What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

Thank you - that's really helpful.

By one on one (I'm rubbish with terminology), it's usually just me with them talking direct to camera, so generally get away without the need for much in the way of edits, or I can put stills over the top if really necessary. However I wouldn't be against using the 7d for an extra angle if I had it available and could make the footage match reasonably.

So far 4k hasn't even be a consideration, but it would definitely give me some extra options.

I've got XLR mics so being able to plug into the camera would cut out some effort afterwards.

I'll start to read up on Sonys. It's really good to have a starting point for what to research. Thank you.

If you wanted two camera angles and to be able to match the footage relatively easily I'd honestly consider selling the 7D and the Tascam and buying two second hand A6300s (go for about 5-600 or occasioanlly less on eBay along with a K2M (or K1M - I forget which is the cheaper of the two - they both do exactly the same thing but one has to be mounted directly into the hotshoe, the other can be mounted anywhere and has a wire).

Canon and Sony, while far from impossible, are definitely not the easiest colour sciences to match.

Two identical cameras will help LOADS on that front. And if you're feeding into a linked XLR port you've got a really nice shooting package good to go. An alternative idea is that if you're shooting interviews 20-30 minutes or less in length you could always go 4k and crop in for a tighter view of the same angle if you need to make cuts/emphasise points etc. But remember with 4K the files are a bit heavier (though not enormous on the a6300).

Have fun researching and let me know if you have any questions. Always happy to offer spurious advice.

Just spotted this - good point on recording time. All mirrorless/compact and DSLR 'style' cameras that shoot video and that are sold in the EU have a cut off of about 29 minutes. There's no getting around it unless you have something like this:

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/blackmagic-video-assist-1574963/?mkwid=sHFTWDeJl_dc&pcrid=227633445480&kword=&match=&plid=&product=1574963&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9LVBRDOARIsAGqoVntyfiSRS0g-F7JiXjSV1gDEvWeHEiZixf0PcLHWTg60cY-RgFTCkOYaAgmkEALw_wcB

That's actually not a bad shout:
Flog Tascam + 7D - should get a few hundred quid
1 x second hand A6300 (about 600)
1 x BMD Video Assist (about 350 - second hand maybe 250)
1 X k2m (399 new at Park - cheaper second hand etc)

That would allow you to record for longer lengths, no chance of camera overheating, record audio internally via XLR and best of all - monitor your footage on something more appropriate than just a 3.5" flip out screen. With that particular recorder you would be limited to 1080p though (they do a 4k one for a couple of hundred more). However the quality will be significantly better in 10 bit 4:2:2 than the internal codec on the A6300 which while decent is quite heavily compressed.

No time for a proper answer at moment, but thanks again - really helpful

5 minutes spare for a reply...

That all makes sense - I've no particular reason to hang onto the 7d. I've even still got my old nikon stuff in a cupboard should I want to use an old fashioned dslr for photography.

Gives me a good gradual upgrade path as well - for the moment I could just get one Sony 6300, sell the 7D and then the other stuff could come in time - I do like the idea of the video assist thing - I've been so used to just making do with a tiny camera screen. I guess the plug in XLR input thing would be nice, but is also non-essential as long as I don't mind using the Tascam separately. Which is also sometimes useful - I filmed an event the other day where the sound mixer was in another room way beyond cable length, so was able just to plug it in and leave it running. So I'd probably hang onto that anyway. A second Sony would also be great, but whether it'd pay for itself in work for a while, I'm not sure.

Shooting 4k and being able to crop in would be really useful. I'm not quite sure whether my video card would be happy when it came to editing, but it would be really good as an option. I prefer editing to filming (most of my work is editing) and have been doing quite a bit of instagram sized stuff lately which gives me a lot of freedom to play around with zooming and cropping. So that but with HD video would be great.

Which leaves me with one question - lenses... I presume I could buy a Sony-Canon adapter thing, but am guessing when all I've got is a relatively cheap Canon prime lens, I'd be better just to get a dedicated Sony lens?

The problem with having mostly nice, non-demanding clients is that it hasn't given me very much reason to offer anything fancier than what I've been doing up to now... but for my own long term sake I feel I need to modernise a bit.

Lenses really depends. Honestly most of the operators we work with use a mix of stuff depending on context - there's a particularly nice 16-35 Sony we/they use a lot but generally for interviews it's Canon EF 50mm, 24-105, 24-70 and 70-200 that are the standards and they work great with something like a metabones adaptor (though there are cheaper adaptors out there).

