Bill Bruner
Forum Replies Created
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Hi Kyle – sadly, the HMC40 will produce relatively low resolution images by modern standards.
I would choose the VX870 (or the $998 4K Sony AX33, which has a viewfinder) over the HMC40.
Here is what the AX33 can do:
https://vimeo.com/120943700 https://youtu.be/spbNiBRcUrY (please watch at 2160p and your monitor’s highest resolution)
If you want a consumer camcorder to look more “professional”, all you need is a square lens hood or a $50 matte box.
Here is a picture of my Panasonic TM900 consumer camcorder with a pro mic and a matte box.
Here it is with the matte box, an LCD hood and a consumer mic.
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your upgrade!
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Hi Erin – with the advent of the latest large sensor, interchangeable lens 10-bit camcorders, older 8-bit models such as the $2499 Sony NEX-FS100 (body only) and shoulder mounted $2299 NEX-EA50 (with the 18-200 power zoom lens) have dropped into your price range.
These cameras have built-in pro XLR jacks and production quality in-camera sound.
The FS100 especially will give you much better image quality than the 60D.
Here is what this camera can do in a documentary setting:
MOULTON BICYCLE COMPANY – MADE IN ENGLAND
The biggest downside to this camera is its ergonomics. It is essentially a “cube” with a lens mount on the front of it. You will have to buy a shoulder mount or a cage to do handheld work with it.
If you want a camera that is built for handheld work, you might want to consider the EA50 instead. It can produce DSLR quality video similar to your 60D – with a built-in shoulder-mount and pro quality sound.
Here is what this camera can do when intercut with the 60D:
TELUS – “Spread the Love” for Valentine’s Day 2013
I have shot with Sony NEX camcorders – they produce high quality video and are a very good value for your money.
Hope this is helpful and good luck in your transition from editing to production!
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If you have the budget for it and can wait for the URSA Mini – I would.
I started with a DSLR (T2i) and moved to mirrorless (GH2, then GH3 and GH4 plus a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera).
I love the 4K resolution from my GH4, but I am tired of 8 bit cameras with footage that falls apart in the grade. I am also tired of buying external recorders or adapters to compensate for their lack of basic audio features (such as XLR inputs). Plus, it’s a little frustrating to have to buy a bunch of rigging to get these cameras up on my shoulder.
I am also a BMPCC shooter, so I have seen the advantages of shooting in 10-bit ProRes or RAW – but the ergonomics of the camera leave a lot to be desired – so, like you, I am looking to upgrade.
I rented the $3995 4K Super 35 JVC GY-LS300 a couple of weeks ago. It produces very sharp, ultra high definition “4K” video and ticks almost all of my boxes – except for its weak 8-bit codec and palmcorder ergonomics (so it needs an expensive rig, as shown here, to get it up on your shoulder).
I have the same challenge with the $2999 C100 – a relatively expensive 8-bit 1080p camera that needs a rig.
So my next video camera will be an easily shoulder mountable 10-bit Super 35 camcorder with built-in XLR inputs – which leads me straight to the URSA Mini EF.
The initial images from the 4.6K sensor are pretty amazing, as seen in the video embedded on this page, shot with the classic URSA.
If I can afford it, I’ll get the $4995 4.6K version – if I can’t, I’ll get the $2995 4K version with the older sensor (which is pretty darned good, as seen in the URSA group I moderate over on Vimeo).
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your upgrade!
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I don’t think you’re missing anything. When the $2995 Mini 4K EF is actually available, the price on the Production Camera 4K EF is going to have to come down.
But the Production Camera does have one price advantage – Blackmagic charges $500 more for the Mini 4K PL, while the Production Camera 4K PL holds the $2995 price point.
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Hi Kylie,
If video is your priority, you might want to avoid Canon DSLRs.
I started out with a T2i, but sold it quickly when I realized how limited it was for video.
Canon DSLRs don’t have 1080/60p for smooth slow motion (below the $1800 7D Mark II) – they are limited to 30 maximum minutes of continuous recording (12 minutes for the T2i/T3i/7D/60D/5D Mark II) before they have to be restarted, they lack focus peaking and manual audio control unless you hack them with Magic Lantern and they all lose their viewfinders when you switch to “Live View” (video) mode.
