Best camera for shooting wedding

[Andrew Watts]

Hi Guys

What a choice we have to make for future investment? sony 170 has a bigger brother the dvcam DSR 250P. The P meaning pal format 1/3 chip.
Its still great for low end work low light etc and set to wide screen modern TVs like the LED from samsung make a great picture look better then the old analogue TVs.
We also use Ikegami HC500 with the DSR1P dockable recorder still DVCAM with a CANON High end lens. again it works perfect.

The problem with the modern HD camera is because a lot of the shoots are close up the picture has to knocked down to sd because the quality is so good it shows the brides imperfections under the make up! We are all set up for HD 1920 1080i full raster editing but will not get the Cameras till next year 2012 and thats only as our existing cameras are getting long in the tooth we will still use dvcam for low end use Weddings school plays etc the cameras that will replace existing will be Sony 500 and Ikegami gfcam Happy shooting Andy from Woodland Studios in Lowestoft

[Nkiru Ejims]

Hello Gigi,

I was wondering if you could give me some tips on equipment purchasing as I intend on purchasing both the Z5U and Z7U for event coverage, mostly weddings where there will be many flash lights going off due to photo coverage. Based on research, the Z7U has some lense issues/roller shutter/band issues and the obvious wobble and so fort.

Have you noticed any of these issues? And what is your take on them? Your posting is quite a while back, would you still advice on these Sony brands? I have heard about the JVC HM100 and 700 as good cameras for events, basically b/c of the 3CCD chip in comparison to the SOny’s 3CMOS. What is your take on them? I guess I just want to know which camera brand will be best to choose for my services.

Thanks you in advance for you

Kiki

[Gigi Harris]

Hi Kiki,

I really haven’t had a lot of problems with the rolling shutter wobble. When I shoot 30P or 24P a little more noticeable, but very minute if ever. I used to do a lot more hand held music video shoots, and those I was using the panasonic AG100 which was 3chip not CMOS. Perhaps if I was shooting HD Music videos with the Z5U I would notice more. But the sony has been great. Now, flashed are a problem for any CMOS camera. It seems like the camera flashes going on during a wedding shoot, on the video footage, there is a noticeable horizontal line down the middle. If you were to freeze frame, you would totally know what I mean. At first it made me go bananas because I had never seen this and couldn’t do anything about it. As I watch more and more wedding videos online I am realizing most weddings are being shot with 3 chip CMOS because that is what is being sold pretty much these days. Its like my eyes have accepted it and I think so have most people. Sad, but true. Now the wonderful trade off for the CMOS issues is the fabulous low light capability. My Z5U shoots as good as my Sony 2010 did 5 years ago and thats shooting HDV which requires more light. I have not been disappointed, considering the low light situations we are forced to shoot in as wedding videographers. Now I have shot with the Z7U and I prefer the Z5U because of the 20X versus 12X lens. It also goes wider as well if I remember.

I don’t know a whole lot about the the two JVC cameras you mentioned, although I know they both shoot native uncompressed quicktime files for FCP. the Z5U and Z7U are taped based but the nice thing about both is they have the capability to also shoot file based. Even both at the same time for backup archiving. For those who like tape, you have the best of both worlds. I shoot for other wedding companies as well as my own, so when I shoot for them, I have to send in tapes. I shoot over 55 weddings a year for others so tape is the only choice I have. When I shoot commercial or my own weddings, I go file based, for quick transfer and then edit in FCP Pro Res 422 codec. Never ever ever edit HDV as HDV. Impossible and unbearable render and conforming times. Pro Res is a breeze with HDV. So, I guess for you it really comes down to preferences. I myself am having no issues with CMOS rolling shutter, but others may. If you like options, I think the Sony line is the way to go. I am a sony fan. Hope this helps

gigih7

[Nkiru Ejims]

Hello Gigi,

Thank you so much for your prompt and detailed response. It is very very helpful for a newbie/rookie like myself confused with all the new cameras out there. I do apologise ahead if some of my questions may be of the obvious but as a self taught videography, I might have missed some things. 🙂

I am a ‘Sony-addict’ myself that is why I am trying so hard to find every reason to stick with them. It is really good to know that you still use your Z5 for weddings and you have also helped me narrow down on the substantial difference b/w the Z5 and Z7. I love the lens length of the Z5 so I’m starting to lean towards that more. Or maybe end up with one of each since they are still the same make.

I am still a little worried about the CMOS issue. Sorry if this is redundant, but you mentioned freezing the frame to see the horizontal line down the middle caused by camera flash lights during the ceremony. I know you say your eyes have gotten used to them, but do you get any complaints from your customers? or is not noticeable to those not into video production and only when frame is frozen? How about your shots on the dance floor. How do those come out? NO wobble?

You have already made your final recommendation which is the Sony line and I am leaning towards that. Just want to make sure that I am making the right choice. Like you said I like the different recording format and the low light sensitivity. But just want to make sure that the CMOS and wobble problems will not affect the quality of work provided to the customer. Such as the lines from flashes. To make sure it is not something a customer will cry over.

I will also like you recommendation on other equipments: Light. I will need studio lights and portable lights that use optional batteries. Although you are not a photographer, just wanted to highlight that the studio lights is for a partner to use for studio photography.

Once again, thank you so much for your response and look forward to another feedback.

