Sony NEX still and video cameras

[AlbertSiegel]

Well, I've decided to upgrade my video equipment as I plan to move away from news photography and work mainly on video. I decided to order the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-VG10 cameras along with a few goodies.

I figure the VG-10 will be my main gear as it offers 1980x1080i recording at 30p or 60i depending how you look at it. The NEX-5 offers the same though at a slightly lower bit-rate. The nice thing about the NEX-5 is I can take it along at all time and it will be my second angle/backup camera for video.

At the same time I gave up on Final Cut and switched to Premiere CS5 on my Mac. I really do like CS5 so much better. No more rendering just to preview and no need to convert files just to edit!

I am looking forward to the new equipment. It will not arrive for a few weeks, so I have a little time to get more familiar with CS5.

For all you video people out there, what is your opinion on the NEX series of cameras based on what you've read? I love the idea of interchangeable lenses for a video camera where I can even use my K-mount lenses. I am quite excited. Any of you going to pick up a NEX for video or stills?

[wuchan]

Get a Canon 5D or 7D with a cinevate or redrock setup.

example:
http://vimeo.com/12628138

[Coligny]

So when can we expekt "one Night in Paris II" aka "One Night in Paris Tokyo Drift"...

[AlbertSiegel]

Get a Canon 5D or 7D with a cinevate or redrock setup.

example:
http://vimeo.com/12628138

That's not really an option. I find the Canon setup too limited. I need proper AF for some shooting and I need to be able to record more than 12 minutes at a time. I also need a viewfinder I can use in video. An SLR is not a good form factor for shooting video for extended time.

One bonus for the NEX camera is it's ability to use just about any lens through an adapter. I am fine with MF when the situation allows it, but I will need a fast and proper AF often enough to pass on a DSLR option. This NEX video camera system seems to offer the best of both worlds.

Have you tried video on a DSLR? If so, what's your opinion on it? Do you prefer it to a traditional video camera style body? Any pros and cons from you opinion?

[Blah Pete]

Are you going to buy it in the US or Japan?
From what I have read it won't be out until around the end of the year.

[AlbertSiegel]

In the U.S. as Sony no longer supports English menus in Japan. I was given a date of the end of this month or middle of next at the latest. What have you heard?

I hope there is no delay as I am really plannin on this.

[wuchan]

That's not really an option. I find the Canon setup too limited. I need proper AF for some shooting and I need to be able to record more than 12 minutes at a time. I also need a viewfinder I can use in video. An SLR is not a good form factor for shooting video for extended time.

One bonus for the NEX camera is it's ability to use just about any lens through an adapter. I am fine with MF when the situation allows it, but I will need a fast and proper AF often enough to pass on a DSLR option. This NEX video camera system seems to offer the best of both worlds.

Have you tried video on a DSLR? If so, what's your opinion on it? Do you prefer it to a traditional video camera style body? Any pros and cons from you opinion?

Auto focus: buy the correct lenses or learn to shoot. When skate videos made money we used GL1's, VX's and XL1's. Even tho those cameras had auto focus it was never fast enough so we learned to do it manually like the guys who shoot movies.

Twelve minutes is the body limit. If you buy a separate (belt mountable) HD and battery, two or more hours of non stop shooting is possible.

The screen on the 5D and 7D can be used as a view finder during video capture. Don't listen to the clowns at the local denki store.





Bottom line here: *amateur photo experience does not carry over to video. Video is a very complex medium, one that I have been involved in for more than 15 years and I am still a noob.






* "The thing in photography that divides pros and ams is the equipment. A pro will spend as much as possible to make shooting faster and easier where the amateur will consider the cost." -National Geographic.

[AlbertSiegel]

Auto focus: buy the correct lenses or learn to shoot. When skate videos made money we used GL1's, VX's and XL1's. Even tho those cameras had auto focus it was never fast enough so we learned to do it manually like the guys who shoot movies.