Plus, Canon cameras in this price range suffer from a phenomenon known as “moire” as the result of poor downscaling. Panasonic GH cameras have a better downscaling algorithm. Here are a couple of side-by-sides between the Canon 60D and a moire-resistant Panasonic GH camera:
Newer Canon cameras are not much better. Here is a side-by-side between the Canon 60D and 70D:
Instead of a Canon DSLR, you might want to consider a moire-resistant camera such as the Panasonic G6 ($389 body only or $520 with the 14-42 kit lens) that has
1080/60p recording for in-camera slow motion; a built-in intervalometer for time-lapse; focus peaking for razor sharp manual focus; fast, silent autofocus when you need it; compatibility with affordable Panasonic zoom lenses; the ability to record video continuously for hours instead of minutes (useful for plays, speeches and events) – plus an electronic viewfinder you can actually use for shooting video outdoors in bright sunlight (when a DSLR’s LCD is likely to be washed out).After I sold my T2i, I switched to Panasonic still/video cameras. I have all four of the GH series, as pictured here.
Here is the image quality you can expect from the G6:
Narrative
Music Video
Documentary
1080/60p Slow Motion/Sport
Wedding
Travel Video
https://vimeo.com/86145944 (shot with a power zoom lens)
Compared to the $2500 Canon 5D Mark III
In my experience, Panasonic G and GH cameras are the best value-for-money video/still hybrid cameras you can buy.
Hope this is helpful and good luck!
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Hi Wayne – if you’re looking for a studio boom mic, you might want to consider a battery/phantom powered Rode NTG-2. You can get one for $280 Canadian.
Some people prefer the Sennheiser MKE 600 in this price class. You can get one for $420 Canadian.
Here’s a nice side-by-side comparison of the two microphones:
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your new studio!
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Congrats on the new cameras, Dave! Sounds like the best of both worlds.
The GH4 is a great camera – I’m sure you’ll get good results from it.
Best,
Bill
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Hi Ingemar – the noise is probably because you are shooting in low light. Even at low ISOs, dim light is problematic. The “sawtooth effect” on the horizon is called aliasing and the “weird effect on the roof” is called moire. Both are common to Canon DSLRs (except for the more expensive 7D Mark II, 5D Mark III and 1D C).
Here is a side-by-side between the Canon 60D (same sensor and processor as your camera) and a typical moire-free Panasonic GH camera:
And here’s one between the Canon 60D and the newer 70D:
Most Canon shooters simply avoid rooftops, brickwork, patterned fabrics (as seen here) car radiator grilles and other patterned subjects. You also have to be careful of hair.
Other Canon shooters buy an anti-aliasing filter.
The third group of Canon shooters sell their cameras and buy cameras that have fewer challenges with aliasing and moire.
I fall into camp #3 – back in 2010, when I saw how hard it was to shoot decent looking video with my Canon DSLR, I sold it and bought a camera that was a lot easier to use and gave me superior video.
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful – good luck!
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Glad I could find an example of the GH3 in a situation similar to the one you’ll be shooting!
One of the advantages of modern large sensor, interchangeable lens cameras is that they can give you very different “looks” based on lens selection, depth of field and color profile (in camera) or color grading (in post production). This can provide you with a lot more creative flexibility than you can get from a small sensor, fixed lens camcorder.
This is especially true for cameras such as the GH3 with a solid codec and high bit rates (e.g. 72 megabits per second ALL INTRA or 50 mbps IPB).
Older DSLRs and camcorders such as the $1499 XA10 record at lower bit rates (e.g., 24 mbps) for results like this:
or this in a better lit environment:
To my eye, this is a lot softer than the results from a less expensive $1169 GH3 (with 10x zoom lens).
Even though both are “1080p” cameras, the GH3 will give you higher apparent resolution because it records more information to each frame.
Again, hope this is helpful.
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Hi Jason, sadly all Canon DSLRs (except the $8000 1D C) are limited to 30 minutes of continuous recording (one of the reasons I sold my Canon DSLR).
The $798 Panasonic GH3, on the other hand, can record for up to about 4 hours continuously (outside of the European Union).
The GH3 is a great event camera – you can get inexpensive power zooms for it – it has an electronic viewfinder that you can use while you’re recording video – and it has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack built in (something no Canon DSLR has below the $1800 7D Mark II).
These are features generally found in camcorders, but they are not common (or not available) in DSLRs.
It also has features generally found in DSLRs, but not in $1000 camcorders, such as a relatively large sensor and an interchangeable lens mount.
I own this camera and it is the best of both worlds – the image quality of a DSLR with the usability of a camcorder.
Here are a couple of examples of the image quality it can produce:
Event (51 minute continuously recorded – shot with a steadicam – a tripod might have been better)
Travel:
This is a great all-around camera for presentations, events and travel.
Hope this is helpful and good luck!
P.S. Thanks for the shout out, Steve!