new slr with video

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CLARKO

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john clarkson
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Hi
wondered what thoughts people had. My wife wants a camcorder to record our little girl growing up.

I saw my chance ;) if i flog my sony a300 for a few hundred quid and add the camcorder budget i can upgrade my slr.

i know some feel video on cameras is herecy but it serves my purpose.

a few questions iam going to have about 500 or so. what do you reccomend?

iam considering a canon 550d, but could stretch to the 60d however except for the mag body i fail to see what the extra would get me. theres also the d90 and someone said to me to get a 50d, but i didnt think they had video.

any suggestions, also how practicle are the video features on any slr.

thanks in advance

john
 
Have a look at the sony A33/A55, fantastic camera and auto focus in video mode. Bought mine on friday and think its awesome
 
hI SCOOBYDUDE

I didnt know about this model as i thought they went 300,500,700,900
ect.

The other reason iam changing is to move from sony to canon as iam on a budget and trying to do bird photograpghy the choice of telephoto lens for canon in preowned market is much better. the lens are there for sony if you have the money to pay for them.

cheers

john
 
My advice would be to get a 7D is the budget stretches that far otherwise a 550D would be great. One major thing to take in mind is the jelly shutter of all SLR cameras when recording video and the lack of autofocus (apart from on Sony).

I use my 500D for video quite a lot but there's so many great little video cameras out there like the GoPro Hero and Flip that unless you want something pro looking, it's not worth the hassle. The great thing about these one's are your wife can easily use them and if you wanted you could even strap them to your daughter to see things from her perspective lol.
 
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As above bear in mind that DSLR aren't the easiest things to use particularly compared to consumer camcorders and are next to useless in hands of novices. While you may have knowledge to use it, others in the family may not.
 
Also, the autofocus in the Canon DSLR range when using video is very poor indeed

Might be fine while your kid is not moving about much, but give up hope of any decent film once she's mobile.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Also, the autofocus in the Canon DSLR range when using video is very poor indeed

Might be fine while your kid is not moving about much, but give up hope of any decent film once she's mobile.
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disagree, my 17 month old is very mobile, people forget that you can just stop down the aperture, get more dof and make focussing easier, a camcorder uses a ver wide dof anyway, get something with good iso capabilities and you can stop down easily whilst upping the iso
 
CLARKO said:
iam considering a canon 550d, but could stretch to the 60d however except for the mag body i fail to see what the extra would get me. theres also the d90 and someone said to me to get a 50d, but i didnt think they had video.
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I don't think the 60D has the mag body... think it's plastic (correct me if I'm wrong on that) but the flip out screen should be good for video.

And the 50D definitely doesn't have the video :thumbs:

Never used one but the 550d is a very good camera for the money from what i've read and should come in close to your budget.
 
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joescrivens said:
disagree, my 17 month old is very mobile, people forget that you can just stop down the aperture, get more dof and make focussing easier, a camcorder uses a ver wide dof anyway, get something with good iso capabilities and you can stop down easily whilst upping the iso
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Fair point - then there is also the option of manual focus which I'm finding is easier than it initially sounds (Assuming the lens has a goof focus ring)
 
Even if the OP knew what to do and could easily manual focus, as I mentioned earlier, there's still the problem of jelly shutter. This may not be an issue for you if you're not really bothered about a bit of distortion but it can get quite sickly if you're panning quickly to keep the subject in frame.

See here for an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHPJPM0dPs
 
If you want it as a camcorder replacement that can also take great stills, the Panasonic GH2 is a much better bet. It has AF that actually works in video mode, as well as lots of other advantages.
 
grey.squirrel said:
Even if the OP knew what to do and could easily manual focus, as I mentioned earlier, there's still the problem of jelly shutter. This may not be an issue for you if you're not really bothered about a bit of distortion but it can get quite sickly if you're panning quickly to keep the subject in frame.

