I CAN’T DECIDE
As promised here is the video that I took with the GoPro Hero 5 Camera on my favourite drive in the whole world — the drive between Tofino and Nanaimo. I quickly edited this video in Adobe Premiere CS3. It’s about 2 minutes long. Bonus points if you know what the final location in the clip is!
I love photography, don’t get me wrong. But lately I’ve been looking for a new project (as if I’m not already busy enough!)… and I think it’s going to be video.
Now that I’ve got a helmet camera, and my DSLR, I feel like a video camera would be a great addition to my love for documenting my activities and those around me.
I’ve been watching a lot of snowboarding and surfing movies lately, and I’m getting inspired to cut my own moving pictures together to music and voiceovers.
I have a dilemma though. I can’t decide between getting a DSLR that does video, or getting a video camera. It may seem like a no-brainer to go with a video camera for video, but let me present to you the pros and cons of what I’m considering. I need your help!
My Goal
To be able to put together a high quality cinema-like surfing/snowboarding movie that can do well in most conditions, including low-light conditions, and be able to capture high speed action.
The Video Camera Option
Photo Credit: Canon.com website
I’d likely go for a consumer video camera, since I can’t afford to buy a $5k+ pro HD camera at this point in my life, especially not for something I’m just wanting to experiment around with at this point. I’m thinking either: a cheaper camera like the Canon Vixia HF11 (records to Flash memory), or a more expensive Canon XH A1 (3 CCDs).
Pros
- Tried and tested, a video camera will be able to auto-focus and capture high speed action
- Small and easy to handle
- Can capture long, continuous shots.. hours upon hours
- Some additional lenses (e.g. fisheye or wide angle) are available and not too expensive
Cons
- I’m not experienced with video
- Getting into a whole new system of accessories and add-ons to buy
- Needing to hold/bring two different cameras (the video camera and my DSLR)
- More moving parts to break
The DSLR Camera with Video Option
Photo Credit: The NikonUSA.com website
The newest generation of DSLRs are starting to come out with some limited video options. The Canon ones look really nice, but unfortunately I’ve already built my Nikon collection so I’m not going to switch. Thus, the only option for me is the Nikon D90. It’s basically the same as my D80, but with more features from the Nikon D3 and the FULL HD video capability. It’s an extremely intruiging idea.
Pros
- I can sell my D80 and only pay marginally more for an upgrade to the D90
- With that savings, I can pick up some nicer lenses for it
- I already have TONS of lenses that can be used with the camera, so all my video would reap the benefits of having those lenses (e.g. fisheye video, telephoto video, wide angle etc)
- Only one camera to carry around
- I know the camera very very well and feel comfortable with it, I could milk the depth of field options and exposure etc
- Already got all the accessories for it
- I get a nice step-up to a newer/nicer DSLR too!
Cons
- Limited to 5 minute video clips
- The video functionality is new and untested
- Auto-focus might struggle with high speed action?
- Need to buy much bigger memory cards
So basically, I’m stuck. I love the idea of just using one camera and using all my lenses, but I’m worried that the Nikon D90 might not do as good video as just having a video camera along. All the videos I’ve been watching on YouTube for both the Nikon D90 and the Canon camcorders I’ve been researching look comparable… but I would think they would look completely different blown up on an HDTV.
Any suggestions?
Tags: Canon Vixia HF11, Canon XH A1, digital SLR, drive to Tofino, GoPro camera, HD camera, Hero, lenses, Nikon D90, sports, video, video camera
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Woo! High-speed (or would that be low-speed?) road trip video = awesome. It got a good laugh when I saw Allan busting moves mid-way through in Benny-hill speed. And again when later on, the car pulls over, then a yellow Allie-shaped blur darts out in front of the car to do… what..? *flash flash flash* ..You’ll have every inch of that drive in photos one of these days.
Looking at the two choices of camcorder up there, I kind of favor the Vixia HF11, mainly for the straight-to-memory card (less moving parts!), and there isn’t a huge handlebar to snap off/get in the way. And during snowboard filming, that handle wouldn’t be big enough to accomodate a glove hanging on (you see those guys doing it bare handed when they hold it low for the uber-low-angle shots). But the other does look infinitely more lens-customizable. :\
Question about those cameras – can they also film with a really high film speed (frame rate)? As this is a *MUST* for those uber-cool slo-motion action sequences!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Clearly, you are speeding
November 17th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Hmm…I would think the camcorder would outperform the camera in low light settings. Also, the 5 min cap on recording for the camera is a big turn off personally. You want to start the recording and just get going, not have to worry about starting and stopping recording. Something else to consider: if you are wanting to shoot and process HD quality film you will need a fairly beefy computer. You might already have one, just throwing that out there.
I would read this discussion as it probably will help guide your decisions:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=292281&messageID=2756678
November 17th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Ah the drive to and from Tofino! It is a great drive and looks really cool on video! Cathedral Grove would look cool on video during a sunny day i think too.
I’d say go for the Canon HD Video camcorder. I mean you’ll probably want to make larger than 5 minute video clips especially this winter! Woot Riding has me excited! lol
November 17th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I think you’re just looking for an excuse to get a D90
D90 video is pretty cool, and low light is actually extremely good due to the quality of the sensor and the lenses you can use with it.
