Which cam for less than 5000 bucks at DVinfo.net

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 08:08 AM

Hello,
I used to do shorts and I've made one longer piece with the Canon XH-A1, which I still love, by the way.

I'm now shopping for a camera, any form, to acquire footage more in tune with 2015. I have a budget of $ 5000, for both the body and the lenses.

Which way would you go?
GH4
A7S
Black Magic
Several GoPro Cams?

Thanks so much for your input

Chris Hurd · February 17th, 2015, 09:13 AM

Larry, have you considered the Canon XF200?

It's today's XH A1 and well within your budget ($3500).

Canon U.S.A. : Professional Imaging Products : XF200

Canon XF200 HD Camcorder at B&H Photo Video

Nothing wrong with any of your other choices, though.

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 09:30 AM

Thanks, Chris, I didn't know this cam and I'm going to check it now!

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 09:32 AM

Chris, why do you think it's better than the GH4?

Chris Hurd · February 17th, 2015, 09:56 AM

I'm not saying the XF200 is better than the GH4, nor am I saying that the GH4 is better than the XF200 -- I'm not qualified to make either claim. What I'm saying is: since you still love the XH A1, then you might want to look at the XF200 because it is essentially the XH A1 of today. The XF200 is the modernized, up-to-date version of the old XH A1.

Chris Medico · February 17th, 2015, 10:06 AM

I would recommend looking at cameras that are more traditional video cameras. The cameras you list can make good images but the form factor and audio options will be much different in comparison to what you are used to with the A1. The learning curve will be a lot shorter to go with a XF200 or other similar camera.

Noa Put · February 17th, 2015, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Secrest

Chris, why do you think it's better than the GH4?

Have you shot with a DSLR before? The biggest difference between a GH4 and a XF200 is in functionality, the xf200 will allow you to do controlled zooms, it has a parfocal lens, it has a inbuild stabiliser, nd filters, separate iris, focus and zoom rings, xlr in just to name a few.

A GH4 can have other advantages if that is what you are looking for like a shallower dof, low light performance - though the GH4 is not a low light king, 4K internal recording, focal length choices from fisheye to tele, small size and weight and the ability to take pictures to name another few.

If you love your xh-a1 the xf200 will not disappoint you if you are used to shooting with a real videocamera, a DSLR is not the easiest tool to work with.

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 11:28 AM

Thanks a lot to all of you.
I really see your points.

Now, as a non professional, just an amateur, if I only care about image quality for fiction work, what do you say?

Chris Medico · February 17th, 2015, 11:37 AM

Its pretty dangerous to ask about "amateur" things in a group of professionals. ;)

I would still go with a normal video camera and not one of the SLR/Mirrorless cameras. As an amateur having a camera that can help you with focus and audio is going to give you much better videos. Many of the larger imager cameras are challenging to keep focused on your subject and nothing is worse than the "hunting for focus" look that appears in many videos these days. I personally HATE that.

Stick with a real video camera is what I would recommend. Strictly my opinion.

Chris Hurd · February 17th, 2015, 12:01 PM

Or... with a $5k budget, you could afford the XF200 *and*( have $1500 left over for a DSLR. That might not be enough for a GH4 with lens, but it would be enough for, say, a Canon EOS 70D with a lens.

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 12:37 PM

I understand what you're all saying.
I'm surprised nobody wants to talk me into buying a Black Magic Production cam? It's 3000 bucks and I could spend 2000 on lenses.
I do have a tascam and decent mics for sound, so I always synch sound in Vegas anyway.
I understand the advantages of a traditional cam functioning very much like the Canon I have. But I do have the ability, I hope, to learn something else.

Mike Watson · February 17th, 2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Medico

Stick with a real video camera is what I would recommend. Strictly my opinion.

For amateurs or pros, this is golden advice and more people should abide by it - doubly true for amateurs. Nothing I own makes as beautiful images as my 5DMkII, but I'd rather use my FS-100 any day of the week.

Chris Medico · February 17th, 2015, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Secrest

I understand what you're all saying.
I'm surprised nobody wants to talk me into buying a Black Magic Production cam? It's 3000 bucks and I could spend 2000 on lenses.
I do have a tascam and decent mics for sound, so I always synch sound in Vegas anyway.
I understand the advantages of a traditional cam functioning very much like the Canon I have. But I do have the ability, I hope, to learn something else.

