SLR guy looks for video camera...

I need some help. I've been shooting with my 400d and 40d for a while now, got a great suite of lenses but one missing ingredient - I have nothing to do video with. The other issue is, I don't know a great deal about the world of moving images so not sure what to look for - any tips?

Basically I want something with good image quality, reasonably portable and stablised. What would be awesome is something I could use my EF-S/EF lenses on, but from what I've seen I'm looking at a fairly sizable bit of kit to do that.

Thanks for any pointers.

lol the 5D mk2 !!

First off, what kind of video do you want to produce with the camera?

The most affordable way to get into video with your Canon lenses is a HV20 or HV30 with a 35mm adapter attached, like http://www.letusdirect​.com or http://www.cinevate.co​m You could also make your own for a couple of hundred dollars. There are a bunch of DIY tutorials online. The only downside is I'm not sure if you could use your EF-S lenses, but you could definitely do your 50mm and 70-200.

The other downside is that you can't control your aperture and have to shoot wide open all the time. The way it works is that you can lighten or darker your image by adjusting the aperture on the video camera, but for DOF purposes you''re always shooting wide open.

You could also do a XL2 and get one of those EF adapters but you're looking at an insane crop factor since video cameras have dinky little sensors. With the Letus, Brevis, and other similar setups there is no insane crop. Besides, you're paying less for a HV30 than used XL2 and it's HDV. Not that HDV is the be all and end all but if you're spending a few hundred dollars may as well get a low level HD camera versus aging SD.

Check out this video made with the 50D II

http://vincentlaforet.​smugmug.com/ga...77930​419_dgxvY

Matthew Craggs wrote in post #6716919
First off, what kind of video do you want to produce with the camera?

The most affordable way to get into video with your Canon lenses is a HV20 or HV30 with a 35mm adapter attached, like http://www.letusdirect​.com or http://www.cinevate.co​m You could also make your own for a couple of hundred dollars. There are a bunch of DIY tutorials online. The only downside is I'm not sure if you could use your EF-S lenses, but you could definitely do your 50mm and 70-200.

The other downside is that you can't control your aperture and have to shoot wide open all the time. The way it works is that you can lighten or darker your image by adjusting the aperture on the video camera, but for DOF purposes you''re always shooting wide open.

You could also do a XL2 and get one of those EF adapters but you're looking at an insane crop factor since video cameras have dinky little sensors. With the Letus, Brevis, and other similar setups there is no insane crop. Besides, you're paying less for a HV30 than used XL2 and it's HDV. Not that HDV is the be all and end all but if you're spending a few hundred dollars may as well get a low level HD camera versus aging SD.

I agree with this post. While the 5D MK II is a great camera, I wish people would stop lauding it over cameras such as the HVX-200, XLH1 or even the HV20 or HV30. Sure the 5D MKII can shoot 1080p, but a) it doesn't shoot 24p and b) you will get far more control with a prosumer/professional dedicated video camera.

To the OP, look into the HV20 and HV30 and if you want to go a little bit higher in price range take a look at the XLH1 or the Panasonic HVX200 (the camera I use in school which records DVCPro HD). Also, get a Brevice or a Redrock

First of all, still photo and motion pictures are not the same. People can do good picture in an hour, but not in video.

I have look at the 5D MkII. At the begining, I think it can be the replacement for both my 1Ds Mark II, and XL1s. But it is NOT. Althought I have waiting long for Canon to release the Full HD with memory card recording.

EF adapter for XL1s or XL2 is good but useless. Most of the EF lens will not for daily use. It have a converstion ratio of 9 time. A 50mm SLR lens will be 450MM.

prOdigal is right: You will get far more control with a prosumer/professional dedicated video camera.

Sony PMW EX1 and EX3 is wonderfull, 1/2" CMOS Full HD, Memory card recording. But its memory card is too too expensive.

Hi,
A camera to consider is the canon HF series (hf100,hf10,hf11) They shoot great video and they are small. It takes up about the same space as a standard zoom like a 70-300mm.
It fits well in my camera bag with a 40d.
I don't think using ef lenses on a video camera is affordable yet But if you must you can buy a dof adapter to use them on almost any video camera.
Many people talk about editing avchd video being a problem. but you don't need to edit it if you own a blu-ray player. All you need to do is burn it straight to dvd or use the optional dvd burner (dw-100) it will make avchd dvds without a computer.

some useful links:
http://www.dvinfo.net/​/conf/index.php

http://www.camcorderin​fo.com/ratings.php#

http://www.letusdirect​.com …Ivt-sz0pZcCFQplHgodliOoJA

Good Luck
K.S.Greene

Stay away from the Canon HV20 or HV30, esp. if you plan on doing ANY low light shooting (including indoors) the camcorder is worthless and gets EXTREMELY noisy in LL...

40D video hack anyone?
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/69062​5/0

Note: It's not available for download yet.

Severechase wrote in post #6809966
Stay away from the Canon HV20 or HV30, esp. if you plan on doing ANY low light shooting (including indoors) the camcorder is worthless and gets EXTREMELY noisy in LL...

Have you posted anything else but spewing that same info out over and over. I was watching a BUNCH of clips on Vimeo done with the HV30 and for a $600 HD camera I dont think they looked really as noisy as you are trying to make it sound like a snow globe

You can watch all the videos on Vimeo you want, all I'm saying is I have used SEVERAL consumer HD's, as well as Pro HD camcorders, and I've used many SD camcorders. When it comes to value, its not even close, the SD camcorders blow anything HD under $3000 (and some over) out of the water in lowlight.

Severechase wrote in post #6819271
You can watch all the videos on Vimeo you want, all I'm saying is I have used SEVERAL consumer HD's, as well as Pro HD camcorders, and I've used many SD camcorders. When it comes to value, its not even close, the SD camcorders blow anything HD under $3000 (and some over) out of the water in lowlight.

Sad....but true :/

The HVX-200B blows for low-light, and it is an amazing HD cam