Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit

Ed Fiebke · January 30th, 2015, 08:19 AM

Since finding about the 30 minute recording limitation on DSLRs a couple of days ago, I've been reading how it is all related to taxes in Europe. But as mentioned here, software limitations is not new to the world of cameras. Deliberately set limitations is not new to almost all products of any kind that are available for purchase. That I learned a long time ago.

Ugh! I did NOT know until now that the GH4 only enabled this 30 minute recording limitation to PAL mode. I was so close to purchasing that camera instead. But, I wanted to save the extra money in purchasing the 70D so that I can buy additional lens. (I read good things about Canon's lenses.) I still do not regret my decision to purchase the 70D. It takes great photos as well a great video. Along with this purchase, I will be learning new video editing skills which is always a good thing.

Again, thank you for all of the thoughtful information.

Paul Ekert · January 30th, 2015, 10:14 AM

This EU law is a pain the pants. I can remember having to put a dongle through my Sony DV cam to enable fire wire IN because of this exact same tax law!!! Gits. That's the EU not Sony, who by and large make great camcorders. But I digress.

Is there no way to hack the EU 70D cameras?

Oh and what's the image on the 70 D like in a reception or on the dance floor?

Robert Benda · January 30th, 2015, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Ekert

Is there no way to hack the EU 70D cameras?

Oh and what's the image on the 70 D like in a reception or on the dance floor?

The Magic Lantern on it is in progress, but very early on.

On the dance floor? Its OK. I bought the 40mm and 28mm f2.8 pancake STM lenses, and s that's roughly f/4 equivalent, and the 70D really shouldn't go above ISO 1600. Follow focus is tricky with all those bodies and faces, too.

Paul Ekert · January 30th, 2015, 12:42 PM

F4 equivalent because its a croped sensor? And what's with ml? Is it in alpha or beta?

Robert Benda · January 30th, 2015, 01:17 PM

Alpha status for magic lantern on the 70D.

F'/4 is because of crop factor. That 28mm f/2.8 pancake lens ends up acting like a 35mm f/4, though the STM is really nice. I'll be doing some testing tomorrow to see how our USM primes fare using the face tracking auto focus

Jon Fairhurst · January 30th, 2015, 01:32 PM

Regarding battery life, I bought the AC adapter for the 5D2. I assume that one exists for the 70D. If so, I highly recommend it for tripod use. It removes battery-worry as a possible distraction from shooting.

That said, when using a battery, you don't have to worry about somebody kicking the AC cord from the wall. If you use AC, duct tape the stinger to the floor. Secure all connections well. If the camera loses power, it stops immediately. For all I know, you will lose the active clip - I haven't tested that and I don't plan to!

In any case, when you can connect to power securely, it's nice - especially if your tripod plate blocks the battery compartment. But it sure would be better if I could have AC power plus a battery backup. This is an often overlooked disadvantage of DSLRs vs camcorders.

Paul Ekert · January 31st, 2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Benda

Alpha status for magic lantern on the 70D.

F'/4 is because of crop factor. That 28mm f/2.8 pancake lens ends up acting like a 35mm f/4, though the STM is really nice. I'll be doing some testing tomorrow to see how our USM primes fare using the face tracking auto focus

I have to say I've never experienced a full stop drop in light when using a crop sensor. I see the viewing angle decrease of course, but if I use a light meter it tends to agree with my cameras internal meter even though the light meter is unaware that I'm using a cropped sensor.

Paul Ekert · February 1st, 2015, 08:41 AM

I was troubled by this, so looked it up and found this:

Crop Sensor (APS-C) Cameras and Lens Confusion

The relevant information is towards the bottom of the page, but the summary is this:

.....The so called "1.6x digital multiplier" is really a factor which affects the field of view which is recorded and which does depend on format size. It does not affect the aperture and it does not affect the true focal length of the lens.....

Gary Huff · February 1st, 2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Ekert

.....The so called "1.6x digital multiplier" is really a factor which affects the field of view which is recorded and which does depend on format size. It does not affect the aperture and it does not affect the true focal length of the lens.....

That is correct. The Canon 28mm f/2.8 is and will always be a 2.8 lens no matter if it's on the 5D, the 70D, or the GH4.

