Why do some of you use DSLRs?

Steve Burkett · April 29th, 2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony McErlean

Steve, you suggested the RX10.
I did a search on this forum for the RX10 and see it got good reviews.
What about a lens for it? does it come with one fitted?

Yes it does - it's a fixed lens camera but one with a constant 2.8 aperture across it's quite impressive zoom, very useful for filming Weddings where dark interiors are quite common. If it did 4K, I'd have one myself.

Anthony McErlean · April 29th, 2015, 07:49 AM

Thanks Steve, good to know.
May I ask, do have an DSLR?

Steve Burkett · April 29th, 2015, 08:28 AM

I'm currently filming with a GH4, GH3 and 2 hacked GH2's for unlimited recording. There are strengths and weaknesses in such a line up and it lacks something like a AX100 or a RX10 that does 4K if such a thing existed, but it still works for me for now.

Anthony McErlean · April 29th, 2015, 08:54 AM

Thank you Steve.

Jeff Harper · April 29th, 2015, 09:23 AM

I said earlier I hated using DSLRs, but I forgot to mention I do use an RX10 as a third camera. In certain situations I use it as a primary cam, in dark ceremony venues, because I can zoom without the gain having to go up due to the constant F/2.8 aperture.

I also use it extensively for dancing at receptions as a handheld and it works very very well for that. It is a handy camera. It would be my first choice recommendation for someone who wants to dabble in DSLR, because the footage is so nice it you count on being able to match it with a lot of other cameras, especially Sonys.

Obviously, for the purists out there, the RX10 is NOT not a true DSLR camera, but instead is more of a fixed lens, point and shoot camera, but it operates about the same as a typical DSLR, and for all practical purposes is the same, IMO.

Anthony McErlean · April 29th, 2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

I do use an RX10 as a third camera. In certain situations I use it as a primary cam, in dark ceremony venues, because I can zoom without the gain having to go up due to the constant F/2.8 aperture.

I also use it extensively for dancing at receptions as a handheld and it works very very well for that. It is a handy camera. It would be my first choice recommendation for someone who wants to dabble in DSLR, because the footage is so nice it you count on being able to match it with a lot of other cameras, especially Sonys.

Thanks Jeff, that is excellent news, that is what I was hoping to use it for too, along those lines.
How long can you record for on one card?
How long does the battery last?
I have a Sony PMW- 320 btw, so it should match up not so bad.

Thank you so much.

Jeff Harper · April 29th, 2015, 02:11 PM

Battery lasts about an hour, the two generics I bought are not bad, but I strongly prefer the real Sony batteries, they last a bit longer and I trust them.

I use a 32GB card, but can't tell you how much footage it will hold, it will vary with your settings. At least 3 or 4 hours I think, but since I started shooting in 60p I think it's less, but I don't really keep track. I only use it for about two hours total, most times.

Just get two good 32gb cards and I'm sure you'll be fine.

The poor battery life is a bummer, but I work around it, just like Noa does. He loves his RX10.

Anthony McErlean · April 29th, 2015, 03:17 PM

Thanks again Jeff, the RX10 is getting more attractive by the minute.
Thanks for the advice.
I'll do a search for Noa's posts.

Anthony McErlean · April 29th, 2015, 04:56 PM

I don't want this thread to start drifting away from the original post, so any questions I have regarding the RX-10 will be posted in the correct thread.

Thank you all again.

Dave Blackhurst · April 30th, 2015, 02:37 AM

Not to drift any further, but another vote for the RX10, it's a stupidly good camera for less than you could get a f/2.8 zoom lens for an SLR (if one were available with 24-200...). Used prices are very reasonable, and you can install the firmware update for higher bitrate XAVCS... we are all hoping someday for a 4K upgrade, since the sensor is basically the same one in the AX100, but no sign of any firmware update or the obvious "RX20" with 4K... so who knows. I bug Sony reps whenever I see one... they want it too...

As it is, great stills and excellent video, decently sized sensor, and great glass. I kept one SLR (SLT actually, being a Sony), but the RX10 is my first choice most of the time.

Anthony McErlean · April 30th, 2015, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Blackhurst

but the RX10 is my first choice most of the time.

