Which cam for less than 5000 bucks

Larry Secrest · February 19th, 2015, 07:11 AM

I guess if I'd be willing to spend more, but not a lot more and go for this: Sony NEX-FS700R

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1010197-REG/sony_nex_fs700rh_4k_nxcam_super_35mm.html
I'd be all set?

Chris Medico · February 19th, 2015, 07:23 AM

That is a lot of camera for the money. I have one and I like using it. Its ergonomics are bizarre but OK once you learn where everything is located.

That lens is a little slow but usable. I'm not a big fan of the servo driven lenses like that one since they have zero feel and the focus is unpredictable because its speed sensitive. I did buy my FS700 with the 18-200mm lens and I do use it some.

There are lens adapters so you can use vintage lenses or other SLR lenses. I mostly use some vintage Canon FD lenses.

The FS700 is in my opinion one of the better options to get a video camera with more traditional features and good reliability. Be sure to get a few extra batteries if you intend to use the high speed mode. The batteries are consumed about 50% faster when shooting at high frame rates.

Larry Secrest · February 19th, 2015, 07:26 AM

Thanks Chris.
I don't do too much hand held filming, almost exclusively tripod work.
So now that I'm above 6500 bucks, should I look at the URSA?

Chris Medico · February 19th, 2015, 07:35 AM

Someone else will have to jump in and talk about the URSA since I'm not a fan of BM cameras. I personally don't think they are ready for prime time based on some limited time with them.

John Wiley · February 20th, 2015, 06:51 PM

I've never used an URSA but I did price up a package recently. Once I added a battery solution and enough media for a full day of shooting, it worked out close to $10,000.

Larry Secrest · February 21st, 2015, 05:51 PM

I think I'm going to probably go with this Canon: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086125-REG/canon_eos_c100_cinema_eos.html

Chris Hurd · February 21st, 2015, 06:16 PM

That's a great camera -- you won't be disappointed. Just be aware that there is no servo zoom with this set-up.

Correction: there *are* servo zoom lenses available for Cinema EOS but they're rather expensive! What I meant to say is, you'll most likely be using still photo lenses with this camera, which are not motorized nor do they have long zoom ratios... but those factors don't have to be considered as hinderances.

Larry Secrest · February 21st, 2015, 06:33 PM

Chris, I'm primarily interested in fiction, so no problem for me.
Still debating though, we'll see. But I like that canon.

Larry Secrest · February 22nd, 2015, 05:14 PM

I wonder what the JVC GY-LS300 will end up being like? Price is amazing!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1096581-REG/jvc_gy_ls300_4kcam_handheld_s35mm.html

Chuck Spaulding · February 23rd, 2015, 12:00 PM

This decision is exciting to think about but not really a lot of fun to make...

I made the switch to DSLR shooting with the 5dMkII, since then I've purchased the 7D, 70D, and 5D3. I currently shoot stills with the 5D3 and love it and until recently I shot all my video with it as well.

The only reason I'm chiming in now is that if you decide to go the DSLR route, and there are a lot of challenges that have already been mentioned, then you really should take a look at the GH4.

I think the GH4 is as much of a game changer for DSLR video as the 5dMkII was. I was considering the Canon C100 but when the Metabones Speed Booster adapter for Canon lenses became available I decided to try the GH4 and now shoot everything in 4K.

I think for the price its an awesome camera and depending on your lenses you should also consider the Sony A7s.

I shoot a lot of run and gun which is really problematic with a DSLR style camera, however I'm able to be very unobtrusive and shoot in locations that I probably wouldn't be able to with a shoulder mounted camera and the results can be stunning. Also, I rarely have any help so I appreciated the portability and how much easier and efficient it is to deploy a variety of different kinds of camera mounts like jibs, dolly's and gimbals.

Larry Secrest · February 24th, 2015, 12:20 PM

Chuck,
I'm actually seriously considering the GH4. I do not shoot any run and gun stuff, and if I even need to, it's going to be non professional and I'll use my XH-A1, which is more than adequate for YouTube for Vimeo.

