Best HD video? GF2? NEX5? other?

[ashatron]

Also I have a GF1 and love the video it produces, the gf2 has less manual controls hough which can be a pain, it's more of a point and shoot orientated camera (the gf2).

The nex5 is great, for stills it's better high iso than any other m43 camera (the gh2 comes very very close though), but the video isn't great.

Also bear in mind the GF1 is hackable to give full manual video controls like the GH1 and GH2 but obviously the quality isn't as good.

 

[Mud]

The GH2 produces the quality video of any hybrid camera. Comparable to that of the RED film cameras which cost $18,000. The 5D mkII is excellent, but the Gh1 and GH2 are better for video. And a LOT cheaper.

Quality order -
GH2 > Gh1> 5D mkII > 7D // canon 550d

I hope you haven't placed an order yet. The GH2 is a lot cheaper and comes with an excellent video optimised lens with a stepless aperture - 14-140mm.

Paying about £1,200 for the GH2 with the 14-140mm is great as the lens cost £600 alone.

Also the GH2 has an extra tele conversion feature which is out standing. It allows you to zoom (crop) to the centre of the frame and film
video without any quality loss. Zooming as up to 2.8 times. So a 100mm lens can effectively film at 100mm AND 280mm without any quality loss.

I've ordered the Panasonic HDC TM700, and looking at the price of the GH2 I don't regret it at all! The GH2 looks good, but I'd rather have camcorder ergonomics and 50p than another camera body. The deep DOF really doesn't hurt for my application either.

To be clear, when I wrote "I've heard/read that the GH2 is significantly better", I was referring to the GH1. The TM700 I've ordered trumped everything.

 

[ashatron]

I've ordered the Panasonic HDC TM700, and looking at the price of the GH2 I don't regret it at all! The GH2 looks good, but I'd rather have camcorder ergonomics and 50p than another camera body. The deep DOF really doesn't hurt for my application either.

To be clear, when I wrote "I've heard/read that the GH2 is significantly better", I was referring to the GH1. The TM700 I've ordered trumped everything.

i know very little about camcorders, but from this video -

Its clear you've made a good choice!
looks like it has a faster re-focusing than the GH1 too, and it doesnt break the bank too much, particularly when it has an attached (not changeable) all in one lens, no need for buying more lenses!

Also most camcorders feature in built flexible noise density filters which block out light keeping the shutter speed (most likely 24p/30p or 50p/60p) constant regardless if there is too much light. IIRC these flexible noise density filters change their strength while recording too (e.g. going from inside a room to outside where its bright, if exposure was locked it would overwhelm the camera and it would be pure white, but the filter steps up and blocks some light on the fly).

On the hybrids (GH1 GH2 5dmkII) if you want to select a desired shutter and aperture, it may be too bright and the video would be over exposed, in this case you need to attach noise density filters on the camera (or you can stop down to f10 etc - but this loses shallow DOF), which can be a hassle.

Noise density filters on hybrids can be a hassle, so enjoy your faff-free pro camcorder dude, it looks very sharp
thanks for enlightening me to the tm700!

 

[Mud]

Neutral density filters

Nice video, hadn't seen that one. Here's a video that helped convince me camcorders handle motion better:

It's two camcorders, but there's a reason you don't see much violent panning like that in the example videos from cameras. The Leica lens on the TM700 opens to f/1.5, which helps compensate for the piddly sensor size. To be honest I haven't looked into the NDs in the TM700, but I've used them on my friend's XH-A1. Faff-free is key, as much as I'd like to play cinematographer I barely get to play photographer sometimes, and the former seems to be 100x the time investment.

 

[ashatron]

Neutral density filters

****! i wrote it and thought "hmm...yeh thats right", lol. rough night!

f1.5? wow, thats nice!!

IIRC the NDs built into camcorders are electronic, it sends a signal through it, they stronger the signal the more light it blocks out, im not sure though, i dont even bloody know what ND stands for!!

Looks really sweet man, you'll have to post some test vids when you get it!

 

[Reality Bites]

have you had the camera delivered yet? I'm in the market for my first camcorder. If I'm honest, I've been looking at the 600 series instead with just a few features missing from the 700...but, if panasonic do what they usually do and bring new models out in a few months, I'm hoping these will come down a little.

 

[Mud]

No, I'm waiting on stock (expected 14th). I don't really want to reorder elsewhere as I got the cheapest price I could from a large retailer, but the wait is beginning to grate. Here's a review to keep you going.

 

[Willis]

In the last month I've had the 3 below

Canon 60D
Sony A55
Nikon 7000

All very good cameras and all have there little niggles and if you could role the 3 together you would have a wicked camera, Flip screen of the 60D, auto focus of the Sony A55 and the ISO focus points of the D7000 but but decided on the 5DMK2 and selling my Nikon D3 and moving over to Canon so I have a all in one solution, will be adding the follow focus system to it and a good fluid head for my Gitzo tripod.

 

[Mud]

have you had the camera delivered yet? I'm in the market for my first camcorder. If I'm honest, I've been looking at the 600 series instead with just a few features missing from the 700...but, if panasonic do what they usually do and bring new models out in a few months, I'm hoping these will come down a little.

I think I see the problem - the hdc tm900 has just been announced...but doesn't seem to be available anywhere. I'm not seeing much improvement on the tm700 (though I'm not basing that on much), and it'll probably cost significantly more...but it does allow you to attach a 3D lens. Now I'm confused again.

e: order killed - the RRP is the same, so despite the fact I'd ordered at a few hundred pounds below RRP and there's currently nowhere listing the TM900, I'll roll the dice. Option of 3D is fun, and the 3" 200K pixel screen to 3.5" 400K pixel screen sounds worthwhile (was one of the things the Canon Legria was winning on).