Sigma are solid for video too - really nice colour and clarity on their 'Art' range though spendy and I think it's EF only so you'd still need an adaptor. All depends on budget really. If you've got some canon lenses rather than swap them all out for Sony maybe look into a cheap converter and see how you get on that way before selling/splurging on E mount stuff. Bear in mind that the a6300 is an APS-C sensor so take care if you're investing in lenses if you think you'll want full frame capability in the near future.

For interviews I'd suggest there's no real reason to get a super fast lens like a 1.2/1.8 or even f2. If you ever have to open up that wide you're likely not putting enough light on the subject and it'll make it very challenging to maintain focus if they move around in their seat (autofocus can be quite distracting in interviews I find). Somewhere between a 50 and 105 for interviews is great depending on style etc so maybe a 24-70 or 24-105 in one flavour or another could be worth a look.

decent price on the canon g7x II here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01BYERRUG/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

cheapest i've ever seen it!

Sorry, ran out of time to follow this up. Again, thank you.
Am now looking for an A6300 on ebay.
It occurred to me I could get the more expensive 4K BMD video assist thing and then record audio via that as it has XLR inputs. But they do seem a lot more expensive. I think for the moment my plan is probably to get an A6300, the cheaper video assist and stick with Tascam recording for moment.
The choice of lenses is a bit overwhelming. I've actually got more Nikon DX lenses than Canon, so I'm inclined to ditch Canon entirely, buy one dedicated Sony lens and then have my Nikon ones for variety. I think just one nice sharp Sony lens would probably be good or moment. Or is there no advantage at all to buying dedicated Sony ones if I have an adapter?

Would suggest a native sony lens/mount is a solid bet - I have a 16-70 which is great for a lot of things.

I think adapters in general are a great idea but even the expensive ones aren't completely reliable - I've had fancy metabones ones fail to recognise lenses entirely as well as fail to recognise things like aperture changes or focus so I'd be concerned about relying on a cheaper version professionally. One good thing about metabones etc depending on the model is that you can get an extra stop or two out of it and less crop (by some sorcery).

Audio into the BMD 4K VA sounds like a great idea to me - if it were my money I'd pop the 7D, Tascam and some of the overflow of lenses on eBay and pick up the A6300, a Sony lens and the 4k video assist. Though do note that the XLR ins are the mini versions so you'll likely need an adaptor. Another consideration is that I already have a load of batteries and SD cards so am not factoring that into costs.

4K video assist is 300 quid more than the regular one. If you were thinking of ever getting the K2M module that's 450 quid saved already. Honestly, having a big monitor will make such a difference to your framing/exposure etc especially if it has tools like peaking/focus assist/histo etc. That you can record in a significantly higher quality codec than the native mp4 from the Sony seems like a no brainer (though you'll want to have plenty of storage and presumably not set at the highest quality ProRes). Also not having to sync audio after the shoot is another big win. Obviously go with what's in budget but on paper that's a great set-up. (Presume there's an AC adapter for the Video Assist which may cut down on batteries). You could also look into Atomos but they're considerably more expensive than the Video Assist for all the features it has.

Also if buying for work maybe get them to pay for it and claim the VAT back and you buy from them ex VAT or something?

Are Patona batteries the way to go for Fuji spare ones? Especially this combo.
I'll be visiting Korea in May and I want to be prepared

Gr2 arrived, really impressed so far

I'm looking to get a Olympus Zuiko 28mm 2.8 lens.

There seems to be two versions - one multi coated and the other not. Is there a noticeable difference between the two or one that is better? I'll be using it with an OM2.

Seems like the "not" multicoated lens is only missing the MC engraving but is more or less the same.
http://olypedia.de/Zuiko_Auto-W_1:2%2C8/28_mm

Thank you!

Anyone have the Canon 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 USM lens from the 90s? It's pretty well rated but I'm struggling to find high resolution pictures taken with it and not the later ones that are apparently not as nice. Bought one on eBay yesterday on a whim.

It's this one:

There is a Canon EOS 100 with the same lens for £11 on eBay currently, seems like a bargain considering the lens goes for £30 by itself. I just bought the same body, might buy these as well if the lens is really good...