I'm shopping for a cam to do shorts and narrative where everything will be controlled and yes, after considering several cams, including the Sony Sony NEX-FS700R, The coming Sony PXW-FS7 as well as the New Canon C100 and the blackmagic lines, I must say that the GH4 looks better and better, especially that I already have decent sound acquisition equipment. I could probably get two GH4.
I'm wondering, what lens would you recommend for general fiction on the GH4?
Thanks
L.

Noa Put · February 24th, 2015, 12:40 PM

There are plenty of very good lenses for the gh4, a good alround lens is the 12-35mm f2.8 and if you can afford it complete it with a 35-100mm f2.8 lens both stabilised and splash and dustproof. The olympus lenses are also very good, the 12mm f2.0, the 75mm f1.8 are 2 of my favourite ones, all very sharp lenses but not stabilised. The panasonic 25mm f1.4 is also a very good lens. Olympus also has their pro line, where you have got the 12-40 and 40-150mm f2.8, expensive lenses but again very good ones but not stablised.

There is so much choice really, you also could consider Samyang/Rokinon if you don't mind no stabilisation and all manual, they are not as tacksharp as pannasonic or Olympus lenses but they are a joy to manual focus with and have stepless aperturerings and are good value for what they cost. I had all all their lenses but sold them for panny and oly lenses because I prefer autofocus and stabilisation on some lenses.

Larry Secrest · February 24th, 2015, 12:49 PM

Hi Noa!
What do you mean by stabilization?
Is it relevant if I do everything on a tripod?

Noa Put · February 24th, 2015, 01:27 PM

I mean lenses that have build in image stabilisation so you can shoot handheld, if you only work on a tripod you don't need that, these lenses have a switch to turn of the stabilisation if needed.

Larry Secrest · February 24th, 2015, 07:27 PM

That's what I thought, thanks!
When you talked about the 12-35mm f2.8 you meant this one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/865111-REG/Panasonic_H_HS12035_Lumix_G_X_Vario.html

February 19th, 2015, 07:11 AM	#16
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I guess if I'd be willing to spend more, but not a lot more and go for this: Sony NEX-FS700R http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1010197-REG/sony_nex_fs700rh_4k_nxcam_super_35mm.html I'd be all set?

February 19th, 2015, 07:23 AM	#17
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks That is a lot of camera for the money. I have one and I like using it. Its ergonomics are bizarre but OK once you learn where everything is located. That lens is a little slow but usable. I'm not a big fan of the servo driven lenses like that one since they have zero feel and the focus is unpredictable because its speed sensitive. I did buy my FS700 with the 18-200mm lens and I do use it some. There are lens adapters so you can use vintage lenses or other SLR lenses. I mostly use some vintage Canon FD lenses. The FS700 is in my opinion one of the better options to get a video camera with more traditional features and good reliability. Be sure to get a few extra batteries if you intend to use the high speed mode. The batteries are consumed about 50% faster when shooting at high frame rates. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

February 19th, 2015, 07:26 AM	#18
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Thanks Chris. I don't do too much hand held filming, almost exclusively tripod work. So now that I'm above 6500 bucks, should I look at the URSA?

February 19th, 2015, 07:35 AM	#19
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Someone else will have to jump in and talk about the URSA since I'm not a fan of BM cameras. I personally don't think they are ready for prime time based on some limited time with them. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

February 20th, 2015, 06:51 PM	#20
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I've never used an URSA but I did price up a package recently. Once I added a battery solution and enough media for a full day of shooting, it worked out close to $10,000.

February 21st, 2015, 05:51 PM	#21
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I think I'm going to probably go with this Canon: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086125-REG/canon_eos_c100_cinema_eos.html

February 21st, 2015, 06:16 PM	#22
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks That's a great camera -- you won't be disappointed. Just be aware that there is no servo zoom with this set-up. Correction: there are servo zoom lenses available for Cinema EOS but they're rather expensive! What I meant to say is, you'll most likely be using still photo lenses with this camera, which are not motorized nor do they have long zoom ratios... but those factors don't have to be considered as hinderances. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 21st, 2015, 06:33 PM	#23
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Chris, I'm primarily interested in fiction, so no problem for me. Still debating though, we'll see. But I like that canon.

