What to look out for with DSLRS

[Foster Kane]

I plan on checking out some DSLRS at some local stores in order to get a better feel of how they work and what I find comfortable with.

What do you all look for when handling a DSLR? Do you look at the controls first or how it feels in your hands? Is there anything I should be aware of when holding it?

 

[pulpfiction007]

Feel is very important...for example the Nikon D7000 AND the 7D feel great to me. The GH1 was for me a bit awkward and I hated where the movie record button was. That's what I look for - where are the dials and controls in relation to my clumsy fingers!
Another thing to look for is the balance in your hand with a lens attatched. Some people hate the larger cameras, but for me the balance is better on them.

 

[wgzn]

man, this may be the most personally subjective question EVER! ; )

100 people will give you 100 different answers and 92 of those will be entirely personal preference.

for me. it comes down to three things:
final image characteristic, usability and feel. in that order

about the only absolute fact in the discussion is the canon and nikon models definitely FEEL more like a pro camera. bigger, heavier, and the controls are more like a standard SLR (at least in the mid to upper-end models). if you're used to professional still cameras, you can (pretty much) pick up most canon/nikon cameras and fish your way around them intuitively.

the panasonic DSLRs feel like a consumer camera. lighter, more "plasticy" and smaller. they have a number of fairly proprietary functions and behaviors. i think the gh2 feels better in my hands than the gh1. but still nowhere near a 5d/7d/or nikon d___.

historically, ive been a nikon guy. but in the last couple of years ive found myself often preferring the look of canons still images in a side by side comparison. so when i sold my nikon d200 and brevis rig last year. my intent was to get a 5Dll to serve double-duty. that was until i used one. as a still camera the 5Dll was great, but i just didnt care for the way it went about the video. for me, it seemed with each canon model, there was a different compromise. and then there is the ever present "moire issue" and im sorry, if i shoot a brick wall and it comes out looking like an acid flashback, thats a deal-breaker for me : (

so, i read all the reviews, and tried many different models. and the final (and kinda painful) decision was that the panasonic gh2 was the camera best suited to my needs. the canon is a better still photo camera. and feels WAY more like a professional tool. but for my use, this DSLR will be 70% video and 30% still. so i had to go with the one that did the things i needed it to do.

but like i say, everyone has their own set of expectations and requirements. so the things i find important, may not matter to the next guy.

here is a link to phillip blooms dslr comparison article. he gives the pros and cons of most major offerings.
i found his perceptions to be pretty much on par with where i was coming from...
http://philipbloom.net/2010/12/07/whichdslr/

one thing i cannot stress enough is that a DSLR is absolutely NOT a replacement for a traditional video camera. they are different tools for different uses. if you are used to autofocus, a zoom rocker and having remote lens control, you will be out of your element, if not wholly out in the cold with a DSLR. so if you do a lot of run-and-gun, or ENG type of work. i would not recommend a DSLR as your only camera.

 

[Foster Kane]

Feel is very important...for example the Nikon D7000 AND the 7D feel great to me. The GH1 was for me a bit awkward and I hated where the movie record button was. That's what I look for - where are the dials and controls in relation to my clumsy fingers!
Another thing to look for is the balance in your hand with a lens attatched. Some people hate the larger cameras, but for me the balance is better on them.

man, this may be the most personally subjective question EVER! ; )

100 people will give you 100 different answers and 92 of those will be entirely personal preference.

for me. it comes down to three things:
final image characteristic, usability and feel. in that order

about the only absolute fact in the discussion is the canon and nikon models definitely FEEL more like a pro camera. bigger, heavier, and the controls are more like a standard SLR (at least in the mid to upper-end models). if you're used to professional still cameras, you can (pretty much) pick up most canon/nikon cameras and fish your way around them intuitively.

the panasonic DSLRs feel like a consumer camera. lighter, more "plasticy" and smaller. they have a number of fairly proprietary functions and behaviors. i think the gh2 feels better in my hands than the gh1. but still nowhere near a 5d/7d/or nikon d___.

