Creating as-close-as-possible-to-professional videos of, in some cases, significant length has quickly become part of my current work, and Mrs SR's DSLR (a Canon 60D) doesn't do what I want it to do. Regardless, however, I would like to use a dedicated camcorder.
That said, I would like to get the best quality kit I can without breaking the bank. So I was thinking of something that would have been mid- to top-of-the-line 5 years ago.
Is this wise? I do not, nor will I ever, need anything like 3D technology, nor do I expect to need too much access to manual functions. But I want to be able to set it up on a tripod with a teleprompter, as well as using it to do some work outdoors and in historic building.
So I was thinking about a Panasonic HC-X920 or some Sony equivalent. What do you think? Do you have any suggestions? Am I thinking down the wrong lines completely?
Come on, gang! You know everything!
Or is it just the wrong time of day for the right crowd?
Mrs SR’s DSLR (a Canon 60D) doesn’t do what I want it to do
Why not? DLSRs are the go-to solution for this.
Camcorders eh?
Say.
No.
More.
Nudge, nudge
Wink, wink.
Snort
Camcorder?
Now the username makes more sense 😎
I believe DSLRs are not built to stand long recording times?
I was looking at a Canon x11 for tripod based filming but then went with a contractor - which meant I avoided a whole load of stress! 😀 The Panasonic looks a similar spec. What do you think about buying a cheapy from Amazon for £300 to get to grips & see what you really need?
Why not? DLSRs are the go-to solution for this.
A few reasons.
1. I need to be able to cut the learning curve, and using that thing is like flying the space shuttle. I used to have a manual SLR. Wow. Things have changed!
2. The lenses she has, manual as they are, don't zoom like the lens of a camcorder. I did some test clip at the bay last week, and there was nothing I could do to create a smooth effect.
3. The weight of the DSLR is not distributed the way it is over the body of a camcorder, and if I am clambering about an old Welsh church trying to film, I need something that I can move with relatively easily.
4. Video clips are limited to 12 minutes, so I can't film a lecture or a talk without it getting broken up.
5. It's hers, and I don't want to have to share, and give it back every time she wants to shoot proper photos! 🙂
1. I can help it's not that hard 🙂
2. Zooming smoothly whilst filming is a bit of a naff effect, are you sure you want to do that?
3. Also moving around whilst filming is also a bit naff isn't it?
4. If you're doing a lecture then that's fair but if you're making a short film it's probably not - think of your favourite BBC 4 documentary - each section is a lot less than 12 minutes.
5. Fair point!
I presume he meant cine lenses dont zoom like photography lenses. They don't breath whilst focusing for one.
They also dont have a detent in the appeture for the same reason, you want a nice smooth action on both while you pull focus.
As for moving/zooming, depends how steady your hands are!
I'd look at a frame/rig to hold the dslr. You could add an external recorder and monitor like an Atmos Ninja/shogun which will give you more flexibility for recording formats and bypass the recording limit on the dslr.
Something like a Sony hxr mc88 is possibly a bit like what you need.
dslr lenses don’t focus track when you zoom and don’t have servos to allow smooth zooms.
I agree that zooms in a documentary or film are a bit crappy, it changes depth of field, perspective and sometimes exposure but in live event situations the ability to zoom smoothly on shot and quickly off shot is absolutely essential.