Looking a video camera (budget $2k) - what to buy?!

[Mantiz]

Hi, Im new in videography, I use to organize photoshoots in this forum say.. 8 years ago? not sure if anyone remembers me but anyways, i've been doing video edits as a freelance job

However, the videographers aren't able to achieve shallow depth of field (and their cameras are like $6k-$8k plus), so i decided to pick it up myself and trying to find a good one to invest in,

I have enquire nikon, canon and sony, and only sony replied my email with this model

Sony HDR-XR260VE

They say this camera can achieve shallow depth of field effortlessly (i highly doubt so, but since i'm new, have to ask the masters here)

On a side note, I have a Nikon d5100 and when i use the 52mm lens, i was able to achieve shallow dof easily, however i heard because DSLR is not meant to take video, it will spoil the body v fast!

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Btw if any videographers need my service, please feel free to contact me, i use non-linear programs like after effects n others, like final cut pro etc.

I have done many corporate videos so far and hope to get into the wedding video/photo industry, please advise!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[eleveninth]

who is they in "They say"

 

[Mantiz]

Sony salesman

 

[Bamboopictures]

Luckily you were not duped. Shallow depth of field is easily achieved with today's crop of large sensor camcorders using 35mm lens. The Sony HDR-XR260VE with its under 1/3" sensor is not a large sensor camera.
The cheapest camcorder with APS-C sized sensor is the VG20 at $1700. You can use your Nikon lenses by buying a E-mount adapter for around $80.
Other popular large sensor camcorders are:
Panasonic AF102
Sony FS100, FS700, NEX-EA50, VG10,VG900, F3
Canon C100 (shipping November) C300
RED Scarlet, RED Epic

However, even if you did buy the HDR-XR260VE, there's still a way to get your shallow depth of field and use your favorite Nikon lenses:
http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus35-mini.html

 

[Mantiz]

Oh thanks alot! i was on the verge of buying since no one reply me , im heading to Canon now to take a look at c300, thanks! hopefully under my budget

Wont it hurt my dslr if i keep using it for video? and its very shaky

 

[Mantiz]

Luckily you were not duped. Shallow depth of field is easily achieved with today's crop of large sensor camcorders using 35mm lens. The Sony HDR-XR260VE with its under 1/3" sensor is not a large sensor camera.
The cheapest camcorder with APS-C sized sensor is the VG20 at $1700. You can use your Nikon lenses by buying a E-mount adapter for around $80.
Other popular large sensor camcorders are:
Panasonic AF102
Sony FS100, FS700, NEX-EA50, VG10,VG900, F3
Canon C100 (shipping November) C300
RED Scarlet, RED Epic

However, even if you did buy the HDR-XR260VE, there's still a way to get your shallow depth of field and use your favorite Nikon lenses:
Letus 35mm Adapters :: Letus Adapters :: Letus35 Mini - LetusDirect - Letus HDSLR, 35mm adapters, lenses, and camera accessories

Hey friend, I went to Canon and wasn't able to find c100/c300 (maybe its not released yet?) But I found something great, the Legria series, what do you think of them? within my budget and the moment i picked it up, can achieve shallow depth of field without me trying to do anything! Do let me know your advice. Thanks!

 

[RyanKhoo]

VG900 confirm liao or still a rumour ?

Other popular large sensor camcorders are:
Panasonic AF102
Sony FS100, FS700, NEX-EA50, VG10, VG900, F3
Canon C100 (shipping November) C300
RED Scarlet, RED Epic

 

[Bamboopictures]

The C300 is a special order $30,000 camera. The C100 is around $10,000 and will be shipping November. If your budget is $2000. The VG10 and the VG20 are your only choice for large sensor camcorders. If you are worried about ruining your nikon, don't. The camera will get obsolete before it gets damaged. But if you want a DSLR that is dedicated for video filming, consider the Gh2. Just don't cry when the GH3 comes out next month.

The Legria series use 1/3" CMOS, 15 times smaller than your APS-C sensor. There is simply no comparison. Its the law of optics.

VG900 is a certainty because Carl Zeiss already announced a full frame emount lens. To date there is no such thing as a full-frame emount camera!
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/zeiss-launches-new-cp-2-e-mount-lenses-can-cover-full-frame/

 

[XsenseX]

Shallow depth is an over used style of shooting.

Having the subject popping out nicely doesn't mean u need to use f1.4 or f1.2

I rather have focus peaking, large dynamic range in my cameras rather than looking for one that has 'shallow depth of field'.

U mention u have experience in corp video and editing but c300 is pretty famous and at a price range u cannot afford but yet you go search for it and tell us you can't find it in stores? Seems strange for a season videographer isn't it?

By anyways, if u dislike the dslr form factor, the vg10 or 20 might be a better choice. If u willing to spend more, it will be the fs100.

 

[RyanKhoo]

But if you want a DSLR that is dedicated for video filming, consider the Gh2. Just don't cry when the GH3 comes out next month.