In the last month I've had the 3 below

Canon 60D
Sony A55
Nikon 7000

All very good cameras and all have there little niggles and if you could role the 3 together you would have a wicked camera, Flip screen of the 60D, auto focus of the Sony A55 and the ISO focus points of the D7000 but but decided on the 5DMK2 and selling my Nikon D3 and moving over to Canon so I have a all in one solution, will be adding the follow focus system to it and a good fluid head for my Gitzo tripod.

Poor D3, but needs must I guess. You'll miss it

 

[Willis]

Poor D3, but needs must I guess. You'll miss it

Its funny since I have been playing round with the smaller cameras picking up my D3 with the 24-70 it feel like a brick (but not in a good way), but yes i will miss it

 

[Mud]

Its funny since I have been playing round with the smaller cameras picking up my D3 with the 24-70 it feel like a brick (but not in a good way), but yes i will miss it

I haven't handled a D3/D3s/D3x, but I know the heft of my D700 well. Stick a 50/1.4 on it and keep it as a sidearm

 

[bigredshark]

but decided on the 5DMK2 and selling my Nikon D3 and moving over to Canon so I have a all in one solution, will be adding the follow focus system to it and a good fluid head for my Gitzo tripod.

I'm sure you have tried it, but I'd kill myself going from any high end Nikon to a 5DII, the AF is seriously bad by comparison (hell, it's seriously bad by comparison to the D7000 or the 7D)...

That said, I understand the temptation to move over well, I'm currently needing a full frame body and 35mm f/1.4 prime - there's like a 20%+ price premium for Nikon gear there...

 

[bigredshark]

I haven't handled a D3/D3s/D3x, but I know the heft of my D700 well. Stick a 50/1.4 on it and keep it as a sidearm

It's not actually much/any worse than the D700 in my view, it's heavier but there's more camera too so it feels kinda justified. Then again, I've never gone for a stroll with a D3s around my neck...let alone with the 24-70 on it...

 

[Mud]

It's not actually much/any worse than the D700 in my view, it's heavier but there's more camera too so it feels kinda justified. Then again, I've never gone for a stroll with a D3s around my neck...let alone with the 24-70 on it...

I've used the D300s/D700 with a grip which is marginally bigger than a pro body (not sure about weight), but I chose the D700 over a used D3 because I like ungripped bodies. Same reason I haven't bought a 24-70...hefty for a poxy f/2.8.

 

[Reality Bites]

I did notice the release of the 800/900 series camera's....not sure I'd ever want to record 3d just yet, but if they cost the same.....?!

Have you thought about the editing of 50p recordings? what software you going to use?

 

[Mud]

I did notice the release of the 800/900 series camera's....not sure I'd ever want to record 3d just yet, but if they cost the same.....?!

Have you thought about the editing of 50p recordings? what software you going to use?

The RRP on the TM900 is the same as that of the TM700...but of course I wasn't going to pay RRP for the TM700. Ultimately I suppose I'm willing to pay close to RRP for the TM900, for the sake of the £200 difference I want the better screen and 3D option, but once you've totted on the lens it starts sounding like double the money There's one place I can see selling the 3D lens and it seems to be around the £450 mark. I worry a bit about legacy support for 3D (think 20 years from now...), 1080p50 should be more than enough for my needs! rolleyes

I've got a Core i7 860 with 8GB of RAM and a Vertex 2E 120GB SSD...I'm hoping that'll be adequate hardware. Not sure about software yet, I've not edited video before (well...Windows Movie Maker, which I'm assuming isn't going to cut it).

 

[Reality Bites]

The RRP on the TM900 is the same as that of the TM700...but of course I wasn't going to pay RRP for the TM700. Ultimately I suppose I'm willing to pay close to RRP for the TM900, for the sake of the £200 difference I want the better screen and 3D option, but once you've totted on the lens it starts sounding like double the money There's one place I can see selling the 3D lens and it seems to be around the £450 mark. I worry a bit about legacy support for 3D (think 20 years from now...), 1080p50 should be more than enough for my needs! rolleyes

I've got a Core i7 860 with 8GB of RAM and a Vertex 2E 120GB SSD...I'm hoping that'll be adequate hardware. Not sure about software yet, I've not edited video before (well...Windows Movie Maker, which I'm assuming isn't going to cut it).

I don't think hardware will be a problem, but reading all the forums, it seems software is the problem as very few (if any) can edit the 50p recordings.

I think I'm hoping the newer cameras will bring the 700 down a little more.

 

[Mud]

I don't think hardware will be a problem, but reading all the forums, it seems software is the problem as very few (if any) can edit the 50p recordings.

I think I'm hoping the newer cameras will bring the 700 down a little more.

I would definitely consider a TM700 if the price comes down a little...but knowing that the TM900 is looming takes the shine off the TM700 a little (and I mean a little...they're damn-near the same camera). Fickle, I know.

Which forums are you reading? I should bone up.

 

[Reality Bites]

Which forums are you reading? I should bone up.

TO be honest, which ever blogs and reviews come up in google. AVforums is a good one, some hi end users on there. There's an interesting thread on there regarding the blue/green tinge issue with the 700 series....worth a read.

 

[Mud]

Will have a look, ta.