Thank you Dave.

Jeff Harper · April 30th, 2015, 06:39 AM

BTW, Anthony, just so you are not surprised or disaappointed: the RX10 has a ridiculously slow zoom. Just be prepared for that. Some people don't mind it, some people dislike that aspect of the camera. Because it's rarely my primary camera I am ok with it, but I did hate that about it when I first got it, but have learned to work with it.

Anthony McErlean · April 30th, 2015, 07:12 AM

Thanks Jeff, for pointing that out to me,. Cant say for sure but don't think it would worry me that much either.
Like you, it won't be my primary camera anyway.

Thanks.

April 29th, 2015, 07:49 AM	#17
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,076	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Thanks Steve, good to know. May I ask, do have an DSLR?

April 29th, 2015, 08:28 AM	#18
Steve Burkett Trustee Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Romsey, UK Posts: 1,261	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? I'm currently filming with a GH4, GH3 and 2 hacked GH2's for unlimited recording. There are strengths and weaknesses in such a line up and it lacks something like a AX100 or a RX10 that does 4K if such a thing existed, but it still works for me for now.

April 29th, 2015, 08:54 AM	#19
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,076	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Thank you Steve.

April 29th, 2015, 09:23 AM	#20
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? I said earlier I hated using DSLRs, but I forgot to mention I do use an RX10 as a third camera. In certain situations I use it as a primary cam, in dark ceremony venues, because I can zoom without the gain having to go up due to the constant F/2.8 aperture. I also use it extensively for dancing at receptions as a handheld and it works very very well for that. It is a handy camera. It would be my first choice recommendation for someone who wants to dabble in DSLR, because the footage is so nice it you count on being able to match it with a lot of other cameras, especially Sonys. Obviously, for the purists out there, the RX10 is NOT not a true DSLR camera, but instead is more of a fixed lens, point and shoot camera, but it operates about the same as a typical DSLR, and for all practical purposes is the same, IMO. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; April 29th, 2015 at 02:06 PM.

April 29th, 2015, 02:11 PM	#22
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Battery lasts about an hour, the two generics I bought are not bad, but I strongly prefer the real Sony batteries, they last a bit longer and I trust them. I use a 32GB card, but can't tell you how much footage it will hold, it will vary with your settings. At least 3 or 4 hours I think, but since I started shooting in 60p I think it's less, but I don't really keep track. I only use it for about two hours total, most times. Just get two good 32gb cards and I'm sure you'll be fine. The poor battery life is a bummer, but I work around it, just like Noa does. He loves his RX10. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 29th, 2015, 03:17 PM	#23
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,076	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Thanks again Jeff, the RX10 is getting more attractive by the minute. Thanks for the advice. I'll do a search for Noa's posts.

April 29th, 2015, 04:56 PM	#24
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,076	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? I don't want this thread to start drifting away from the original post, so any questions I have regarding the RX-10 will be posted in the correct thread. Thank you all again.

April 30th, 2015, 02:37 AM	#25
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Not to drift any further, but another vote for the RX10, it's a stupidly good camera for less than you could get a f/2.8 zoom lens for an SLR (if one were available with 24-200...). Used prices are very reasonable, and you can install the firmware update for higher bitrate XAVCS... we are all hoping someday for a 4K upgrade, since the sensor is basically the same one in the AX100, but no sign of any firmware update or the obvious "RX20" with 4K... so who knows. I bug Sony reps whenever I see one... they want it too... As it is, great stills and excellent video, decently sized sensor, and great glass. I kept one SLR (SLT actually, being a Sony), but the RX10 is my first choice most of the time.

April 30th, 2015, 06:39 AM	#27
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? BTW, Anthony, just so you are not surprised or disaappointed: the RX10 has a ridiculously slow zoom. Just be prepared for that. Some people don't mind it, some people dislike that aspect of the camera. Because it's rarely my primary camera I am ok with it, but I did hate that about it when I first got it, but have learned to work with it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 30th, 2015, 07:12 AM	#28
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,076	Re: Why do some of you use DSLRs? Thanks Jeff, for pointing that out to me,. Cant say for sure but don't think it would worry me that much either. Like you, it won't be my primary camera anyway. Thanks.