New video camera

Hi,

I sold my Canon HV30 early this year when I bought a Canon 5D Mk II - and thought that I would use this camera for video stock shots.

This hasn't been very much the case for various reasons, a.o. I like to use it steadily for still shots, hasn't yet got the vari-ND filter, and am somewhat surprised of the dust issue (not much of a problem with stills) - and am not convinced it is the best for video shots.

SO, I liked the HV30 - but the camera I would like to get should be able to deal with the rising technical quality requirements in the future - and perhaps being somewhat larger. (HV30 is not the easiest to hold steady unless on a tripod).

Any suggestions?

Thanks beforehand.

Niels

Niels, in my personal opinion you have THE VERY BEST camera for doing stock footage. However, in order to get the best OUT of it, you need to put the nest IN to it.

You need good lenses, a vari-ND filter and you need to spend quality time using it and learning how to use it properly. My first 50 to 100 clips out of my T2i were cruddy, but I kept at it and kept on learning more about the camera.

For stock footage, you really want to avoid handheld if you can, but if you can't then get yourself a shoulder mount. That will greatly in stabilize your footage compared to handheld and it will let you use your 5D more like a traditional camcorder.

I use the T2i, which is the baby of the Canon HD DSLR's and since I had a firm understanding of manual photography I had no issue using it for shooting stock. In fact, ever since switching from my older Sony A1U HDV camcorder, I'm sooooo grateful for the amount I can control my image, such as the ISO (sensitivity of sensor), the iris (controls amount of light and depth-of-field) and the shutter speed (this should be around 1/30th - 1/60th of a second for most videography).
However, if you have no clue what I'm referring to, and you're more of a point-n-shoot type videographer, then the 5d mk II will be very difficult for you to use since you need to know the basics of photography before advancing into shooting video with the camera. I say you can take photography lessons or read a book that gets into the basics, and you'd be shooting great video with the 5D in no time.

Yep.... the vDSLR is not like shooting with a HDV small chip camcorder.

With those you can be off on the actual plane you want to be focusing on and STILL be in focus on your wider focal lengths due to the depth of field a 1/4 or 1/3 inch chips provide. The net result is that it makes it easy for newcomers... the downside going forward is those cameras don't prepare you for taking TOTAL control over your work should you want to advance to that in the future.... that is of course, as Mike mentioned, if one doesn't have an understanding how all the aspects of picture/camera control work together.

I hear people all the time talk about how they wish vDSLRs offered the "AUTO" aspect of camcorders..... the truth is "AUTO" in the professional videographer's world is simply a spot check for them..... once shooting begins it is MANUAL.... and at times you have to tweek the iris ring for aperture changes while racking focus simultaneously...... no focus puller!

There's a lot more to this 'saga' than the manufacturers lead the newcomers to believe... :-) ....

As Mike mentioned above.... once you embrace the manual aspects of your gear a whole new world of options opens up to you on the creative side.

Thanks all.

I control my Canon 5D MkII for sophisticated still photos - never use AUTOMATIC - neither for the videos I have shot with it - nor with my earlier HV30 (though some work should be done to avoid it). I simply prefer to shoot stills with my 5D and am just not as hooked as you are for making videos with it - and it has some major disadvantages.

Dust on the sensor is a major problem (and I like to use my camera and change my L-lenses a lot) - and the camera has been criticized for its codec and the making of artifacts in videos in certain circumstances. (But I am in a camp of 5D lovers ;-) .


However, I appreciate your comments very much and will give it another go - and hope that the extra costs of ND-vari-filters and step rings, etc. is worth it. But still feel that a superior video camera would be the way ahead.

Thanks again,
Niels

The only issues I know of with the codec are the 4:2:0 color space and moire. I've never known there to be any other issues with artifacting as Canon implemented a high bitrate in their use of H.264.

And I change my lenses a lot too, but I learned to do it in such a way as to negate most dust issues.

In any case, you have to do what is best for you. I just think that DSLRs right now provide the best image and "bang" for your buck.

Hi Dave,

Thanks a lot - I will work on it.... And give it a serious go at videos as well.

About the changing, when I bought the camera it was full of sensor dust - a cleaning at a Canon lab didn't help much - one of my friends are particularly good at it - and after that cleaning only minor spots have appeared - even after a lot of changing. So I can probably also deal with that.´

Niels

I shoot the 5D MKII and 7D but there is also a very valid place for a good "video" camera. I kept my HV-20 (still makes a lot of money) and my Canon XH-A1. The great thing about the XH-A1 is the 20x optical zoom that is indeed very good. Also have the ability to do a smooth zoom on a dslr without a focus follow mechanism (normally very expensive) is very shaky. Also if you need an hour or recording the tape drive is still best. Dust is and will always be a factor in dslr, get a good cleaning kit. Also in fast moving subjects that are changing distance the auto focus is almost needed like on the "video" camera. Yes many or most "pro" use manual focus but there is a time and place auto focus. I do like the clarity of dslr video but don't be scared of cameras like the HV-30/30/40 or XH-A1.

Oh, I still have my HF11 and occasionally use it when needed. But since stock is typically around 20 to 30 seconds, I rarely use it for stock any more.

Pond 5 top selling video cameras:

SONY EX1: 19482 reported clips of which 1750+ clips are selling.

CANON XH A1 reported clips 11717 of which 1750+ clips are selling

CANON HV30: 9529 reported clips of which 1100+ clips are selling.

CANON HV20: 10819 reported clips of which 1000+ clips are selling.

It maybe safe to say that Canon's consumer cameras are outselling the pro $$$ cameras.

No sales clips in P5 associated with Sony NX5u. Few clips for the HMC150.
Only a couple thousands clips for cameras like the FX7, FX1, A1U, FX1000.

Wait for the new Canon models.