[Norman Willis]

Hi Nathan.

Yeah, the T2i would be great, except for the 12 minute limit. That, and both it and the 7D have overheating issues, and can shut down on you without much notice.

For long presentations, interviews and things I have two HF S10’s, and I input pro audio via a juicedLink CX431.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Ntt=juicedlink%20cx431&Q=&N=0&A=endecaSearch

It works really well. They also make 2-channel models. That makes a nice all-in-one you can carry around on a tripod, or a monopod if you want to run-and-gun. You might want to use it with a mic like this one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=204722&is=REG&si=rev#accessories

As an alternative, Rode makes a Videomic that is good for short-range shotgun work, and does not need an XLR adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic-Directional-Shotgun-Mount/dp/B0007U9SOC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272510549&sr=8-2

I just got my Zoom H4N, and it is much better than the H4 I used to have (don’t get an H4. Get an H4N). It will also record .wav, in addition to .mp3.

It is always good to have a backup. I am planning to mount the Azden or Rode Videomic (I cannot decide which) on the camera, to pipe that straight to the SDHC card as a backup, and then record my better microphone to the H4N.

I hope that helps.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

Hey Josh.

Can you post us some URL’s, say, from Amazon.com?

I just use the Transcend 32GB Class 6 cards, and have been very happy with them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PLIG68/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=A12KEZCG9I0IOM

I recommend always getting a spare. I had one go bad once, and I used my spare until I got home. Then I went back and forth with Transcend three times (I got lost in their automated system), and had a replacement in about ten days after I sent it in. No issues.

I hope that helps some.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

I hope this will help. Speaking honestly, I don’t know about non-HD cameras; but if you are looking for something that won’t be obsolete in 3-4 years, you might consider HD.

I have two Canon HF S10’s in AVCHD, and love them. I cannot believe how much quality I get at that price. I understand the new HF S11’s have two SDHC card slots, which would be a welcome improvement.

You might also consider springing for a B+W filter (and not a cheap one), so as not to ruin the fine optics of the Canon glass with a cheap contact lens.

It’s just my two cents. I hope it helps, or at least gives you something to think about.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

Yeah. My Canon HF S10’s (which were considered the ‘top of the line’ prosumer cams at one time) came with a USB link, and no firewire. I think now they expect you either to use the USB, or to take out the SDHC card, and put it in the reader slot (which is faster anyhow).

If you really want to capture via HDMI (say with uncompressed/raw), I think both Black Magic Design and AJA make capture cards; and you can get adapters for the Express Card slot.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

Hey Dale.

For whatever little it might be worth, I bought one of those express card slot readers to read SDHC cards quick-quick-quick. The only thing they do not tell you is that you have to reboot the machine with the SDHC card in the slot, or it often won’t recognize the card. I would assume that goes for CF cards as well.

I finally just got a simple, cheap little SDHC-to-USB card reader similar to this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Class-Memory-Reader-TS8GSDHC6-P2/dp/B002MY8ENM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272040786&sr=8-5

and CF to USB like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/SterlingTeks-POWWER-Compact-reader-Digital/dp/B002PJ34ZW/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272040845&sr=1-13

They are not super quick, but they seem to work well enough, and I don’t have to reboot.

I hope that is helpful.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

Hi Brent.

>>Next year you will see the hybrid Video cam’s with DSLR lens & sensors. Panasonic and Sony have both shown a preview at NAB.

I am really looking forward to the new hybrid cams. Do you suppose I can hobble along until that time?

We just re-did our budget, and I may not be able to do the TV show at this time. It may be back to short, high-impact videos for now.

I am trying to make the best lemonade possible….

[Norman Willis]

Hi Brent.

Thanks for the advice. Nice cam!

With the 5D MkII I need the 16-35mm wide angle lens zoomed all the way out in order to get my talent in at 7 feet to lens.

Will the EX-1R give me a full body shot of my 6’8″ tall talent at 7 feet from the focal plane?

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

>>I defiitely want the highest quality possible.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600482-REG/Convergent_Design_NANOFLASH_nanoFlash_HD_SD_Recorder_Player_with.html

The Canon glass on an HF S10 and 11 is very good. If you plug this into the HDMI Out port of your HF S11 (and let it ride piggy-back) you will get a raw signal, prior to any compression. Plus you will not need to be tethered to a machine 🙂

Suddenly I am considering not selling my HF S10’s 🙂

Nice website, by the way.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Norman Willis]

I’m thinking now that if I have a 7D or T2i I need the DN101, because I cannot use Magic Lantern. However, with the 5D MkII, Magic Lantern is a better alternative.

[Norman Willis]

Ted,

I am not an expert, but this is what little I know, and my opinion:

I went tapeless to get rid of interlacing and 1080i. I was immediately glad, and would never go back to tapes. The storage problem is easily solved by multiple USB hard drive backups, and is still way cheaper.

I just bought an EOS 5D because I needed a broadcast quality image. I would think a 7D or even a T2i would work, depending on your requirement. I needed the full frame on the 5D, because I have a very tight space. I need full body shots at 7 feet to lens, and I could not get that from either a 7D or a T2i.

The 12 minute limit is an issue. I am keeping one HF S10 for when I do talks in front of groups (which tend to go on for a couple of hours). That way I just start the cam, and forget about it until I am done (one less thing to be mindful of makes for a much more relaxed presentation). Also, the T2i tends to overheat and shut down after about an hour.

If you are adventuresome, you can always use the HDMI out port on an HF S10 or HF S11 to capture raw. This can be done with a Black Magic card, but the AJA cards are much higher quality. That will blow away even a 5D. There is also the Convergent Designs Nano Flash unit, which captures raw.

The issue with AVCHD is that it compresses so tightly. It is like reducing a picture of the Mona Lisa 100 times on a Xerox machine, and then blowing it back up. No matter how fine the initial source image, that much compression and re-expansion muddles it up somewhat.

HDV and interlacing have their own issues. I am not an expert in that area. I do know that they make some dandy HDV broadcast quality cams, but I would think that an HF S10 or S11 coupled with a Convergent Designs Nano Flash unit recording in raw would blow it away.

Perhaps someone else might have some better experience with that, and they could tell you for sure.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org