Buying advice for first big camera?

[ribenawrath]

I posted this at DVinfo, with no help whatsoever. So hopefully I'll get a better response from you guys...



Firstly, happy new year to everyone.

I'm a student looking to go into freelance work after university, and just got a bonus of £1500. So I thought I'd spend that money on a cam instead of kebabs. I'm UK based, so it must be a PAL camera, and 2nd hand is a good idea because I'm poor.

I'm looking at low end prosumer. Preferably HD, unless you guys can convince me why a good SD camera is a good idea?
The Sony FX7 is perfect but really rare to find 2nd hand for some reason?! FX1 is a bit out of my price range.
Was looking at the Panasonic HMC40, can be found at £1200 new. I know some may scoff and say...'why not just get the HMC150', but again, out of my range.
I was looking at an XL1s...damn cheap used. Only SD I know, but is the quality and price comparable enough to make it a good choice?

Also, looking at buying a 35mm adapter in the future...probably a twoneil or similar. Will the XL1s take a twoneil, or does it require another adapter? Also, If you change the lens on an XL1 to a manual zoom lens, in theory you'd get more depth of field right? Without an adapter?

Anyway, thanks for your help guys, I'm freely open to any suggestions, so start suggesting

 

[LethalWolfe]

Is the 1500 for the camera only or is it also for lights, audio, tripod and the other assorted odds and ends that make up a well rounded package?


Lethal

 

[ribenawrath]

Well I already have a rode boom mic, and a tripod, and a glidetrack. Which is all I'm looking to get at the moment. I can borrow lighting when need be.

So yes, £1500 on the camera alone.

 

[bearcatrp]

Get the HMC40. Struggles a little in low light but some adjustments can help. Go here for some good info from an active forum.. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/

 

[CreativeP]

How about a 7D

If your looking at the option of using 35mm adapters why not go with the current trend and go for a Canon 7D there are deals out there for around £1,200 at the moment and yes you would have to settle for a stock lens for the time being but you would have so much choice for lenses later on rather than spending your money on a 35mm adapter.

Used to have an XL2 and yes its a great camera but the pros for a 7D over and above an XL1 are substantial

Record to card no logging or tapes
Lens availability and flexibility
Much more creative options
Equipment will be new and have a warranty
HD as opposed to SD

I would pay twice the price for a 7D over the results I used to get from my XL2 the only downside being no XLR inputs and needing cards as opposed to cheaper tapes but that is the only downside and the quality more than makes up for the week areas.

 

[ribenawrath]

I appreciate your advice, but a 7D isn't the way to go for me.
For a start, audio is pretty important, and I need something video specialised. When I have the money, Ill defiantly get a 7D, or the next generation of cam. But for the meantime I need a video camera which can be the bread and utter of my video productions.

 

[Camerent.]

Hiya Ribenawrath,

If you change the lens on an XL1 to a manual zoom lens, in theory you'd get more depth of field right? Without an adapter?

Yes you can get better control using something like the 16x Manual Servo Zoom Lens XL 5.4-86.4mm f/1.6 that fits on the XL range however this would probably cost as much as the camera.
A cheaper option would be the EF adaptor that can be purchased quite cheaply now but then you would need a suitable lens taking into account the magnification that occurs when you attach it but the quality is fantastic the first image is as standard with an XL2 and the second with a 200mm lens and the EF adaptor.

I have other images using different lenses so if you need any advice just let me know

Regards

Camerent

 

[KeithPratt]

Hiya Ribenawrath,

If you change the lens on an XL1 to a manual zoom lens, in theory you'd get more depth of field right? Without an adapter?

No. (I'm assuming you mean less depth of field, but either way the answer is no.) The only way you'd make for shallower depth of field with this method would be by using a lens with a wider aperture than the one it was replacing.

 

[Camerent.]

No. (I'm assuming you mean less depth of field, but either way the answer is no.) The only way you'd make for shallower depth of field with this method would be by using a lens with a wider aperture than the one it was replacing.

Ok sorry maybe I should have been more specific

There are limited lenses available to directly fit on to the XL range but if you used the Canon manual servo lens as described above the aperture values increase from 9 to 28 the higher the aperture the more shallow the depth of field.

Sorry if I was not specific enough but yes you would get a shallower depth of field using the manual zoom described, but they are expensive and hard to find,

Regards Camerent

 

[KeithPratt]

the higher the aperture the more shallow the depth of field.

Might be misunderstanding again, but to clarify, the lower the aperture number the shallower the depth of field.