Kiki Ejims
CEO/Founder
Avant-Garde Empire
Multi-media and Entertainment company

[Gigi Harris]

Hi Ki Ki,

Listen, it is never trouble helping a fellow videographer. I too am self taught. I count on these forums for help, and love creative cow. I am by no means an expert but have been around and done tons of jobs and made my share of mistakes. But when we are putting out the kind of money we have to for equipment in this business, you want to be thorough and do it right the first time. In regard to the camera flash issue, never once in the 200 weddings I have shot since I got the Z5U have I ever ever got a complaint. And I have not gotten a rolling shutter on the dance floor. At the start of the reception I am on wheels a pretty conservative shooting, but by the middle, the music pumps up, the floor is full and I go hand held and do some creative moves, including swish pans and no issues with rolling shutter. Thats where I would expect it. I use the Cannon A1A sometimes (3 chip not CMOS) and am always disappointed the the overall look. Side by side I would pick the sony each time. Again, If you want to move into tapeless, (although you can with the Z5U M2T files, I would go with the HXRNX5U.

I use the on camera flolight microbeam LED https://www.flolight.com/microbeam-128.html?ctt_id=2934045&ctt_adnw=Google&ctt_kw=LED%20camera%20lighting&ctt_ch=ps&ctt_entity=tc&ctt_adid=6189394032&ctt_nwtype=search&ctt_cli=12x10786x58314x659914&gclid=COaRsJLLgKcCFYa7KgodgXJBeg I love it. I can use a sony rechargeable (770 or 970) and it last pretty much the whole night. Photographers love my light. It give a very even light. I use their line for indoor as well . I also love light panels LEDs. Once you have gone LED, You never go back. They are dimable as well.

gigih7

[Nkiru Ejims]

Hello Gigi,

Thank you once again for your prompt response. It is definitely good and motivational to see a self taught videography like yourself grow in the business. It only influences others to follow behind. I will try not to kill you with too many questions, but you definitely have yourself a part-time student. 🙂 lol! I have also narrowed down to the Sony Line and happy to have come to that conclusion.

Aware that I will also get weddings to shoot SD, which I know the Z5 and 7 are capable of, I will like a cheaper camera for such events to prevent depreciation on the Z5/7 since the SD will be cheaper to shoot. And will also use such a camera for B-Roll at events where we will need a 2nd camera. My budget for this will be not over $3,000 if that is possible, else do not want to go over $3,500.

And also, what is your take on cool lights and kino Flo lights?

Best Regards,

Kiki

[Gigi Harris]

Hi Kiki,

I haven’t had any experience with the kino lights or Cool lights so I can’t give an opinion. I did by the canon Vixia 40 for about 700 and it has been a great little work horse third camera and also my digitizing/Capture camera. It shoots HD and SD and the picture is really nice for a one chip. It does shoot native 30/24 progressive which is unusual for a camera in that price range. Great bang for the buck. Again, no capability to go tapeless, but for weddings, most videographers I know are still going that route out of necessity. I do also have the sony FX 1000 which is almost identical to the Z5U except there are no XLR inputs, no second she whole at top and it does not shoot native Progressive. Otherwise it is a fabulous second camera. Is 3500 your total budget for all the cameras or just the second camera. I still would go with an HD camera that shoots SD. This way you can use it as an extra HD camera on a multi cam shoot. I always get my cameras from B&H Photo and buy the 5 year extended warranty. That also covers damage. I think Sony has that warranty too but I think B& H is the best. I know they cost, but by year three, digital cameras just seem to need work. Especially the tape mechanism can go. The warranty has paid for itself many times over on most of my cameras. Once I didn’t by it, and I probably dished out over 1500 on repairs over a 4 year period with my panasonic.

gigih7

[Nkiru Ejims]

Hello Gigi,

As usual, your information has been so helpful to a rookie like myself. 🙂 The $3500 is for one camera (2nd cam on a multi-cam shoot) or could be used for another same day shoot my partner might have to cover. Just want something that has close to same picture quality so there is no obvious variation in pic. I checked out the FX 1000 and it looks pretty cool besides the XLR absence. Do you have any other suggestions for 2nd cam in the Sony brand within that budget or even lower. Cause seems I am kicking my budget already. 🙁

Best Regards,

Kiki

[Gigi Harris]

Kiki,
Are you looking for an HDV camera or AVCHD? If you are looking for HDV at a low cost, I would say the Sony FX7. Now this is a 3 chip CMOS camera but they are 1/4 not 1/3. I know this camera is a 20X lens which is nice if you are looking for a second camera. https://www.videomaker.com/article/13066/
I have done a three camera shoot using this as my third camera along with the FX 1000 and the Z5U. they integrated together very nicely. Had to do a little color correction (usually do for weddings) because the light sources were varied at each angle. But I was not disappointed one bit. Important not to go automatic on one or a few or the cameras. Better to manually adjust them all and white balance, as the auto balance on all can very greatly. Of course, you can handle much in post but better to try to match. That camera I have seen for as little as $1500 new. OF course the FX 1000 would be my next choice but you’re talking more bucks there. Hope this helps I know many hmmmm and Hawwww about how we should go tapeless, but that is easier said than done when you are in the wedding business especially shooting for others. I love my Z5U because I have a choice. I think you can attach the sony hard drive via firewire on the FX7 if you ever want to go tapeless as you can for both the FX1000 and the Z5U. Where there is a will there is a way. Hope this helps

gigih7

[Warren Anderson]

Hi Gigi
Thanks, it’s great to read your posts. I have been shooting with two PD 170’s for years and am also looking at going HD as South Africa is going HD crazy at the moment. Wanted to know if you are still using the Sony Z5’s or could anyone suggest Panasonic or Canon cameras in the $ 4000 range.
We edit on Final Cut Pro and also need to investigate workflow etc using digital.
We shoot around 100 weddings per year, sometimes four over a weekend, and I have always preferred having the tape backup copies, so not sure how recording to CF or SD cards will affect my postproduction workflow.
What would be the best cameras to invest in ?