historically, ive been a nikon guy. but in the last couple of years ive found myself often preferring the look of canons still images in a side by side comparison. so when i sold my nikon d200 and brevis rig last year. my intent was to get a 5Dll to serve double-duty. that was until i used one. as a still camera the 5Dll was great, but i just didnt care for the way it went about the video. for me, it seemed with each canon model, there was a different compromise. and then there is the ever present "moire issue" and im sorry, if i shoot a brick wall and it comes out looking like an acid flashback, thats a deal-breaker for me : (

so, i read all the reviews, and tried many different models. and the final (and kinda painful) decision was that the panasonic gh2 was the camera best suited to my needs. the canon is a better still photo camera. and feels WAY more like a professional tool. but for my use, this DSLR will be 70% video and 30% still. so i had to go with the one that did the things i needed it to do.

but like i say, everyone has their own set of expectations and requirements. so the things i find important, may not matter to the next guy.

here is a link to phillip blooms dslr comparison article. he gives the pros and cons of most major offerings.
i found his perceptions to be pretty much on par with where i was coming from...
http://philipbloom.net/2010/12/07/whichdslr/

one thing i cannot stress enough is that a DSLR is absolutely NOT a replacement for a traditional video camera. they are different tools for different uses. if you are used to autofocus, a zoom rocker and having remote lens control, you will be out of your element, if not wholly out in the cold with a DSLR. so if you do a lot of run-and-gun, or ENG type of work. i would not recommend a DSLR as your only camera.

Thanks for the information. This is definitely a subjective question, but what all of you are saying is very useful and it will give me a better idea in what to look for in a camera.


I would not say this would be a replacement, but plan on using it for making films and documentaries. The major reason I am looking closely at the DSLR is that I am impressed with the results. An issue I am concerned with is shutting because of over heating which means I can't simply lock it down for an extended period of time.

 

[Samuel H]

first thing you need to do is find out whether you prefer the "panasonic look" or the "canon look"

the panasonic is cleaner (less moire/aliasing) and more detailed (higher real resolution), but some people have a subjective distaste for its images (or, rather, they like the canon look better, even with moire/aliasing and real resolution issues)

unless you're shooting in a very hot place, overheating is basically solved by using a grip (one of the bits that generates most heat is the battery, so putting it farther away from the sensor helps a lot); the artificial recording limits (12min, 29min, etc., depending on the camera and where you buy it) stay

 

[Andor]

Personally, I say seeing them in person isn't a big deal. Watch as many test videos of the different cameras as you can and find out which look you like best, what fits in your price range, etc... I don't even use a GH2, but I admit they're the hot thing right now. Price and performance. I personally think the Canon's are so well known because they got that bit more "pro" sooner. If the GH1 had GH2 specs (easily could have) and was released sooner, then we'd be hearing about it all over the place instead of the Canon's.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you get. Look at all the kids on YouTube making tons of money, and many with lesser cameras than DSLR's... entertainment > image. Every time.

Thanks for the information. This is definitely a subjective question, but what all of you are saying is very useful and it will give me a better idea in what to look for in a camera.


I would not say this would be a replacement, but plan on using it for making films and documentaries. The major reason I am looking closely at the DSLR is that I am impressed with the results. An issue I am concerned with is shutting because of over heating which means I can't simply lock it down for an extended period of time.

 

[pulpfiction007]

Personally, I say seeing them in person isn't a big deal. Watch as many test videos of the different cameras as you can and find out which look you like best, what fits in your price range, etc... I don't even use a GH2, but I admit they're the hot thing right now. Price and performance. I personally think the Canon's are so well known because they got that bit more "pro" sooner. If the GH1 had GH2 specs (easily could have) and was released sooner, then we'd be hearing about it all over the place instead of the Canon's.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you get. Look at all the kids on YouTube making tons of money, and many with lesser cameras than DSLR's... entertainment > image. Every time.

