Buying a 550D as a video camera - any thoughts?
Discussion
Hello peeps,
There seem to be a good number of people on here with good photography knowledge, so I thought I would throw this at you to seek informed opinions.
Basically, I'm looking for a good quality camera that can also do HD video.
Originally, I was looking for something portable and "take everywhere", but that criteria seems to be less important than video recording.
I almost went for the Lumix LX5, as it does 720p recording, but then I saw the "smearing" issue videos on YouTube. I'll be doing a lot of low light recording, so this would be a problem for me. I then thought about the Canon S95, but as it's also a CCD sensor, it should have the same smearing issue as the Lumix (but I can't find any mention of this out there...)
Eventually, I've come to think that, as a 550D body can be picked up for around £500, it's only £150 more than the Canon or the Panasonic, and I have a bunch of EF lenses anyway. What do people think of the practicality of using the 550D for video?
I'm mainly planning to use it in-car and am concerned that it would be too fragile / too high-value for such an application. If the vibrations kill the £350-bracket cameras, then it's not too much of a loss. And the other *main* issue I'm coming across with all of these stills-cameras-that-also-do-video is the 29m59s recording time limit imposed by the EU.
Does anyone have any experience of using something like the 550D mainly for video? Is it worth it? The low-light example videos on YouTube suggest its performance is outstanding (although I have heard some rolling-shutter complaints). The microhpione input would also be a bonus.
Does anyone think sticking with the original Lumix LX5 idea for an everyday point and shoot stills camera and also buying a cheap-o HD video camera (any recommendations?) would be a better option? That would work out around the same as the 550D body.
Sorry for all the questions, but would appreciate thoughts and experiences.
There seem to be a good number of people on here with good photography knowledge, so I thought I would throw this at you to seek informed opinions.
Basically, I'm looking for a good quality camera that can also do HD video.
Originally, I was looking for something portable and "take everywhere", but that criteria seems to be less important than video recording.
I almost went for the Lumix LX5, as it does 720p recording, but then I saw the "smearing" issue videos on YouTube. I'll be doing a lot of low light recording, so this would be a problem for me. I then thought about the Canon S95, but as it's also a CCD sensor, it should have the same smearing issue as the Lumix (but I can't find any mention of this out there...)
Eventually, I've come to think that, as a 550D body can be picked up for around £500, it's only £150 more than the Canon or the Panasonic, and I have a bunch of EF lenses anyway. What do people think of the practicality of using the 550D for video?
I'm mainly planning to use it in-car and am concerned that it would be too fragile / too high-value for such an application. If the vibrations kill the £350-bracket cameras, then it's not too much of a loss. And the other *main* issue I'm coming across with all of these stills-cameras-that-also-do-video is the 29m59s recording time limit imposed by the EU.
Does anyone have any experience of using something like the 550D mainly for video? Is it worth it? The low-light example videos on YouTube suggest its performance is outstanding (although I have heard some rolling-shutter complaints). The microhpione input would also be a bonus.
Does anyone think sticking with the original Lumix LX5 idea for an everyday point and shoot stills camera and also buying a cheap-o HD video camera (any recommendations?) would be a better option? That would work out around the same as the 550D body.
Sorry for all the questions, but would appreciate thoughts and experiences.
550D has a large sensor for low light video for sure (I have the 7D but same thing) quality is astounding.
It has a rolling shutter because its cmos and electronic shutter so fast movement and panning can cause some jelly cam issues, but your going to get that on most things that level.
It will cope with the vibration and enviroment if its nailed down properly.
Remember autofocus is pretty nasty so realy your relying on manual focus.
As for the < 30min shoot time video needs to be edited your not going to sit down and watch 1 hr or so of straight unedited video, its much better done in small easy to edit segments than one huge one.
It has a rolling shutter because its cmos and electronic shutter so fast movement and panning can cause some jelly cam issues, but your going to get that on most things that level.
It will cope with the vibration and enviroment if its nailed down properly.
Remember autofocus is pretty nasty so realy your relying on manual focus.
