Hello friends,
I have a question that is not linked with editing techniques.
Actually I am bit confused between Nikon and Canon in video shooting mode.
Can some please suggest me which one will be better in terms of quality and options in the movie thing?
Regards.
Anirban
Hi Anirban,
If you are looking at DSLRs this is a really good article. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm
I have used both and my personal preference is Nikon the main reason is that all of the controls and user menus make sense to my way of thinking. As for quality, the article clearly states that neither brand is actually better but each company occasionally has an advantage when they release a new model with new or improved features.
My advice is go to a camera shop and try to use each model you are considering and see which one fits best with your way of working.
George
ps. If you want to shoot primarily video, DSLRs are not that great for handheld shooting unless you buy a shoulder rig to support them.
Dear George, thanks for your mail.
Why did you say that DSLRs are not good for shooting? Actually I see these days maximum people for film festivals go for DSLRs; even some of the great French and Indian movies at Cannes are from DSLRs
I am not debating but just asking your opinion. Kindly don’t misunderstand.
Regards.
Hey Anirban,
They are not great for hand held shooting because of the way you have to hold them. I find that they are hard to stabilize because of the way the LCDs and viewfinder is positioned. with a video camera you can usually hold the camera at chest level close to your body and look down at the scene. If you use a shoulder rig or a steadycam you won't have that problem. Also, many of the DSLRs do not include auto focus in video mode which means you really have to watch your focus. Also zoom shots are a bit of a challenge.
George
Hey George thanks for your kind mail. Can you suggest me a model that is good, easy, HD and also not that expensive.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Anirban,
Here is a link to the top DSLRs under $1000 I would stick with Nikon or Canon because of higher lens quality and selection of lenses available. Whichever brand you choose, try to stay away from third party lenses. If you must buy a third party lens for budget reasons, stick with Tamron or Sigma only.
George
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0520890719/best-dslrs-and-ilcs-for-less-than-1000
Hi Anirban
I agree with George - DSLR's do not make the best video cameras - I know some people will disagree, however that is my experience from over 47 years of photography. ( @George - I started when I was 11 yrs old )
My philosophy is to use the correct tool for the job, ie a DSLR for still images and a video camera for video
Having said that my video camera (Sony prosumer model) takes fantastic still images at 9MP for widescreen so it normally substitutes for my DSLR when I want still images for video, otherwise I have to remember to allow for cropping to 16:9 when using the DSLR when taking pictures for video.
. . . . I would stick with Nikon or Canon because of higher lens quality and selection of lenses available . . . .
Unfortunately not always true - both make very good cameras however some of the stock lens that comes with them can give soft images.
Buying a DSLR I would get a body only and expect to spend the same amount of money on a decent lens rather than buy one with a stock lens.
John
Wow John that is really awesome…an experience for over four decades. I respect your calls but yet I am surprised why some of the best of the films are made in DSLRs these days. They have so much options as well like filters, manual focus in and out, HD, wide angle lens and so on. I might be a novice and is really impressed with the marketing ideas; but I would request if you can suggest me a good video cam with HD recording and a good audio.
Regards.
@ George, thanks for the link. It really is very educative and enlighting.
Hi Anirban
Recommending a make/model is difficult because personal preferences come in to play and what functions you require, however I would recpmmend a high end Prosumer camera.
I am currently using a Sony HDR XR-520V with GPS, which I have had for three years, records to internal hard drive and has performed very well. This particular model has been replaced with one with a wider angle lens. I have the Sony HD w/a converter attached to mine most of the time as seen below.
With an adapted lens hood - an essential item with the large glass lens at the front
With 'dead cat' wind suppressor on the surround sound microphones i this is essential on any video camera if you suffer from wind noise.
Brands I would consider are Sony and Panasonic with an internal hard drive - I am not a fan of Canon video cameras.
HTH
John
Hi Anirban,
Like John, I am not a fan of Canon video cameras. Have a look at the Sony NEX VG30. It is expensive but it uses interchangeable E mount lenses, and there are quite a few available. It also uses lens filters (which most decent video cameras do).
George
ps. I did forget to mention what John pointed out which is if you do buy a dslr don't buy a package, buy the body and the lens you are likely to use most and buy the fastest lens you can afford.
pps. John has a few years of experience on me as I have only been shooting video and still images for 41 years but then I am much younger than John.