The other thing about the GH2 that hurts them becoming more popular is the marketing/freaking availability...Canon released the T3i like yesterday and it's already on the shelves! It was the same with the GH1....by the time it hit my town, Vitaly was already hacking it.

 

[maranfilms]

unless you're shooting in a very hot place, overheating is basically solved by using a grip (one of the bits that generates most heat is the battery, so putting it farther away from the sensor helps a lot); the artificial recording limits (12min, 29min, etc., depending on the camera and where you buy it) stay

This isn't really true. I have had my t2i overheat plenty with a battery grip. If it's hot and sunny, and your in it. Count of your camera overheating. It's one of the biggest downfalls of the t2i. The 7d, doesn't overheat as quickly. Im not sure about the 60d because it uses a different battery I think. Although im not all the convinced it's the battery thats causing enough heat to shut it down in the first place. I think it has something to do with the small size compared to the other models. I don't think the heat has a way to escape. I also think a big part of the heat is the processor.

 

[maranfilms]

If the GH1 had GH2 specs (easily could have) and was released sooner, then we'd be hearing about it all over the place instead of the Canon's.


I dont agree with this. Canon has been building and manufacturing cameras long before panisonic was. This is the biggest reason for their popularity and success. Everybody knows canon makes a good dslr, people are only finding out now about the gh series. ( not just people here) Im talking people in general. Walk up to anyone off the street and ask them what camera they would buy if they needed one, Canon or panisonic. Im willing to bet the vast majority would say Canon. Even without knowing the Panisonic is superior in many ways.

As long as Canon continues to make beautiful glass, they will always be in the top picks. People will sacrifice funtionality for the ability to have the option for good glass. I say the same goes for Nikon. Most people would pick Nikon over pani to.

 

[pulpfiction007]

This isn't really true. I have had my t2i overheat plenty with a battery grip. If it's hot and sunny, and your in it. Count of your camera overheating. It's one of the biggest downfalls of the t2i. The 7d, doesn't overheat as quickly. Im not sure about the 60d because it uses a different battery I think. Although im not all the convinced it's the battery thats causing enough heat to shut it down in the first place. I think it has something to do with the small size compared to the other models. I don't think the heat has a way to escape. I also think a big part of the heat is the processor.

The 60d has shown itself to be a good performer as far as overheating goes...possibly the articulating screen keeping heat away from the body and the different battery.

 

[pulpfiction007]

If the GH1 had GH2 specs (easily could have) and was released sooner, then we'd be hearing about it all over the place instead of the Canon's.


I dont agree with this. Canon has been building and manufacturing cameras long before panisonic was. This is the biggest reason for their popularity and success. Everybody knows canon makes a good dslr, people are only finding out now about the gh series. ( not just people here) Im talking people in general. Walk up to anyone off the street and ask them what camera they would buy if they needed one, Canon or panisonic. Im willing to bet the vast majority would say Canon. Even without knowing the Panisonic is superior in many ways.

As long as Canon continues to make beautiful glass, they will always be in the top picks. People will sacrifice funtionality for the ability to have the option for good glass. I say the same goes for Nikon. Most people would pick Nikon over pani to.

Canon also has a mega marketing machine. They run a ton of commercials and I can't remember ever seeing an ad for the GH2/GH1 on television.

 

[maranfilms]

The 60d has shown itself to be a good performer as far as overheating goes...possibly the articulating screen keeping heat away from the body and the different battery.

Thats good to know, Im thinking of grabbing one tomorrow. I want to check out the t3i first though. My local bestbuy has all four, 60d, 7d, t2i, t3i. Im at that hair pulling stage as to which one I should buy,gh2 or canon. The gh2 (which to my eyes looks more videoish than the Canons, But im sure I can tweak it to look better), Plus I have a beautiful set of Canon Fd lenses I could use on it. I just can't find one. So if Pani is listening, Your losing my business due to lack of product. So it's most likely the 60d or t3i. Does the t3i now have ADJUSTABLE Kelvin temps too, and controlable audio? Can't remember what I read on it?

