying that you should get the 7D over the 5D because the 5D is due for a refresh is like saying you should get the lower-end 2010 car over the higher-end 2010 car...they're BOTH due for a refresh...
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This is all true. However, if I were going to buy both now, I might wait a week to see what happens at IBC before getting a 5D. Or, if I just can't wait, I'd look for a used 5D for something now. I seriously doubt the 7D will be updated any time soon. And the 7D has usable output while recording if you use an on-board monitor (a big benefit in my book).
 
7d is a nice camera but from the way the video on the 5d looks, the 7d is not the same. I think if another 5d were going to come out, they woukd of released it at the same time as the 60d. I just got a 5d and I am enjoying it, I have an external monitor and he sown convert to standard def is annoying but I rather have a zfinder anyway so I could use it outside.
 
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