Which Camera (3chip, HDV 24p, DSLR)

F

freaksarise

New member
I have been shooting films and videos for most of my life. I have super 8 cams, 16mm, Canon XL1, many SLR/DSLRs.

I now see so much amazingly beautiful footage online with people using HV20/30/40, DSLRs like 550d, 5d, 7d, etc and then there are the pro cameras with 3 chips.

I wonder - if people are getting the results I see with HV20s - WHY do I need 3 chips anymore??

Also, why would I get a video camera if my DSLR will shoot HDV at 24p/60p AND I can use the lenses without requiring a DOF adapter and rig???

I would appreciate any thoughts. I JUST bought a Canon d50 and now see the d60 has video (5 mos after my purchase - very upset) - nevertheless I need a new HDV cam and your experience will help guide that purchase

Thanks
Rich
 
Well my motivation is compelled by the results I have been seeing online. The production quality has shot sky-high and the common element I tend to see is the HD part.

The work I am seeing produced by the Canon HV series cams like the hv20, hv30, hv40 has just blown me away.

Especially when they light properly, stabilize the cam movements, decrease depth of field, and then color grade. It is the closest thing I have seen to 35mm motion picture film shot at 24fps.

I have the budget to purchase something with 3 chips but if these less expensive solutions produce such results I am not justifying the cost.

I have a DOF adapter and glidecam system. I also have a battery of lenses so I can either use them with an HV camera OR use a DSLR like the 5d Canon or even the 550d which is identical if just using it for video.

I also have solutions to handle the sound properly.

Thanks
Rich
 
The 5d body alone is $2300 or so....then you add to add stabilization, lenses, and mics, which can all set you back $6-$10k easily. Also, DSLR's can only shoot short clips at a time (11 min or so I think) and the lenses do not auto focus for video so run and gun is impossible. For these reasons, you may not want a DSLR.

As far as three-chip, I believe it's mostly for low light performance, rolling shutter (CMOS vs. CCD), and image quality. The HMC150 seems to be one of the best values today.

If you already have lenses, stabilization gear, mics, and know that you will NOT be shooting very long sequences, then a 5d is a good bet. Full-frame sensor an excellent quality.
 
Image quality is one thing, getting it under a variety of circumstances is something else. Think about all the things that a typical 3chip cam brings: manual focus, manual exposure, more control over the scene recording, phantom powered audio, to name a few. A good video cam brings you convenience and versatility. DOF, or lack therof is about the only disadvantage of a video cam unless you add an adapter. You can debate CCD vs CMOS, both have pros and cons. When you are talking a little Canon consumer cam you give up iso speed so low light sucks. Both cams need external audio to get anything worthwhile.

Grant
 
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