Hi All - after a few years I'm retiring my NEX-VG20 from my Merlin rig and need to replace it. I've never really been happy with the image it produces, and the flipout LCD acts like a sail in the wind.

I'm considering a 7D mark II as I need 1080 50p and I've heard great things about the autofocus. Coupled with the 17-55 f2.8, which is fast enough for any indoor shots, I can get body and lens for about £1,300 which is top end of my budget. I was looking to spend not much more than £1K but do need a camera/lens combo that will also work in low light and on the dancefloor.

This camera would sit on my Merlin for the afternoon but could also double as backup in the event anything happened to my main camera (Sony A7s)

A good choice or am I missing something? I'm not bothered about 4K so lack of it is not an issue for me. The only other camera that is in a similar price range is the GH4 with 12-35 f2.8 lens but i have never had my hands on a panasonic camera but hear good things about this one.

Pete the 70d amazing, but the reports are the new 6dii with auto focus, which your tamron 24-70 will fly lovely on there.

Yes but not out yet Steve and would be over budget for me - this camera would almost exclusively be for my Steadicam which produces rarely more than a dozen shots in an entire wedding film so I don't want to spend a fortune

I can't speak to the lens, but have had really poor experiences with non-STM lenses using the autofocus. Some lenses are better than others (the primes tend to do OK). Lots of vibration, hunting and pecking, etc. If you don't already own the lens, rent it first and test it.

I haven't used the 7Dii, but love the focusing system but it uses the same sensor as the 70D and performs almost identical in low light, which is the main issue with the 70D. Max ISO is reasonably 1600, but can be pushed, maybe to 2500. Combined with a f/2.8 lens....

If that isn't a problem for you (1st dances? Receptions in general?), go ahead. Since your steadicam camera seems very optional, it would seem fine choice.

Robert STM lenses are very limited with only a 24mm at f2.8 which is not wide enough for me. I'm assuming here there are no 3rd part STM lenses I'm missing?

Robert STM lenses are very limited with only a 24mm at f2.8 which is not wide enough for me. I'm assuming here there are no 3rd part STM lenses I'm missing?

I know. For wide shot, there is a 10-18mm but its f/4.5-5.6. Nice during outdoors, though.
Similar problem with their 18mm+ zooms... 18-135mm and 18-55mm (which is, truly... cheap).

Its why I suggested testing your lens choice before buying. Primes don't usually have the same shaking/vibration of the glass that zooms do. Zooms will depend on the build for how much and if its a problem.

They both still have the motor noise, though, a real problem for on-camera mic. Example: Sigma DC HSM vs Canon STM autofocus w/ Timecoding - YouTube

For 3rd party, Sigma has something called 'Linear Motor' which is supposed to be the same as Canon's STM. I've seen it on their "DN" lenses for micro 4/3rds, which isn't helpful. No idea if they have it for regular Canon mount.

Tbh i don't use AF as i use a samyang 14 mm and set it to whatever distance i think i'll need and at a small aperture as i can get away with (this is where the vg20 fails me - terrible in low light) and i keep this distance in mind as i fly. Good AF just might be an extra tool in the kit

Pete then pick up the 70d cheap and a 17-55 2.8 canon lens and your good to go with the best, i use it all the time on my glidecam it is great.

No 50p though steve - i shoot everything at 50p and when i've had to use my 5d as an emergency camera the 25p really jars alongside my other cams so 50p is a must

Mmmm, then my little g7 is very good and that does 50p as well as the gh4 but reports say the auto focus is hit and miss?

Is a sony a6000 not an option?

Mmmm, then my little g7 is very good and that does 50p as well as the gh4 but reports say the auto focus is hit and miss?

I personally would never use autofocus when the camera is on a steadicam, because you have no control over it while flying it might start to hunt and ruin a critical shot.

I don't noa - what i'm looking for is a great camera for steadicam that will double as a stand-in camera in case anything happens to my main camera but also one which i can leave with my other half for some bridal preps

Why not? That a6000 might be easier to use then the gh4, on the steadicam and handheld, maybe with a loupe, I have seen it does have some very impressive autofocus in case you need that and you probably already have some lenses for it?

I personally would never use autofocus when the camera is on a steadicam, because you have no control over it while flying it might start to hunt and ruin a critical shot.

70d never hunts with facial tracking it sticks like glue?

Given how important fast auto focus can be to photographers shooting important events, it's no surprise that facial tracking is such a strong feature of their cameras and one that their video benefits from. Mind I find Canon has other weaknesses in regards to innovated features like 4K and until recently 50p, which I understand can still be limited. Alas there's no perfect camera.

Ultimately Peter will have to make a call between a 7d, GH4, G7 or a6000. Each will have their strengths and weaknesses and there's no 1 answer to which is better.

70d never hunts with facial tracking it sticks like glue?

No, but if you have a free finger, its easy enough to keep it on the face you want. It uses a touch screen.

I use it and love it for the processional at weddings, even though, when the couple walking down is far away, the camera will pick up a face on either side of the aisle often.

Spot on Robert excellent my friend

In such a case that feature becomes useless as you cannot touch the screen of your camera when it's on the Merlin while you are flying, some 3 axis gimbal stabilizers would allow such action though. Also, no matter how good a autofocus is, when you need to shoot in a dark environment with the lens wide open that is asking for problems. No autofocus system is failsafe.