I don’t think it’s ready for serious use as a video camera. Biggest issue is the “jelly motion” for any side to side panning. See video here: http://tinyurl.com/5bv3d2
Me personally, I think I’ll wait a few generations of the tech to work out the kinks, and in the mean time I’ll keep using my sony DV camera for video.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Wow. I don’t know anything about photography or videography so I can’t help with your decision-making, but I was mesmerized by your road trip vid. I had my face almost pressed up against my screen
Nicely done.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
The D90 is definitely pretty sweet, it is what I used to take the USC football video I posted on my blog. Nonetheless, I would go with the video camera though, cause it would compliment your current DSLR better. Video is a whole new ball game
and before you know it you’re gonna start the Allie Show on YouTube.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Haha Allie..that video was awesome! You gotta do it again – from Van this time! I liked Allan’s random dance in the middle – haha.
I too am thinking about getting into video, although I’m leaning towards getting a vintage Super 8mm camera.
Sorry, I can’t make any smart recommendations for any of this new-fangled technology. I don’t know about the D90 – 5 min clips doesn’t sound that good.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Mike, haha yep, you got it right.. I was taking photos along the drive
The straight to memory is definitely appealing, but I’m worried about the image quality that I’ll get. Plus since it’s a compact basically there aren’t many lenses to attach to it. All the cameras should be able to record with a high frame rate (30 fps).
fneep, pfffft… LIES!
dsiglin, thanks for your feedback and for dropping by. Yes the 5 minute cap is a concern for me as well, but I’m wondering how many long videos I’d take anyway? It’s pretty easy to start and stop recording as well on the D90 I hear. You’re right about the beefy computer. The one I have at home is pretty good (at least it was when I built it 5 years ago), but it can still handle Premiere and Photoshop well. HD video will likely be a different story. I’ve been thinking about rebuilding my home computer from scratch for a while now. When I do, I’ll definitely post about it
I think I’ll have to buy the camera first, computer second… since the snowboard season is quickly approaching!
Hey Tyler! I know it is a great drive, isn’t it. I wish it was sunny that day, but the rain and fog seem so much more appropriate and realistic, don’t they?
Cathedral Grove is beautiful. I always find that place hard to capture in photos or videos… the scale of it! You might be able to with your HDR stuff though… I’m not as good with the landscapes 
I think the Canon XH A1 looks good as well. I’m a little worried about how delicate it might be though!
Darren, hehe.. you know me too well. I am definitely looking for an excuse to get the D90. Have you seen it in action at all? The stuttering motion for planning has me worried too… but I’m wondering if there is a way to get around it, and if it will still happen if I am filming someone in the foreground the whole time. Plus, I could always trade up once the newer cameras from Nikon come out…
Hi Miss Michelle! Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m hoping to do some more like that, hopefully in sunnier weather
Kevin, I’ll check out the video you took. Did you like using it? What did you think of the quality? Was it easy to use?
Hey Kyle, how’s it going in France! Yeah Allan does a pretty good dance eh? You’re right, if I filmed one from Van all the way to Tofino that would be rad. It would have to be sped up 50000% though with how long the drive is
Damn you’re getting a vintage camera??!?! That’s awesome. I’ve been telling some of the guys here how much I want to start shooting snowboard videos this year. Been watching too many I think. But I want to cut together something that looks *SOMEWHAT* pro. If we cut in some scenes with your vintage camera that would be sick. Daaaaamn we gotta do it this year! 5 minute clips sound bad, but can you think of any times in a snowboard video where there have been any scenes longer than 5 mins? I’m trying to find a reason to not buy the D90 but it’s almost like my heart is set on it…
November 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Hey Allie, when I said high film speed, I meant greater than 30fps, as 30fps is standard for tv/film recording – so to get those great slow-motion “Bruckenheimer” walks and snowboarding movie jumps, you’ll need to film up into the 60+ fps range…
Whichever camcorder you get, I’ll be interested in hearing how it goes, or better yet I’ll ‘borrow it’ – I’ve been seesawing on camcorders for a looong time, and I might take a plunge into “short films” (cue eye rolls) if I get a flexible enough one..
November 17th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Gears of War 2 was like over before it even started, good, but much too short. But then again, I’ve never performed heart surgery on a giant city eating sand worm before, so that was a first!
The D90 quality is pretty damn good from a ‘camera’ and it was very easy to use as well. Took me a while to figure out ‘how to record’ since it wasn’t in the instructions, but overall, a nice perk if you are just looking for a reason for an upgrade lol.
Treat yourself, you only live once. Btw, great job keeping this a bustling place.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:13 am
btw – what is the song in the vid? Definitely loving it.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Do I really need 60 fps to be able to slow down stuff Mike?
Thanks for the feedback Kevin
And you still suck for not posting about Gears of War 2!
And dsiglin, the song is Blockhead – Insomniac Olympics
One of my favourite chillout songs.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
You can technically slow down 30fps, but it basically just starts to stutter, as you’re looking at a slideshow (the human eye is fooled by speeds of 20+ images per second, and it’s most fluid at 30 per second)
The slow-motion action sequences are filmed at high speeds, i.e. 120 frames per second – so when it’s played back at 30 frames per second, a 1 second sequence now becomes 4 seconds to watch… So that board jump and grind that’s over in a few seconds could be filmed so it takes half a minute or more to savor; nothing extends air time better than slo-mo!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Allie… I think we should talk. I am a Texan and an avid boarder. When I say boarder I mean all kinds.. Skate, snow, ocean, wake etc. I do have a Canon XH a1 and a waterproof bag for it along with my MacBook Pro beast with DVD Studio and Final Cut Pro, After FX and Photoshop. Mix that with My 3D background I am pretty much a moving production studio with a love for the boards. Write me. Lets talk more.
bonus. I am a game industry veteran too.