Archive for the ‘cameras’ Category
Panasonic HDC-SDT750
I guess I must be in the minority here, but I’m just not as excited about the whole 3D craze as everyone else seems to be. This is probably due to the fact that I have a visual disorder that results in the fact I get virtually no sense of depth from 3D. One thing is for sure however, and that is the growing number of upcoming 3D capable TVs.
Panasonic is betting on the camcorder end of this with the HDC-SDT750. For you event shooters, I can remember when many thought that HD was overkill for our business, and standard def was just fine. Today, I shoot HD exclusively. Who knows, the same may eventually be the case with 3D.
The iPhone 4
Supposedly, over 600,000 pre-orders have already been submitted for the new iPhone. So much so, that AT&T’s system took a fall as the result of
the huge traffic influx. I wasn’t one of them, as my contract has another six months or so. I will definitely get one as soon as it’s offered. The feature that interests me the most is the video camera. Claiming to be able to capture at 720P, the idea of having a decent video camera in my pocket all the time would be great!
I could only find a small video on the apple site as an example, and it looks pretty good. You can’t however expand it to full screen from the website. I look forward to seeing more examples. Inbuilt editing is also a pretty slick new feature.
Sure, it won’t compare to dedicated HD camcorders, but it makes phone calls too! Usually….
The Canon 5D MK II
First of all, I should apologize for that title. Secondly, who expected this odd situation where a DSLR might be one of the best video cameras on the market. At least in the lower end range of event video gear. By “lower end” I do mean cameras that sell below $5000. In comparison to current television production, 5K is a drop in the bucket. 30 to 50 thousand dollars is much more the range you’d expect to pay for a camera in your TV studio. Seems now, we have this very strange phenomenon, where a DSLR has stepped to the plate. In fact, the season finale, of one of the most popular television shows in history, is shot entirely with this camera.
And what camera you ask? The Canon 5D MKII. I should note here that I’m a Nikon fan, and have been for years. I have also owned several Canons, including the venerable AE1. I have also spent much more on dedicated video cameras that this. Most all from Sony, and the most recent was just over a year ago at about $3500. Make no mistake, it’s a fine camera. I’ve yet to see an answer to this phenomenon from Sony.
Now folks, life is not perfect, and this is no exception. Swish pans with this camera are to be avoided. Sound will require some attachments to be sure. The form factor isn’t ideal for the work that we do. At least it will take some adjustment. Again, sorry about the pun. I will say from what I have seen so far, the results are stunning. I hear it takes some pretty good snap shots as well. Please forgive once again. I think it’s reasonable to say that if you seek a new camera in the sub 5000K us$ range, perhaps you should look at the new 5D.
I should add here that the “run and gun” video cameras from Sony, Panasonic and Canon in this range are well worth a look. These cams still have some features that are designed for event video shooters, and they do a great job. I might not take the latest 5D on the next event shoot, but I will darn sure be working it in asap.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/194158/season_finale_of_house_filmed_with_canon_dslr.html
