No conversion Prosumer camera

I am shopping around for a prosumer camera to use with Final Cut Pro 7 that does not require you to convert footage to an editable format. Currently use the Canon 5d Mark II all footage needs to be converted to APR from the native h.264 on my system. But after coming off a huge project, this created problems with time and space. I was coming off a Panasonic HVX200 before this camera so I got spoiled.
Looking for something small and portable where I can grab my footage in native format and start editing right away in 1080 or 720. Any suggestions or help with this appreciated. Thanks!

Hi,
.. you have a first class camera in the 5DMkII .. I would not waste money on a different canera .. find a work flow to help .. I use Magic Bullet Grinder to batch convert the files from mine to ProRes422 which I start off go have a coffee and come back all done! The finished files are put into a matching sequence which needs no rendering. It is a cool app .. check out the video and their site for more info (I checked lots of reviews before buying it all good)..
http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/magic-bullet-grinder/
Jimkells
www.jimkells.com

Similar Messages

Advice for prosumer camera purchase

I have worked with both HDV and AVCHD in FCP and know the pros and cons. I also know between these 2 cameras one is HDV and one is AVCHD (avccam as panasonic calls it).
I am ready to purchase a prosumer cam, and although this isn't related to FCP, I would assume some of you have used these cameras and maybe even own them. So, which would you purchase? I am looking to shoot weddings, musical performances, and my own freelance/enjoyment of recording in state parks, downtown Pittsburgh, etc...
Panasonic AG-HMC150 or Canon XH-A1s
Thanks!

I do not have any experience with the cameras that you are considering, though i thought i might throw the cat amongst the pigeons here, i also dont know what your budget is,
but I use the sony FX1 and Z1 cameras, both are HDV and both are excellent in low light conditions.
Being a discontinued line they are quite cheap, I bought a 2nd hand Z1 three month's ago for AUS$3,500 with very low hrs.
They use mini DV tapes, some may consider this a draw back but for me it doesn't make a difference the quality of the footage and colours are exceptional.
Are quite robust, have been using them filming bull catching, cattle mustering, pig hunting and fishing in outback australia on the ground and in the air (helicopters) and touch wood have not let me down yet, but have been through several consumer type cameras.
This is my experience, hope it helps.

Can't "join" started hello conversation without camera on firefox

Hello there
So as title says I can't join a conversation I started with Hello app. I can create the room, share the link and I receive a notification that my other partner connected, but we can't hear\see each other. We both have FF36. Also on his side when he joins the room, he can see a text in the middle saying "you are the first to join the room". Weird thing is that I can absolutely join other people room, and it works correctly!
The thing I think I noticed is that people with a camera can start and " host" properly a call. Another guy i know with my same setup (no camera and only mic on a desktop pc) has my exact same issue, can't host but can join other people rooms with a camera. Unfortunately we tested only with people that use laptops with integrated camera, so I don't have other people with my setup that can try and test if what i say is true.
I don't know if I was clear enough on this, tell me if you need more info. We all had Windows machine, with win 7\8 no issue on that, different networks, ecc... only thing I noticed is that they all have a camera, me and the other guy don't.
Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
PS is there any eta for Hello on Firefox for android? As of now I can join but I can't find a way to start a conversation!

there are various programs like https://manycam.com that install an (additional) virtual camera driver on your pc to apply some after effects and so forth - you could try if this is enough to trick firefox hello. i haven't tried that so far ;-)

What is the best simple prosumer camera for FCE?

What is the simplest high quality camera to shoot, import to FCE with the least amount of conversion of footage time? Currently have Canon Vixia and all the conversions to get a simple output for the web are wearing on me! Your experience and expertise is appreciated. I work on PowerMacs, no intel processors.