 

[maranfilms]

Canon also has a mega marketing machine. They run a ton of commercials and I can't remember ever seeing an ad for the GH2/GH1 on television.

Yeah, Canon do put a lot in to their marketing machine. Im glad though, it lets you know whats up. The other thing I like about Canon, is they usually keep their projects on the down low, and usually release the news right before they ship. So it doesn't feel like it dragssssssss on. Pretty much the opposite of RED. Where they announce a camera, then nix three years later before ever even bringing it to market. I still think there's something fishy going on with the gh2.

 

[pulpfiction007]

Thats good to know, Im thinking of grabbing one tomorrow. I want to check out the t3i first though. My local bestbuy has all four, 60d, 7d, t2i, t3i. Im at that hair pulling stage as to which one I should buy,gh2 or canon. The gh2 (which to my eyes looks more videoish than the Canons, But im sure I can tweak it to look better), Plus I have a beautiful set of Canon Fd lenses I could use on it. I just can't find one. So if Pani is listening, Your losing my business due to lack of product. So it's most likely the 60d or t3i. Does the t3i now have ADJUSTABLE Kelvin temps too, and controlable audio? Can't remember what I read on it?

No the T3i does not have Kelvin....I think the 60D is a better choice for the build quality alone. Unless you really want that extended zoom that the T3i offers.
Have fun with your new camera!

 

[M. Gilden]

No the T3i does not have Kelvin....I think the 60D is a better choice for the build quality alone. Unless you really want that extended zoom that the T3i offers.
Have fun with your new camera!

Magic Lantern has adjustable Kelvin, and will likely be on the t3i in a matter of time. To me, Magic Lantern's feature set alone is reason enough to keep me on the t2i. I won't even consider another Canon DSLR until ML (or at least its feature set) is ported as well.

 

[Foster Kane]

I was reading the link that was recommended and I got a little scare when I read this part.Which Video DSLR to buy?


It has the best built in mic on all of the cameras and it’s stereo, although again we have no headphone jack. NONE of the cameras in this test have a headphone jack! If you plug in a monitor it switches off when you hit record. A big downer really! That needs to be fixed in the GH2.

Then I read this part from this site I found.

Audio and the Canon 5D Mark II
Not only was the H4n a fraction of the cost of these other recorders but it was also smaller and could easily mount to the camera. The Zoom H4n records WAV audio files with sample rates from 44.1kHz/16bit to 96kHz/24bit, has phantom power, and a headphone jack for monitoring.

So the recorder not only records the audio but allows you to monitor the audio while being connected to the DSLR.

Is this the general idea and is this how it works with a boom?

 

[M. Gilden]

I was reading the link that was recommended and I got a little scare when I read this part.Which Video DSLR to buy?


It has the best built in mic on all of the cameras and it’s stereo, although again we have no headphone jack. NONE of the cameras in this test have a headphone jack! If you plug in a monitor it switches off when you hit record. A big downer really! That needs to be fixed in the GH2.

Then I read this part from this site I found.

Audio and the Canon 5D Mark II
Not only was the H4n a fraction of the cost of these other recorders but it was also smaller and could easily mount to the camera. The Zoom H4n records WAV audio files with sample rates from 44.1kHz/16bit to 96kHz/24bit, has phantom power, and a headphone jack for monitoring.

So the recorder not only records the audio but allows you to monitor the audio while being connected to the DSLR.

Is this the general idea and is this how it works with a boom?

The 5D and t2i can do audio monitoring via Magic Lantern, and the standard A/V component cable that comes with the camera. Just get an adapter to convert the white and red component male plugs into a headphone plug (about $3) and you're golden. No audio sync in post.

But yeah, most people like using the H4N. Also, using the component cable for audio monitoring turns off HDMI out, so video can only be monitored on the camera's display.