February 22nd, 2015, 05:14 PM	#24
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I wonder what the JVC GY-LS300 will end up being like? Price is amazing! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1096581-REG/jvc_gy_ls300_4kcam_handheld_s35mm.html

February 23rd, 2015, 12:00 PM	#25
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,099	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks This decision is exciting to think about but not really a lot of fun to make... I made the switch to DSLR shooting with the 5dMkII, since then I've purchased the 7D, 70D, and 5D3. I currently shoot stills with the 5D3 and love it and until recently I shot all my video with it as well. The only reason I'm chiming in now is that if you decide to go the DSLR route, and there are a lot of challenges that have already been mentioned, then you really should take a look at the GH4. I think the GH4 is as much of a game changer for DSLR video as the 5dMkII was. I was considering the Canon C100 but when the Metabones Speed Booster adapter for Canon lenses became available I decided to try the GH4 and now shoot everything in 4K. I think for the price its an awesome camera and depending on your lenses you should also consider the Sony A7s. I shoot a lot of run and gun which is really problematic with a DSLR style camera, however I'm able to be very unobtrusive and shoot in locations that I probably wouldn't be able to with a shoulder mounted camera and the results can be stunning. Also, I rarely have any help so I appreciated the portability and how much easier and efficient it is to deploy a variety of different kinds of camera mounts like jibs, dolly's and gimbals.

February 24th, 2015, 12:20 PM	#26
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Chuck, I'm actually seriously considering the GH4. I do not shoot any run and gun stuff, and if I even need to, it's going to be non professional and I'll use my XH-A1, which is more than adequate for YouTube for Vimeo. I'm shopping for a cam to do shorts and narrative where everything will be controlled and yes, after considering several cams, including the Sony Sony NEX-FS700R, The coming Sony PXW-FS7 as well as the New Canon C100 and the blackmagic lines, I must say that the GH4 looks better and better, especially that I already have decent sound acquisition equipment. I could probably get two GH4. I'm wondering, what lens would you recommend for general fiction on the GH4? Thanks L.

February 24th, 2015, 12:40 PM	#27
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks There are plenty of very good lenses for the gh4, a good alround lens is the 12-35mm f2.8 and if you can afford it complete it with a 35-100mm f2.8 lens both stabilised and splash and dustproof. The olympus lenses are also very good, the 12mm f2.0, the 75mm f1.8 are 2 of my favourite ones, all very sharp lenses but not stabilised. The panasonic 25mm f1.4 is also a very good lens. Olympus also has their pro line, where you have got the 12-40 and 40-150mm f2.8, expensive lenses but again very good ones but not stablised. There is so much choice really, you also could consider Samyang/Rokinon if you don't mind no stabilisation and all manual, they are not as tacksharp as pannasonic or Olympus lenses but they are a joy to manual focus with and have stepless aperturerings and are good value for what they cost. I had all all their lenses but sold them for panny and oly lenses because I prefer autofocus and stabilisation on some lenses. Last edited by Noa Put; February 24th, 2015 at 01:28 PM.

February 24th, 2015, 12:49 PM	#28
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Hi Noa! What do you mean by stabilization? Is it relevant if I do everything on a tripod?

February 24th, 2015, 01:27 PM	#29
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I mean lenses that have build in image stabilisation so you can shoot handheld, if you only work on a tripod you don't need that, these lenses have a switch to turn of the stabilisation if needed.

February 24th, 2015, 07:27 PM	#30
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks That's what I thought, thanks! When you talked about the 12-35mm f2.8 you meant this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/865111-REG/Panasonic_H_HS12035_Lumix_G_X_Vario.html