Which HD Video DSLR?

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effortDee

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Hey everyone!

My current camera's are film Minolta Dynax's 7000i & 7000si with battery grip and in the next few months require a DSLR, not specifically for photography but as much for HD video recording.

As i have said I have the Minolta's so I also have Minolta AF lenses which has got me thinking about purchasing a Sony a2xxx or one of the lower end models.

But since I recently got rid of two pocket HD camcorders, a Kodax ZX1 and a Samsung U10 I need to purchase a DSLR which has HD video recording option. The only real reason i am thinking about the Sony's is that I can still use the lenses I currently own and just buy a body as I have all the basic photography gear.

I have looked at the Sony a560 and the Sony a580 but I have a few questions.

I am open to changing the manufacturer as long as it comes in under £450. I can get the Sony a560 for £380 brand new so am thinking of that.

Do the Sony's allow for manual exposure and focusing? By this i mean ISO, Aperture and me changing the focus on the lens as I am shooting video?

I am also a musician with my own home recording studio, it's in a basement and thus has no windows. Even though there are two main light sources in there I had difficulties using the two portable HD camcorders so that is why I got rid of them, if they couldn't work in there then they are not going to work well at live events in dingy dark pubs/clubs etc. The question here is, what audio devices, if any can i plug in to the cameras? I own condenser mics, dynamic mics too. I would rather do this than try sync up both audio and video at a later date. Can I just use a converter, XLR to whatever it is to fit one of my Shure, SE Electronics, Red5 mics to the camera? That would be incredible if i could!

This is why I need to be able to change the aperture in video mode and thought that a DSLR with these features would be spot on.

I have looked in to the Panasonic GH1 and have been told its the best manual hd video recording DSLR for my price range. Then the Olympus E P2, Sony a55, Canon 5D MKii (out of price range), Nikon 5000, EOS 550D Rebel T2i.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Oh it will also be my first DSLR i own and the reason I got in to Minolta was due to my step dad. He is a professional photographer/graphic designer and they were his until he gave me them over a year ago and I aint stopped taking photo's since and learning everything I can. He also owns a Sony a850 and another high end Sony and thus I can lend his expensive Sony & Carl Zeiss Lenses :love:
 
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I can't help you specifically on the details of the cameras, but if you are recording music you would be far better recording it independently, then syncing it up when you come to the edit - especially as you already have a recording studio!

All you need is a clapper board...
 
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA560/AA560A.HTM

The above suggests you don't have much control over aperture while shooting so you'd have to change aperture and shoot again if you wanted a different aperture. I have not used the video on my a580 and I'd assume they'd work the same. Also worth checking out the SLT A33 as I think the video mode on that is more sophisticated. But if you have lots of sigma glass it will be a problem as the SLTs and sigma lenses aren't properly compatible until they've had a holiday with sigma. About £30 to £70 per lens.

I reckon something like a panasonic HD camcorder with external mic would get the best video with sound and lots of them have good low light capability. But it wouldn't take the best stills. You'd get better stills with a sony dslr but the video wouldn't be as good. And there is a limit on shooting time with dslr video, usually 10 minutes or so. I think you're probably going to need both...or have to compromise on video quality if stills are more important.

Also check out Sony NEX on the off chance the video mode is better as with an adapter you can use standard sony AF lenses. That might actually be the answer but I don't know enough about the NEX to be certain.
 
GH1 will not let you down, and wonb't overheat like the others. Plus there's an unending range of old manual lenbses you can whack on there for full dedicated manual control without having to touch a menu item.
 
60d doesn't overheat at least not for over 8 hours of almost continuous shooting.
 
Chris seager said:
Canon 550d, 600d, 60d, 7d, 5d MKII, 1D mkIV. Choose one you wont be disappointed...
Click to expand...

Nice demo reel Chris, some super sharp shots in there, no idea how you managed to hold focus in some of those action shots!
If you're into bikes and the 7d you should have a look at this. Nothing to do with me unfortunately: http://vimeo.com/17439665
 
halshaater said:
Nice demo reel Chris, some super sharp shots in there, no idea how you managed to hold focus in some of those action shots!
If you're into bikes and the 7d you should have a look at this. Nothing to do with me unfortunately: http://vimeo.com/17439665
Click to expand...


Thanks very much ! Got used to focusing a bit more now but still learning every time i shoot !

I do love that video, amazes me how they use twixtor so well without any distortion !
 
Chris seager said:
Canon 550d, 600d, 60d, 7d, 5d MKII, 1D mkIV. Choose one you wont be disappointed...
Click to expand...

Sounds advice, my 7D is very useful for video, and I got rid of all my old video camera in favour of going to DSLRs only.

The advice regarding audio is also spot on. Don't even try to capture audio on the camera, as you can't monitor on any of the current crop of DSLRs that I know of. You therefore need an external recorder that you can monitor, and if you want you can then line that into the camera mic input, but I generally don't both and just sync afterwards.
 