Sorry i have to disagree Noa i have done 37 weddings this year and in facial tracking on dark dance floors it has not failed me once my trusty 70d...You can also change the size of the focus area making it even more trusty.

Decision made - as i already have a nice 14mm samyang for manual and 16mm sony lens if need AF plus several nex-ef adapters, i'm getting another A7s body - prices are already tumbling as the mark 2 is hitting the shelves! You never know as i've a nex-vg20 and nex-ea50 to offload i might be able to afford the A7sII - thanks as usual for all your thoughts - love this forum

Sorry i have to disagree Noa i have done 37 weddings this year and in facial tracking on dark dance floors it has not failed me once my trusty 70d...You can also change the size of the focus area making it even more trusty.

So you are saying that coupled with a f1.4 lens and shooting wide open at a candle lit venue on a steadicam the camera always knows what you want it to focus on, even if you are not able to touch the camera? That I would like to see :)

No one mentioned those made up settings noa? With a 17-55 2.8 wide open with dj lights is good enough for me

I said that no autofocus system is failsafe and you said it is on the 70d, and now it's only in combination with a certain lens? F2.8 is already too slow for me in the venues I shoot in.

Not the canon 17-55. It is stellar, c100/300 users swear by it, it's equivalent to a full frame lens, at 17 MM. it gives plenty of light for me, if not my light goes on the top and it still flys great. What I said is that in 37 weddings this year it has never failed me once . The only time it fails is when some idiot puts his back body in front of me and camera.

Yes, but we are talking about the 70d and from what Robert said in the beginning of this thread low light is an issue with this camera where 2500 iso would be pushing it. I often shoot between 3200 and 6400 iso in the venue with a f1.4 to f2.0 lens and that is what I need to get usable footage, you can ofcourse use light and shoot with a f5.6 lens if you want but I am glad that I don't have to anymore because you only annoy the guests and get very unnatural reactions. Venues I have been shooting at are so dark that no autofocussing system can be relied upon, especially when coupled with a fast lens and larger sensor.

Cool, then that's bloody dark, with iso at 3200 to 6400 and a 60% neat video tweak ok for me, but sounds like you are in a dark and gloomy part of Belgium, sounds as bad or worse than gloomy uk

Surely at 14mm even at F1.4 you can get away with zone focus. When I had my EA-50 on the stedicam I used to use my Tamron 10-24 lens ..admittedly at F3.5 and the huge DOF with a super wide means that you are in focus from 3' to infinity if you set the lens to 10' on the barrel .. even at F1.4 you are still in focus from around 5' to 70' so as long as you don't get any closer than 5' technically you can set and forget.

I must admit I never had an issue with the Sony and Tamron on the stedicam using zone focus so that's probably what Pete will do

Think so Chris. Hey Chris you got the came TV single? Any links for it as I need a new glide but sick of glide cam. Steve

Hi Steve

You mean the CAME electronic gimbal?? Nope I tried the gimbal that was made for a GoPro and didn't like it at all. I went back to a mechanical rig again and love it! Mine is a bit of a hybrid and has a CAME vest and then a Weildy dual arm and Carbon fibre sled ... I got it for $599 on eBay but for that price that "de brand" it and rip off the labels ... the only "signage" it now has is "wieldy" on the gimbal bearing.

Getting an electronic 3 axis gimbal is the easiest way to go but I never liked the "jittering" it gives you trying to adjust for small movements which a mechanical unit will do for you!!

I also agree with Noa that a Sony A6000 might be a great choice along with the Sony 10-18mm.

Cheers Chris, the footage looks good with the one you have, i will probably get another HD glide cam 4000 then, all these electric gimbals seem to be fads and seem to all have issues. Steve

Cheers Chris, the footage looks good with the one you have, i will probably get another HD glide cam 4000 then, all these electric gimbals seem to be fads and seem to all have issues. Steve

Speak for yourself. I've been using mine since August and whilst the first had to be returned in July as it was damaged in post from Italy, the replacement has performed flawlessly in 13 Weddings, a music video and Birthday Party. I can attach a camera and have it running in 1-2 minutes depending on conditions and its been a superb addition to my kit. No obvious jitter. I confess I never did get the hang of balancing and using my glidecam and it wasn't helped by windy conditions when I tried to use it outside. Consequently it was one bit of kit never used beyond initial trials at home. Gimbal though has been a dream to use. Unlike others, mine allows me to use my camera touch screen flipped out and I can even adjust focus on the fly without any problems.

Fad or innovation; stabilisers will be evolving and new equipment will always find new ways to get stable footage.

Which gimbal have you got Steve?

Which gimbal have you got Steve?

Mini Sturdy Fight. I admit when buying it I had some trepidation as like you heard the feedback on others, and the fact the first one I had, failed to perform as was faulty hardly dissuaded such doubts. I think it was Noa who suggested I maybe surprised when I received the replacement and sure enough I was.

Of course it doesn't stop it failing in the future, but so far its delivering the results.

ok will look at that, i have narrowed down to came tv Steadicam at moment, so will check that out