DSLR, Videocamera, and Frankenstein rigs....

Of course this whole DSLR revolution has been the best thing for everyone shooting anything, run and gunners, indies, on set, I think just about every budget has benefited from the DSLR capabilities.

My bottom line question is, has one company brought out a complete single unit for video capture? I completely understand that everyone has the need for something completely customized for their needs, but the plethora of "add-ons" and fillers that are available to make your very own Frankenstein rig have choked the market. Dont get me wrong, at the same time I love it, but wouldn't it be great if, or maybe its time, for a company to bring out and all in one solution. A video camera that is ergonomic, that shoots with a DSLR sensor, that you can hold in your hands nicely, see the picture nicely, focus, ND filter, stabilizes itself, etc...

OK maybe this co. could make two models one with interchangeable lenses, and another with a great fixed lens.

The contraptions that have been created to fill gaps for missing abilities for the slew of cameras out there is mind-boggling. One company, one rig, one unit is what would be nice? Maybe something like the iMac theory......

My humble opinion.

Bill T.
my blog....( www.harmaproductions.com/dslrs-videocame...d-frankenstein-rigs/ )

Well the Panasonic AF100 kind of did that a few years ago; interchangeable lenses, large 4/3 sensor, ND filters, pro audio inputs, pro video outputs, reasonable monitoring, easy to handhold. You still need a rig if you want to shoulder mount it though.

This was followed by the superior (and more expensive) Canon C300 which has all of the above, along with a fantastic S35mm sensor. Again, you need a rig to shoulder mount it, but its easy enough to handhold and small enough to sit light on a stedicam.

There are lots of options out there from the pricey and bulky Arri Alexa to the totally ergonomic and tiny Ikonoskop DII.

The c300 is definitely the closest thing to what I'm looking for in terms of sensor and lenses, but it has no external monitor with recording capabilities as I'd want, no external mic, and no physical stabilization (with all the gimbal craze....)

It is just still not an all-in-one complete package. Should I have the Zacuto strings hanging of the side, with a better handle of the top with mechanix lego parts hanging of the top, a shotgun mic with huge XLRs hangin around the cam and all this in some carbon fiber gimbal with wires hanging out all over the place. It sure looks impressive but its still not an all-in-one solution....

get my drift....

There are just too many variables in filmmaking requirements for 1 camer to do all the jobs.
Today I need a shoulder cam to run and gun. So a bulky well balanced monster like the Alexa will fit the bill. Tomorrow I need a small compact camera for hanging on a quadcopter or fitting in a dashboard.

Next I need a big rigged camera on a stedicam with wireless monitoring for the DOP and director in the video village. Tomorrow I need a small discrete camera with no monitor for filming in public and not attracting attention.

A small modular camera like a C300 that can be built up to meet specific requirements is the logical solution.

There will be no perfect camera that can do everything because there are too many variables.

I completely agree, but an all around setup that takes all the common denominators in to account and does it's best at satisfying the requirements would be a great addition to the envisioned product in this market, barring the copter applications of course. The current technology certainly gives us this ability.

The Sony VG Series seems to fit my need (and most importantly - BUDGET!) the closest. I may get the VG30 as a general jack-of-all-trade camera next year.

waternyc wrote: ..but an all around setup that takes all the common denominators in to account and does it's best at satisfying the requirements...

The problem is, what and who's common denominator do you design by? I oversaw three shoots during the past week, none of them had any "common denominator" any of them shared. One demanded a GoPro/Phantom, one demanded a 4K Red, one demanded a run & gun handheld documentary rig moving from boat to boat on the water. No single design would ever cover all three needs in any way. That's the catch; there are no longer any "industry standards", "common denominators", or clear line between consumer/prosumer/professional.