HD camcorder or DSLR for a first professional camera?

[Phillip Todd]

Hi Mike,

+1 to what Bill Bruner said.

I sold my 7D due to moire issues and bought a hackable GH1 many moons ago. I progressed on the the GH2 and have been very happy. I don’t have plans for the GH3 until I can get one side-by-side (and the time) and can check out if the lack of moire is as good as the GH2 (the GH3 has a Sony sensor, different than the multi aspect ratio GH2 sensor). There are a lot of desirable features on the GH3. the 12-35 f2.8 looks good too.

I will add that the shorter flange focal distance of the MFT format (and the NEX format) allow you to use a multitude of 3rd party manual focus glass via cheap adapters (inf. is usually off, but, you’ll focus off the display, so it’s less of an issue). This opens up many creative opportunities as older glass achieves different looks out-of-the-box in a way filters in post cannot (easily).

A final note: DSLRs have CMOS sensors and have a rolling shutter. This makes handheld telephoto shots look like you were shooting off a boat, or any shot with a little vibration, and there’s not much in post that can fix it. CCD based video cameras have a global shutter and you don’t have this problem (nor the advantage of the CMOS sensor).

Phillip Todd
Cinematographer

https://vimeo.com/philliptodd

[Mike Hinkel]

Thanks Phillip, I’ll keep your advice in mind when I come to a decision. I’m sure all of us, including the OP, have gained a better understanding of the concepts to suit our needs.

[Spyros Skandalos]

My friend,

I’m exactly in the same timing with a similar budget.

And I want to be sure that I will buy a versatile and quality tool.

Firstly I wanted to purchase Nikon D800 cause my partner own plenty of lenses for Nikon but…

My dilemmas are growing since I checked out those:

https://www.digitalbolex.com/products/
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagiccinemacamera/

Check out the specs

Digital Bolex is going to produce a full frame model and a series of cheap crystal lenses.(150$ more or less)

And also this free software for canon dslr’s that is driving them to next level.
https://www.magiclantern.fm/

Hope i helped you
Spyros

Spyros
MacBook Pro intel core i7
4GB Ram 1333mhz DDR3
Macosx 10.6.8

[Brent Dunn]

It kind of depends what sort of work you are doing. If filming sports, you need a traditional video camera with a zoom control on your tripod handle.

If you are filming corporate, commercial, wedding, & events; Then a DSLR would work.

I don’t really think DSLR’s are cheaper after you add the Lenses. I would recommend a 24-70 L-Series Lens to start and build from there.

You can also buy DSLR’s on Ebay and probably save money. Some people have upgraded to the MkIII and are selling their older MkII.

There are many traditional video cameras around 2 grand that would work great. The advantage is being able to monitor and record your sound directly to the camera.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro
with Final Cut Studio Adobe CS6 Production

[Trent Slabaugh]

Do you have any recommendations of those camcorders under 2K?

[Carlos E. martinez]

Does anyone know the size of DSLR cameras being used for video, from amateur, to semi-pro and full pro?

Are we talking of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions?

I can’t figure where to look for such numbers? Any available market surveys around?