Bill Bruner
Forum Replies Created
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Hi Ryan – sadly, shot-ruining aliasing and moire are a real problem for older Canon DSLRs. The early DIGIC processors couldn’t handle the real-time downscaling from the 5200×3462 pixels on the still camera sensor to the “mere” 1920×1080 pixels required for HD video.
But you don’t have to step all the way up to a $5500 C100 to solve this problem. You can trade up to a DSLR or mirrorless DSLMs with close to zero moire – such as the Panasonic GH2, the Nikon D5200, the Nikon D7100, the Canon 5D Mark III or the Panasonic GH3 (although the GH3 backslides a little in this department).
Here are a couple of examples of the problem in these side-by-sides of the 60D and the GH2:
As Andrew Reid said in the eoshd review of the GH3, “Tell me one good reason why you are still shooting on a Rebel.”
Best,
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Andrew – I think it comes down to your distribution channel. If it’s theatrical, I say go for the 4K Super 35 Blackmagic Production Camera. As you say, for $1000 more, it is probably a bargain you can’t ignore. For projects that don’t require RAW, you can always shoot ProRes to reduce file size and simplify your work flow.
If you’re not going to project the image, 2.5K (or even 1.9K/1080p) is good enough. I pre-ordered the $995 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for that reason. I want the film-like dynamic range demonstrated by the BM cameras, but my distribution channel is Vimeo/YouTube – so I don’t need ultra high 4K (or even 2.5K) resolution. I am a micro 4/3 shooter, so the active m4/3 mount is a real advantage as well.
In either case, I would cancel the BMCC MFT order – and either step up to the Production Camera for theatrical distribution – or down to the Pocket Camera for affordability and the active m4/3 mount.
Hope this is helpful,
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Yeah – Citizen Kane and The Shining would “look like video” to this crowd 🙂
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Yeah. It essentially says, “For the price, it’s a good still camera, and a great video camera”. We knew that 🙂
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Nigel – would you consider a used F3 with S-Log for $7200
?
If not, the $1298 GH3 has timecode – but its output is 4:2:0, sadly.
The BMCC is also starting to become available. You can get one new in an unopened box from a private party for $2935
, or you can get one brand new from Adorama for $2995
Hope this is helpful,
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Henry – you’re right – the 2.8 lenses are the best Lumix system lenses – period. But, sadly, they lack power zoom.
I am a GH3 guy, but I am looking at the 14-42 and 45-175 PZ lenses for that reason. Not as good in low light as the 12-35 and 35-100, but very nice lenses, nevertheless. Here is an example of what the 45-175 power zoom can do on the AF100 (please watch at 1080p):
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Hope this is helpful,
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Early reports say ProRes and CinemaDNG RAW: https://www.engadget.com/2013/04/08/blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera/
But, as we used to say in the military: “the first report is always wrong” 🙂
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Frank – I admire Erik’s work, the 12-35 is a fabulous lens, and I am a big fan of micro 4/3 (I have all three GH cameras), but why not buy or rent an F3 if you want true 10 bit 4:2:2 output? And S-Log is so much better than AVCHD, you probably won’t need the Atomos 🙂
With the F5 coming out, the F3 is really coming down in price. You can get one for $7950 used on eBay or $642 for 5 days at lensrentals.
Cheers,
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Mike – I like my general purpose Panasonic 14-140 f/4.0-5.8, but it’s not splash proof. Although serviceable indoors (see NSFW video in my earlier post), it is not really the best lens for low light.
If you need a good indoor lens, and budget allows, get the 12-35 f2.8. I have rented this lens and it is made for this camera – fast, quiet and splashproof.
For the long end, you would want the 35-100 f/2.8 for similar reasons.
Hope that’s helpful,
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Trent – there is one camera that combines the strengths of camcorders and DSLRs and that is the Panasonic GH3 (available at Adorama, Amazon or eBay for $1298 or $1299 list).
It has the large sensor and interchangeable lenses of a DSLR, and the fast video autofocus, silent lenses and hour+ long continuous recording of a camcorder – capabilities that the 60D or 7D won’t give you.
With this camera, you can shoot “run and gun” events, narrative or music video.
Here is what it can do:
Narrative:
https://vimeo.com/59543338VFX heavy Music Video:
https://vimeo.com/53834993Live Event using autofocus (NSFW – please watch in 1080p)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkY7o3uDgVchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eo3rO5j1hw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDL1jNdaNMs
This camera also has a headphone jack, shoots at 1080/60p, records at much higher bit rates and is far less susceptible to shot-ruining moire than Canon DSLRs (unless you want to pay $2950 for a 5D Mark III or $12,000 for a Cinema EOS 1D C).
In my view, the GH3 is the best value-for-money large sensor, interchangeable lens video-capable camera you can buy.
Hope this is helpful,