Does anyone here use a decent DSLR camera or the like as a webcam?

Space Monkey · 13 Mar 2021 at 14:28

Hey all,

I'm looking at getting something a lot better than my Logitech C920 webcam for meetings over Zoom and wanted some real user input?

I've been doing some reading and watching YT videos and see that the Sony Alpha 6xxx series cameras seem good for this, also saw one from Canon using the EOS RP but that seems to be getting into expensive territory (I know by professional means it's not but for me and my use case it is).

With the Sony I've seen a YT video where he was using the Sigma 16mm 1.4 lense as like him my camera will be desk mounted and not to far from me, it gave him a nice close view and blurred the background as well, so this seems a good match?

So I'm looking for feedback from those that do this and what camera, lenses and equipment you are using, plus any examples to share for me to watch?

I'm also thinking of getting some form of diffused lighting panel that'll attach to the desk and go above the monitor to light me correctly as well? So any recs as well please?

Thanks

Space Monkey · 13 Mar 2021 at 14:43

What are Fuji's like for their video quality? They appear to be great for photos but only interested in video.

Space Monkey · 14 Mar 2021 at 12:15

Abraxaz1 said:
Fujifilm video quality is very good, good colour quality out of the box and good set of in built tools.

Only issue is the app you have use to turn it into a web camera is a bit flakey and only available for windows

Thanks for the confirmation

Some are supported by the Elgato Cam Link so if I went Fuji I'd look to get one that's supported and buy the link adapter

Space Monkey · 23 Mar 2021 at 00:05

[HB]Rugrat said:
I started using a very basic DSLR capable of outputting a clean hdmi signal (a canon 250d) last year just as lockdown started. Paired with the awesome canon 50mm f1.8 lens the quality was so good I got, and still get, a lot of comments about it.

At the time it was necessary to use a video capture device like the elgato camlink. Shortly after however canon introduced some free software that did away with the need for a capture device - since I had the capture card though I never tried the software so can't comment on how good / bad it is.

If you are going to get a video capture device there's a shedload of videos on YouTube about an unbranded £15-£20 device - I can highly recommend them while you're figuring out what works.

Since then I've switched to a Sony alpha A7 ii with a 50mm lens and it looks even better.

You do need to set the camera back a bit with a 50mm lens but I find with the full frame sony camera I only need about 2 feet of space to get my head and shoulders in the frame and the bokeh effect is lovely. With the canon 250d I needed about 3.5-4 feet or there'd be an extreme close up of my face. I did try a canon 28mm and a 10mm lens and the field of view on each was immense even when placed very close to me.

The only other thing I'd say is to emphasise the impact of lighting - it can really transform things, even a webcam can be drastically improved with a few strategically placed lights. There are plenty of cheap led ring lights from the usual places that let you control temperature, brightness etc.

I follow the advice given on a ton of YouTube tutorials - one brighter light slightly to one side of my face, one slightly dimmer light on the opposite side of my face and one light behind and raised to illuminate head/shoulders for definition. I throw in a load of RGB lighting too - clichéd I know but it does look good.

Excellent info, thanks

Yeah I've been watching some YT videos and coming to the same conclusion as you've mentioned about lighting as well, btw what do you use if you don't mind sharing?

I was thinking 2 ring lights in front of me and something behind but not sure what or how yet, plus I was going to light up the wall behind me with some soft RGB and turn off the overhead light (it's a very bright cold LED light and it's literally above my head so it casts shadows on my face etc...)

I'll have a look at the Sony camera you've mentioned. How much better would you say it is than your last camera?

Thanks again