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

[daniyal]

Just sharing my personal experiences.

I have shot with 550D. After about 10mins, there is this symbol blinking indicating overheat. So I stopped. I have shot with 60D. The longest I have recorded with 60D is 45mins until the symbol came out and blinked. For 60D, its longest recording time is 29mins. The problem is the cooling down period. You are advised to switch off the camera to cool down and switch on again to record. I really need to wait about 3-5mins to switch on again if not, the symbol will still be blinking when the camera is switch on. That 3-5mins could be the longest minutes if you are in the middle of shooting.

Mantiz>>> I am using Canon 60D with Samyang 35mm lens. I like its bokeh or shallow depth of field.

 

[RyanKhoo]

Just sharing my personal experiences.

I have shot with 550D. After about 10mins, there is this symbol blinking indicating overheat. So I stopped. I have shot with 60D. The longest I have recorded with 60D is 45mins until the symbol came out and blinked. For 60D, its longest recording time is 29mins. The problem is the cooling down period. You are advised to switch off the camera to cool down and switch on again to record. I really need to wait about 3-5mins to switch on again if not, the symbol will still be blinking when the camera is switch on. That 3-5mins could be the longest minutes if you are in the middle of shooting.

Thanks for sharing.

So, for 60D is 45 mins or 29 mins ?

Anyway, my question is why does all these DSLR cameras have this continuous recording limitation when taking video ? I believe the specs in all DSLR cameras mentioned this limitation (besides the tax issue) is because they know it will overheat.

Yes, the cool down period in DSLR cameras is also a problem ...

But why this doesn't happen in video camera but only in DSLR cameras when taking video ?

Thanks

 

[eel]

I think it has to do with some EU regulation that if a device records video continuously for 30min or more it will be classified as a video camera and thus a different (and heavier) tax applies. Camera companies are unwilling to incur the additional cost.

 

[RyanKhoo]

I think it has to do with some EU regulation that if a device records video continuously for 30min or more it will be classified as a video camera and thus a different (and heavier) tax applies. Camera companies are unwilling to incur the additional cost.

I think the reasons are more than that .. which I am trying to find out what they are ...

Bcos if it is just taxation, Canon, for example can create 2 models, say Canon 60D-C for DSLR cameras and Canon 60D-V for video camera & pay tax for those 60D-V.

I think it also have to do with technology (which I dunno what it is !) because DLSR cameras when the record video continuously for more than 30 mins (there or about), it gets hot, blinking & gave out warning like what daniyal said (my experience is the same with Sony Nex5). And one have to wait for it to cool off ...

So, the question is what did the manufacturer did to video cameras to enable video cameras to record continuously without any limitation (except of cos limit to the sd card memory size) & why video cameras do not get hot (or at least they can withstand the heat without problem).

Thanks

 

[Mantiz]

Anyway, not sure if anyone cares but I finally went ahead and bought a video cam,

Bought the Sony HDR-PJ760,

Can achieve depth of field really well, but abit ex.. although the sales man did throw in many freebies and educated me for 3 hours on how to use at their in house studio.

So far, its been great ! The ability to shoot at low light condition with literally no noise/pixel is excellent, and the damper stabilization really makes the whole video looks very well.

Thanks for those who help so far! Especially Bamboo pictures, although i didn't buy what you recommended

 

[Bamboopictures]

Glad you found a camera you love!
PJ760 is top of the crop and best all-rounder consumer camcorder today. Good choice. It can achieve deep focus very well, no doubt. Shallow(er) depth of field can be achieved by:

using a small f-stop no.
using a longer focal length
using a short subject distance
increasing the distance between subject from its background.

Now that you've got the PJ760, and a D800, you can compare the effect of sensor size on depth-of-field keeping the parameters listed above constant.

You can also use your nikon lens with the PJ760 by getting a DOF adapter. But don't bother unless you have very fast primes f1.4- f2
lenses. Adapters tend cut 2-4 stops of light.

Conversely to get deep focus on your Nikon, you can:
close down aperture
use shorter focal length
increase subject distance

 

[astrocom]

Bought the Sony HDR-PJ760,

As Bamboopictures stated, this is a very good camera. Do you mind sharing the price you paid for and from where?
Hope to see some sample shots especially the performance of the stabilizer.

 

[Mantiz]

I bought it from Wisma's Sony shop, at $2399, at West Coast Road, there's a sony shop selling for $2060!! (Found out 2 days after i bought), but the customer service and the training Sony gave, i guess its worth paying the additional price lol

So far the shots I took is all at night, dont really have time in the day to shoot.

Shi Wei Tian - YouTube - this is a timelapse shoot from my home to my restaurant lol,

HDR-PJ760 test video - YouTube - random shots taken by my wife (RAW, not edited),

I will take more when i have the chance ^^

 

[Mantiz]

Nikon d5100 is what i have, the DOF is great but its VERY VERY VERY shaky, but other wise what you teach about the distance is great! Thanks alot man!

 

[kandinsky]

I bought it from Wisma's Sony shop, at $2399, at West Coast Road, there's a sony shop selling for $2060!! (Found out 2 days after i bought), but the customer service and the training Sony gave, i guess its worth paying the additional price lol

Which outlet were you referring to at West Coast Road?

This?

Sony Centre
Sony Centre - Clementi West (Woodlands Domestic Electrical Pte Ltd)
Block 727 Clementi West Street 2 #01-260/262