Canon 7D good for filmmaking?

Q. I am an aspiring filmamker and I need a good camera that will last and is simple to learn to work. What do you guys think about the Canon 7D?

A. the cannon 7D is an excelent choice but i would prefer the 5D here is the specs for both - 7D :
Imaging

Imaging Sensor/Effective Pixels
CMOS/ 18 MP (APS-C)

Effective Sensor Size
22.3 x 14.9 mm

A/D Resolution Power
14-bit

Colour Filter Size
RGB Primary Colours

35mm Focal Length Equivalent
1.6x

Image Recording

Medium
CF Type I & II

Image Size

Large / Fine
5,184 x 3,456 / Approx 17.9MB

Middle / Fine
3,456 x 2,304 / Approx 8.0MB

Small / Fine
2,592 x 1,728 / Approx 14.5MB

RAW
5,184 x 3,456 / Approx 17.9MB

mRAW
3,888 x 2,592 / Approx 10.1MB

sRAW
2,592 x 1,728 / Approx 4.5MB

Movie Shooting

1920 x 1080
Available in frame rates 30 / 25 / 24 fps

1280 x 720
Available in frame rates 60 / 50 fps

640 x 480
Available in frame rates 60 / 50 fps

Viewfinder

Coverage (vertical/horizontal)
100% coverage

Dioptric Adjustment
3 to +1 dpt

Interchangeable Focusing Screens
Fixed

Autofocus

AF Points
19

Exposure Control

Shooting Modes
9

Metering Segments
63

Metering Modes
Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Centre-weighted

ISO Speed Range
ISO 100-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) (expandable to 3200 via CF)

Exposure Compensation
Manual, AEB ±5: 1/3 or 1/2-half increments

Shutter

Shutter Speed
1/8000 sec. -30., Bulb, X-sync at 1/250 sec

Flash Control

E-TTL II Autoflash
Yes

Built-in Flash / G. No.
Provided / 12

Speed

Shooting Speed
8 fps / 90 shot max burst (JPEG), 15 (RAW)

White Balance

Settings
9

WB Bracketing
Yes

General Features

LCD Monitor
3.0 ClearView II (Approx. 920K dots)

Custom Functions/Settings
27

Start Up Time
0.1sec

Personal Functions/Settings
Yes

Integrated Cleaning System
Yes

Live View
Yes (Quick, Live & Live Face Detection AF Modes)

External Interface
Hi-Speed USB/ Video OUT/HDMI

Remote Control/Type
Yes (N3 type)

Battery
LP-E6

Chassis Material
Stainless Steel + polycarbonate with glass fibre

Dimensions (W x D x H) mm
148.2 x 110.7 x 73.5mm

Weight (excl. battery in grams)
820


5D :
Imaging

Imaging Sensor/Effective Pixels
21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor

Effective Sensor Size
36 x 24 mm

A/D Resolution Power
14-bit

Colour Filter Size
Primary Colours

35mm Focal Length Equivalent
1x

Image Recording

Medium
CF card Types I & II (2GB or higher)

Image Size

Large / Fine
5616 x 3744 pixels; approx. 21 MB

Large / Normal
5616 x 3744 pixels; approx. 21 MB

Medium / Fine
4080 x 2720 pixels; approx. 11.1 MB

Medium / Normal
4080 x 2720 pixels; approx. 11.1 MB

Small / Fine
2784 x 1856 pixels; approx. 5.2 MB

Small / Normal
2784 x 1856 pixels; approx. 5.2 MB

RAW
5616 x 3744 / Approx 21MB

S RAW
1 - 3861 x 2574 / Approx 10MB

S RAW 2
2784 x 1856 / Approx 5.2MB

RAW & JPEG Simultaneous Recording
Yes

Viewfinder

Coverage (vertical/horizontal)
0.98

Dioptric Adjustment
3 to +1 dpt

Interchangeable Focusing Screens
Yes

Auto Focus

AF Points
9 cross type + 6 assist

Exposure Control

Shooting Modes
7 standard modes

Metering Segments
35

Metering Modes
Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Centre-weighted average

ISO Speed Range
ISO 100-6400(L1: 50, H1: 12800, H2: 25600)

Exposure Compensation
Manual, AEB ±2: - 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments

Shutter

Shutter Speed
1/8000 sec � 30, bulb, X-sync 1/200 sec.