The crop factor only matters if you are use to the Canon 28mm focal length on the 5D. If you have no experience with or using the 5D or another full frame sensor camera, then the crop factor means nothing, and this nonsense needs to stop.

Chris Hurd · February 1st, 2015, 02:44 PM

Observe as Mitch Gross spells it out:

What Mitch is saying here is: A Lens Is a Lens is a Lens | CineTechnica

In other words, focal length does not change, nor does the maximum aperture value (and this is the first time I've ever run across any suggestion that it does). The equivalent field of view is the *only* difference.

January 30th, 2015, 08:19 AM	#16
Ed Fiebke Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Lebanon, New York Posts: 240	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit Since finding about the 30 minute recording limitation on DSLRs a couple of days ago, I've been reading how it is all related to taxes in Europe. But as mentioned here, software limitations is not new to the world of cameras. Deliberately set limitations is not new to almost all products of any kind that are available for purchase. That I learned a long time ago. Ugh! I did NOT know until now that the GH4 only enabled this 30 minute recording limitation to PAL mode. I was so close to purchasing that camera instead. But, I wanted to save the extra money in purchasing the 70D so that I can buy additional lens. (I read good things about Canon's lenses.) I still do not regret my decision to purchase the 70D. It takes great photos as well a great video. Along with this purchase, I will be learning new video editing skills which is always a good thing. Again, thank you for all of the thoughtful information. __________________ iMac Pro (3.2 GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon W ): OS X 10.15.6; 64 GBs RAM; Radeon Pro Vega 64X 16 GB graphics; 2 TB internal SSD; 3 external SSDs; MOTU 828ES

January 30th, 2015, 10:14 AM	#17
Paul Ekert Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oxford Posts: 66	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit This EU law is a pain the pants. I can remember having to put a dongle through my Sony DV cam to enable fire wire IN because of this exact same tax law!!! Gits. That's the EU not Sony, who by and large make great camcorders. But I digress. Is there no way to hack the EU 70D cameras? Oh and what's the image on the 70 D like in a reception or on the dance floor?

January 30th, 2015, 12:42 PM	#19
Paul Ekert Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oxford Posts: 66	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit F4 equivalent because its a croped sensor? And what's with ml? Is it in alpha or beta?

January 30th, 2015, 01:17 PM	#20
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit Alpha status for magic lantern on the 70D. F'/4 is because of crop factor. That 28mm f/2.8 pancake lens ends up acting like a 35mm f/4, though the STM is really nice. I'll be doing some testing tomorrow to see how our USM primes fare using the face tracking auto focus

January 30th, 2015, 01:32 PM	#21
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit Regarding battery life, I bought the AC adapter for the 5D2. I assume that one exists for the 70D. If so, I highly recommend it for tripod use. It removes battery-worry as a possible distraction from shooting. That said, when using a battery, you don't have to worry about somebody kicking the AC cord from the wall. If you use AC, duct tape the stinger to the floor. Secure all connections well. If the camera loses power, it stops immediately. For all I know, you will lose the active clip - I haven't tested that and I don't plan to! In any case, when you can connect to power securely, it's nice - especially if your tripod plate blocks the battery compartment. But it sure would be better if I could have AC power plus a battery backup. This is an often overlooked disadvantage of DSLRs vs camcorders. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 1st, 2015, 08:41 AM	#23
Paul Ekert Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oxford Posts: 66	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit I was troubled by this, so looked it up and found this: Crop Sensor (APS-C) Cameras and Lens Confusion The relevant information is towards the bottom of the page, but the summary is this: .....The so called "1.6x digital multiplier" is really a factor which affects the field of view which is recorded and which does depend on format size. It does not affect the aperture and it does not affect the true focal length of the lens.....

February 1st, 2015, 02:44 PM	#25
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: Canon's 70D and its 30 minute video recording limit Observe as Mitch Gross spells it out: YouTube (Short URL) What Mitch is saying here is: A Lens Is a Lens is a Lens \| CineTechnica In other words, focal length does not change, nor does the maximum aperture value (and this is the first time I've ever run across any suggestion that it does). The equivalent field of view is the only difference. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!