SLR with vid or 'PRO' video system?

[S.Horton]

I own a lot of L glass and three SLRs. I do not own an SLR body which can shoot video, yet.

Now that my son and nephew have hit a certain age, that needs to change, as video, not stills, are dominate forms for recruiting packages.

The primary sports are Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. The LAX may be at night. Hockey is indoors in non NCAA lighting. LAX is both HS and NCAA.

I think my choices are putting another SLR body in play which can shoot video, or a 'pro' entry level video solution.

So, I would like to hear from members who have experience with both systems, or who fully evaluated both systems and made a choice.

For this thread, think of a budget under $5k

If you suggest a 'pro' video solution pls be pretty specific. When I say 'pro' I think of this link as the starting point http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Pr...3/N/4256818817

Thx in advance, gang.

[S.Horton]

I noticed that lensrentals.com has video gear. So, looks like I will rent before I buy. Feel free to suggest more than one system to try.

[aroundlsu]

I have extensively used all levels of "pro" video cameras and DSLRs from cheap ones like you linked to very high end six figure cinema cameras. For your application of shooting sports you should seriously consider a real video camera. With a DSLR, you will have a very hard time focusing and getting good shots of someone running around playing ice hockey. The DSLRs are better at set shots where you can rehearse and repeat it if necessary. Consider renting and try before you buy.

[S.Horton]

Is a $5K budget unrealistically low?

[skwirnmn]

panasonic hmc150
otherwise if you're thinkin' dslr's 60D is the best for sports. articulating screen and 720 60p.

edit: slap on a 70-200 2.8 and you're golden. it'll take some time to learn how to focus well, but totally doable.

[aroundlsu]

Not too low. Any of those Canon camcorders you linked to will be fine for shooting your kids playing sports. Obviously you can't use your L glass, but L glass won't be that good for sports video anyway unless you have superman focusing skills.

[S.Horton]

The terminology around the systems makes comparison difficult.

I know I need 400MM of reach, but knowing which particular system can deliver that well is not easy.

Catch with renting is that could cost a solid % of buying.

Too bad I live in oblivion when it comes to people shooting pro vid.

[LiberationFrequency]

Alright - time to break it to you.

If you plan on shooting video for recruiting purposes, you do NOT want a shallow DOF DSLR. I shot video for a certain top 20 school in the country for football and I refused to shoot action video with DSLR even when I rigged my DSLR up on a tripod with a follow focus because the cutting and action is too damn fast. 'Oh you can do it if you are adept at shooting DSLR'... duh, but its an unnecessary problem and you aren't going to be watching this video for aesthetics, but rather for content. Get the content - landing focus shouldn't be the priority... this isn't shooting film.

If you mentioned $5k, there are a TON of options that are extremely solid options. If I had right now I would choose either the XF105 (XF100 for your purposes). OR the HXR-NX70U for all purpose, all weather conditions, high range camcorder. If your boy has a great game, but its drizzling and you get antsy about the XF100 and dont have a rain jacket... the NX70U is weather sealed (imagine 1D body sealing+ on a camcorder... its a jungle cam).

I have shot video for aspiring pros and high profile college athletes. If you want specific advice just send me a PM. Now, my personal preference would be things along the lines of JVC HM700U for the good lens and form factor. Or even better... PMW-350K XDCAMs... but thats outside your budget and along the lines of pure professional tools in sports broadcasting which is what I LOVE to shoot with.

For under your budget - Sony HXR-N70U
For around your budget - Canon XF100
For a tiny bit over your budget - JVC HM-700U

[skwirnmn]

Originally Posted by LiberationFrequency

Alright - time to break it to you.



For under your budget - Sony HXR-N70U
For around your budget - Canon XF100
For a tiny bit over your budget - JVC HM-700U

i'm not questioning your ability to provide advice to the OP.. nor do i want to question your knowledge on these video camera's. so what i am saying here is purely speculation, and of coarse, i mean no harm by it as you are a much more respected member of this forum.

if you've ever touched an HXR-N700 you'd know this is possibly the worst camera to shoot sports with. as the OP stated, he plans on shooting hockey, and lax, which means he will be zooming all the time. While the HXR-N700 is an amazing camera, the zoom functionality is terrible.. and filming with a dslr camera is far better for sports than dealing with it's zoom.

http://vimeo.com/31818978

While that video has plenty of flaws, it was filmed with a 60d and 70-200 and produces a better picture for that sport than the sony camcorder would have that you recommended.

[LiberationFrequency]

Originally Posted by skwirnmn

While that video has plenty of flaws, it was filmed with a 60d and 70-200 and produces a better picture for that sport than the sony camcorder would have that you recommended.

No one in recruiting really cares if the footage is interlaced or progressive, 10mbps AVCHD, 50mbps XDCAM, or RED code. I shoot ENG all the time with HVX-200s and they are tailor made for rapid action ENG sports shooting on a compact mobile scale. You could send recruits SD footage and they wouldn't really care about quality if it shows the action well.

DSLR introduces too many variables and the lack of a high end zoom rocker on the sony really isnt something heavy enough to disavow what it offers. If you want to deal with a DSLR while shooting sports footage... enjoy. Good luck.

I love shooting motorsports with DSLR because you can be intentional with your shots - but for action sports like lacrosse... your joking.

HVX-200 is another option. I just dont like recommending that to consumers because P2, while absolutely solid for pro work, is expensive to start.

[Drozz119]

5k is more than enough! I've edited a bunch of recruiting videos and the footage I've been given has always been terrible. It just doesn't matter. Like some of the other posters said.. It's about performance/content. Also, you don't need a 400mm lens. You don't want to shoot tight. They want to see the action and your son's reaction to the flow of the game.

The videos I liked the best covered about 1/2 to a 1/4 of the field and had smooth pans.

[S.Horton]

Kewl. Perfect.

I noticed that video for recruiting is a specialty. It has pricing to match. Unlike stills, a solid, edited video cannot just be swiped, because capturing it and putting it together is not so simple.

Video is the one thing people seem to actually offer real money for. Interesting.

[Drozz119]

Originally Posted by S.Horton

Kewl. Perfect.

I noticed that video for recruiting is a specialty. It has pricing to match. Unlike stills, a solid, edited video cannot just be swiped, because capturing it and putting it together is not so simple.

Video is the one thing people seem to actually offer real money for. Interesting.

Sam.. If you're ever on this side of the state.. You're more than welcome to stop at the studio and I can give you a crash course on editing highlight videos.

[aroundlsu]

If you really wanted to think outside the box consider an old school shoulder mount standard def broadcast camera with a high end Fujinon lens. I bet you can find one of those on eBay for under $5k. Maybe a dvcpro camera. Some of them have widescreen 480p settings which would look great.

[S.Horton]

Originally Posted by aroundlsu

If you really wanted to think outside the box consider an old school shoulder mount standard def broadcast camera with a high end Fujinon lens. I bet you can find one of those on eBay for under $5k. Maybe a dvcpro camera. Some of them have widescreen 480p settings which would look great.

I wish I knew what that meant!

What is a DVCPRO, and can I obtain the result as a digital file?