Some purchasing advice

[Inkanyezi]

Manfred has given some very good advice here, and I only want to chip in with a few cents worth...

A DSLR camera was never made primarily for shooting motion pictures, and when doing so, it is no longer a DSLR. Functionally, it will behave like a camera without a look-through viewfinder. Generally, you should expect EVIL cameras to have better viewfinders for video work than DSLR cameras, and a mirror-free camera without viewfinder could be comparable to the DSLR in all functional respects.

The reasons for using still cameras in serious professional video shooting, primarily was that it was the cheapest large sensor cameras available, and that they offered some features at a very affordable price. It was not, and still is not, because they would be considered the best option for general video shooting. They aren't. They are an affordable means for professionals to achieve something that is unique, a very shallow depth of field, at a much lower price than comparable professional movie gear.

As Manfred has already pointed out, AF while shooting is a feature you would usually not want, and the same goes for auto exposure while shooting. Those are not suitable for video shooting, and serious video shooters handle those things manually.

What you would want for serious video work is override capability, so you can manually adjust whatever feature you like. A video camera should leave all possible manual options open. All still cameras that can shoot video don't do this, so you'll have to check thoroughly whether the camera you think might suit you really has the possibilities that you want. Those might include different frame rates, frame formats, fading possibilities, ability to use a faster shutter speed at any frame rate etc.

Many cameras lack several of the features you might need. There are cameras that don't let you choose manual settings when shooting video, and there are cameras that shoot only with very limited options regarding frame rates, shutter speed and ISO settings. So check carefully before you buy, that the camera you opt for really has what you need.

[Dave Humphries]

Very good points Urban, you see so many videos (e.g. on YouTube and even some on Vimeo) spoiled by AF or auto-exposure "losing the plot" when the camera pans or tilts a little.

Also consider that although DSLR lenses are good quality and cheap for getting wide apertures, they are usually not 'proper' zoom lenses and may well lose focus (if on manual) or the AF will 'hunt' (if on auto) when you zoom significantly in or out from the focal length you focused them at.

(That's part of the reason why proper motion picture zoom lenses are more expensive, they have controls that can be set up to maintain good focus throughout a zoom)

[Betterbirdie]

Again, stop looking at DSLR lines; The Panasonic G3 or GX1 are interchangable lens mFT cameras that are running at about $250US, and then you can look at lenses. The other cameras in your price range are from Sony - the mirrorless Alpha NEX3 or the fixed mirror A57 are going to be in or close to your price point.

Again, these are still cameras, but are built by two of the biggest names in the high end consumer and pro video markets. The companies were building video equipment before they got into consumer still cameras and their video heritage shows.

Unfortunately, I would not touch one of the pure video cameras in your price range; the override features one needs for good video work don't start appearing in the below $1000US cameras.

Manfred, I was reviewing your comments about purchasing video equipment, posted in 2013. So its now almost 2015. If the budget was USD 2,000. would you mind listing a good starter video set up for my daughter off to college next year with studies in photography.

[Manfred M]

Manfred, I was reviewing your comments about purchasing video equipment, posted in 2013. So its now almost 2015. If the budget was USD 2,000. would you mind listing a good starter video set up for my daughter off to college next year with studies in photography.

Andrew - I would check with the college on what they recommend. I know the one where I live has a recommended list of hardware (camera, lens and laptop) and software for the program. They provide a minimum spec and a "recommended" spec. If she is going next year, I would wait until the 2015 - 2016 requirments come out.

It would be silly to invest in gear that can't be used for the course work.

However, answering your question:

If it were me, I would go for the Panasonic GH4, which is getting rave reviews. B&H in New York is selling it for just under $1500. The Lumix 14-140mm lens (an updated version from the one I use) lists at around $530, again at B&H. The total comes to just over $2000.

Manfred