If you want to learn something different I would recommend getting the Canon 70D and save the rest of the money till you know whether you really like that kind of camera.

Alternatively you can spend a few hundred on renting some gear and playing around with it.

I'm not a fan of the black magic cameras. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone wanting something other than a curiosity. In my opinion its going to be a while before they fully understand how to make a reliable and functional video camera. Much like what RED has learned over the last 10 years of trying. Building a good camera is much harder than slapping an image sensor in a box.

I have little patience for things that don't just work when I'm trying to get work done.

Larry Secrest · February 17th, 2015, 06:53 PM

Chris, I'm bumping into more and more people who think like you about the BMC series.

John Wiley · February 18th, 2015, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Secrest

I'm surprised nobody wants to talk me into buying a Black Magic Production cam? It's 3000 bucks and I could spend 2000 on lenses.

$2000 for lenses is actually not a lot if you plan to cover the the same focal length range as your XH-A1 or an XF200.

$2000 gets you a nice pair of zoom lenses (eg Canon 70-200 f/2.8 & 24-70 f/2.8) but with those 2 you'll have no IS and also lose 2/3 of the zoom range compared to what you are used to.

You'd need to be prepared to make some very big changes to your style if you want to move to the Black Magic Production Cam on your budget.

February 17th, 2015, 08:08 AM	#1
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Hello, I used to do shorts and I've made one longer piece with the Canon XH-A1, which I still love, by the way. I'm now shopping for a camera, any form, to acquire footage more in tune with 2015. I have a budget of $ 5000, for both the body and the lenses. Which way would you go? GH4 A7S Black Magic Several GoPro Cams? Thanks so much for your input

February 17th, 2015, 09:13 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Larry, have you considered the Canon XF200? It's today's XH A1 and well within your budget ($3500). Canon U.S.A. : Professional Imaging Products : XF200 Canon XF200 HD Camcorder at B&H Photo Video Nothing wrong with any of your other choices, though. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 17th, 2015, 09:30 AM	#3
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Thanks, Chris, I didn't know this cam and I'm going to check it now!

February 17th, 2015, 09:32 AM	#4
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Chris, why do you think it's better than the GH4?

February 17th, 2015, 09:56 AM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I'm not saying the XF200 is better than the GH4, nor am I saying that the GH4 is better than the XF200 -- I'm not qualified to make either claim. What I'm saying is: since you still love the XH A1, then you might want to look at the XF200 because it is essentially the XH A1 of today. The XF200 is the modernized, up-to-date version of the old XH A1. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 17th, 2015, 10:06 AM	#6
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I would recommend looking at cameras that are more traditional video cameras. The cameras you list can make good images but the form factor and audio options will be much different in comparison to what you are used to with the A1. The learning curve will be a lot shorter to go with a XF200 or other similar camera. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

February 17th, 2015, 11:28 AM	#8
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Thanks a lot to all of you. I really see your points. Now, as a non professional, just an amateur, if I only care about image quality for fiction work, what do you say?

February 17th, 2015, 11:37 AM	#9
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Its pretty dangerous to ask about "amateur" things in a group of professionals. ;) I would still go with a normal video camera and not one of the SLR/Mirrorless cameras. As an amateur having a camera that can help you with focus and audio is going to give you much better videos. Many of the larger imager cameras are challenging to keep focused on your subject and nothing is worse than the "hunting for focus" look that appears in many videos these days. I personally HATE that. Stick with a real video camera is what I would recommend. Strictly my opinion. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

February 17th, 2015, 12:01 PM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Or... with a $5k budget, you could afford the XF200 and( have $1500 left over for a DSLR. That might not be enough for a GH4 with lens, but it would be enough for, say, a Canon EOS 70D with a lens. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 17th, 2015, 12:37 PM	#11
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks I understand what you're all saying. I'm surprised nobody wants to talk me into buying a Black Magic Production cam? It's 3000 bucks and I could spend 2000 on lenses. I do have a tascam and decent mics for sound, so I always synch sound in Vegas anyway. I understand the advantages of a traditional cam functioning very much like the Canon I have. But I do have the ability, I hope, to learn something else.

February 17th, 2015, 06:53 PM	#14
Larry Secrest Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 404	Re: Which cam for less than 5000 bucks Chris, I'm bumping into more and more people who think like you about the BMC series.