Choices, choices, choices

Red One, Canon 5D Mk II, and Panasonic Lumix GH1 Footage Comparison from Birns and Sawyer on Vimeo.

Ok, this video received quite a bit of buzz a few weeks back. Which seems to be ancient history at the speed that information is passed around via forums these days. But posting right away just isn't my style. I need time to absorb. To process. To analyze and compare. And frankly, to read other people's opinions who have a lot more knowledge than I do in this particular area.

But I digress. This video, the one with the former buzz, shows in no uncertain terms that great results can be achieved with both with a high-end camera like the RED One, costing tens of thousands of dollars, and with lesser quality cameras like the Canon 5D MkII and Panasonic GH-1. This video makes people think- Hey! I don't need a Red camera, let me just grab one of these DSLRs and I am in business. Well, yes and no.

Notice that they are not using the kit lens that ships with either the 5D MkII or the GH-1. Glass matters. A lot. And shooting footage in light this low would have been disasterous with the standard lens that shipped with either of these lesser cameras.

Another major factor to consider is audio input. No XLR inputs on either camera, just mini jack. With GH-1 giving "mud" on fast pans, and irritating moire patterns in Canon's offerings, whats a production hungry director to do? Its tough waiting, but Scarlet, I am waiting for you alone.

(Other potential usful cameras for the low to no budget indie filmmaker are; the Canon 7D, and the newly announced 1D Mk IV.)