To buy or not to buy?

E

Evan Hansel

Member
I have recently been searching for a new camera. I own a Canon Vixia HF M30 which just doesn't seem to do the job anymore. Now I really like some of the videos I see using DSLR cameras.

I can't afford anything crazy expensive, that is why the GH2 looks very good to me. I am simply wondering what everyone else thinks. Is there any comparison between a camcorder and the GH2 at this price range?

Only thing I am really worried about it is stabilization and focusing. I plan to be shooting a lot of 'action' stuff like maybe Hockey and Snowboarding.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.
 
The biggest comparison would have to do with ergonomics and such. To shoot with a DSLR handheld, you really must have a shoulder rig of some sort. That is, something to hold onto that will help stabilize the camera both by increasing mass and size, preferably with a top handle.

Trying to hand hold a 2 pound camera shaped like a DSLR results in generally awful shaky footage since every tiny little movement is seen in the footage.

Secondly, focus might be a ***** for you unless you plan on using a very wide lens and having enough depth of field to cover the range you're shooting in (not hard outdoors, especially in the winter).
 
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Thank you for the reply.

So really if I were to get a DSLR I should have some sort of shoulder mount as well? Are there any that you would recommend or any alternatives to a shoulder mount? Like a flycam or something, just trying to save some money since that was the idea behind the DSLR.

I do plan on buying a wider angle lens with the camera.
 
I use a $30 silk mini-pro III with a cheap QR fluid head as a shoulder brace - works great and doubles as a low angle tripod.
 
Evan Hansel said:
So really if I were to get a DSLR I should have some sort of shoulder mount as well? Are there any that you would recommend or any alternatives to a shoulder mount?
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Really, anything with some grips or handles on it would be huge. For what you're talking about, I'd think a top handle would be crucial.

Something like this (as far as I can tell) would be decent on a budget:

http://dslrhandle.com/
 
Oh alright, so really anything other than holding the actual camera itself in that awkward position is better.

So pairing a camera, the handle or tripod and a wide angle lens would be the basics I need? This would give me a better bang for the buck than a Camcorder?

For a while I was also looking at the HMC40 etc.

Any thoughts on that?

Thank you for the help.
 
Evan Hansel said:
Oh alright, so really anything other than holding the actual camera itself in that awkward position is better.
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Even using the Canon strap around the back of your neck and pressing the camera out in front of you will help reduce camera movement. A mono-pod is a good attachment to add for mas, size and something to grip. Pretty much anything you attach adding weight will help.
 
Evan Hansel said:
So pairing a camera, the handle or tripod and a wide angle lens would be the basics I need? This would give me a better bang for the buck than a Camcorder?

For a while I was also looking at the HMC40 etc.
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Not sure about "more bang". If I were you, I'd look at as much online work as you can find shot with the GH2 and HMC40 and then decide after comparing features of each of these cameras. If all (or most of what) you want to do is shoot sports and "action", then the GH2 is probably fine with a few accessories. The HMC40 is more usable as a video camera right out of the box, for sure.
 
ROCKMORE said:
Even using the Canon strap around the back of your neck and pressing the camera out in front of you will help reduce camera movement. A mono-pod is a good attachment to add for mas, size and something to grip. Pretty much anything you attach adding weight will help.
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Alright thank you. Point taken

Chris Santucci said:
Not sure about "more bang". If I were you, I'd look at as much online work as you can find shot with the GH2 and HMC40 and then decide after comparing features of each of these cameras. If all (or most of what) you want to do is shoot sports and "action", then the GH2 is probably fine with a few accessories. The HMC40 is more usable as a video camera right out of the box, for sure.
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I have done quite a bit of searching around on the internet. I like the footage that has been taken with the HMC40 however it is a bit more expensive than the GH2 and the GH2 takes better photographs with the option of changing Lenses which I like a lot. I am just unsure of how things may turn out with the GH2 since when I purchased my HF M30 I very quickly realized I should have bought something a little more in depth, something not for the everyday consumer that wants to shoot their kids soccer game.
 
I recommend these guys:
BH-320D-T-Large.jpg


Available at www.bushhawk.com for $150 or so. Adds a ton of stability for handheld shots and is super light-weight. Just don't get a black one if you intend to shoot in a high crime area where cops shoot first and ask questions later ;)
 
majikfraug said:
I recommend these guys:
BH-320D-T-Large.jpg


Available at www.bushhawk.com for $150 or so. Adds a ton of stability for handheld shots and is super light-weight. Just don't get a black one if you intend to shoot in a high crime area where cops shoot first and ask questions later ;)
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LOL, before I read your post, I looked at the picture and thought "some cop is gonna mistake that for a weapon".
 
haha that does look an awful lot like some sort of weapon, however I don't think it would be too much of an issue.

Has anyone been looking into the New Canon Camcorders? like the XA10?
This looks very interesting to me. Although it takes out things like picture taking with the GH2..
I still find it to be interesting.
 
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