Depending on your needs a DSLR might be a good way to go. You can get a Canon T3i for around $600. It's a great camera, I've outlined the pros and cons I've found after working with everything from bottom-of-the-line Rebels to the 5D Mk III. I love them for what I do, but you'll have to try one out and see for yourself.
The cons:
Battery consumption. My canon battery lasts about an hour of shooting at the most. Buy lots of batteries and keep them charged!
Overheating. They do warm up quick and they will overheat in sunlight. Have some sort of shade for them and you'll be fine!
12 minute record time. Shooting at the highest quality, you cannot shoot more than 12 minutes at a time. If you're doing an interview, you will be taking lots of breaks.
No autofocus. If you shoot scripted material this is no problem, as you should be manually focusing anyways. However, keep in mind that most DSLR's do not have proper autofocus during recording. Those that do have a LONG way to go before they will really be useful. These cameras are just not made to do it.
The benefits are:
Shooting MOV format, though it is compressed in H.264 which is not very edit friendly. You can do it, just make sure that once you finish editing your sequence, change your sequence settings to Apple Intermediate Codec and re-render the whole sequence before you export.
Interchangeable lenses. You get the whole lineup of Canon lenses to choose from, plus any other companies lens with an adapter.
Depth of field. The larger image sensor lets you blur out your background for cinematic looks that add another level of professionalism.
Low Light performance. Large sensors also are great in dark conditions as they capture much more light, giving better colors and lower noise.
SD card recording. They're fast, reliable and cheap. You can buy 10 and just keep switching them out once they're full, no dealing with tapes or discs.
Plus, you can shoot stills too! I know its a lot of information but I hope it helps!

Prosumer camera advice?

Hi everyone,
I've been posting in the Final Cut Express forum about this, and someone pointed out that this forum was really better suited to my question, so I'm going to ask here too (the thread in the FCE forum is here, just for the record - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6996202).
I'm looking for a prosumer video camera, in the range of $1-3,000, to be used for event videography and fictional/documentary shorts. I know I want to stick with tape-based (miniDV), and it obviously has to be compatible with Final Cut. I want to start using more manual controls, and probably go to HDV, although for now at least I would still shoot in DV (or in HDV and downconvert; several people have been promoting that). Also, I'm a high school girl, and not to stereotype, but I'm probably not as physically strong as a lot of camera-people out there; so having something fairly light is also really important to me (definitely NOT shoulder-mounted, though it seems there isn't much of that in this price range anyway). I'm also looking to get a good tripod, so suggestions on that front would be appreciated too.
It seems that the more research I do, the more overwhelmed I get with all the options! I've never had the choice of what camera to use before - just used the family's TRV330, and when it died, the new TRV38 - so trying to navigate all these features and options, and end up with the ideal camera for me, is quite daunting. I also have a paid project coming up in a few weeks and would really like to use the new camera for it, which means I have to buy something pretty soon so I can have time to play around with it before the event.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Claire

My advice hasn't changed. The Sony DSR-PD170. $2600 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/296545-REG/SonyDSRPD170_DSR_PD170_3_CCD_MiniDVCAM.html
If you are going to be recording in any dimly lit room (or even dark room such as most wedding receptions), NOTHING compares to the 170. There is no other way to put it. The Panasonic 100 is a great camera, we have one. However, to make this (or any camera really) shine, you must have control over your lighting. Shooting events means you have little to no control over your lighting. If I put a Panasonic 100B next to a Sony PD-170 at a typical wedding reception, the 100B will have a very graining, very dark image lacking most color saturation. The 170 will be, IMHO, at least two-stops brighter, and though grainy, it will be less grainy and have some sort of color detail. To recommend any other camera to be used for event work (unless working your way up the Sony line) simply comes from users that haven't used all the models. We have used:
Sony: 1000, 2000, 2100, 150, 170, and the DSR 250
Canon: Gl1, Gl2, XL1, XL1s, XL2
Panasonic: 100a, 100b
Each camera has their own merits. Each is capable of recording a great image. Under controlled circumstances, any of these cameras are excellent. Event shooting is mostly uncontrolled, unscripted.
The only other camera I would consider is out of your price range: the Panasonic HVX200. I believe Panasonic is shipping a more sensitive version of this camera very soon and new models are salted for release this fall. I say this camera because it will record in the DVCPro HD format. Which in my opinion, is MUCH better than HDV. It allows allows DVCPro 50, which is better SD quality than DV. But again, when you add the cost of P2 media and the cost of the camera, you are well out of budget.
In terms of tripods, the least expensive I would consider is this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/481931-REG/BogenManfrotto__190XDB501H_Video_TripodSystem.html
And, while I don't have a 503 head, I have read that it is much better than the 501 on the model listed above. I do have 501 heads and they are OK, at best. If you really want to know the difference, go rent a $2,000 tripod and head. Might cost you $50 to rent but you will really be able to tell what the difference is. I have found the 501 head to be the least expensive head that I can live with. However, for most work that is scheduled in advance, I prefer to rent.
Having said all that, as Bilbo Baggins might say: it's time to stop thinking and wasting the day.
Your equipment is your tools. The tools you use to create something; to turn your visions into something concrete. Sure, you want the best tools you can afford. But learning to use the tool is for more important than the tool itself. In the end, it's just a tool. You are the part that makes the difference. Just get started.
Mike

