What is your go to camera for corporate events?

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Ken1212

Well-known member
I am curious what the majority of you are using for a camera to shoot corporate events promotional videos. Are you staying portable with a DSLR/Mirrorless kit or using something like the c200? This would be to capture b-roll and floor interviews. If you are to use a single camera on your own for the entire day and bit rate is not an issue as the videos will end up on the web, which camera would you choose for fast run and gun shooting. Features to consider: 1. Low light. 2. Interview audio capture 3. Auto focus.
 
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Hmm, there are few contradictions in this request, there wouldn't be the same setup for r'n'g and for b-roll.

Sticks with motion control head for b-roll, but shoulder configuration for r'n'g. Compromise might be a monopod setup.

Alternative would be latest high-end smartphone on Steadicam Volt with Memory Mic using Filmic Pro.

Low light issue could be addressed with few Amaran MW or in post.
 
GH5 along with a gimbal for specialty stuff and normal video cameras like a PX270 for the actual conference speeches etc... Using what I have until the GH6 comes out with hopefully better light gathering/noise.
 
Corporate suggests tripods, decent heads, possible external projectors, decent audio with level controls, long running time for boring speeches, battery and mains operation and decent size monitor screens with embedded added useful data. You can use any kind of camera for the other stuff. Not sure I'd really call these cameras B roll really. I could perhaps consider a DSLR for these, locked off - but as Bassman said - 'normal' ENG style cameras score highly here for practical reasons.
 
Sorry, I was mainly referring to camera models of choice. Also, disregard capturing speeches/presentations in their entirety, only b-roll and quick floor interviews (during breaks or in the lobby). For formal sit down interviews with three point lighting I prefer a full size video camera. But here I am mainly interested in run and gun camera recommendations. The GH5 is one of the great options.
 
GH5 for the formal interviews as well. I use a gimbal quite a bit on these types of jobs and I am very aware of camera weight. The GH5 is about the heaviest I want to go for a one handed gimbal. I would love the GH6 to be even a bit lighter as it does take a toll after some time.
 
For the past year I have found myself gravitating more and more to my Z280 for b-roll, podium shots, press conferences, etc. The 17x servo zoom lens comes in really handy. I don't have time for lens-swapping or having my hands tied with a 4x zoom or something in that range. Also the f/1.9 max aperture and IS0 2000 base sensitivity is usually plenty for low-light. On the few occasions where I've had to kick in some gain it is still very clean up to around 12db. Also the 10-bit 4K codec holds up really well when it needs to be nudged in post. Also, I've got one of the Sony wireless audio systems that mounts right onto the hot shoe for direct audio input and power with no wires or batteries. And the transmitter is easy to switch to line level input when I want to take a feed from a board or multbox. And the final thing I like is the face detect AF. It really works great for stage presentations, panel discussions, etc. where I need to zoom and change the shot "live" and track focus. The only think I don't use it for is sit-down interviews. For those I still prefer my F55 or FS7.
 
Bassman2003 said:
GH5 for the formal interviews as well. I use a gimbal quite a bit on these types of jobs and I am very aware of camera weight. The GH5 is about the heaviest I want to go for a one handed gimbal. I would love the GH6 to be even a bit lighter as it does take a toll after some time.
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Is the GH5 IBIS not good enough for hand held b-roll without a gimbal?
 
Doug Jensen said:
For the past year I have found myself gravitating more and more to my Z280 for b-roll, podium shots, press conferences, etc. The 17x servo zoom lens comes in really handy. I don't have time for lens-swapping or having my hands tied with a 4x zoom or something in that range. Also the f/1.9 max aperture and IS0 2000 base sensitivity is usually plenty for low-light. On the few occasions where I've had to kick in some gain it is still very clean up to around 12db. Also the 10-bit 4K codec holds up really well when it needs to be nudged in post. Also, I've got one of the Sony wireless audio systems that mounts right onto the hot shoe for direct audio input and power with no wires or batteries. And the transmitter is easy to switch to line level input when I want to take a feed from a board or multbox. And the final thing I like is the face detect AF. It really works great for stage presentations, panel discussions, etc. where I need to zoom and change the shot "live" and track focus. The only think I don't use it for is sit-down interviews. For those I still prefer my F55 or FS7.
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Do you shoot the interviews with FS5/FS7 for better bokeh or is there other benefits over the the Z280 for interviews?
 