As for the < 30min shoot time video needs to be edited your not going to sit down and watch 1 hr or so of straight unedited video, its much better done in small easy to edit segments than one huge one.
We have one, along with a 5d MkII. It's a great piece of kit and with good glass can produce fantastic results. Ive used them on 4 corporate jobs and a museum job already.
However - the camera is prone to overheating when used for video shoots with very long segments (29.59 minutes).
Also - the camera is cheap, but after you have bought 3 good lenses, a redrock kit (or similar stability kit), tripod, memory cards, spare batteries, etc... you will get pretty close to an XLH1...the results are better though.
Also, if you are going to use the camera for recording professional interviews, or use it for sound recording you need to get some external audio recording gear and lip-sync during post - the onboard mic is s
te.
There is a wealth of information out there though. And it is a true revolution in film making
http://nofilmschool.com/dslr/
http://philipbloom.net/2010/08/20/which-lenses-to-...
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/best_...
http://www.redrockmicro.co.uk/
However - the camera is prone to overheating when used for video shoots with very long segments (29.59 minutes).
Also - the camera is cheap, but after you have bought 3 good lenses, a redrock kit (or similar stability kit), tripod, memory cards, spare batteries, etc... you will get pretty close to an XLH1...the results are better though.
Also, if you are going to use the camera for recording professional interviews, or use it for sound recording you need to get some external audio recording gear and lip-sync during post - the onboard mic is s
te.There is a wealth of information out there though. And it is a true revolution in film making
http://nofilmschool.com/dslr/
http://philipbloom.net/2010/08/20/which-lenses-to-...
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/best_...
http://www.redrockmicro.co.uk/
rottie102 said:
Ceylon said:
I have a 500D which does take good video but I find fiddly to use. I use a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 for video and pictures too. Excellent quality and easy to use.
I'm guessing DSLRs are maybe not a best choice for you?t.Some good comments above - thank you for them.
I've been doing more reading and - I may have the wrong end of the stick here however - it seems that the 550D can only record about 12 minutes of video at a time. Again, if I'm understanding correctly, about 12minutes of 1080p at 30hz takes 4gb, which is the limit of the filesize on the filesystem. If you record at 720p, it then ups the framerate to 60hhz, so you're stuck with the 12 minute limit.
Have got completely it completely wrong? Although the video it produces is *gorgeous* this seems like somewhat of a critical limitation.
Having had some hands-on this morning, I love the build quality of the LX5 but the night-time smearing is too bad. It even does it in daylight if you try to take control. But it offers zoom while recording (although the AF is a little slow) and a pretty damn good lens (by all accounts) for its segment.
The equally-priced S95 is just really flimsy and there's only digital zoom while recording. However, the night-time shots only show a little smearing with car headlights and you'd only really notice it if you were looking for it. But nowhere near as nice a lens. Having said that, my cameras have alsways been Canons and they've served me well.
I would be tempted to go for the 550D even as stills camera with the occasional bit of video, but my skills haven't yet reached the limits of my old, second-hand 350D. It seems like overkill. But such a lovely toy with such incredible results. It just depends how much those results depend on raw talent (which I lack).
More thinking to do, but seem to be heading towards the S95.
Anyway:
Examples of the smearing issue on the LX5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlAcAunxnac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlLD2Vi3wWo
You can just see some smearing on the S95 in the oncoming headlights at 0:08 and towards the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQLpYUOsz4
And the awesome stuff that the 550D produces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYqgEC45jTU
What do you think - have I got the limitations of the 550D right? Is it overkill for an "enthusiastic amateur" with limited natural talent?
I've been doing more reading and - I may have the wrong end of the stick here however - it seems that the 550D can only record about 12 minutes of video at a time. Again, if I'm understanding correctly, about 12minutes of 1080p at 30hz takes 4gb, which is the limit of the filesize on the filesystem. If you record at 720p, it then ups the framerate to 60hhz, so you're stuck with the 12 minute limit.
Have got completely it completely wrong? Although the video it produces is *gorgeous* this seems like somewhat of a critical limitation.