Camera raw conversion Sony Camera

I have recently heard that camera raw can now convert pictures taken in raw on a Sony camera, is this correct and is this a recent update in camera raw

Firstly there is a Camera Raw Forum:
http://forums.adobe.com/community/cameraraw
Secondly you may have to check out the list of supported cameras yoursekf as you don’t mention which camera you are using:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/extend.html#camerasupport
Thirdly you don’t even mention your version of Photoshop – so there is no way of telling which version of Camera Raw you actually use or if you might have to use the free DNG-Converter:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Macintosh&promoid= HTENC

Automator image conversion loses camera info

I was using Automator to convert DSLR raw pictures to jpeg. Everything works fine but all information form the camera is missing in the output jpeg files. Anyone has the same problem and any suggestions? Thanks.

I was using Automator to convert DSLR raw pictures to jpeg. Everything works fine but all information form the camera is missing in the output jpeg files. Anyone has the same problem and any suggestions? Thanks.

Midrange prosumer camera recommendations?

If one's looking for a selection of available lenses and flexibility for microphones/audio capture - what have folks found valuable that's not too pricey $$$$? DSLR? Something like Blackmagic camera? 'Going for cost-effective for advanced-hobby, occasional paid gig use.... Image-quality, dynamic-range considerations, etc. Thanks in advance!

.. depends very much on the stuff you're recording,...
vDSLR/Blackmagic is nice-to-have (and $$$$), but e.g. don't offer stabilization - which would be for my sports-recording and absolute NoGo! For me, the Pana hc-v757 (US: v750) would be a dream-machine, fullHD in 100/120fps unlimited/constantly (720/240p).
For 'artistry' my latest no-budget investments are an old Sony NEX5 (eBay, 240€) plus an adapter plus many super-cheap old Canon FD glases (Garage-sales, fleamarket) for 15-30€.. = APSC-sensor (like the Canon Rebel Ts) plus incredible shallow-focus (f1.8) etc etc etc,... But I'm doing 'beauty shots' very rarely (in 6 weeks, the yearly "can you record our wedding, pleeeeease?"-event will happen..
Audio? The BMPC is no 'hobby'-device, no audio (not even an option to format SDCards internally!)
Do you really USE (not need) changeable lenses?
What about UHD... about forthcoming Pana FZ1000? 'bridge' only, 28-600mm but: ....
4k for (rumored...) 800$!!!
.. you should narrow your real-life-needs - and, no "a lil' from everything!" isn't narrowing...

FCE and prosumer cameras

Hi All
Does anyone know or, even better, has anyone tested wether the Panasonic AG-HMC150 or the Panasonic AG-HMC40 cameras can be used directly with FCE?
They are AVCHD cameras, but having recently had some adventures with the JVC GY-HM100, I've realized that some animals are more equal than others...
What codecs would be used to get these cameras to work?
cheers
-j-

As an alternative to a direct capture through FCE you could try a software based AVCHD converter. There are quite a few programs available, most of them with evaluation copies to make sure your camera works with them.
Advantage would be, besides not being restricted to the import capabilities of the editing programs, that these programs often contain feature to store the less memory hungry original files, instead of the uncompressed intermediate formats, which FCE converts to.
Dirk

Cameras which support direct import to imovie (ipad2) through camera connection kit

Hi
I am looking to create a list of consumer (and prosumer) cameras which can directly connect to ipad2 via CCK and the video (& accompanying audio) shot by these cameras directly import in imovie without any conversion etc. for subsequent editing.
So far I have see some posts mentioning Flip Mino HD being able to do this.
Would also appreciate if the camera's resolution, rough price and other details are also posted for comparision sake.
Thanks in advance!