Ken1212 said:
Do you shoot the interviews with FS5/FS7 for better bokeh or is there other benefits over the the Z280 for interviews?
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Yes, that's the reason. For sit-down interviews and other headshots I absolutely need the shallow DoF that I can only get with a S35 sensor and very nice prime cine lenses. Shallow DoF is not what the Z280 was designed for, but in almost every other way, the Z280 is basically an FS7mark2 . . . just with smaller sensors and a 17x lens.
 
I shot a 3 day medical conference with my GH5 last December using the Panasonic XLR adapter, AC-power adapter, and a 100-300mm lens. The footage looked considerably better than any of the ENG cameras I've used in the past, which I largely attribute to recording 10-bit footage. If I had enough use for it I would love to own the Panasonic CX-350 camera for live event work.
 
FS7 the most requested. FS7 main cam with primes and Sony 18-110 plus a parfocal 28-70 and 80-200 FF lenses with Speed Booster. B cam can be either the A7III using the same range of lenses or the Z90 which for light small and run around shooting covers most corporate things podium type events as it has a long enough lens. Just cutting a whole load of ski instruction videos shot by a very experienced skier / DP who shot it all on a Z90 because it was small had great auto focus and good active stabilization and could be used with one hand. For interviews I like the FS7 with Speed Booster as you can generate that FF look if desired plus it has the advantages of proper XLR audio plus it can give you four channels of audio with the XLR adapter or a dual RX wireless mic. Can match all cameras well and basically the same family of codecs so all works well in post.

Chris Young
 
Ken1212 said:
Is the GH5 IBIS not good enough for hand held b-roll without a gimbal?
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The IBIS is great on the GH5. I use an Olympus zoom lens most of the time so I do not have the optical side of the equation and it is still awesome for handheld. Gimbal and handheld are two different looks imho. Gimbal is all about motion which can not be achieved any other way. For me, the only thing holding back the GH5 is its light gathering/noise. If they can get it cleaner like the GH5s and keep the IBIS it would be pretty tough to beat.
 
Doug Jensen said:
Yes, that's the reason. For sit-down interviews and other headshots I absolutely need the shallow DoF that I can only get with a S35 sensor and very nice prime cine lenses. Shallow DoF is not what the Z280 was designed for, but in almost every other way, the Z280 is basically an FS7mark2 . . . just with smaller sensors and a 17x lens.
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What is your go to lens for interviews on the FS5/FS7?
 
Ken1212 said:
What is your go to lens for interviews on the FS5/FS7?
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On my FS7 it is a Sony f/2.0 85mm cine prime that originally came as a set of three lenses (35, 50, 85) with my F3. I love those lenses on the FS7.
On my F55 i have a full set of five f/2.0 Schneider Cine-Xenar lenses. The 75mm or 95mm are my go-to lenses for interviews and headshots.

I don't own an FS5 anymore.
 
In my experience, corporate live events are behind the curve and almost all shooting 1080, I shot a large meeting yesterday for a huge healthcare provider, four C300 MKIs and my C200 were the tools. Nobody, at least in LA, is shooting corporate live events with mirrorless or DSLRs. It's usually FS7s or C300 MKIs. I am talking live speeches, stand up interviews, etc. I have a client in New York who hires us to shoot at E3 and a few other big live events at the LA Convention Center or up in the Bay Area. Always 1080 and they expect a C300 MKI, MKII or FS7, period. If you offer any other tool besides these, you aren't getting hired. I have to explain and sell the C200 even on these gigs, just because most of these clients don't know what it is. I usualy say, it's a C300 that shoots RAW, but it can also shoot 1080" and that satisfies them.
 
Ken1212 said:
I am curious what the majority of you are using for a camera to shoot corporate events promotional videos. Are you staying portable with a DSLR/Mirrorless kit or using something like the c200? This would be to capture b-roll and floor interviews. If you are to use a single camera on your own for the entire day and bit rate is not an issue as the videos will end up on the web, which camera would you choose for fast run and gun shooting. Features to consider: 1. Low light. 2. Interview audio capture 3. Auto focus.
Click to expand...

This is 90% of my work at hectic conferences, summits, shows. I prefer a Canon or Sony mirrorless with world-class AF. I have to work incredibly fast and the situations are so stressful that I don't have time to focus as I shoot very shallow (everyone's preference), and people move so great AF is a non-negotiable must-have.

For presentations, I use a Canon G60 as the servo zoom and face-tracking is a must-have as well.

These videos also go up on the web and the quality is more than enough for their purpose.

Currently, either a Canon M6 Mark II or Sony a6400.
 
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