I am using a 5d2 and 7d for weddings. I would like to pickup a traditional video camera as a backup/different angle. There are many video cameras out there and I am a little lost as to where to start. My budget is around $1k usd (used is fine). The footage should be fairly easy to work with and integrate easily with the ones from the dslrs. Ability to attached an external mic will be nice. Able to attach canon lens will be nice too. Any suggestions?
General Traditional video camera to compliment dslrs?
- Thread starter kenwood33
- Start date
I've been in the same boat for awhile. Been using the small-chipped, no XLR, Canon HF10 for a long time, paired with a 7D and a 6D. I use an external audio recorder. Obviously this is way below your budget. Been thinking of getting an HF G10 or an XA10.
But the thing is, I still get great images from the HF10. I stick it on a tripod and it can record for 2 hours.
A used XA10 may be a good buy now. New prices have come down about 30% from last year. The HF G10 can be had used for $7-800. Add in an H4n and you're good to go.
But the thing is, I still get great images from the HF10. I stick it on a tripod and it can record for 2 hours.
A used XA10 may be a good buy now. New prices have come down about 30% from last year. The HF G10 can be had used for $7-800. Add in an H4n and you're good to go.
Thanks for the reply. I found two local sales here, one is for a panasonic hmc40 for 1100, and another one is a canon xa10 for 1200. I read that the hmc40 is not good in low light situations. The xa10 seems to have better low light performance. Another camcorder that caught my eyes was the sony nex vg10, because you use older lenses on it. Anyway looks like i have to do a bit more research to figure out what is best for me.
HMC40 3-chip camera that produces a very sharp image, but it's not great in low light.
XA10 single chip camera that is better in low light, but doesn't produce as detailed an image as the HMC40.
VG10 single chip camera that has moire issues that pop-up from time to time.
...If I was mainly shooting in low-light conditions I would look at the XA10, and as an alternative I would check out the new Panasonic X920 which is a 3 chip camera with with back-lighted sensors ( supposed to be good in low-light ) and 5-axis image stabilization for $900.
XA10 single chip camera that is better in low light, but doesn't produce as detailed an image as the HMC40.
VG10 single chip camera that has moire issues that pop-up from time to time.
...If I was mainly shooting in low-light conditions I would look at the XA10, and as an alternative I would check out the new Panasonic X920 which is a 3 chip camera with with back-lighted sensors ( supposed to be good in low-light ) and 5-axis image stabilization for $900.
I saw my old Canon Elura miniDV cam the other day in a drawer and cursed it again !!! I hated that vintage for the complete nightmare editing and post was 
Computers started to catch up by the time the HV30 or came out. Still a tiresome work flow compared to today, but doable.
Cheers,
Pete
Computers started to catch up by the time the HV30 or came out. Still a tiresome work flow compared to today, but doable.
Cheers,
Pete
Michael Carter
Veteran
You might like a used HMC150 - I matched mine with DSLR footage when i had it. The scene file controls are pretty extensive, but generally saturation and b-press are the main things I found that helped. When shooting 1080, the 150 uprezzes as its chips are slightly smaller than a full 1080 - but I felt that helped it match a little better. I sold it for an AC-130 which is a great camera (and has full raster chips).
I m now leaning towards either a canon xa10 ($1200) or a canon xf g10 ($850) because based on all the reviews I have read they perform better than the panasonic hmc40 in low light. The sony nex vg10 is interesting but it doesn't do 24p and the lens selection (that can do af) seems limited. The panasonic x920 looks interesting but its new and i don't want to take chances.
henryqiu
Well-known member
For about the same price around $1000, a Panasonic 3MOS camcorder (all have 3 chips) does far better a job in terms of capturing motion pictures in all light conditions, than all models of Canon camcorders.
By my experience, only 2 possible major problems when you want to pair such a camcorder with a Canon DSLR for video work:
1) almost too easy to capture super sharp Full HD video (with decent ability to resolve fine details at 1080p 60p), as compared to soft blurry moody images from a Canon DSLR (lacking the ability to resolve the same fine details or to shoot 60p at 1080p). This creates a problem, hard to eliminate, when it comes to match all footage up in post grading. Possible workarounds: use the tele end of the camcorder as much as possible, manually control shutter speed and iris, and so on.
2) though it has lots of relatively high-end features, a $1000 camcorder is not designed for a working professional. Typically harder to manually control its settings (though many manual overrides do exist).
henryqiu
Well-known member
For about the same price around $1000, a Panasonic 3MOS camcorder (all have 3 chips) does far better a job in terms of capturing motion pictures in all light conditions, than all models of Canon camcorders at this price range.
By my experience, only 2 possible major problems when you want to pair such a camcorder with a Canon DSLR for video work:
1) almost too easy to capture super sharp Full HD video (with decent ability to resolve fine details at 1080p 60p), as compared to soft blurry moody images from a Canon DSLR (lacking the ability to resolve the same fine details or to shoot 60p at 1080p). This creates a problem, hard to eliminate, when it comes to match all footage up in post grading. Possible workarounds: use the tele end of the camcorder as much as possible, manually control shutter speed and iris, and so on.
2) though it has lots of relatively high-end features, a $1000 camcorder is not designed for a working professional. Typically harder to manually control its settings (though many manual overrides do exist).