Panasonic Lumix TZ7 also seems to work as per post by floridadaz. Also saw a youtube video mentioning the same (Cannes Harbor Stroll by dkiechle)

Mac-Friendly Cameras

OK, I made a big mistake in think the Sony HDR-SR1 (hard-drive hi-def) prosumer camera would push files into FCP. LOL!
So, I'll collect anyone's recommendations on FCP-friendly video cameras -- prosumer to high-end pro.
Thanks.

I Just Bought The Same Camera HDR-SR1 I Found This
Article. It Has Info. Under other Is sony hard-drive
Camcorders dont work with apple computers without
purchasing $50-100 add-on Software.
ttp://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-12-06-camcor
der-hard-drives_x.htm
Thank you, my friend. I will email the USA Today writer to find out what conversion program he's talking about. After a month of rather intensive looking, I've yet to discover anything that makes the camera really compatible with FCP. In act, Sony does everything it can to steer you to their Vaio brand, and, alas, Apple wonders why you would not buy a product without Firewire. My bad.
To summarize: the HDR-SR1 in standard def mode produces mpeg-2 files transferrable via the camere USB to your Mac. From there one can use Streamclip to convert to DV and then import into FCP. Total pain, but faster than re-digitzing internally. There is nothing I know of that will convert the camera's 1080i AVCHD codec to DV for FCP -- that's another chapter in the future sometime.
There was also, in my first time out with the camera, a significant audio issue. The camera actually delivers 5.1 Dolby surround. Nifty, huh? (And it works really well). Trouble is, that audio requires a second conversion to make it just two channel or mono. There is no such beast as 5.1 Dolby in DV for FCP.
In my first little documentary project, I gave up on the hard drive transfer and just re-digitized 7 hours of video using a Canopus digitizer and the camera's S-video/composite audio out. It was acceptable.
Finally, they don't tell you this in the poorly written Sony HDR-SR1 manual, but the viewfinder is in "overscan" mode, which means it does not fully reflect what you're recording. The viewfinder is slightly pushed or zoomed in compared to the actual recorded image. It changes your thinking on framing when you know this.

Cameras and Formats

I know this is not strictly a discussion group for Cameras and Formats so I apolgise in advance for posting, but my options for advice are drying up and I figure that subscribers of the Final Cut Pro group will perhaps be able to assist.
We're a music services company based here in Egypt. We're starting to get into multimedia as we have a nice pro recording facility. We've been asked to produce some web videos/short corporates for companies based here.
At the time of writing we are looking to buy a camera in the UK in the next 2 weeks to bring over to Egypt. Ideally we want a 3CCD/CMOS 'prosumer' camera and have spent the last few months researching our options - like one should before you spend money you don't have, for a camera you don't really need, for work you probably won't get!
So for around the £2k mark, we've narrowed it down to either a used Sony Z1E (with around 400 drum hours), a new sony V1E or a Panasonic AVCHD camera such as the AG-HMC71 or AG-HMC41.
Now we're stuck. As there are pros and cons for all of the above cameras and we literally cannot afford to spend more to move a step up in order to get a camera that would do the lot.
We've heard that AVCHD workflow is the way to go...but that it's hard on the NLEs. Then there's the Z1E, which is industry standard pretty much...and then the V1E is light, shoots great HD picture but has some wierd shutter thing and also the zoom stutters apparently...?
Can anybody help us with this decision?
Thanks.
Craig

Sorry Andy. New to this forum stuff.
Here's my set up for our audio/visual work:
IMAC 24 /2.93/4GB/640/256/SD/MSE/KB-GBR
iMac has Logic Pro / Sound track pro / FCE soon to be upgraded to FCP and is dedicated to a/v work.
Not sure this is relevent to camera operation and NLE work but we also have a Firewire MOTO audio interface and Euphonix Digital mixers attached to this iMac via Ethernet for automated audio mixing in Logic Pro. A firewire Lacie external drive is also in use.
Hope this helps?
Thanks
Craig

Picture quality, new camera?