Having had some hands-on this morning, I love the build quality of the LX5 but the night-time smearing is too bad. It even does it in daylight if you try to take control. But it offers zoom while recording (although the AF is a little slow) and a pretty damn good lens (by all accounts) for its segment.
The equally-priced S95 is just really flimsy and there's only digital zoom while recording. However, the night-time shots only show a little smearing with car headlights and you'd only really notice it if you were looking for it. But nowhere near as nice a lens. Having said that, my cameras have alsways been Canons and they've served me well.
I would be tempted to go for the 550D even as stills camera with the occasional bit of video, but my skills haven't yet reached the limits of my old, second-hand 350D. It seems like overkill. But such a lovely toy with such incredible results. It just depends how much those results depend on raw talent (which I lack).
More thinking to do, but seem to be heading towards the S95.
Anyway:
Examples of the smearing issue on the LX5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlAcAunxnac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlLD2Vi3wWo
You can just see some smearing on the S95 in the oncoming headlights at 0:08 and towards the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQLpYUOsz4
And the awesome stuff that the 550D produces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYqgEC45jTU
What do you think - have I got the limitations of the 550D right? Is it overkill for an "enthusiastic amateur" with limited natural talent?
Ceylon said:
rottie102 said:
Ceylon said:
I have a 500D which does take good video but I find fiddly to use. I use a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 for video and pictures too. Excellent quality and easy to use.
I'm guessing DSLRs are maybe not a best choice for you?t.Dogsey said:
Ceylon said:
rottie102 said:
Ceylon said:
I have a 500D which does take good video but I find fiddly to use. I use a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 for video and pictures too. Excellent quality and easy to use.
I'm guessing DSLRs are maybe not a best choice for you?t.I WOULD HAVE BEEN happy to continue the discussion but now I see that I would be just wasting my time.
So, going down to your level -
Edited by rottie102 on Sunday 24th October 17:53
dxg said:
Some good comments above - thank you for them.
I've been doing more reading and - I may have the wrong end of the stick here however - it seems that the 550D can only record about 12 minutes of video at a time. Again, if I'm understanding correctly, about 12minutes of 1080p at 30hz takes 4gb, which is the limit of the filesize on the filesystem. If you record at 720p, it then ups the framerate to 60hhz, so you're stuck with the 12 minute limit.
What do you think - have I got the limitations of the 550D right? Is it overkill for an "enthusiastic amateur" with limited natural talent?
I always thought that the recording time limit is 29 mins due to a different taxation for Camcorders and Still Cameras?I've been doing more reading and - I may have the wrong end of the stick here however - it seems that the 550D can only record about 12 minutes of video at a time. Again, if I'm understanding correctly, about 12minutes of 1080p at 30hz takes 4gb, which is the limit of the filesize on the filesystem. If you record at 720p, it then ups the framerate to 60hhz, so you're stuck with the 12 minute limit.
What do you think - have I got the limitations of the 550D right? Is it overkill for an "enthusiastic amateur" with limited natural talent?
Even if it will be 12mins, why is that a problem for you? If you'll decide to shoot some more Pro videos you will most likely not be shooting 12mins scenes in one go. You will recompose, refocus etc. Watch any feature film and you'll see that most of the scenes are shorter than 1min.
And even if one day you will need to shoot a 45min scene it's easy to stitch it up in PP later.
rottie102 said:
Dogsey said:
Ceylon said:
rottie102 said:
Ceylon said:
I have a 500D which does take good video but I find fiddly to use. I use a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 for video and pictures too. Excellent quality and easy to use.
I'm guessing DSLRs are maybe not a best choice for you?t.I WOULD HAVE BEEN happy to continue the discussion but now I see that I would be just wasting my time.
So, going down to your level -
I did not suggest that the 500D was fiddly to use in general merely that the video function was fiddly to use. Your response that DSLR was not for me was, and still is, patronising. Clearly I was not alone in reading it that way.
Now you put yourself at a level above me. You are nothing if not consistent in being patronising.
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