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camera for docs
I’m about to shoot a documentary that will require a lot of handheld, and
running around. I was thinking about a Sony EX1, but worry that the rolling
stutter issues rule it out.
Is there a decent camera for around $10,000? -
4 Replies
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Sony Z7u. I think, at present, it is the best solution to doc shooting. It’s much easier to hold and handle than the EX1, and also has less problem with rolling shutter. Were I shooting a scripted, dramatic piece, with a dolly and full crew, I’d go for the EX1. For run and gun, the Z7u seems to be the best choice — at present.
One person who sometimes posts here wrote me offline about his joy with the Z7u: “the result, all
the advantages of the ex1 (equipment wise) but without the disadvantages of
the ex1 (rolling shutter effect) in fact, we ran our own rolling shutter
test with over 20 flashes in a very low light situation AND got only three
rolling shutter effects (but not wobbly like the ex1 only screwed up screens
like electronic failure) AND the flash in all three instances were aimed
directly at the camera and within 4 feet of the lens. now i ask, how often
do you get that? and if you did, don’t you think that the affect (which at
regular play back just looks like a bright flash) is explainable if needed
to be explained? moreover, unlike the ex1, the number of frames affected by
this intentionally produced rolling shutter effects were 7 . . not 30 to 70
wobbly frames. again, non of the other 17 had any effect on the camera’s
recording only those three that were quite extreme in nature and even
explainable to the client if needed to be.we are very very very very very satisifed with the z7 and wished we’d found
out about it before buying that last hvx200a in may”You can also read reviews of it at:
—https://www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=41396—https://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/review_hvr_z7_hvr_s270/
—https://digitalcontentproducer.com/cameras/revfeat/video_sony_hvrzu/
Rick Wise
director of photography
Oakland, CA
http://www.RickWiseDP.com
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com -
Rick, thanks for getting back. I’ll check into the 27u now.
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That’s Z7y, not 27u.
Rick Wise
director of photography
Oakland, CA
http://www.RickWiseDP.com
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com -
10k?
hell yeah. man, you need nothing more than a Sony FX-1 for less than half your budget.
Documentaries demand absolutly nothing, man. You make them up on the fly.
Don’t let a budget or lack of limit you in any way.
truth is, yu can shoot a great doc with a 200 dollar miniDV camcorder from best buy.
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