If youy have to have dslr I would get canon 550d, 60d etc. But for me panasonic sd700 dedicated camcorder is so good that I want to sell my 550d.

effortDee said:
Hey everyone!

My current camera's are film Minolta Dynax's 7000i & 7000si with battery grip and in the next few months require a DSLR, not specifically for photography but as much for HD video recording.

As i have said I have the Minolta's so I also have Minolta AF lenses which has got me thinking about purchasing a Sony a2xxx or one of the lower end models.

But since I recently got rid of two pocket HD camcorders, a Kodax ZX1 and a Samsung U10 I need to purchase a DSLR which has HD video recording option. The only real reason i am thinking about the Sony's is that I can still use the lenses I currently own and just buy a body as I have all the basic photography gear.

I have looked at the Sony a560 and the Sony a580 but I have a few questions.

I am open to changing the manufacturer as long as it comes in under £450. I can get the Sony a560 for £380 brand new so am thinking of that.

Do the Sony's allow for manual exposure and focusing? By this i mean ISO, Aperture and me changing the focus on the lens as I am shooting video?

I am also a musician with my own home recording studio, it's in a basement and thus has no windows. Even though there are two main light sources in there I had difficulties using the two portable HD camcorders so that is why I got rid of them, if they couldn't work in there then they are not going to work well at live events in dingy dark pubs/clubs etc. The question here is, what audio devices, if any can i plug in to the cameras? I own condenser mics, dynamic mics too. I would rather do this than try sync up both audio and video at a later date. Can I just use a converter, XLR to whatever it is to fit one of my Shure, SE Electronics, Red5 mics to the camera? That would be incredible if i could!

This is why I need to be able to change the aperture in video mode and thought that a DSLR with these features would be spot on.

I have looked in to the Panasonic GH1 and have been told its the best manual hd video recording DSLR for my price range. Then the Olympus E P2, Sony a55, Canon 5D MKii (out of price range), Nikon 5000, EOS 550D Rebel T2i.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Oh it will also be my first DSLR i own and the reason I got in to Minolta was due to my step dad. He is a professional photographer/graphic designer and they were his until he gave me them over a year ago and I aint stopped taking photo's since and learning everything I can. He also owns a Sony a850 and another high end Sony and thus I can lend his expensive Sony & Carl Zeiss Lenses :love:
Click to expand...
 
I want to record short clips about, and of, product for upload to utube for my hand made tile website. My son has offered me his Samsung VC-HMX 10 camcorder for this if I want it.

I am also hankering after a 600d and wonder if this would do the job any better or as good.

Any help with what you think would give the best results with minimum learning curve most welcome.
 
Get a Panasonic GH2 & hack it...the video quality will blow you away
 
britco said:
Get a Panasonic GH2 & hack it...the video quality will blow you away
Click to expand...

OP has a budget of 450 . 500 is new (what a sweeet price !! )

but I would get the GH1 as I did and spend the rest on accessories that are vital to a good video.
 
Given that the OP already has a-mount lenses, and has access to other, better a-mount lenses, the a35 would seem the most logical solution. Sure, he could ditch everything and start from scratch, but it'll cost more in the long run and gain very little as far as I can see.
 
Johnd2000 said:
Given that the OP already has a-mount lenses, and has access to other, better a-mount lenses, the a35 would seem the most logical solution. Sure, he could ditch everything and start from scratch, but it'll cost more in the long run and gain very little as far as I can see.
Click to expand...


his stepdad has . and sony dslr is not for video ! canon 60d,5dmkII, 7d, 600d and panasonic gh1,gh2 is.

everything else will only drive you mad as soon as you get the grips of it.
I too have A mount lenses, eos , m42 etc, etc.
 
Starastin said:
his stepdad has . and sony dslr is not for video ! canon 60d,5dmkII, 7d, 600d and panasonic gh1,gh2 is.
Click to expand...

Utter nonsense.
 
Starastin said:
which is the sony you can shoot in manual ? for a start ?
Click to expand...

Aperture control, if manual focussing, on a55.

Now your turn. A camera with fast accurate PDAF in video?
 
Johnd2000 said:
Aperture control, if manual focussing, on a55.

Now your turn. A camera with fast accurate PDAF in video?
Click to expand...

I can do full manual, exposure, everything.

and that's not to talk about more techy stuff like bit rates etc, etc.

what's pdaf ?

the kit lens that comes with gh1,2 is designed specifically for video and has a very good AF .

and yet to remind - of course video is possible with lots of Sony's but I for one got bored quickly of what my Canon could do, the 500d.
 
Highly recommend 60d or 7d, flip screen on 60D & 600D is good quality and comes in handy
 
I was going to suggest a Nex 5n body and a LAEA2, another way to get full manual control and auto focus with your A Mount lenses, but I just done a price check for that. Over £800...Oh dear, Sony.
 
Another advantage of a Sony SLT over canikon DSLR options is that you can use the EVF in bright conditions where a rear screen can be difficult to see.
 
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