Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s)

Jeff Harper · March 8th, 2014, 11:20 AM

Keep in mind that low light capability of the XA10s could be disappointing after working with your DSLRs. In sufficient the XA10s are ok. However when used alongside my GH2s in low light I found that matching them in post was difficult to impossible at times.

Often footage from the cams cut together well, but when it didn't it was really really difficult. I wouldn't want to have to go through it again if I could avoid it.

Richard Tatti · March 8th, 2014, 10:23 PM

I use Panasonic AC 90, Canon HFG30 and Panasonic GH3 for weddings. The AC90 and HFG30 are about the same in low light ... both great cameras for anything other than really dark venues ... but I love the GH3 more than either of them.
I have the 12-35 F2.8, 14-140, 14mm F2.5 and 20mm F1.7 lenses. I've also used the GH 3 as a static locked off camera at the back of concert halls with great success as their is no record limit. (In Australia)
As far as DSLR's go (I also have Nikon D610, D7100) the GH 3 kills them all for usability ... I love how you can use the viewfinder whilst recording video.
But if what you need most is a camcorder with all the controls at your fingertips with excellent images ... I'd go for the AC 90. Things to watch on the AC 90 ... you must use extra ND filter outside in bright sunshine. You must not rely on auto white balance .. especially inside. Otherwise , great camera for the price.

Glen Elliott · March 25th, 2014, 12:03 AM

The FDR-AX100 is the best (non-DSLR) camera money can buy.

Noa Put · March 25th, 2014, 01:28 AM

It seems it does produce some nasty rolling shutter skew on pan movements though, in some cases, like shooting fast action sports this would be the wrong camera.

Noa Put · March 25th, 2014, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Tatti

Things to watch on the AC 90 ... you must use extra ND filter outside in bright sunshine. You must not rely on auto white balance .. especially inside. Otherwise , great camera for the price.

That would apply for the gh3 as well, I often get too much yellow in in faces when shooting indoors so I do use a custom or preset whitebalance whenever possible and the GH3 also needs a ND filter outside. The main difference between a ac90 and the gh3 is that the ac90 is a better run and gun camera.

Dave Partington · March 25th, 2014, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noa Put

It seems it does produce some nasty rolling shutter skew on pan movements though, in some cases, like shooting fast action sports this would be the wrong camera.

Ouch! That is some mean rolling shutter!

Dave Blackhurst · March 25th, 2014, 01:27 PM

Unless you fast pan or shoot fast moving trains, I'm not sure how much of a problem it will be under real shooting conditions... and most CMOS cameras will have the issue to some degree.

It always bugs me when someone "testing" a new toy posts a video to show "CAMERA HAS A PROBLEM!!?!?!?!" (that's usually how it's screamed on the internet), showing it looks bad in that one specific "bad camera op" or difficult shooting situation, but will be stunning for the other vast majority of real world uses...

I'd admit to being a little scared of a camera that is so much like "looking through a window" - meaning that things will be almost un-naturally sharp, BUT... the AX100 does look like about the best video camera for around $2K, it certainly should have some "future proofing" built in!

Dave Partington · March 25th, 2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Blackhurst

Unless you fast pan or shoot fast moving trains, I'm not sure how much of a problem it will be under real shooting conditions...

I agree, though coincidentally I just shot some commercial stuff that did have some fast moving people / vehicles and yes even trains in, so I'm a little bit sensitive to it now. They particularly wanted the side view of a train racing past and I'm stood there shaking my head wishing I had a global shutter camera again.

For weddings it really shouldn't be an issue.

Dave Blackhurst · March 25th, 2014, 02:18 PM

Hey doc, it hurts when I do this....

Doc: Well, don't DO that!!

Yep, I understand that when you run into a certain limitation, it's hard not to WANT it to not be there, and be more sensitive to it.... kinda like my aging eyes, knees and other parts! These new cameras outresolve my eyes, not sure I like THAT!

Max Palmer · April 3rd, 2014, 07:17 PM

Chris- nice to see another local on here!

March 8th, 2014, 11:20 AM	#16
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) Keep in mind that low light capability of the XA10s could be disappointing after working with your DSLRs. In sufficient the XA10s are ok. However when used alongside my GH2s in low light I found that matching them in post was difficult to impossible at times. Often footage from the cams cut together well, but when it didn't it was really really difficult. I wouldn't want to have to go through it again if I could avoid it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 8th, 2014, 10:23 PM	#17
Richard Tatti Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bendigo Australia Posts: 25	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) I use Panasonic AC 90, Canon HFG30 and Panasonic GH3 for weddings. The AC90 and HFG30 are about the same in low light ... both great cameras for anything other than really dark venues ... but I love the GH3 more than either of them. I have the 12-35 F2.8, 14-140, 14mm F2.5 and 20mm F1.7 lenses. I've also used the GH 3 as a static locked off camera at the back of concert halls with great success as their is no record limit. (In Australia) As far as DSLR's go (I also have Nikon D610, D7100) the GH 3 kills them all for usability ... I love how you can use the viewfinder whilst recording video. But if what you need most is a camcorder with all the controls at your fingertips with excellent images ... I'd go for the AC 90. Things to watch on the AC 90 ... you must use extra ND filter outside in bright sunshine. You must not rely on auto white balance .. especially inside. Otherwise , great camera for the price.

March 25th, 2014, 12:03 AM	#18
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) The FDR-AX100 is the best (non-DSLR) camera money can buy. 4k Sony FDR-AX100 first shots - YouTube __________________ Glen Elliott Cord 3 Films

March 25th, 2014, 01:28 AM	#19
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) It seems it does produce some nasty rolling shutter skew on pan movements though, in some cases, like shooting fast action sports this would be the wrong camera. SONY 4K?????? FDR-AX100 ????????1 - YouTube

March 25th, 2014, 01:27 PM	#22
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) Unless you fast pan or shoot fast moving trains, I'm not sure how much of a problem it will be under real shooting conditions... and most CMOS cameras will have the issue to some degree. It always bugs me when someone "testing" a new toy posts a video to show "CAMERA HAS A PROBLEM!!?!?!?!" (that's usually how it's screamed on the internet), showing it looks bad in that one specific "bad camera op" or difficult shooting situation, but will be stunning for the other vast majority of real world uses... I'd admit to being a little scared of a camera that is so much like "looking through a window" - meaning that things will be almost un-naturally sharp, BUT... the AX100 does look like about the best video camera for around $2K, it certainly should have some "future proofing" built in!

March 25th, 2014, 02:18 PM	#24
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) Hey doc, it hurts when I do this.... Doc: Well, don't DO that!! Yep, I understand that when you run into a certain limitation, it's hard not to WANT it to not be there, and be more sensitive to it.... kinda like my aging eyes, knees and other parts! These new cameras outresolve my eyes, not sure I like THAT!

April 3rd, 2014, 07:17 PM	#25
Max Palmer Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Trumbull, CT Posts: 132	Re: Hey guys. Looking to spend $2000 on wedding/event video camera(s) Chris- nice to see another local on here!