I bought a new HD camcorder last year the the Sony Hc7. I made a movie with FCp and Color, you can view it here:
http://www.vimeo.com/1949150
But still the picture quality is not as good as I want. Anyone know if I will get a significantly better picture if go for a prosumer camera , perhaps the Sony fx7 or even the new Fx100? I really want my images to look good enough for National Geographic , that may be an impossible dream for a non pro , holiday film maker, but will such a purchase get me significantly closer?
Anyone knowledgable about the camera market that can give some good advice on this one ?

National Geographic is a big jump up from (as you put it)holiday movies but just to give you an idea:
I have a JVC trade newsletter that features the GY-HD100U being a work horse for National Geographic and BBC shoots its speced as an entry level HDV camera
cost £6000 / $ 14000 for camera lens battery
http://www.jvcpro.co.uk/getResource2/jvchighway2.pdf?id=6201
http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101539

Pro-consumer Video Camera: Recommendations?

I'm looking to purchase a pro-consumer miniDV camera but I am confused by the selection. I know that I want a 3-CCD imager (probably rules out Sony cams), 4:3 ratio and true 16:9 aspect ratio, 24p, 30p, 1080i/60i, and XLR audio input. It seems these cams run around +$3k.
I will not be using the cameras to shoot wedding or events but experimental video and I require rich colors. I will also probably be shooting dance. I would also like to leave room to film a short independent feature. (I might eventually have to upgrade to accomplish this.)
Which cams do you recommend?
Another question: In your opinion is it worth spending a couple thousand more to get a lower priced but true HD video camera. By true HD I mean progressive scan video at 720p. By is it "worth it" I am concerned about the cost of shooting in 720p mode, the limited storage capabilities, the cost to purchase hard drives and decks. What are the costs and complications of purchasing a 720p camera? I know I am probably limited to Panasonic or JVC brands. Which cameras do you recommend?
Thanks so much for all your feedback.
Mac OS X (10.4.1)
Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Standard Definition (the format which the DVX100 shoots in) has a relatively straightforward editing workflow, tried and tested in recent years and easy to work with, particularly if you are working on a budget and are restricted to using an iMac, which has less options for expandability i.e adding a second firewire bus (not firewire port - sometimes you can get problems capturing video via firewire if you have your transfer deck or camera hooked up to your computer on the same firewire bus, despite being on separate ports - not always and you may never experience the problem, but if you're editing in more than a casual user environment you don't want to take the risk)
You can't add e-sata drives (alternative to fW drives) via an e-sata card on an iMac whereas you can with a macpro which can also add internal storage whereas an imac can't.
HDV which the XA-H1 shoots in, is at the lower end of the Hi Def formats, looks great when shot well and displayed on a large screen hi-def tv, but is highly compressed and causes problems in the editing workflow.
Ideally, you want to have a monitor or at least a portable tv hooked up to your computer for external monitoring of your video - to check whether titles are correctly displayed within the title-safe areas and more importantly for colour correction as computer displays and tvs don't display video the same and whereas this may not be important if you're videoing your great aunt's birthday or the kids playing in the park, if you're doing serious stuff, such as commercials or short films you need to be able to monitor externally.
Performing this is simple if you're editing standard def but if you're editing HDV you can't do this using the method described.
You either have to use a combination of HD monitor such the Apple 23" Cinema display coupled with the Matrox MXO card or use a compatible capture card to convert to a more edit friendly format such as dvchpro to avoid long render times - both options will cost more than the price of the imac on it's own and is why it's recommended to get a macpro tower when using a Proapp such as FCP if you're hoping to edit for a living or if you're a serious and regular user.
That's not to say you cant edit HDV using a imac and external FW hard drive set-up - I'm sure many contributors to this forum do - just to illuminate the possible difficulties.
Also, when shooting in any hi-def format, your technical camera skills need to be more proficient - focus in an image that is blown up to higher sizes if much more critical and you're going to show every blemish and wrinkle of a character's skin.
Yeah, the XA-H1 is a fine camera for shooting with from a camera and image perspective - much more difficult to deal with the footage as an FCP editor and potentially a lot more expensive if you want/need to do it properly.
Yes, as large hi-def tv's become more widespread, Hd is going to become the format of the future - as I've no doubt, will tapeless cameras.
Many Prosumer HDV cameras offer the option of downconverting in-camera to standard def, meaning you can shoot in the HDV format, then downconvert to standard def for editing, retaining the HDV master for future re-editing if you don't currently have the setup capable of editing HDV natively or if, in future, the HdV editing workflow becomes easier to deal with.
This may be your best option, but you'll need to check if the XA-H1 has this facility - I'm not familiar with this camera but know that the Sony Z1 or v1 both offer this facility.
Don't forget, there's not yet an inexpensive way of burning HD/HDV material to DVD that'll play in the majority of HDDVD/Blu-ray players yet - that's coming in the near(ish) future, so if you are outputting to DVD, you'll have to do this in SD anyway.
BTW, I have used the DVX-100 extensively and it's the standard for 1/3" CCD standard def prosumer cams.
Search the forum for HDV to check out the current thinking on editing HDV - there's masses of opinion out there.
Good luck!

