Alternatives to DSLRs

[jonnie]

Hello!

DSLRs are obviously hugely popular these days for the incredible quality of video that can be captured from them, combined with their size and price.

They do have their limitations though - and in this case I'm talking about their ability to film for long periods of time without hitting memory/time limits or overheating.

What sort of video cameras are a viable alternative (in regards to picture quality/portability) to the DSLR that can film for much longer durations?

Thanks!

[FlyingPhotog]

Any "traditional" video camera would be the reasonable choice if you need to record for longer than the data block in a dSLR.

Some even use CF cards. All the major players (Canon, Sony, etc...) have options so it's really just a question of budget.

[ben_r_]

Comparable options are many, but will cost quite a bit more depending on what DSLR youre referring too. Thats why DSLR video has gotten so popular. Very good bang for the buck. Lets start by you telling us what your budget it like since thats normally the lowest common denominator deciding factor.

[Numenorean]

How about this guy?

http://www.red.com/store/products/epic-m-2

[FlyingPhotog]

Or you can still use your EF lenses with THIS.

[charro callado]

Sony FS100 - uses SD cards with no recording time limit

Black magic cinema camera - uses SSDs with no recording time limit (i think) AND 2.5k resolution AND EF mount (!!!)

Alternatively, you can use a DSLR with a clean HDMI out and use an external HDMI recorder with no limit (also has the benefit of bypassing internal codecs in favor of less or no compression).

[MichaelVeraPhotography]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

Or you can still use your EF lenses with THIS.

Better off with a RED Scarlet in that price range, still can use your canon EF lenses.

http://www.red.com/products/scarlet

[Salleke]

Originally Posted by charro callado

Sony FS100 - uses SD cards with no recording time limit

Black magic cinema camera - uses SSDs with no recording time limit (i think) AND 2.5k resolution AND EF mount (!!!)

Alternatively, you can use a DSLR with a clean HDMI out and use an external HDMI recorder with no limit (also has the benefit of bypassing internal codecs in favor of less or no compression).

Does the Canon 5D3 have the clean HDMI output?

Can you please give us a link to a decent HDMI recorder to use with a
(Canon) DSLR?

Thank you.

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by MichaelVeraPhotography

Better off with a RED Scarlet in that price range, still can use your canon EF lenses.

http://www.red.com/products/scarlet

Ridiculous...

C300 lets you just pop the CF card out of the camera and go to work (and you can do so while still recording to the second card!)

RED requires one of their dedicated workstations to transcode their proprietary media.

Don't really think the OP has any interest in dealing with the massive storage requirements associated with 4K digital cinema either.

Actually, the C300 is probably too rich for just about anyone except rental houses.

[Channel One]

Originally Posted by jonnie

Hello!
What sort of video cameras are a viable alternative (in regards to picture quality/portability) to the DSLR that can film for much longer durations?

Thanks!

I would recommend that you look into some of the Prosumer offerings by JVC and Panasonic.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ld_Memory.html

Wayne

[charro callado]

Originally Posted by Salleke

Does the Canon 5D3 have the clean HDMI output?

Can you please give us a link to a decent HDMI recorder to use with a
(Canon) DSLR?

Thank you.

I don't think the 5d3 has a clean output. If it's like the 7d, it has some kind of information overlay. But I'm not sure.

I think the Atomos Ninja would be a good option as far as external recorders go.

[J_O_S_H_U_A]

Correct the 5D3 does NOT have a clean HDMI out.

I am not a fan of the ATAMOS products because they dont take XLR in so you are spending $1000 + and still have to record separatate audio.

I think that the KiPro mini is a MUCH better solution if you already have a monitor, or if you wanna go all out, go with the sound devices PIX240.

Originally Posted by charro callado

I don't think the 5d3 has a clean output. If it's like the 7d, it has some kind of information overlay. But I'm not sure.

I think the Atomos Ninja would be a good option as far as external recorders go.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by J_O_S_H_U_A

Correct the 5D3 does NOT have a clean HDMI out.

I am not a fan of the ATAMOS products because they dont take XLR in so you are spending $1000 + and still have to record separatate audio.

I think that the KiPro mini is a MUCH better solution if you already have a monitor, or if you wanna go all out, go with the sound devices PIX240.

Uh, even shooting with $100K cameras people take in separate audio. With proper audio gear the results are always better. The only reason some situations/people dont do separate audio is cost or convenience (which obviously has its price).

[charro callado]

Originally Posted by ben_r_

Uh, even shooting with $100K cameras people take in separate audio. With proper audio gear the results are always better. The only reason some situations/people dont do separate audio is cost or convenience (which obviously has its price).

Yeah, I would think that if you're going through the trouble to bypass internal video codecs, the production probably warrants a sound guy with dedicated equipment to match.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by charro callado

Yeah, I would think that if you're going through the trouble to bypass internal video codecs, the production probably warrants a sound guy with dedicated equipment to match.

Man, people run dual systems at all levels of the game. Really has nothing to do with the level invested in. Almost any external recorder and microphone are better than any cameras built in. On board audio is like on board flash, dont use it! Now, its there, and people certainly do, as I mentioned before mostly due to cost or they simply cant have it external, but the results are always going to be better getting it off the camera.