Which Cam next?
 

Hello,

I've done a few shorts and a full length feature with a Canon XH-A1.
The 77 minute film was a lot of fun and went to various festivals.
Nope, no distribution, of course, but I knew that, it's a long stretch.

Now is the time to pick up a new cam.
does anybody has an idea? The Sony NXCAM NEX-FS100 seems to be the best deal for the money and the Canon C300 is probablay amazing but not really in my price range.
What do yo think of the BlackMagic Cinema Camera? Compared to the NXCAM NEX-FS100?

Thanks for your input
Larry

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Keeping in mind I have never used it, the thing that always bothered me about the BMC is that it is all touch screen. I like having physical controls to mess with rather having to go menu diving. As far as fs100 goes, it is hard to beat it for the price.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

I agree, it's less than 5000 bucks and very decent.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Larry, you're right. The FS100 is the best large sensor interchangeable lens value-for-money out there right now, especially on sale for .

If you're interested in a Canon Cinema camera, though, you may want to look at the C100. At $6499, it is a lot less expensive than the C300 - and it has a native Canon EF mount (without an adapter), built-in ND filters, a viewfinder and a separate LCD.

Here is what it can do:


Hope this is helpful, good luck with your decision!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: Which Cam next?
 

I will absolutely check that C100, thanks
Do I want the AVCHD Codec, though?
L.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

You'll get AVCHD with either the C100 or FS100.

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I know, as far as the codec, what would be the next step? I mean, a better codec?

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With either camera you can use an external recorder to record to a better codec. That does add cables and another "box" to deal with. However that solution is MUCH cheaper than choosing the next camera up the chain with a better codec built in.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

To an external HD through HDMI?

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But you won't get ND filters builtin with the FS-100. You do with the C100. And adding vari-NDs to each lens or using adapters to each lens is fiddly. You are also adding another piece of glass to maintain and other assorted annoyances.... you'll want to spend decent money to get a good one.

Are you certain you want to move away from an ENG camera and go large sensor? You're losing servo zoom, auto focus and auto exposure to name a few things.

Panasonic and JVC have recently announced several eng cameras in that form factor.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

I've checked it, yes it's pretty nice.
I think this might be the next cam for me.
Now how come those cam have only one sensors and not three like my old XH-A1?

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Les - I'm a little confused - that was true 3 years ago, and most Canon DSLRs still lack autofocus, but Sony DSLTs, Panasonic DSLMs and every large sensor interchangeable lens camcorder on the market today have auto exposure and fast video autofocus with native lenses - and all of the new large sensor Sony camcorders (e.g., NEX-FS700, , , ) have zoom rockers and are compatible with the Sony SELP 18200 servo zoom lens.

Larry - your old had 3 small 1/3" CCD sensors - the new has 1 large Super 35 power-efficient CMOS sensor. Here is an article from Kyle Doris at B&H photo explaining the difference between CCD and CMOS:

Kyle Doris: To CCD or to CMOS, That is the Question | B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

Here is a sensor size comparison showing the size difference between 1/3" and Super 35 sensors:

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/image...nsor_table.gif

Hope this is helpful and best of the holidays!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Yes, it helps, thanks a lot!

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For someone coming off an ENG and seemingly not knowing much about large sensor cameras, I wanted to render it explicit that those features typically aren't there. Having a zoom on the lens means only having it on that lens so if there's an expectation of that on an interchangeable lens camera like it is on ENG cameras, the OP will have a surprise. Similarly, the nice tap of the AF or AE button on an ENG is nothing like the AF on Canon DSLRs (press hold, click, buzzz, click, cajung...). And, last I looked, getting a lens faster than f3.5 on a Sony e-mount meant getting an A-Mount lens and an adapter. Then, to get AF on the A-Mount meant an expensive adapter that ultimately restricts the aperture to no wider than f3.5. Maybe that's changed in Sony's lens lineup. It's just not as uniform on large sensor cameras and thought it was important in case it was assumed by the OP.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

It should be noted that the current v1.00 firmware (Dec. 2012) in the FS700 does NOT support the use of the zoom rocker when the SELP18200 power zoom lens is attached. The SELP18200 is otherwise fully functional on the FS700, but you must / can only zoom it using the switch on the lens itself.

At this time, it is unknown when updated firmware will be available that enables the zoom rocker. And if it turns out that the firmware that enables the zoom rocker is the same firmware that will eventually enable the FS700's true 4K functionallity, then it's going to be a paid upgrade to get the zoom rocker working.

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Thanks for setting me straight, Juan.

Best of the holidays to you and yours,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: Which Cam next?
 

What do we think of the Panasonic Lumix GH3 on this board?

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Sony has said the 4k firmware would not be a paid upgrade. You'll pay dearly for the Sony recorder and adapter though.

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I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are, Larry!

I cancelled my order of the BMCC after a brief inspection at a trade show, plus the fact that it costs double in my country. It is good, no doubt, but it reminded me of my old 1/3" JVC 111E. Kitting it up (I've written a guide about it) and owning one is not worth the trouble, in my opinion.

The only camera that I come back to again and again is the FS100. Even though I don't need to own one I would like to keep one at home! I shoot with the C300 almost exclusively now, rented of course.

Hope this helps.

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Sareesh,

Yep, I simply can't fall in love with the BMCC and I also can't justify owning an FS100 yet.
I guess, I'll know when my script is done, maybe then something new will be around?

Re: Which Cam next?
 

I understand the newcomer mentality: Buy the camera now, even before everything else is in place!

It's not as if the camera is going anywhere!

Well, I know this: Whenever I'm ready, something will be around that'll let me shoot it. At this point I don't care for cameras anymore. But it took me a movie to realize that.

Having said that, I have my eyes on this new camera they call the Sony F5...

Re: Which Cam next?
 

Agreed.
The cam for me is the last piece of the puzzle.
If I don't have everything else aligned, no need to buy a cam.