I understand this and thus why I ruled out the DSLR. I know how to shoot. There are times for AF and not. DSLR for video simply cannot live up to my focus needs.

Twelve minutes is the body limit. If you buy a separate (belt mountable) HD and battery, two or more hours of non stop shooting is possible.

That's highly impractical and clumsy for my personal needs not to mention uncomfortable. I can see this as the only solution before the VG10, but technology has moved forward and there is no need for this setup for my needs.

The screen on the 5D and 7D can be used as a view finder during video capture. Don't listen to the clowns at the local denki store.

I understand this, but I have zero desire to buy a LCD loupe as it simply adds to the bulk and makes for an even more uncomfortable setup than just the external HD and battery. Keep in mind that I must be highly mobile and the less of a jerry-rig it is the better for me. As I said, I need a real viewfinder for video.

Bottom line here: *amateur photo experience does not carry over to video. Video is a very complex medium, one that I have been involved in for more than 15 years and I am still a noob.

Well then it's good to know that I am not an amateur photographer since I have worked in photojournalism for some years with my work published in papers, magazines and books around the world.

I understand video is a very complex medium just as is photography or radio or any other professional media field. My needs for video are as a journalist and as such I must keep things as small and simple as can be with a good balance of quality.

I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for DSLR video and can see why some would like it, but honestly there is no advantage I can see over the VG10 for my needs.

Both have large sensors. Though not as large as the 5D it is slightly larger than the 7D.

Both can do HD video with the VG10 being the winner in both time and AF ability.

Both have interchangeable lenses with Canon having a wider selection of first party but the Sony has the ability to use a much wider selection of third party with adapters.

As far as I can see the VG10 has the upper hand and I look forward to the Canon version of the same thing when they decide to compete. I'm sure Canon will do an excellent job. But I need what I need now and Sony is the only one offering a realistic solution. If not for the VG10, I would have gone for a traditional video camera at a higher cost.

[sod]

got the nex5 d a week after it was released and i must say im really happy with it. my decition to get it was based on the fact that i wanted something between a point and shoot but not a full dslr and the nex5 was it.

in all the reviews they said that the menu system was a concern for them as it was a little cluncky to set stuff up but only if you dont know where it is in the system.personally after reading the manual and memorising where important stuff was (i have the japanese one) i really dont have a problem with it.in fact i keep the camera in manual and only have to go to the menu when i want to change the iso.

if you are going to use the camera for quick on the spot stuff you'd use it in the auto mode so you can just point and click like sony intended for it.

the video is great. press the button and your away. the max filming time is 29min 30sec but for me thats plenty as its not intended to be for anything other than a camera that i can take almost anywhere and to start to learn about photography a bit more and extending my video knowleage from the basic's .

i must say that i am wanting to pick up the 18mm -200mm lens but thats the price of the camera again:( so it might not be anytime soon. the next purchase will be for the fish eye lens adaptor as i skateboard and it will be usefull.

i will say that the one thing that makes people wow is the panarama mode and now its in 3d as well but not having (the money) equipment to view the results i cant say how good it looks.


not had a go of the vg-10 but after using the nex5 i would certainly consider it alot but at the moment i have absolutly no excuse to buy one.


ill be interested to see what you think of the nex5 and the vg-10 after a bit of use.

[Russell]

It seems you already made up your mind about the Sony Nex, but then there is of course also the Micro Four Thirds system of Olympus and Panasonic, with a much larger choice of lenses.

Though the sensor is a bit smaller (30% or so) than the Nex's, the lenses also are. Cameras are not as small yet as the Nex, but new announcements of smaller cameras are expected in a few months. Like the Sony, there will also be a professional video cam (Panasonic AG-AF100).

[Russell]

You didn't check out the Panasonic AG-AF100 yet? Many more lenses...

[BigInJapan]

I look forward to the Canon version of the same thing when they decide to compete. I'm sure Canon will do an excellent job.

You're looking at a wait of six months to a year. Some pretty cool units are the works...
(That's all I can say and still keep my kneecaps)