Higher end consumer camera recommendations appreciated at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 14th, 2009, 02:50 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Vancouver, WA USA
Posts: 12
Higher end consumer camera recommendations appreciated

WOW... this forum is impressive and overwhelming to me as a total newbie.

I'm interested in your recommendations for a higher end digital consumer/prosumer video camcorder to use in conjunction WITH my 5DII. Would like to know if there's anything around $1000 that will be a worthy partner to what I can do with my 5DII.

Some background. I've been a pro still photographer for many years. For the last 12 years or so my specialty has been high school senior portrait photography.

Recently I awakened to what could be done in the way of "filmic" artistic/fashion-themed movies with the 5D/7D, so I added a new 5DII to my stable (joining the 5D I've been using for the last 3 years.)

I am just beginning to use the 5DII for moving portraits... some call them fusion. Basically I'm beginning to do senior portraits, in motion, with an artsy, fashion-ad, music video look and feel using my 5DII, Z-finder, RRM eyeSpy rig, and a host of lenses.

Obviously, the 5DII is a relatively cumbersome camera for movie making, but the results can be quite spectacular. But I was wondering if there is a prosumer video camcorder (possibly the Canon HF S100 or something in it's price range) that would be a good companion camcorder to the 5DII. I would use the camcorder for applications where the 5DII is not suited and perhaps use footage from each camera together... if that can be done and still look good. I'm so new to this I really need some guidance.

So... what should I look for in a "companion" camcorder to a 5DII? Any particular models in the $1000 realm that you would recommend?

Thank you, in advance.
Don Hauerken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 14th, 2009, 10:57 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Minnesota (USA)
Posts: 2,171
If you want to shoot 1080p24 or 1080p30, I suggest you look at the Canon HF-S10. It's probably worth the extra hundred bucks more than the HF-S100 for the 32 gigs of internal flash memory (a 32 gig SDHC card will cost close to that anyway). If you want to shoot 1080i60, I suggest you look at Panasonic's HDC-HS300 or HDC-TM300. If you don't need the ability to connect a mic, the HDC-HS250 is a heck of a value at $600 (B&H).
Robert M Wright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 14th, 2009, 12:25 PM   #3
New Boot
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Vancouver, WA USA
Posts: 12
Thanks, Robert.

Is the 1080p24 option going to give me a slightly more "filmic" look due to the frame rate? (Assuming the other production values are filmic in their execution - lighting, etc.)

Would it make sense to pick the model with the largest sensor to help the ability to attain minimal depth of focus? And, choosing a model with a faster lens in addition to a larger sensor should help with being able to minimize depth of focus as well, right?

Can one change frame rates and shutter speeds on these cameras we're considering to obtain a different "feel" in the footage? Again, I'm wanting to pick a camcorder which will allow the most filmic appearing footage.
Don Hauerken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 14th, 2009, 03:01 PM   #4
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Minnesota (USA)
Posts: 2,171
24p is part of the "film look". If you want shallow depth of field, I believe the Canon HF-S10 (or HF-S100) will give you the largest sensor of any consumer camcorder (but I'm not absolutely sure of that without checking). Of the consumer camcorders, the aforementioned Canons offer the most variety of frame rates (24p, 30p and 60i). I don't think any other frame rates are available on any consumer camcorder, and most consumer camcorders don't even offer all three. These are consumer cameras, not professional cameras with lots of manual control and features. I wouldn't even bother considering if a consumer camera has some sort of cinema gamma mode or anything like that. Just get a good clean image, and do that stuff in post.
Robert M Wright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 17th, 2009, 02:51 PM   #5
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Hauerken View Post
Obviously, the 5DII is a relatively cumbersome camera for movie making, but the results can be quite spectacular.
Is it cumbersome because there's alot of unintended movement as a result of operating it handheld?
William Santana is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:52 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network