See here for an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHPJPM0dPs
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well i find that to be hardly a deal breaker and also the whole point of moving image is that the subject moves not the camera. I never keep any footage where I panning that fast. I keep the before and the after and fade them cutting out the pan, because even without any jelly shutter, who wants to see a fast pan like that when watching back a movie?
 
grey.squirrel said:
Even if the OP knew what to do and could easily manual focus, as I mentioned earlier, there's still the problem of jelly shutter. This may not be an issue for you if you're not really bothered about a bit of distortion but it can get quite sickly if you're panning quickly to keep the subject in frame.

See here for an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHPJPM0dPs
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what's jelly shutter ?
 
Panasonic GH1 and GH2 lead the way in Video on Interchangeable lens cameras, The GH1 needs a firmware hack to get the ultimate best from it's HD capabilities, but it's easy enough to do.
 
jelly shutter is a bit irrelevant here imo, and not as big of a problem in actual use as all of the youtube video samples of it make out, unless you were trying to copy the 'jason bourne' style of filming...

the issue here is autofocus and depth of field... the sony and panasonic ones may be your best bet for family snaps and video, 7D etc are great production cameras, but not ideal for just waving around to capture family moments.
 
I still stand by getting a Flip camera or the like for pure ease of use when handing it over to other people to use and some are waterproof and very hard wearing as well as more compact. Not to mention they're a fraction of the price.
 
Whilst the quality of dSLR video is fantastic, for anyone other than serious abiout the use of their video, it's almost a non starter. Manual focusing, noise when changing any settings or using an IS lens all detract but the quality of video is fantastic.

the high ISO capability of the 5DII is amazing though!

If you want easy to use with auto focus, get a camcorder.
 
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itsdavedotnet said:
jelly shutter is a bit irrelevant here imo, and not as big of a problem in actual use as all of the youtube video samples of it make out, unless you were trying to copy the 'jason bourne' style of filming...

the issue here is autofocus and depth of field... the sony and panasonic ones may be your best bet for family snaps and video, 7D etc are great production cameras, but not ideal for just waving around to capture family moments.
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EOS_JD said:
Whilst the quality of dSLR video is fantastic, for anyone other than serious abiout the use of their video, it's almost a non starter. Manual focusing, noise when changing any settings or using an IS lens all detract but the quality of video is fantastic.

the high ISO capability of the 5DII is amazing though!

If you want easy to use with auto focus, get a camcorder.
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as someone with no pro video skill at all i still have to disagree with this. whilst its harder to focus of course, once you get used to it i wouldn't describe it as a non starter at all.

just for proof, this is some of my amateur home footage, I'm as amateur as they come:

[YOUTUBE]36cazLKBUvk[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]p1Hyi7HpOdI[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]XDOrcXB9Tx8[/YOUTUBE]
 
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Llama said:
i am in no way a cannon expert but i hear the 60d is very good for film (as i say i have only heard that, may be untrue) and it seems you can get one of thouse for a little over 500.
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60d for £500 about? post the link then cos most are paying more like £750 plus for the body only
 
If it's going to be a still and video it'll almost have to be either an A33 or A55 - great autofocus in video, good IQ and both have ridiculously high AF bursts for the bird photography.

No other DSLR style camera will really work, manual focus may work for you, but your wife will most likely struggle with it. Basically it's Sony SLT's or nothing if you want to use it for bird photography as well as home videos.
 
joescrivens said:
as someone with no pro video skill at all i still have to disagree with this. whilst its harder to focus of course, once you get used to it i wouldn't describe it as a non starter at all.

just for proof, this is some of my amateur home footage, I'm as amateur as they come:
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the quality of those is stunning !
 
Hi
thanks for all your replies although the difference of opinion doesnt really give me a solution.

I watched the videos the jelly shutter on the shed is not acceptable, but jo's of the little girls are great.

I accept that slr use isnt as straightforward as a little pansasonic or handycam but we just want some snippets of the baby growing up, not planning to take on george lucas.

