Thread: Time for a New Body

I have tried shooting video with my 500D and am unimpressed. My almost 10yo Sony Digicam does a much better job.

This pretty much why I have waited for a 3rd generation of the Canon DSLR with video.

Any 7D or 550D experience out there?

I believe that one of the photographers that know heaps about video and canons is Romy Ocon.
Try to contact him, he is very nice fellow and have tested many Canons.
He have some work HERE and his page in pbase is HERE
His email romyocon@yahoo.com

I hope that this will help.
Cheers

What is the main reason why you want to make an upgrade? The 50D is a relatively new and very compitent body as it is. The newest gadgetry has a very little effect on the photos you are taking. Practice and good optics though does make a different. To put time and money there is a better investment imo.

There has been some photos floating around the net lately hinting that the 60D would indeed be focused on filming, with a tiltable screen on the back side and all. For me at least that is a weaknes that could break off if you are out in the bush and makes the camera more bulky.

If HD movie recording is a main concern I would get a cam corder if I were in your shoes.

Originally Posted by SwedishBloke

What is the main reason why you want to make an upgrade? The 50D is a relatively new and very compitent body as it is.

I always have 2 bodies when I go out. My second body is currently a 400D so the upgrade is really about replacing it. The 50D will be demoted to the second body.

Video... Is not my main focus otherwise I would buy a video cam.

At the end of the year I am going to China so I am looking for a unit that will be a good all rounder. If the 60D meets the hype then it will be the camera I buy for the trip.

On the subject of DSLR and video quality. I was talking to an ABC News camera woman, We were talking about camera's and she had just brought an EOS 550D. She was pleasantly surprised at the video capability of the 550D.

I thought you just wanted HD video recording, and then thought it would be cheaper, and better ergonomically, to get a cam corder capable of filming in HD. You didn't give the impression that you used two DLSR bodies in the opening post and that you wanted to phase out the 400D. If I knew that I would have answered differently


DLSRs are very competent as for recording video. Actually an episode of House MD was recorded with a Canon 7D. An entire TV series in Sweden has also been recorded with a 7D.

As for getting a new DLSR with HD capability, I personally would skip the 550D since I consider Canon's entry models has too small and plastic feeling. Which results in a horrid ergonomic (which is a matter of taste, of course ) and making the camera front heavy with a bigger lens attached. Not being weather sealed and lacking that for me at least important top LCD panel is also a big minus.

It really depends on what kind of photography you are into and how much you want to spend. For landscape for example FF would be ideal if you have the money for it. For action photography the 7D would be the pick with much faster burst capabilities. If you are happy with how the 50D performs and want another similar body, but with some extra features + movie recording capability, the 60D is your pick.

Originally Posted by SwedishBloke

DLSRs are very competent as for recording video. Actually an episode of House MD was recorded with a Canon 7D. An entire TV series in Sweden has also been recorded with a 7D.

...and this is the issue. My 500D is very good at video with a fixed position and fixed focus point. The problems arise when you want to pan or zoom.

Case in point: I can mount my 10yo Sony 1.5mp TRV30E on a tripod in the D3 and get near perfect video [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTyHffRgnx4"]YouTube- Fraser Island Part 1[/nomedia]


You'd be better off spending $400 on a cheap HDD camcorder that using a DSLR as a portable camcorder.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

You'd be better off spending $400 on a cheap HDD camcorder that using a DSLR as a portable camcorder.

That is also my opinion, but as I understood it he wants to have two DLSR bodies and replace the 400D. That is convenient without focusing on getting another one with movie recording capabilities. Then he might as well get one that can record video as well since many DLSRs do so these days.

A cam corder is indeed though a better movie recording solution if that is ones main interest.