Flash Control

E-TTL II Autoflash
Yes

Built-in Flash / Guide Number
N/A

Speed

Shooting Speed
3.9 fps

White Balance

Settings
9

WB Bracketing
Yes

General Features

LCD Monitor
3 inch

Custom Functions/Settings
25

Start Up Time
0.1 sec

Integrated Cleaning System
Yes

Live View
Yes (Quick, Live & Live face detection AF Modes)

External Interface
Hi-Speed USB/ HDMI mini/ Audio/Video OUT/ PC Terminal/ Remote control/External microphone input

Remote Control Terminal
Yes (RC-1, RC-5 compatible)

Battery
Lithium Ion LP-E6

Chassis Material
Stainless Steel

Dimensions (W x H x D) mm
152 x 113.5 x 75

Weight excl. battery (g)
810
there is a big diff in price aswell,
but for a bigginer the 7D is an excellent choice :D

Original Question

Is it a good time to buy a Canon XH A1 ?

Q. Hello,

Do you think it is a good time to buy a Canon XH A1 or should I wait for a larger sensor camcorder offering
- Better low light peformance
- Shallower depth of field

------------------------------------------

I'm a professional photographer in search of a practical video system to achieve a photographic look as much as I can.

These come to mind:
- shallow depth of field
- low light performance
- practicality

I currently own a Canon HV20 and a redrock micro 35mm adapter with follow focus. I'm using my Nikon lenses with it.

However the rig is way too bulky to be practical and low light performance is poor. Also manual focus is a pain when you or your subject is moving.

--------------------------------------------------

Currently the market offers the Red system, which is aimed mainly at filmmakers,

the Canon 5d MKII, giving a good low light performance, a large selection of lenses, nice shallow depth of field in a quite portable package. The reviews I read mentioned that the autofocus is almost useless in video. And I'm also not sure this is the product to go for with video not being the main function. i.e will require a decent mic added, limited to 30p etc.

Like this person here, I wonder why they do not come up with a larger sensor camcorder:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=661527

Now, about the Canon XH A1.
Pros:
- It looks like a great video camera with decent low light performance (not as good as a higher end dslr)
- Good lens with autofocus
- Expandable with accessories
- Decent built-in mic and other sound recording options with added ports
- No need to invest in lenses

Cons:
- Only 1/3" sensor
- No shallow depth of field
- Questionable low light performance when compared to 5dMKII

----------------------------------------------

I'm wondering whether they will come up with a larger sensor video camera soon (next 2 years)
or
Should I just go with Canon XH A1 and forget about the shallow depth of field ?

Thanks

A. There are bigger sensor camcorders, the Sony DSR series, XDCAMs DigiBetas, Panasonic AJ DVC PROs etc. They are all 3ccd, so you have triple the cost of the bigger sensor, they also require bigger more expensive lenses.


In the same way that you can buy a canon powershot for £100 you can also buy a EOS 1Ds Mk3 for £4k.

The redrock system will work on the XHA1 with the right adaptor, to my mind it is a terrible cumbersome system, requiring mirrors taped to LCD, post prod flipping, no zooming etc.

I hate to pour scorn on your idea but if you haven't money for a professional camera then it isn't likely that you will have money for professional sound recording gear, a sound recordist, a professional lighting rig or gaffer etc.

The XHA1 is a decent camera for the money, and used within its limitations will give very good results: it has an ND filter do you can shoot with wide aperture without over-exposure to aid shallow depth of field, also if you move the camera back and zoom in you will accentuate perception of shallow depth of field.

Video and photography need light. The XHa1 has a gain adjustment (similar to ISO control on DSLR) to boost the picture in lo light, but it is noisier. If you want decent looking video then you need to take control of the light rather than hoping for good ambient light.

If you really must have cinematic depth of field then the 5Dmk2 is the only option below 10s of thousands of pounds.

It is compromised in that:

No live expsoure control
Only manual lens movements
MPEG4 based codec (not great with pans and tilts or subject motion)
Rudimentary audio recording with no audio monitoring

If you can't afford a 1/2 inch or 2/3rd inch camcorder then the XHA1 is as close as you are going to get.

Original Question

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