1D mk IV for video work

Hey everyone,

I've been trying to read up about peoples experience using a 1D mk iv for video work. Mostly I've found reviews on more video focussed websites which point out the flaws and are generally dismissive of it being used as a video camera, particularly in regard to it's AF. I'm not intending to do full scale productions, just mainly "for the web" work.

I've seen good video work being done on a 7D eg http://www.thevine.com​.au …ermann-video20100505.aspx so I'm not sure I'm convinced that Canon would have gone backwards with the 1D?

Basically I'm looking to upgrade my stills camera, sell my XHA1 video camera, and am hoping that this could be an all-in-one solution. If anyone has any insight I would love to hear it.

Thanks!

That's a lot of money to plop down, buying a 1D4 for video. That camera is first and foremost a stills-photo camera. 10fps capable, extremely complex and capable AF. But it's designed to shoot photos.

It's AF for video (like all other video-capable Canon DSLR) is lousy at best, because it can't utilize it's regular AF sensor and is relegated to the subpar contrast detection directly from the sensor. So I wouldn't spend the money on a 1D4 just to shoot video. You might as well pick up 2x 5D2 or 3x 7D and you can shoot from multiple angles at once.

And as for video... if you intend on sticking with Canon, then you'll need to learn to use MF. It's a double-edged sword. It's great because *you* control what you want to focus on, therefore, you are the director and have tremendous control of your final outcome. It's lousy because judging focus on a 3" LCD is not always easy, and the shape of the camera is not really designed well for shooting video. (Which is why people then invest in rigs, as well as additional audio inputs, etc...)

If you're looking for the best DSLR video AF to date, then IMO, the winner of that category goes to the Sony A55/A33.

Good luck.

merlock wrote in post #11226213
Hey everyone,

I've been trying to read up about peoples experience using a 1D mk iv for video work. Mostly I've found reviews on more video focussed websites which point out the flaws and are generally dismissive of it being used as a video camera, particularly in regard to it's AF. I'm not intending to do full scale productions, just mainly "for the web" work.

I've seen good video work being done on a 7D eg http://www.thevine.com​.au …ermann-video20100505.aspx so I'm not sure I'm convinced that Canon would have gone backwards with the 1D?

Basically I'm looking to upgrade my stills camera, sell my XHA1 video camera, and am hoping that this could be an all-in-one solution. If anyone has any insight I would love to hear it.

Thanks!

People buying the 1D4 typically are not buying it for video, most pros are using it as a camera. The 7D has a much higher group of people who are not pros, and are happy using it for multiple things.

I'll pick up a 1D4 to augment my other 1D bodies, and I am not even a little interested in the video aspects.

merlock wrote in post #11226213
Basically I'm looking to upgrade my stills camera, sell my XHA1 video camera, and am hoping that this could be an all-in-one solution.

I use the 5D2 for video and it definitely did not replace my XH-A1; I have to keep that around anytime I need true HD resolution (the 5D2 video may be a 1920x1080 file, but the actual resolution is little better than a DVD). However, if you don't need resolution, autofocus, alias-free video, good ergonomics, or almost any of the other features of a traditional video camera, the 1D4 will be great. For example, I shot video at a wedding with one other operator. We had two 5D2 cameras and two XH-A1 cameras; we found that we were able to shoot the whole thing without touching either XH-A1. A lot of other video folks wouldn't do that, though, so it just depends on what you shoot and what your delivery standards are.

Thanks for the replies!

Yes I'm intending to use it primarily as a stills camera, but can't really justify having an XHA1 as well for the occasional web based video I have to do. So I guess I'm trying to find out if I can use the 1D4 for that section of work as well.

1div is a great camera but like other have pointed out, the price isn't due to the video feature having some sort of huge advantage, probably on par with the 7d with the advantages of a slightly bigger sensor(shallower dof, better high iso).

If you have that big of a budget for video work, 5d2 seems to be one of the more popular dslr's for video because the bigger sensor has a lot of benefits. The AF isn't an issue because most video stuff is manually focused.(Pull focus techniques and such).

Invest the difference in money in a good rig for stabilization. The video experts are probably better at recommending accessories but a good mic, some kind of shoulder stabilizing rig, ect., will improve your video quality more than just buying the more expensive camera. You could easily spend 2k on the different rigs lol. and yes, even if it's just online stuff you want the quality to be high(not the Cloverfield style haha).

Of course you can use the 1D for video work, but what are you using it for? What are the main features of the XHA1 that you use and how do they compare to DSLR video, where you take advantage of exceptional high ISO and specific lenses and the quality they provide?

I don't know much about the XHA1 so I'm just throwing these questions out there. There's no denying the 1D is a brilliant video machine, but you really have to want to use it for whatever video you're doing.

Tealtele wrote in post #11226835
1div is a great camera but like other have pointed out, the price isn't due to the video feature having some sort of huge advantage, probably on par with the 7d with the advantages of a slightly bigger sensor(shallower dof, better high iso).

If you have that big of a budget for video work, 5d2 seems to be one of the more popular dslr's for video because the bigger sensor has a lot of benefits. The AF isn't an issue because most video stuff is manually focused.(Pull focus techniques and such).

Invest the difference in money in a good rig for stabilization. The video experts are probably better at recommending accessories but a good mic, some kind of shoulder stabilizing rig, ect., will improve your video quality more than just buying the more expensive camera. You could easily spend 2k on the different rigs lol. and yes, even if it's just online stuff you want the quality to be high(not the Cloverfield style haha).

Just an FYI...my whole shoulder rig cost $420. It came with even more clamps/rods, but they arn't shown in these photos.

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I'm surprised you didn't get any counter balance for behind the shoulders. Although it adds weight, it should add quite a bit more stability so that the rig wouldn't feel so front heavy. But I suppose that's more of a personal preference thing.

I didn't say that you can't get a rig cheaper. I just said "some" rigs do cost that much. I'm talking glidecam rigs and such. Like anything you can spend the price difference on rigs if you wanted. Doesn't mean you have to...

and yours is tripod mounted, your rig might get more complicated for handholding.

Mine is tripod mounted because I put a QR plate on for the photos. It isn't normally or supposed to be.

I know some are expensive. I posted to show the OP there are some good options for under $500.

jamesb wrote in post #11226964
Just an FYI...my whole shoulder rig cost $420. It came with even more clamps/rods, but they arn't shown in these photos.

Can you provide a link to where anyone can purchase the rig you have shown for $420?

http://cgi.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​3a6036bb9e

That is for the one I have. Check out his store. Best deals are those that don't have any bids and end soon. Buy it now on most of the stuff is much higher that what you could end up winning it for. Don't forget to factor in shipping is around $75-85.

Yep, just like I suspected . . .

It's some ebay item you bid on sold by a guy from Korea, so not only do you have to hope to win the bid you still have to wonder if you are going to get the actual product you bid on or a very nicely packaged box of Korean rocks.

You forgot to mention the $150 rode mic shown in your picture.

The LCDVF and Zoom H1 is also in my photo. He has a very good track record. Lacking in communication, but shipped pretty fast and well packaged. I'd buy another without any hesitation.

There is a 130 page thread on cinema5d.com about this guy. Many, many people have purchased one.