Opinions/advice on Canon 60D

[Pet Troll]

I am looking to get a Canon EOS 60D, however I don't know a lot about cameras (especially lenses) so am hoping to get some advice on whether it will do what I'm hoping it will.

I will mainly be using the camera for video, the reason I am looking at this camera is I am not particularly impressed with my dedicated video camera (panasonic hs900), it is ok for everything but not really good.
I have found myself doing a lot more close up shots then I thought I would, which the hs900 doesn't handle well, by close up I don't mean macro but wide field of vision, for example having the camera mounted on a car windscreen facing in but still showing both front seat passengers. The only way I can get the hs900 to do this is with a wide angle lens add on, which looks ridiculous (distorted fish eye image) and so not ideal.

As I understand it with the 60D I would be able to purchase a few different lenses to suit my needs, be it a close/wide shot or a longer shot. If that is correct then what lens would be good for in car filming as mentioned above? Is a 17-85 suitable?

Does anyone have any experience of the 60d's video capability? Particularly what sort of fps it can handle at 1080p?

Any advice would be gratefully received

[RobDickinson]

60d can do 1080/60 I think.

It wont autofocus very well in video mode (if at all) and SLR lenses tend to give a nice shallow DOF so focus is much more critical than normal video cameras.

The 650/700d would be better for video.

There is a 70d out soon that may be better again.

[Pet Troll]

Thanks for the info.

One of the things I liked about the 60d (for video) was the flip out screen so I am pleased to see the 700d has that too.

Is it possible to get a shallow depth of field lens to fit the 700d for the occasions when I want it?

[RobDickinson]

Yes same IQ same lenses as the 60d.

A full frame gets more subject isolation but you would need a 5d2/6d for that

[Pints]

I have the 60D and my FiL has a 650D. Video footage is very similar but neither camera copes well with moving objects (i.e. constant changes in focusing distance). This is made especially worse if the movements are caused by you moving the camera's position (IYSWIM).

Any DSLR is, IMO, always going to be seriously compromised when it comes to videos because they're first and foremost stills cameras.

If you're going to predominantly be taking video with it, I'd be considering a more competent video camera than the one you currently have.

Edited by Pints on Saturday 29th June 06:16