Jo i know the 60 d is above 500 but so is the 550 with lens i did say about 500 and i would stretch to 60d (around 620 on fleabay) would wait for jan sales see what that brings, dont mind preowned when they start popping up either as long as its mint. 7d is probably stretching the principle.

will think on may just bite the bullet and get bottom end camcorder and then look at the slr.

you just assume when you spend 5,6,7, on a camera that 'does video' it will be good at it.


cheers

john
 
well, when i look back at the video i shot with my camcordr, even the hd panny i had which was the top consumer camcorder there was, i find it just has no soul. the video out of my dSLR is worth every difficulty it takes to get it because the quality really is that good.its also an absolute joy to use and makes filming so much more interesting than pointing and shooting with a handycam.

the best thing is that i only ever take one camera with me, no need for both. i would never buy another camcorder
 
Ksanti said:
If it's going to be a still and video it'll almost have to be either an A33 or A55 - great autofocus in video, good IQ and both have ridiculously high AF bursts for the bird photography.

No other DSLR style camera will really work
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Apart from a GH1/2 - the GH2 is widely reckoned to now be the best hybrid still/video camera out there, but no-one seems to be interested here so I'll stop the broken record act. :wave:
 
grum said:
Apart from a GH1/2 - the GH2 is widely reckoned to now be the best hybrid still/video camera out there, but no-one seems to be interested here so I'll stop the broken record act. :wave:
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Which isn't a DSLR style camera.
 
Ksanti said:
Which isn't a DSLR style camera.
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Isn't it? Just because it doesn't have a mirror.

Is the Panasonic GH2 the Next Great HDSLR?

Short answer: no, because it’s not technically a DSLR! The Panasonic GH2, like the GH1 before it, is an EVIL camera with no optical viewfinder, which disqualifies it from the titular question. Going beyond this technicality, however, the GH2 looks like it’s going to be the one to get when it comes out later this month (or possibly in early January).

I haven’t gotten my hands on the camera, but the initial reviews are extremely positive. To sum it up, EOSHD has this to say about the GH2 versus the Canon 60D: “I recommend the GH2 over the 60D in every respect, even if you have Canon lenses.” The camera’s video processing is apparently worlds better, offering a “true” 1080p signal with an uncompressed HDMI output (allowing shooters to use an external recorder like the Nanoflash or Ki Pro Mini). The GH2 offers an innovative 1:1 sensor crop mode, allowing for telephoto images with no loss in light. It has far less aliasing than a Canon DSLR, and Panasonic has apparently fixed the banding and noise issues from the GH1 (I got my hands on a GH1, but it was one of the latter-day models and could not be hacked).

It really seems like Panasonic has taken the torch from Canon and run with it, as Canon’s DSLRs have not fixed the aliasing issue since the 5D Mark II came out two years ago.
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http://nofilmschool.com/2010/12/panasonic-gh2-great-hdslr/

This is also complete misinformation:

Ksanti said:
Basically it's Sony SLT's or nothing if you want to use it for bird photography as well as home videos.
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There is a 100-300mm (200-600mm equivalent) for Micro Four Thirds which seems to be well reviewed and would seem ideal for bird photography.
 
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joescrivens said:
as someone with no pro video skill at all i still have to disagree with this. whilst its harder to focus of course, once you get used to it i wouldn't describe it as a non starter at all.

just for proof, this is some of my amateur home footage, I'm as amateur as they come
Click to expand...

Steve
You are no amateur! That first one is outstanding. Love the mix for video and stills.

Do you use anything to focus? Just the screen? I find it a little hit and miss but have only shot a couple of very short trials. I may try this more!
 
EOS_JD said:
Steve
You are no amateur! That first one is outstanding. Love the mix for video and stills.

Do you use anything to focus? Just the screen? I find it a little hit and miss but have only shot a couple of very short trials. I may try this more!
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lol @ steve

well thanks for the kudos but truly thats just amateur time, it's just a hobby. Editing is more of a skill than the videoing I think, I don't really know anything about composition etc when filming.

I use nothing but the screen to focus and that was all handheld. I find it fine as long as it's not in bright sunlight. I always zoom in to set the focus before i start recording
 
joescrivens said:
lol @ steve

well thanks for the kudos but truly thats just amateur time, it's just a hobby. Editing is more of a skill than the videoing I think, I don't really know anything about composition etc when filming.

