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Top/Best Cameras

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mvnivcvl
Posts: 49 - Karma: 58
Post any cameras that you found to be really good, why and the price. Maybe if you know of any edits with that camera too. Just thought this would be a good thread for the community to have to know what to look for if they ever want to buy a camera.
Nov 30 2014 12:49PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
By top/best cameras are you talking prosumer or Crimea. There is a big difference. They best cameras are all over 10k
Nov 30 2014 1:06PM
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GrumpisPringle
Posts: 630 - Karma: 728
the best camera under 2000?
Nov 30 2014 7:43PM
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1738
Posts: 19 - Karma: 68
If you want a cheap camera get the canon t3i

I have this with 50mm f1.8 lens and quality is amazing
Nov 30 2014 7:58PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
Here are my favorite cameras to shoot with under 15k
Fs7 - 4k 10bit 422 60p, 1080p 180, external recording options in prores and raw, e moutn can me adapted for a very wide range of lenes, wide DR at 15 stops with s log 3 $8000

c300 - great color science and detailed 1080p, compact size, wide DR $12000

fs700 - great 1080p and high speed, e mount is easy to adapt. $5000

gh4 - cheap 4k, sharp detail, wide DR, good external recording options $1300

a7s - beet low light camera, 1080p 8bit 422, 4k external recording. Tiny camera body. Good weather sealing $2500

Bmpcc - amazing DR, internal prores and raw codecs, compacted size $995
Nov 30 2014 8:26PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
Rdwagner2Here are my favorite cameras to shoot with under 15k
Fs7 - 4k 10bit 422 60p, 1080p 180, external recording options in prores and raw, e moutn can me adapted for a very wide range of lenes, wide DR at 15 stops with s log 3 $8000


FS7 is easily going to be closer to $10k-ish in all honesty.

Otherwise, this is a pretty solid list^ for the 'under $15k' price range. I would say that the workflow of each camera is another big factor you need to consider with each of these/any camera.

Also, don't underestimate an FS100 in this mix if you are somewhat on a budget. Right now there are extremely cheap used (even new they are only $2,500), offer a lot more than an a7s if this is to be your primary camera and still produce a great image IMO. You just have to learn how to expose it properly (people tend to clip the highlights a lot with this guy).

If you are at that $15k point though, it should be mentioned that a used Scarlet kit (minimal of course) becomes a possibility...
Nov 30 2014 10:35PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
I was just giving prices of camera bodies. Not to get the camera kitted and ready to shoot. The fs7 is more like 10 to 12k when you add media, batteries and lens adapter.
Nov 30 2014 11:02PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
Rdwagner2I was just giving prices of camera bodies. Not to get the camera kitted and ready to shoot. The fs7 is more like 10 to 12k when you add media, batteries and lens adapter.


For sure, I just wanted to add that to the conversation for anyone who may actually be using this thread to consider finding a camera.

I'm actually in the process of getting an FS7 (The body finally shipped last week). Lets just say 10 to 12k is definitely on the bare minimum side for this camera once everything is considered...
Nov 30 2014 11:10PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
Yea I just ordered an fs7 and a7s for a b cam. Where did you get yours from
Nov 30 2014 11:24PM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
I'm looking into upgrading to a FS7 real soon. I was originally tempted with the FS700 before the FS7 was announced but now I feel the lower price and the high frame rate is the only selling point of the FS700. The FS7 only goes to 180fps but im sure that is still plenty for action sports and all its other feature highly outweigh the 700. Thoughts?
Nov 30 2014 11:48PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
The fs7 does 180 continuous recording internally the fs700 can only do 120 and 240 for 16 and 8 second bursts unless up you use an external recorder because it cannot write to the card fast enough
Dec 1 2014 12:02AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
I ordered mine from B&H about a month and a half ago.

I originally had an a7s as a b-cam in there as well, but opted to spend my budget on other accessories for the camera. Then it became a conversation of EPIC vs FS7, but stuck with the FS7 since it suits a lot of my work better than a RED and any job that requires a RED I can just continue to rent.

As for FS7 vs FS700, that is definitely what a lot of people are asking...especially with the price drop of the FS700. Sony has been putting a lot of effort to say the FS7 isn't replacing the FS700..although it sure as hell comes close. For example you mentioned the higher frame rates of the 700 and although the FS7 doesn't have as high of frame rates, it can shoot a constant 180fps vs in a short burst.

I would put it like this- FS700
Dec 1 2014 12:10AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
Hmm, got cut off-

I would put it in this order: FS700-FS7-F5-F55 (a lot of F5 and even F55 owners are frustrated with the introduction of the FS7, but those two cameras still offer minute differences that make a huge difference to those who need them.

The FS7, IMO, is a camera that is built to expand and become more of a 'professional' production camera. One of my favorite aspects of the camera is the ability to shoot to ProRes in camera (obv with the extension pack). I could go on and on...

It may ultimately (and I feel like this is as common of an answer as going to the dentist and being told you need to floss more), simply come down to budget. As mentioned, an FS7 kit is going to cost you close to 10-12k. An FS700 is going to cost you half that (media is cheaper, batteries are cheaper etc).

Hope this helps
Dec 1 2014 12:12AM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
Epics are great but I only like them for commercial work and certain narratives when the RED look works. And you really need accessories for them to work well. I think you made the right choice with the fs7. I was looking at used epics for a while too.
Dec 1 2014 12:19AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
goodiepocketAs for FS7 vs FS700, that is definitely what a lot of people are asking...especially with the price drop of the FS700. Sony has been putting a lot of effort to say the FS7 isn't replacing the FS700..although it sure as hell comes close. For example you mentioned the higher frame rates of the 700 and although the FS7 doesn't have as high of frame rates, it can shoot a constant 180fps vs in a short burst.

Yea, I've used the 700 before and the short bursts didn't really bother me other than the time it took to buffer to the cards, which was annoying. Normally with my I only use a tiny bit of slo-mo from a clip, hardly the whole thing. 8secs of action was plenty (esp for action sports when the trick only last a few seconds max. That said, continuous shooting is much easier to work with. 180 vs 240fps isnt too much difference. Would you be happy with 180fps still for action sports?
goodiepocketI would put it in this order: FS700-FS7-F5-F55 (a lot of F5 and even F55 owners are frustrated with the introduction of the FS7, but those two cameras still offer minute differences that make a huge difference to those who need them.

The FS7, IMO, is a camera that is built to expand and become more of a 'professional' production camera. One of my favorite aspects of the camera is the ability to shoot to ProRes in camera (obv with the extension pack). I could go on and on...

It may ultimately (and I feel like this is as common of an answer as going to the dentist and being told you need to floss more), simply come down to budget. As mentioned, an FS7 kit is going to cost you close to 10-12k. An FS700 is going to cost you half that (media is cheaper, batteries are cheaper etc).

Hope this helps


Definitely helpful. I know if I upgraded to this camera it would come with a lot more needed accessories which makes it more expensive but I've been needing a proper video camera for a long time now and haven't been able to find one I think is suitable for what I need it for. The FS7 seems almost ideal! One thing I hadn't looked into was weight difference between the two. Is the FS7 much heavier than the 700? Would using it on a glide cam for example become to heavy?
Dec 1 2014 1:08AM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
Fs7 - 4.4lbs body only
fs700 - 3.25 body only

and 180 fps should be fine. I would rarely use 240 fps for action sports, just 120 fps. 240 is nice for shooting food and beverage commercials but 180 will work as well.

The biggest advantage to the fs7 is the 10 bit internal. Fs700 only has 8 bit internal recording.
Dec 1 2014 1:19AM
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