Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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Hello all,
Know dick about these. I currently use my phone (iPhone5) to record some small video clips at various things I attend and have decided I would like to make some much better quality vids...
So a camcorder?
But question is, Go pro or hand held traditional style cam corder. I have no idea what is best and what to look for.
Obviously I understand the Go pro can be attached to a car/mount so is portable and quite strong. Might be applicable to me in the future but not now.
What do you guys have or recommend? Largely it will be for filming of cars, and need good sound.
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Balling
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Registered: 7th Apr 04
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SLR with external mic if you don't need to record clips exceeding 30 mins.
Means you won't have to cary both a camera and a camcorder.
GoPro will not be ideal for stable video or low light situations.
Link to the type of results you're hoping to get might be a big help. Could be a high end compact camera will be sufficient.
I did a vacation video with a cheap Sony pocket cam and the results were quite good, without leading anyone to believe it was a pro job.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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In short, I am wanting to capture quality sound and video in a decent enough resolution (needs to work in low light) I am not after making a TV programe or slick indie film. Clips would usually only be about 1-10mins long. 15 max.
SLR you say, are they comparable? Is it doen to the processor etc inside for the moving images? Else why would people buy camcorders or is it portability?
I don't need the still shots really, so after a more portable smaller option.
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Jambo
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Decent depth of field would be good.
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Balling
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Location: Denmark
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
Decent depth of field would be good.
By decent, do you mean shallow? Ie. blurred background?
In that case SLR is pretty much your only option without spending big bucks.
And yes, digital cameras these days take good enough video that camcorders are pretty much a dying breed.
Even professionals use (expensive) SLR's as light sensitive optics are much cheaper to come by.
Sound will be your biggest issue I think and the one where I can give the least advice. You'll definitely need and external mic, which I think limits your options somewhat.
I think we (still might) have a few video experts on here, so hopefully one will drop by. If not, there's always Dom who is of course and expert on anything that runs on electricity.
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Jambo
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The possibility of yeah, so shallow I guess.
Hmmm, SLR it could be then, the lens is obviously going to be better and I am guessing the CMOS is also larger/better? Didnt know there was such a thing as an external mic, will have a look into that.
Ok cool, yes Dom is essentially Tesla and Which? combined 
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Balling
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Yeah, 3.5mm mic input is common on a lot of cameras these days, given their video capabilities. Even a small, cheap external mic will be a lot better than what's built in to the camera - and less prone to pick up noise from button presses.
My brother in law has done some videos with a 550D and a 50mm f1.8 and the results are frankly quite impressive for the money he's spent (though he's an all out hipster, so the style is very "Pinterest ready").
You'll probably want a bit of zoom though, so you'll need to spend a little more on optics. Something 18-70mm f2.8 would probably be ideal, as hand held video dosn't do well with large zoom anyway.
Any idea on a budget?
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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I hadn't specified one as of yet, all looks to becoming vastly more than I hoped it would have cost  Such is the way!
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Balling
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Get a second hand SLR? 1080p has been common for a few years now, so should be able to get something fairly cheap.
Then just start recording with the kit lens and built in mic and see how you get on.
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Cavey
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Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: Derby
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I've got a HD camcorder that I'd happily sell for not a great deal, only used it twice for my daughters birthday, then realised it wasn't really needed. Was thinking about ebaying it soon as need the cash anyway
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Jambo
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Cheers Alex, ill take a look
Cavey, can you give me make and model?
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Cavey
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Registered: 11th Nov 02
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Was just checking it myself, Panasonic HC-V100, they're £60-70ish on eBay
Out of interest, and detrimental to my sale, I agree with Alex on what he says, but you'll be looking 250-300 for the SLR route.
I'm actually looking at upgrading my SLR body(Nikon D60) to one that'll do 1080p for Safari next year. (D5100 or so, but they're £300odd for Body alone)
[Edited on 28-07-2014 by Cavey]
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by Balling
If not, there's always Dom who is of course and expert on anything that runs on electricity.