I own a Canon 30d (Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM & EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens) which I bought some 10-11years ago predominantly for university (architecture). I very much enjoyed using it and although I predominantly shot in basic manual/auto modes was able to get the shot I wanted with post in photoshop as and when needed (correct perspective/general adjustments). I got my first iPhone after uni which gradually became my go to camera with rare exceptions (holidays, for work when the iPhone camera won’t suffice etc.).

I recently used the office 750d with EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens and it was an absolute joy to use. The quality of photo was exceptional and the technological advancements in the 12 years since the 30d was released made using it much more intuitive (live mode, filming, articulated screen etc.).

I’m expecting my first child in the near future and would like to be able to take some nicer photos to help document this (along with for work purposes) rather than the standard flat iPhone point and shoot photos that I have become accustomed to. I would also like to learn more than the basics to help realise nicer photos and do think the live mode with tutorials would help achieve this (I realise I might have fallen prey to the marketeer’s spiel).

I have had a look and the variety in Canon dslr’s is huge these days and much more confusing than the Xd, XXd, XXXd models I was used to (e.g.: 200d is more than comparable with 800d, 77d is somewhere inbetween the XXd and XXXd lines). Can I check if people would recommend an older XXd body (with live mode and filming) or a 77d/750d. Can I also ask what zoom lens people would suit my needs from the semi-lacking description above. Realistically I have a budget of £750ish but could stretch a little bit if needed.

Sorry for the ramble and big thanks in advance for any advice.

https://explorecams.com/photos/pair/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii=canon-ef-28-80mm-f-3-5-5-6-usm some examples. using a canon 5D mk 2

Thanks, that's helpful. Looks pretty nice (hopefully that link works)

I'm struggling to find high resolution pictures taken with it

Bought one on eBay yesterday on a whim.

..so now you can make some high resolution pictures with it yourself!

: ]

Not on my crap old digital camera! Maybe if the 35mm camera is nice I'll get some okay pictures, but I know nothing about film cameras so that's definitely going to be a bigger barrier than the lens for now.

Haha, ok, fair enough!

Regarding photographing butterflies - more than just a powerful optical zoom I'd imagine - have been recommended Sony bridge cameras ( 300 something ).
Any thoughts please ?

I have had a look and the variety in Canon dslr’s is huge these days and much more confusing than the Xd, XXd, XXXd models I was used to

Yes, indeed.
As far as I know two-digit bodies still are built tougher / better weather sealed.
Not sure if this is important to you.
Ideally you would try to get a chance to put various of these in your hands and see which one does "feel right" (this would be much more important to me than a lot of other factors).

Can I check if people would recommend an older XXd body (with live mode and filming) or a 77d/750d.

..do you need live mode and filming?

Can I also ask what zoom lens people would suit my needs

..apart from the ones you already have?

What range would you like to cover?

I have a budget of £750ish

..for a body, or for a body and a lens?

Many thanks for the reply. My loose research definitely suggested that the standard XXd models were metal bodies/weather sealed which makes the 77d model (a XXXd model with top lcd screen a baffling addition to the range).

I always liked the size/weight of the 30d and found it nicely balanced compared to my wife's 400d with anything other than the 18-55 kit lens. Saying that I did really like the feel of the 750d which felt a lot more substantial than the 400d and was nicely balanced. The 77d seems like a good compromise of the two with a top lcd screen yet XXXd weight.

I had always thought there was quite a difference (other than body construction, weight and weather sealing) between the XXd and XXXd ranges but a look on camera comparison websites seem to suggest they are incredibly close these days.

My budget would be for a body and a lens so that is why I am happy to look at older models to help keep the cost down.

..do you need live mode and filming?

I wear glasses and was never a huge fan of using the eyecup (especially as I had a tendency to misplace the rubber frames). I think live mode would be great for general shooting with the eyecup used when setting up and taking a more 'composed' image. Filming is a nice to have but arguably not as essential.

..apart from the ones you already have?

What range would you like to cover?
..for a body, or for a body and a lens?

The 17-85 was an ok lens but it was replaced twice under warranty for failing to focus (I think it was a common trait) and had quite bad barrelling at the wider end so my budget would ideally be for a body and a lens. The 50mm prime was great for portraits and I would continue to use this.

A similarly wide lens (17mm) would allow me to take architectural shots with perspectives corrected later in post if needed. I probably don’t need as much of a zoon as 85mm and would be more concerned with performance in lower light levels.