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How can I convince my company not to buy 7D cameras? We need new cameras.
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Your reasons seem pretty solid – are they still not convinced? Look for a camera that is better suited to the task at hand and find all the reasons that camera will work (not the reasons the 7D won’t work).
Get them to rent some 7Ds with lenses for a shoot or something (whoops, no sync? short takes only? crappy HDMI out?). Once they work with them for a shoot, they will realize why they shouldn’t use them for events. I’ll agree with the EX1 and EX3, the Panasonic 170 and 200 (haven’t tried the 250), and a few of the others on the list. I strongly recommend your company rent some cameras before buying so you can test them in real-world situations and consider running rented cameras along side your current cameras so you can get a comparison since there will be a learning curve that will cost the company money.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
No they aren’t convinced yet. (Mainly because they see the 7D as a cheap alternative, to other cameras. It’s affordable). They claim they’ve worked with 7Ds before on a longer shoot and had some success. When I was on a shoot with those 7Ds, we had a big corrupt file that we couldnt retrieve + 30 minutes of missing footage I believe.
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[Rachel Kodner] “No they aren’t convinced yet.”
Not yet convinced? After reading all these posts, I’m convinced. Hum, option one; work with them to create several projects and “enjoy” the process or
option two…
https://jobs.creativecow.net/🙂
Ed
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Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
– Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield -
We’ve having a big meeting about it next week to make the decision.
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There are ways to make DSLR’s work for such events… but they are a hell of a lot more involved – both during production and post-production – than just grabbing cameras that are purpose built for video production. Hopefully the company you work for realizes this before it creates issues with production.
DSLR’s can create extremely nice footage – But I typically only use them in controlled environments like commercial production. I know a few wedding videographers that also use them to capture breathtakingly beautiful ceremony footage and such.. but for recording seminars, long speeches, and other longer form events where there isn’t much room for cutting and not much $$ for post – they don’t hold up.
Colin McQuillan
Vancouver, B.C.“Live, love, laugh and be happy.”
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[Colin McQuillan] ” but for recording seminars, long speeches, and other longer form events where there isn’t much room for cutting and not much $$ for post – they don’t hold up.”
I recently shot a 1.5 hour conference with my GH2 and it worked out well. I wouldn’t attempt it with a 7D, though.
Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!Check out my Mormon.org profile.
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I “once” shot a lecture with my 7D, will never do it again. I told the “client” about the limitations of the camera, blah, blah, blah, they listen like a dog… Naturally they did not like the fact that I had to break every 10~12 minutes, and that I did not have a 20x zoom. Even though they approved it before the shoot.
When making television, use a television camera. When making movies, use a movie camera. Just because they are now both “electronic” and display on the same device, they are totally different ways of working.
Go figure.
Malcolm
http://www.malcolmproductions.com -
Affordable is a relative term. Yeah the equipment may be cheaper but what about the cost in additional hours of post?
Events, especially those in a dark ballroom, need to be shot with large enough sensors and long enough lens so that you actually get something usable recorded. Trying to document something like this on a camcorder is a mistake unless it is just for reference (ie, to see where the slides change or to get an audio recording with video for reference).The 7d variety of camera is hugely popular because it can take the place of a more expensive digital film camera for indie filmmakers and others not wanting to buy or rent a Red, Alexa or whatever.
As with any piece of technology, there is a time and place for it. Documenting events is not the place for a DSLR unless you are shooting a documentary style video or stills.
Mike Cohen
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They’re still not convinced. I gave them a very long list of legitimate reasons why this isn’t the right type of camera and they harshly told me I’m WRONG and that I’m not a videographer so I don’t know what I’m talking about and that I should just trust their judgement and expertise. Is there anyone out there who has used 7Ds for weddings before and had a bad experience (i.e. the footage was too shaky when handheld, the camera overheated, etc?) If so please respond with your stories as to why the 7D didn’t work for you for weddings!
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Rachel. I shoot long events like stage productions (you can see my work on vimeo at
https://vimeo.com/mountainstone)I have both a 7D kit and a Canon XF305. I would never use the 7D for what you are describing. Been there, done that, and all the reasons you give are accurate.
I use the xf305 for most all my stage events, and am considering a xf100 to add to it, where I would use the 100 for the long establishing shots and the 300 for tight close ups. You can boost the gain on these 50 mbps mxf files and get pretty low light. (you should rent one if you are near a major city). If you need true really low light, they should be paying more and getting an AF100 or Sony 100 for interchangeable lenses. The 7D is a dead end for what you are shooting, and they are wasting their money on one. Heck if they want a 7D kit that bad, I’ll sell them mine!
I have occasionally used the 7D for what you describe, when I am doing B cam shots (close ups, etc.) but even then the 12 minute limit is a problem, and yes, the cards can fail. I’ve not had any heat problems (I did with the T2i) but I don’t live in a hot climate. The DOF is great with it, but for what you describe, it is usually not needed. Then add that the color under low light can end up being very muddy with the Canon MOV codec on these cameras. The MXF holds up to grading back from low light very nicely.
They may want to buy one of both, and see which one gets used!
Best of luck. If they want to chat real time, you can email me and I’d be glad to talk to them for a few minutes.
Al
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