Movie Camera Advice

Hey all,
I am an aspiring indie filmaker who is looking to purchase a HD movie camera to begin making "films". I am looking to get a camera that will work with iMovie and Final Cut Pro X (hopefully in a native format). I am well aware that there is a list of supported cameras on the website, but if you go to websites like B&H photo and look at all the "pro-sumer" grade or lower-end "pro-grade" cameras, the choices are a bit overwhelming and the list on the apple website doesn't even begin to skim the surface of what is out there.
Can anyone recommend a good camera that I can grow with, that peferably has the ability to plug in a microphone externally with control settings. I would like the best bang for the buck and I am aware of the importance that sound plays in making the end-product more professional. If I can get a great camera and be able to have great sound, that is a bonus.
Maybe I am out in left field but I would like to spend no more than around $2,000 to get my feet wet. I don't need all the bells and whistles just yet but I do want to be able to put out a professional-looking product. Any other advice regarding getting the best bang for the buck in terms of getting a camera that gives the best cinema/film "feel" would be appreciated; as I understand it, FCPX doesn't support 24p format.
God bless, and thanks for your time.
Horsemunch
U.S.A.
27" 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 iMac
Mac OS X 10.7.3

DSLRs are used by many filmmakers these days. Check out Philip Bloom and Shane Hurlbut, for example. The advantage of these cameras are clearly the capability to use different lenses, shallow depth of field and good low-light capabilities. But there are also a lot of downsides like rolling shutter, aliasing and moire, highly compressed codec, and audiorecording to name only a few. So if you know what you are doing and if you shoot in a controlled environment you can certainly gain from using a DSLR .... if you have the proper workflow for post production.
As an example you can check out "Act of Valor", a Bandito Brothers production. DP Shane Hurlbut shot the movie almost entirely on Canon 5D MkIIs and there's a couple of nice articles on how they dealt with the inherent problems.
Blackmagic have just presented their new Cinema Camera which records either ProRes or 12-bit CinemaDNG. It will probably set you back $ 3000 without lenses but you get the full DaVinci Resolve with it and that's $ 1000 worth of software.
I personally have used Canon 550Ds and 600Ds for shooting video with good results (with shallow DOF making for really beautiful shots) but I have also had some bad moments. You just have to know where the limitations are and work around them.
As for codecs: almost all consumer and prosumer cameras shoot some flavor of H.264/AVCHD, which is a highly compressed MPEG-4 codec. Today you can edit many of those codecs natively in either FCP X or Premiere Pro CS6 but doing so is very processor intensive and requires a lot of horsepower. The alternative is to transcode everything on ingest to ProRes 422 (or other intermediate codec used by your NLE). This will provide you with a codec that contains full frames for editing and enough color information for grading the locked picture. It will also require a lot more disk space.
If you want a really low budget setup for editing then FCP X is probably a good choice (given the price) and you can get Motion 5 and Compressor 4 for an additional $100. Add DaVinci Resolve Lite (free) to the equation and you have almost everything you need to output a full picture.
Start reading here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD
http://dslrvideoshooter.com/10-must-read-hdslr-guides-for-filmmakers/
http://nofilmschool.com/dslr/

No conversion Prosumer camera

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