3 ms·

I own the 5DmII. The HD video really is amazing–especially with fast lenses (my favorites are the 35/1.4 and 135/2). The main problem is that it's hard to hand

I own the 5DmII. The HD video really is amazing–especially with fast lenses (my favorites are the 35/1.4 and 135/2). The main problem is that it's hard to handle and focus the camera hand-held. You really need a good rig and focus ring to get it right. And some of those from Redrock or Zacuto can cost almost as much as the camera body. Here's a couple videos I shot with the 5DmII (again, handheld and I'm a terrible videographer) http://vimeo.com/10768127 http://vimeo.com/10768127 http://vimeo.com/5253857 http://vimeo.com/5253857

Flemlord 17y ago
If you have an auto-focusing lens, will it continually focus while you are recording video? That's the one thing that's held me back from upgrading. I badly want to combine my DSLR with my camcorder--I hate having to decide which one I'm going to carry with me.
- anigbrowl 17y ago
  If you're just getting feet wet, the (~$1000) Canon T2i will do that. but most of the time you wouldn't want to. Autofocus is horrible on video, even on the best gear I have used (like a varicam). YMMV may vary of course if you are trying to shoot sports or certain documentary stuff. I think you would do far better to get some good used manual lenses and acquaint yourself with focusing manually.
- mtw 17y ago
  if you want an auto-focusing setup, get the panasonic gh1 with the specially designed lens 14-140mm. But people get the canon 5d or the 7d because of the film look. The sensor is bigger so you get shallower depth of field, and also you get wider selection of lenses
mtw 17y ago
I've seen great videos taken without a follow-focus or a rig, for instance http://vimeo.com/5000009 http://vimeo.com/5000009 you need to shorten the strap and hold the camera at arm's length (so you get 4 points of contact, instead of the usual 2).

3 ms·

I own the 5DmII. The HD video really is amazing–especially with fast lenses (my favorites are the 35/1.4 and 135/2). The main problem is that it's hard to hand

by callmeed 17y ago

Flemlord 17y ago
If you have an auto-focusing lens, will it continually focus while you are recording video? That's the one thing that's held me back from upgrading. I badly want to combine my DSLR with my camcorder--I hate having to decide which one I'm going to carry with me.
- anigbrowl 17y ago
  If you're just getting feet wet, the (~$1000) Canon T2i will do that. but most of the time you wouldn't want to. Autofocus is horrible on video, even on the best gear I have used (like a varicam). YMMV may vary of course if you are trying to shoot sports or certain documentary stuff. I think you would do far better to get some good used manual lenses and acquaint yourself with focusing manually.
- mtw 17y ago
  if you want an auto-focusing setup, get the panasonic gh1 with the specially designed lens 14-140mm. But people get the canon 5d or the 7d because of the film look. The sensor is bigger so you get shallower depth of field, and also you get wider selection of lenses
mtw 17y ago
I've seen great videos taken without a follow-focus or a rig, for instance http://vimeo.com/5000009 http://vimeo.com/5000009 you need to shorten the strap and hold the camera at arm's length (so you get 4 points of contact, instead of the usual 2).