Camcorders vs DSLR and autofokus

I have tried filming with both camcorder and DSLR. And, correct me if I´m wrong, it strikes me that DSLR is no good for using on holidays. Autofocus is not especially good.
You´re filming buildings, people and you´re moving the camera a lot.

If you want less movement(or manually autofocus) a DSLR is very good. It´s not so good using the manually autofocus when you´re standing in the middle of Madrid, moving the camera around.

What do you say?

I love the images from DSLR, but hate the bulk of extra audio gear, and no, they suck for run and gun. I hang on to my P2 cam for that type of work.

But some folks seem to be comfortable with DSLR for run and gun shooting.

It is all very subjective and personal choice. There is no empirically definitive answer to cameras.

We're all still waiting for the perfect camera.

What he said.

I have the Canon 650D, but I´m not overall satisfied with video function. Most of it because of the autofocus. During filming(when making a movie) it´s ok. Then I manually can focus. But on vacation it´s not so great.

I´m looking for a videocamera to take with me on vacations, celebrations, arrangement and so on. What would you recommend if I have $1800 to spend?

I have seen quite a few places selling the old-stock Sony NEX-VG20 (WITH LENS!) for around $1500.
Basically a video camera with the guts of DSLR

I haven't had a chance to try it though.

Having trouble finding it in Norway. When buying international I have to pay customs, which will cost me even more.

How is the autofocus on the Sony NEX-VG20?
For travelling I need a camera with fast autofocus. A run and gun focus like BenB says.

And it´s important that the camera can do 1080 at least 24p.
Someone says that I can convert 50p to 24 or 25p. But it seems to be a lot work, so I just want a handycam which can record in 1080 24p.

I get goosebumps when I hear DSLR and video in one sentence!

I take any Motion camera over DSLR any day if I had the choice. If it has to be a DSLR then I would make it Blackmagic Cinema Camera. Oh wait thats right.

Scrubelicious wrote: I get goosebumps when I hear DSLR and video in one sentence!

I take any Motion camera over DSLR any day if I had the choice. If it has to be a DSLR then I would make it Blackmagic Cinema Camera. Oh wait thats right.

I also like the combo a DSLR gives me, but on vacation I can´t seem to be able to do both filming and focusing. That´s why I want a handycam as well.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera sounds expensive...

Neguah wrote:
Blackmagic Cinema Camera sounds expensive...

Not really when you compare price with what you get.

Watching unedited holiday footage is one of the activities in the 7th level of hell, isn't it? Given that you will be editing the footage I say go for a DSLR and take lots of footage.

Here is some holiday footage from a guy who visited the Seychelles, with a 5Dmk3; handheld footage, 1 prime lens. Some GoPro in there as well. Best holiday footage you will ever see:

What is something I was going to suggest... when using a DSLR go with a prime lens.

That´s pretty close to the best thing I´ve ever seen. Amazing!

And such amazing quality, even in low light.
Is that all because of the 5D, or do the lens a lot work? High aperture?
Can I achieve something else with my EOS 650D?

What prime lens would you suggest?

I recently got the Rokinon 35mm Prime lens (T1.5) - beautiful lens which is wide enough to use for most situations, and fast enough to get amazing shallow depth of field. You need a variable ND filter for using in the sun though.

He was using a 50mm Canon Prime I believe.

simonpwood wrote: I recently got the Rokinon 35mm Prime lens (T1.5) - beautiful lens which is wide enough to use for most situations, and fast enough to get amazing shallow depth of field. You need a variable ND filter for using in the sun though.

He was using a 50mm Canon Prime I believe.

I just found his Vimeo page. And he was using 50/1.4 and OM 35/2.8. However, I don´t know what brand. What is OM 35/2.8. What does the OM means?

Can I get the crystal clear picture(without noise) with same lenses and EOS 650D, or do I need the perfect 5Dm3?

Most DLSLR's will get you in the ball-park. If you go for faster lenses you will be able to increase your DOF - the Rokinon I mentioned will get you there.

I have been using the Canon T3i (an older version of the T4i that you have), and have been able to get good results with old Nikon prime lenses, the fastest was a Nikkor 50mm f1.4.

Have a look at some of my videos here:


Mostly filmed with a 35mm Nikkor, f.2 and Nikkor 50mm f1.4


Nikkor 50mm f1.4


Nikkor 35mm f2

The OM is an old Olympus prime lens, 35mm, f2.8

Liked your videos!
However, and I don´t criticize you footages, but compared to Paul Wex your footage is more noisy. Like watching a DVD over a Blu-Ray.
I have always been a fan of noise free footage. I just love the crystal clear picture.

I have compared(well, others have done it for me) and there´s a difference between 5D m3 and 650D, but not as much as the difference between your footage and Paul´s footage from Seychells.
Have he used a sharpening tool i is software program?

Can´t seem to buy the Rokinon in Norway(at least not from the stores I´m usually uses), so I´ll probably end up with a Canon lens. Is there any difference between those?

Yes, his is much sharper. I have used a variety of filters used to soften my footage, I just prefer a softer look. I don't think there is much noise in the daytime shots though (they were filmed at 100 ISO, though there may be some artifacts introduced by the vimeo compression). The 5Dmk3 definitely handled higher ISO with less noise than the T3 & T4 though. I just bought a 5Dmk3; mainly for lower light use, though I have yet to use it for a job.

However, a lot of my jobs these days involves corporate work, so I invested in a set of Rokinon Cine lenses (which are very sharp and fast, and quite inexpensive). The old Nikkor lenses I had been using produced a softer image overall, and also introduced a lot of flares (which is nice for a vintage look, but not nice for a corporate work).

B&H New York will ship to Europe.

I have sent Paul Wex an email, hoping he will answer some(well, I really hope he answers all of them) of my technical questions.

I have been using NeatVideo to reduce noise, but it will take a lot of time reducing noise in every clip.
But bear in mind that I used a cheap Legria Handycam and a cheap Tamron 3.5. When using f/1.4, I´ll probably get a much better picture before editing.

Problem is when buying form outside Norway I need to pay customs, and it will cost me a lot more then if I bought it from Norway. Norway loves to put taxes on us.

When I start earning money on my footages, or when my work is paying me to go buy a 5D mIII, i will go for that one.
Firstly I need a new job