I use nothing but the screen to focus and that was all handheld. I find it fine as long as it's not in bright sunlight. I always zoom in to set the focus before i start recording
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Well very impressive! Compositiopn for video is not that different to photography and I think in that first one you did an outstanding job and told the whole story over just one track!

Helps also having two beautiful subjects to work with :) lol

Anyway I think I'm now off topic a little - I need to try more with the 5D
 
60d is a lot better for video but as a dslr it's not much better than 550d .

but all is down to the user.
 
p.s. even worse than 50d for some reasons I thinks.

the race for high MP is ridiculous. and still ongoing.
 
Hi everyone

Thanks Llama thats better than i had seen so far. but i would still need to buy glass so still going to blow budget even with a kit lens and i need 500mm or say 55-200 ZOOM +2XTC.

Anyone had anything from digi rev dont want anything of the back of a lorry from hong kong.

trying to consider the others but i have sony now and just cant afford the lens 's i want theres so few about. trying to consider the gh2 although know nothing about it. its like clothes designer over next , next makes more sense and is probably just as good if not better definitlely cheaper but i have set my heart on hugo boss.

shallow i know but i have settled on canon partly because of the hundreds of lens about and partly because i love the brand.

jo you have 5d mrk 2 so would i get anyware near that on a 60 d?

thanks again all
 
You will lose AutoFocus with that combo of 55-200 + 2x converter.

What do you mean re getting near a 5DII?
 
CLARKO said:
Hi everyone

Thanks Llama thats better than i had seen so far. but i would still need to buy glass so still going to blow budget even with a kit lens and i need 500mm or say 55-200 ZOOM +2XTC.

Anyone had anything from digi rev dont want anything of the back of a lorry from hong kong.

trying to consider the others but i have sony now and just cant afford the lens 's i want theres so few about. trying to consider the gh2 although know nothing about it. its like clothes designer over next , next makes more sense and is probably just as good if not better definitlely cheaper but i have set my heart on hugo boss.

shallow i know but i have settled on canon partly because of the hundreds of lens about and partly because i love the brand.

jo you have 5d mrk 2 so would i get anyware near that on a 60 d?

thanks again all
Click to expand...

the quality of video from a 60d and a 5d mark 2 will be marginally different simply because of the full frame sensor on the 5d. The 60d can shoot 24 frames a second and so the video will look very similar. Much of the video in the second youtube film was from a 7d before i got my 5d.

Here's an example of 7d footage which will be just like a 60d

[YOUTUBE] y1oO855lQwk[/YOUTUBE]
 
CLARKO said:
Hi everyone

Thanks Llama thats better than i had seen so far. but i would still need to buy glass so still going to blow budget even with a kit lens and i need 500mm or say 55-200 ZOOM +2XTC.

Anyone had anything from digi rev dont want anything of the back of a lorry from hong kong.

trying to consider the others but i have sony now and just cant afford the lens 's i want theres so few about. trying to consider the gh2 although know nothing about it. its like clothes designer over next , next makes more sense and is probably just as good if not better definitlely cheaper but i have set my heart on hugo boss.

shallow i know but i have settled on canon partly because of the hundreds of lens about and partly because i love the brand.

jo you have 5d mrk 2 so would i get anyware near that on a 60 d?

thanks again all
Click to expand...

o didn't realize lenses were also in the budget sorry :(
 
Hi Everyone

eos jd, i knew there was AF issues with converters, i will check it out before buying just an illustration of getting to 4-500mm to get bird shots at 50 feet or so which is where i find you start to spook them. thanks though if i had got the body i may have rushed to out to get a tc.

my comment about the D5 has been answered, i was refering to the quality difference between the 60 d and d5. as they are completely different animals.

seems i could get reasonably close to the video of the little girls which would be fine.

Llama i did now we where talking just bodies for my budget, my point was i was never going to get any of these cameras with lens for the 500 that was the money available from sale of alpha and the camcorder budget. my point was if iam going to put money in i might as well add a bit more and get a 60d rather than a 550d. my only restriction would be going the whole hogg for the 7d

i can always get decent range zoom as day lens and buy my 500mm used down the line.

thanks for your help.

cheers

john
 
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