Isn't the Panasonic Gh2 & GH3 a camera instead of video camera ? The Panasonic GH2 & GH3 still have limitation of recording max continous duration of 29 mins, right ?

Thanks

 

[Bamboopictures]

Wrong. There is no limit to video recording for both cameras - as long as you don't hack it, and you have infinite juice and infinite capacity on your SDcard. Panasonic calls them hybrid cameras. GH2 uses the same chip as the AF102. Or more accurately, the AF102 uses the same chip as the GH2

 

[Bamboopictures]

I rather have focus peaking, large dynamic range in my cameras rather than looking for one that has 'shallow depth of field'.

VG20 has focus peaking. Dynamic range is so-so. Can't fight with the BMD Cinema cam. Or even the AC120/130/160

 

[hamanoshun]

Shallow depth is an over used style of shooting.

Having the subject popping out nicely doesn't mean u need to use f1.4 or f1.2

It's over-used because people who think it's really fun to do so don't really know when and how they should use it to enhance their images. Everything in their mind is still "more bokeh", little do they know that it doesn't always work for video as it does photo.

Shallow depth of field honestly hasn't been taking over Singapore despite the availability and relative cost of these cameras. It may be due to production companies not wanting to be adventurous and just delivering exactly what they are told/used to. Sometimes I feel production companies fail to educate clients on budgeting, bringing up their production values with the use of these cameras and whatever new toys you see released in America.

 

[Mantiz]

I don't know what I did to offend u but as I said, I'm a video editor, the only reason I'm getting a video camera is that my videographer cannot achieve the effect I want,

As I said I'm new to this scene and I'm posting here cause I need help so the hell I would know anything about c300? And i did not mention I'm a seasoned videographer?

The best part of all these is no one give me a direct answer as to what I could possibly do with 2k,

It's a pretty simple question cause that's all I want to achieve, as videographers have all sort of others camera,

Well since no one can help me I'll just gamble it with Legria since it seems to be the only one that can achieve what I want.

Really plz don't argue over this, I know u guys is all expert, but seriously, a simple question.. What can I buy w 2k? No one answer :/ oh well

 

[RyanKhoo]

What can I buy w 2k? No one answer :/ oh well

Huh ? I thought Bamboopicture has answer to that in another thread ? He even list the breakdown leh ...

 

[RyanKhoo]

Wrong. There is no limit to video recording for both cameras - as long as you don't hack it, and you have infinite juice and infinite capacity on your SDcard. Panasonic calls them hybrid cameras. GH2 uses the same chip as the AF102. Or more accurately, the AF102 uses the same chip as the GH2

If I am not wrong, most, if not all DSLR cameras has a limitation in the duration of recording time (ie continous time). At most is only 30 mins. This is not because it is limited by memory card space but limitation it the camera itself ...

You may say that after 30 mins, stop and start recording again. But it gets hot. I used my Sony Nex5 to record video in concert (with permission, of course) & it is difficult to determine when to stop so as not to exceed the 30 mins. To play safe, I record upto 15 mins each then stop & then re-record again. Even then, after a few round of continous 15 mins, it got so HOT that a warning icon appears & blink !

As for this Panasonic GH2, see this brochure at Page 10:
http://lumix.panasonic.com.sg/lumixg/pdf/gh2_brochure.pdf
it says continous recording is ONLY 29 mins 59 secs.

Not sure about Panasonic GH3, though ... if no limitation then it is good !

U think Panasonic GH3 won't have not this limitation, anymore ?

 

[Bamboopictures]

I stand corrected. But no heat issues with my GH2 so far.

 

[RyanKhoo]

I stand corrected. But no heat issues with my GH2 so far.

Actually, what I am to understand really is why all DSLR cameras have this restriction/limitation of continuous recording time ?

It cannot be the SD card because if you were to put the same SD card onto any video camera, the video cameras can easily record much longer than that ... only DSLR cameras cannot ....

So, what are the reasons the DSLR cameras have this limitation & why can't they overcome it ?

Thanks

 

[Bamboopictures]

Actually, what I am to understand really is why all DSLR cameras have this restriction/limitation of continuous recording time ?

It cannot be the SD card because if you were to put the same SD card onto any video camera, the video cameras can easily record much longer than that ... only DSLR cameras cannot ....

So, what are the reasons the DSLR cameras have this limitation & why can't they overcome it ?

Thanks

If my memory served me correct, I've used the GH2 for continuous shooting for over 1 hour. No issue. Maybe the brochure you got is for european models that have the 30minutes limit due to taxation laws.

 

[RyanKhoo]

If my memory served me correct, I've used the GH2 for continuous shooting for over 1 hour. No issue. Maybe the brochure you got is for european models that have the 30minutes limit due to taxation laws.

Hmmm.... I think our local model also like that leh ... I think all DSLR cameras so far have this limitation on continuous recording ... if the reasons are due to taxation, is our tax system in Spore like that too ?

I don't have a GH2 but my friend who has one (local set bought in Spore) said he cannot record continuously for more than 30 mins ... you think you can test again when you are free ?

Thanks