What kind of equipment do I need to shoot good video?

I am very comfortable with still photography, but video is another matter. I understand some of the limitations of shooting video with a DSLR, but for what I'm shooting I think it would be ok. My main challenges are panning, where I need to get s smooth movement, audio, where I need to get clear sound, and focus, where I need to maintain focus on my subject while moving.

I had planned on getting a camcorder to do this, but the Canon 70D the looks to be up to the task for great video. Particularly with its dual pixel technology. I can leverage my existing lenses as well.

For panning and movement, I have a tripod but I don't have a video head nor a dolly.I think that these are essential for smooth video. Is that right? If so, what would you recommend? I have a swiss-arca mount that I can use. Also, what's a good stabilizer for this (let's say I would just use light lenses on it when hand holding)

For audio, I have a Rode VMP shotgun mic, but I would also like a secondary recorder. Any recommendations for this? My friend uses an H4N (i think) and he seems to like it.

Thanks for any suggestions the at you have!

The 7D would be great for video, as well as the 5D's and 6D; they all do a pretty good job. All you need now is a steady hand.

The Zoom H4N will be an excellent choice for audio recording.

You have one of the best (*consumer) Video Cameras ever made, the 5D MkIII.

A video head would definitely be one of the better investments.


* clarification added so as to avoid further O.T. debate regarding best video cameras
Thank you EL-PIC for pointing out my error.

The best video cameras are video cameras like used in major movie productions ...
and not DSLR with as you say "limitations".
Think Red or dead ..

rdwalton wrote in post #16888076
The 7D would be great for video, as well as the 5D's and 6D; they all do a pretty good job. All you need now is a steady hand.

The Zoom H4N will be an excellent choice for audio recording.

I now any should be good when I get a stabilizer, even my EOS M, but my main worry is focusing. And from what i've seen, the 7D leaves the rest in the dust with its continuous autofocus.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16888221
You have one of the best Video Cameras ever made, the 5D MkIII.

A video head would definitely be one of the better investments.

True, but as I mentioned above, I have a hard time focusing manually with it. And furthermore, I'd like my wife to use it as well and she is an "auto-everything" type of person. For many shots, I would definitely use the 5D3 for better image quality. But for moving subjects, I'm not sure that I can make it work.

So which video head?

EL_PIC wrote in post #16888231
The best video cameras are video cameras like used in major movie productions ...
and not DSLR with as you say "limitations".
Think Red or dead ..

I don't want the best. I just want "good enough". OK, that's a lie. I would love a Red Epic, but not in my near future.

The 7D does not have continuous focus, I think you are confusing it with the 70D.

rdwalton wrote in post #16888076
The 7D would be great for video, as well as the 5D's and 6D; they all do a pretty good job. All you need now is a steady hand.

The Zoom H4N will be an excellent choice for audio recording.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16888221
You have one of the best (*consumer) Video Cameras ever made, the 5D MkIII.

A video head would definitely be one of the better investments.


* clarification added so as to avoid further O.T. debate regarding best video cameras
Thank you EL-PIC for pointing out my error.

artyman wrote in post #16888381
The 7D does not have continuous focus, I think you are confusing it with the 70D.

Sorry, that was a typo.

frugivore wrote in post #16888274
I don't want the best. I just want "good enough". OK, that's a lie. I would love a Red Epic, but not in my near future.

Don't lie ..
If Red is out of reach .. try any number of real cam corders like Sony, Canon, Panasonic.
Much better than any DSLR - Focus - Sound ..

OP, I have one question. Do you intend to do videography or filmmaking?

EL_PIC wrote in post #16890382
Don't lie ..
If Red is out of reach .. try any number of real cam corders like Sony, Canon, Panasonic.
Much better than any DSLR - Focus - Sound ..

So you think that the 70D is still lacking compared to a proper camcorder? Can you give an example of this?

What brand/model would you suggest I look at?

joeblack2022 wrote in post #16890422
OP, I have one question. Do you intend to do videography or filmmaking?

Eventually, yes.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #16890422
OP, I have one question. Do you intend to do videography or filmmaking?

frugivore wrote in post #16891109
Eventually, yes.

Okay you misunderstood my question - they are not the same thing, and the difference between the two will be the biggest factor in how you choose your gear.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #16891135
Okay you misunderstood my question - they are not the same thing, and the difference between the two will be the biggest factor in how you choose your gear.

I realized what you were really asking after the fact and was about to reply again.

I want to just capture events as they happen. No story telling our artistic touches for now.

frugivore wrote in post #16891144
I want to just capture events as they happen. No story telling our artistic touches for now.

Camcorder would be the way to go then IMO, DSLRs have time-limited capture and are not very flexible for audio input.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #16891152
Camcorder would be the way to go then IMO, DSLRs have time-limited capture and are not very flexible for audio input.

Any suggestions?

Regarding the time-limited capture, it is 30 minutes for the newer DSLRs right? Is this really something to be concerned about?

Also, what do you mean by "flexible" audio input?

IMHO "capturing events as they happen" is camcorder territory.

Making FILMS is quite productive with a dSLR in many cases.

They're very, very different things. No dSLR is going to do what you want for "point and shoot, all auto" video sort of "grab and go" stuff. They're just not well-suited to it.

Now for filmmaking it's a different story. There control of depth-of-field, pulling focus and similar are all very important, and the dSLR (until you start talking about cameras like a RED) are superior to the camcorder.

But "point and push button" shooting for video is just not the dSLR's forte.