Bill Bruner
Forum Replies Created
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Sorry, Matthew. Yes, I use the terms “system lens” and “electronically controlled lens” interchangeably. And you are correct, focus peaking is not available with system lenses.
Cheers,
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Andy – sadly, the BMPCC‘s peaking feature only works with non-system lenses. With system lenses, I have had very good luck with my Olympus 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5
by pressing the focus button on the camera. This hasn’t worked so well with my Panasonic 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8
, however.
That said, I also understand that double tapping the “OK” button quickly gives you an expanded image for critical focus, but I haven’t tried it. One caveat – from this thread on the Blackmagic forum, I understand that if you double click it too slowly, you’ll get the slate screen.
Good luck!
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Howie,
You can work around the lack of headphones by plugging your mic into an external recorder such as the $100 Zoom H1 and a $37 Sescom splitter cable – or you can plug your mic into something like this $399 JuicedLink preamp with a headphone jack. The preamp is more expensive, but will give you better in-camera sound.
This video from JuicedLink explains their view of the advantages of using a preamp over an external recorder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl-7vmShkgs
In neither case, however, are you monitoring what the camera is actually recording.
As far as the codec goes, with the G6
you’ll have to transcode from AVCHD to Quicktime for editing with something like Media Converter.
The GH3
, on the other hand, supports Quicktime .MOV, and doesn’t require transcoding.
If you want to avoid the hassle of transcoding and the expense of hundreds of dollars worth of external recorders/preamps just to get a headphone jack, the $998 GH3
Again, hope this is helpful!
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Hi Howie – I am a GH3
and have seen some great work being done with this camera:
Narrative: “I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed” by Avner Levona
Doc: “Creative Space: Kathy Ponce ” by Kevin Mayuga
Music video: “A. BELKIN – Good Morning Mr. Blues” by Romas
Wedding: “Junwei + Daohua” by Jon Wide
Sports: “Wavetest 2013 / Side On – Onshore Impression” by Gleiten.TV
Travel: “Riverbanks” by emeric
See more at Panasonic G6 on Vimeo.
Only downsides to this camera are that you are limited to the AVCHD codec (and MP4) and it doesn’t have a headphone jack – but other than that, this is the best large sensor, interchangeable lens video/still camera on the market below $1000.
Almost zero moire, 1080/60p for smooth action and slow motion, a high resolution viewfinder that continues to work while you’re shooting video, focus peaking, built-in intervalometer, no clip length limits – and not a bad still camera either: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 Pool on Flickr
As of this post, they are on sale with the 14-42 kit lens for $634 at Amazon
If I didn’t already have a 3 Panasonic GH cameras, I would buy one 🙂
Hope this is helpful,
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Sadly, the EOS M is limited to 22 minutes of continuous video, both in the EU and in the States.
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Understand. If you don’t mind shooting manual, I would get the amazing $799 Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens for Nikon
and a $429 Metabones Speed Booster. The Sigma is the first-ever f1.8 zoom lens.
With this combination, for about the same price as the Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 system zoom
, your GH3
With the rest of the money, I would get the $399 Oly 45mm f/1.8
, and, if you can afford it, the $899 Oly 75mm f1.8
. With ETC, this will be long enough for anything except bird watching.
By the way, this Amazon Gold Box Deals page
shows the $998 GH3
Again, hope this is helpful!
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Ugh – I apologize. I should have realized that when I saw that you were shooting events.
In that case, the best you can do for the money is probably a used Sony GW55VE for £241.60 from Amazon UK
. This camera shoots at 1080/50p, has a 10x zoom, is waterproof, and is a camcorder, with no clip length limit in the EU.
Here is the image quality the US version of this camera, the GW77
, can produce (again from Mark Rosenzweig on Vimeo): Fall in Nanjing, Part 2
Hope this is closer to what you need!
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Hi John – hope you haven’t given up on this thread. There are several entry level pro cameras in your price range you may want to take a look at.
The $1699 Canon XA10
will give you a decent piacture, but it is a few years old, has less sophisticated image processing and is limited to lower frame rates than the newer cameras.
Here it is in a doc/interview setting: https://vimeo.com/57267156
Its replacement, the Canon XA20
, is $2199, shoots at 1080/60p and a higher bit rate, has better low light performance, a longer lens and wi-fi for wireless downloads.
Here it is in a doc/interview setting: https://vimeo.com/72978593
The Panasonic AG-AC90
is $1723.65 as of this post, and is also a very good modern entry level pro camera with XLR jacks and very good 5 axis stabilization. It lacks wi-fi, however.
Here is what this camera can do in an ENG/interview setting: https://vimeo.com/71962333
The best value for money camera in this price class, in my view, is the Sony HXR-NX30 at $1750 as of this post
. Best stabilization in this class and a decent shotgun mic is included.
Here is what this camera can do: https://vimeo.com/39827844
Hope this is helpful!
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Great! Glad you’ll have some extra money for lenses, support, and sound.
I have Nikon
, Canon FD
and Konica adapters. I use them with inexpensive Tamron
, Canon FD
and Konica
lenses. They all work great with the Panasonic mirrorless cameras – but remember, you have to focus and set aperture manually with these lenses – something you may or may not want to bother with.
Again, hope this is helpful!
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Hi Paddy and welcome to the forum. If you don’t need an external mic jack, I recommend the £219 Panasonic TZ40
with its 20x zoom, 1080/50p (which easily conforms to 25p) and 720/100p. You can also control it via wi-fi for remote shooting.
Much smaller than your GH2
: Size Comparison Between Panasonic GH-2 and TZ Cameras
Here is what this little camera can do: “Herons” by Mark Rosenzweig on Vimeo
Hope this is helpful!