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DSLR Video: What to Buy
Ok, I need help. I’ve been going nuts with this issue, and finally decided to take it to a forum.
I am currently looking to buy a DSLR, specifically for video, and I cannot nail down which is the way to go. I originally wanted to go with the Nikon D5100, but I am finding out some “lack luster” things about it.
Here is my criteria for the camera, and maybe this community can help to make my decision.Will mainly be used for weddings, and event video. Maybe the occasional YouTube clip.
Currently own a Canon Vixia HF M40 that will serve as A roll. This DSLR will serve as B roll.
MUST have at least a 20 minute of greater clip record time. (this is due to editing times)
Must have decent battery life when recording.
Must shoot at least 30fps at 1920×1080 H.264 or greater format.
Would like it to have articulating screen (optional).
The least overheating issues as possible.
Must have manual controls over video. Would prefer it to be able to change while recording.
Would like to have mic input. Optional though because I externally record audio. Still nice to have.
The best low light performance as possible.
All of this wrapped in a $1,500 budget.
The reason I am not buying a dedicated camcorder is because I want the low light capabilities, the interchangeable lenses, the DOF, and the much cheaper price compared
to a video camcorder that has DSLR options.Any help and opinions are greatly appreciated. If there are any other options out there that you know of that may help me out, please post those as well.
Thanks!
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20 Replies
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Canon 60D has flip out LCD finder and manual control of audio.
If you want full manual control of iris get Nikon lenses and an EOS to Nikon adaptor and get the lenses “de-clicked”. You can’t modify the Canon iris it’s all internal electronics.
Rode VideoMic Pro or Sennheisser MKE 400, they’re compact and fit to the camera hot shoe.
Only downside with Canon is shot record duration of about 12mins, you just need to button off and on at a suitable moment losing about 1 sec of media.
Perhaps someone with first hand experience of Panasonic options can chime in with a suggestion.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://philming.com.au
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
You’re basically describing a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 body with a fast Lumix or 3rd party Micro Four Thirds or adapted lens:
https://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh2/index.html
https://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/index.html
https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/connect/gh2.htmlThe current official Panasonic firmware v1.1 for the GH2 supports 1080p30, 1080p24, and 720p60 AVCHD (h.264) @ up to 24 megabits/sec. plus a few other modes, too.
“Never” overheats, NTSC record times only limited by card capacity (PAL up to 30-min.), stereo mic. input, full manual control, articulated LCD & hi-res EVF, full-HD HDMI output, good battery life, etc. I’ve been using a GH2 since 12-2011; it’s a very good cam.
FWIW, I’ve also some good things about some of the new Sony HD-capable DSLRs, too.
Cheers.
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Thanks for that. I have been recommended this camera before, but I think I am going to look at it a bit harder.
I looked onto the Sony’s as well. I keep hearing of overheating problems with them. Speaking of which, you said “Never” overheats. Is that to say you are not sure, or you, yourself have never had any issue with it?
Thanks
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+1 on the GH2! 🙂
Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!Check out my Mormon.org profile.
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[Kevin Allmond] “you said “Never” overheats. Is that to say you are not sure, or you, yourself have never had any issue with it?”
I’m not Peter, but I’ve been shooting with the GH2 for well over a year and have never had a heat issue. I did a room temperature test record once that lasted for seven hours and the camera was only slightly warm.
Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!Check out my Mormon.org profile.
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Wow, that’s awesome. In the short time I’ve have been looking at the Lumix, Ive noticed that the lens options are few, and expensive. i did see however that there are various adapters for Canon and Nikon lens. Any experience with these? What dovyou lose when using them? Auto focus, aperture?
Thanks
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I recently purchased a Sony SLT-A65. It has several advantages over my Panasonic GH2’s. It is a little larger and feels better in-hand (at least to me).It uses a 24 megapixel sensor that delivers a stellar picture, and can produce exceptional 1920 x 1080 24p and 60p video in the AVCHD format. It can use the excellent line of Minolta A-Mount lenses that are a real bargain out there on EBay and Craigslist – I purchased(4)of them ranging from a 1.7 50mm prime to a 75-300 zoom. All with AF and all for under $225.00 total. In addition, the A65 has in-body stabilization if you want to use the older manual primes. It came with a very crisp 18-55mm kit lens. What really sold me is the OLED Viewfinder – big, bright, crisp and very usable. The LCD is one of the better ones that I have experienced, and is articulated. It does have a mic input. Battery life is better than my GH2. You can adjust aperture, shutter-speed and iso while recording or can use it’s very fast AF if you are in aperture priority mode. It records up to 30 minute max times and I have not gotten it to overheat yet, and users out there are not reporting that as a problem, although certain older Sony models did have that issue. Low-light performance is very good, although I rarely go beyond 1600. The A65 is the most bang-for-the-buck, for video, between the Sony NEX 7 and the A77. I bought mine at B&H just before Christmas for $899.00 including kit lens. In addition, this is an exceptional still photo camera.
John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore
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For the adapters question, I use my GH2 with some old Minolta lenses (50mm 1.7, 28mm 2.8, and 70-210mm 4.0) with an adapter that allows me to adjust the aperture from an aperture ring on the adapter itself. When you use an adapter you lose auto focus. But when I shoot video I prefer manual focus anyway. The only case I can think of where you can’t adjust the aperture is with canon ef lenses. But recently there’s been a few manufacturers that have made some that can do that to some extent. For me I’ve saved a ton of money on lenses by picking a GH2.
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Thanks. Now I’m curious, in looking at the adapters on Amazon, I have seen several “flavors”, ranging from $20-$250. Is there a right, or wrong one? If I am right, the $20ish ones do not have aperture control. Can I live without that?
Which one is working for you?
I am interested in the Nikon adapters specifically, just for the fact that I have access to Nikon lens. If I do this, and it works out, I will likely start trying other lens makes.
Thanks again for entertaining my question.
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[Kevin Allmond] “Thanks. Now I’m curious, in looking at the adapters on Amazon, I have seen several “flavors”, ranging from $20-$250. Is there a right, or wrong one? If I am right, the $20ish ones do not have aperture control. Can I live without that?
Which one is working for you?
I am interested in the Nikon adapters specifically, just for the fact that I have access to Nikon lens. If I do this, and it works out, I will likely start trying other lens makes.”
Kevin, I got this one from Voigtlander and it has been flawless: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RTEGYE/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details
If you are going to use manual Nikon lenses, then you don’t need an adapter with an aperture, because the lens will have it’s own manually controlled aperture.Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!Check out my Mormon.org profile.
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