Git
I concur with the Dane though; decent SLR + external condenser shotgun mic (+ a decent windsock) - Rode, Sennheiser, Audio Technica etc do a range of mics suitable for DSLR's, just make sure it's self-powered and has a 3.5mm jack; you can use XLR gear but you're going to need adaptors/beachtek's or an external recorder.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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The advantage of the SLR route is it is a camera as well. Not meaning to state the obvious, but wanted one for years. Still have an EOS-300 (35mm) with a couple of lenses, recently binned my darkroom and fancied getting back into photography.
Looking at these two due to price effectively, is the Canon one going to be retro-compatible (with adapter) with my old lenses??
EOS 1100D
Or this Nikon example which has a higher MP rating, but obviously no backwards compatible lenses
Nikon D3200
Any thoughts on these? Leaning towards the Canon for lens and cost reasons, but the Nikon is tempting as that has a huge MP rating and probably a larger sensor?
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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The D3200 is the better body, plus it has an external mic input unlike the 1100D/T3.
Could be wrong but the cheapest Canon bodies that have a mic input is the 100D or 60D.
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Balling
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Registered: 7th Apr 04
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You'll be able to fit the old lenses to the Canon, but auto focus will not work.
Pretty sure you could get an adaptor for the Nikon as well.
I've had a 1000D for years now and it's a fantastic little camera. Fit a cheap 50mm f1.8 and you're set up for taking some incredible portrait shots with a proper shallow DOF.
My issue with the Nikon, and keep in mind I'm majorly biased towards Canon, is that it doesn't really benefit much from the resolution increase.
Edit> In terms of photos, that is.
There's also the option of going mirrorless. I believe there are some advantages, when it comes to video, in that the mirrorless systems have a faster/more accurate focus.
Jessops have a deal on a Sony A58 incl. 18-55mm + 50mm f1.8 at only £319, which sounds quite cheap to me.
Don't know much about that camera though, but it might be worth reading some reviews.
[Edited on 30-07-2014 by Balling]
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Dom
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Don't a lot of the Sony's have LCD based viewfinders rather than optical? Was always under the impression that LCD viewfinders suffer from lag which could be hassle for taking action/quick-movement shots.
[Edited on 30-07-2014 by Dom]
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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I have spoken to a mate who is involved in indie films and he also championed SLRs, however I am concerned with file formats and editing now...
I only use Windows Movie maker really and not a hot shot by any means, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot if I can't edit them?
Truth in this? The article I read didn't specify the format
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Balling
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quote:
Originally posted by Dom
Don't a lot of the Sony's have LCD based viewfinders rather than optical? Was always under the impression that LCD viewfinders suffer from lag which could be hassle for taking action/quick-movement shots.
Wouldn't an optical viewfinder on a mirrorless camera be an impossibility?
Had an electronic viewfinder on a previous camera (PowerShot G10) and can't say I had much issue with it.
Certainly worth looking out for, though.
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Balling
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Registered: 7th Apr 04
Location: Denmark
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
I have spoken to a mate who is involved in indie films and he also championed SLRs, however I am concerned with file formats and editing now...
I only use Windows Movie maker really and not a hot shot by any means, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot if I can't edit them?
Truth in this? The article I read didn't specify the format
There'll always be a way to convert the format, I wouldn't worry about that.
If the camera uses a weird format, the manufacturer will have software to convert it.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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Reading up on it the Nikon does seem better, but means I need to buy new lenses lol.
Will see if there's a better EOS with external mic available.
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Cavey
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Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: Derby
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You don't want my camcorder then
Tbf, if i'm only getting £50 for it, i'll take it on holiday and use the 40x zoom for animal stuff. Let us know what you get Camera wise though Jambo, and how you get on with it.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
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not too sure yet Cavey, not decided what to get if anything. I think your price is fair, but might be useless to me jut as much as an slr might be a huge over spec. need to have a think
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