Hello!
I'm a professional sports, branding, & lifestyle photographer, and up until a month ago I hadn't given video much thought (none in fact). I was strictly stills for years, but more recently I've had requests from a few clients asking for some video work. So I started looking, reading, watching YouTube videos, etc. to learn what's being used, what is good, what is bad, codecs, gear, fps, 4K or not, etc. And I have a headache Let me list what gear I currently have and use for my stills work:
- Canon 1DXMKII, Canon 5DMKIV, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8, and Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 1.4x III Extender
So as you can see, I'm heavily vested in Canon bodies and more so glass. Back when I got the 1DXMKII and 5DMKIV (3 years ago when they came out), I didn't even look at the video specs on either, as I didn't care. They were (and still are) the best cameras for what I did/still do. After reading about video, I started to look at what my current cameras could do, and that's how I ended up on this forum. I played around with them both in 4K and 1080p, figured out the details, etc. But now, going forward, I need some advice. Yes, they are still the best Canon video DSLRs, but I'm wondering if I should get something else for video work. Something that works with my EF lenses so I don't need new glass.
What do I want? Very good 1080p. I can get FF 1080p with both the 1DXMKII and 5DMKIV now (full hd), but it looks somewhat soft. I can shoot in 4K on both, but then I have differing crop factors between my 2 DSLRs (1.3x and 1.74x) to deal with and the MJPEG codec is huge. For sure shooting in 4K and downconverting to 1080p in post gives a nicer 1080p, but I want something simpler/faster. I can't find out what they do if I shoot in 4K and record out over HDMI on both of them. Would they both produce better looking 1080p, similar to what the C100 does for example (e.g. shoots in 4K, but down converts to 1080p internally)? If so that would be good, but I would still have the crop factor to consider...So one option is the C100MKII for $3000. In theory this should have the best 1080p, though it's S35 not FF. C200 is another option, but not as much a "bargain" as the C100MKII. I would rarely user the raw light, so I would have to be content with the 4K codecs, which seem to be on the low end from reading things. And it's $6500.
Non Canon options seem to be all over the place, and a bit confusing to me for now. I can build a BM rig, a Panasonic rig, etc., but not sure what's simplest for run/gun, tripod/gimbal/handheld, 1 person crew shooting. The EOS Cinema seem very appealing and simple to use in these ways. Also the DPAF is important.
I know this is a lengthy post for a first post, but any thoughts are welcome.
