[Hidden-tech] questions about digital video cameras

[Will Loving]

Hi Stephanie,

One option, depending on what his goals are, would be the newly arriving HD
video capable DSLR cameras. These are cameras that look (and function) like
SLR still cameras but which also do HD video and have the added
functionality of interchangeable lens and the ability to use very high
quality, very fast (large aperture) lens for that 'cinematic', narrow depth
of field look. There are now professional videographers doing commercial
work using these cameras, leaving their larger and heavier video cameras at
home.

Depending on what options you want, you can get a DSLR camera that's HD
capable for about $600 on up. Nikon, Canon, Panasonic and Pentax all have
viable options (though notable not Sony). After many months of research, I
personally choose the Panasonic Lumix GH1 ($1298 at Willoughby's in NYC)
because of it's specifically designed to be a 'hybrid' DSLR, with equal
emphasis on the video capabilities.

Though Nikon and Canon have video-capable DSLR on the high end of their
lines - notably the Canon 5D Mark II - Panasonic seems to be about a year
ahead of both of them in terms of really integrating video into a DSLR. Of
particular importance to me was the external stereo microphone jack and the
silent auto-focus motor (on Canons and Nikons, most of which have no
external mike jack, the auto-focus motors are noisy and often picked by the
internal mikes), and the lightweight due to it's lack of internal mirror. I
use the excellent and inexpensive ($150) Rode VideoMic as a shotgun mike for
both video cameras and my DSLR.

These cameras generally all use SDHD cards, but even shooting HD, you can
usually get at least an hour on the (relatively small) 8GB SD card that
usually comes with the camera. Much larger cards that can hold many hours
are also available. My guess is that your current camera uses an older card
format that doesn't come in large capacity and also may record in a format
that is less compressed than AVCHD which is the current standard. While tape
is great for many reasons, the cost of SD cards keeps dropping and the
capacities keep going up. Since the new cameras virtually all record to
AVCHD format, you can usually get twice as much on a card (or tape) than you
can with motion JPEG.

I've had my Panasonic GH1 for only a month now, but I'm very pleased with
the results, even shooting video in low light.

There are LOTS of resources online for information about shooting DSLR video
as well as DSLR and camcorders. Here are some links that might be helpful:

The primary web resource for digital cameras (including video capable
DSLRs)is Digital Photography Review - http://dpreview.com

To see a Panasonic GH1 being used to shoot an indy film using a Redrock
camera platform, see: http://vimeo.com/5455989

Another site with info on DSLR video is:
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/d/DSLR-Video.htm

For DSLR or Video, this homemade steadicam which costs $25-30 to build is a
very cool additional tool:  http://steadycam.org/

Finally, take a look on youtube for videos related to the camera you are
interested in, DSLR or camcorder. There are many submissions showing the
cameras in use with people talking about their experience with them.

Will

Will Loving, President
Dedication Technologies, Inc.



on 1/18/10 8:32 PM, sgelfan at rcn.com at sgelfan at rcn.com wrote:

>    ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
> 
> 
> Hi
> 
> My son has been working with a small $250 video camera that uses memory chips,
> rather than tapes. He is frustrated with its limitations and wants to get an
> HD video camera that uses tapes instead of memory chips. He has budgeted about
> $1,000, but can go up to $1,500.
> 
> Does anyone know,
> a) is this the best way for him to go? (he does a LOT of video editing,)
> b) is this a reasonable amount to budget, and
> c) what would be a good camera for him to get?
> 
> Thanks, 
> stephanie
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
> 
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members


-- 

William M. Loving
Dedication Technologies, Inc.
7 Coach Lane
Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
will at dedicationtechnologies.com
Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT ­5)
Fax: +1 206 202-0476