Camera buying guide 2021

[LaFemmeEnVert]

I will also use any of these 1500-3000 cameras for video work, not always for cinema but for general video work over any of the DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras you listed

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Pro-Camcorders-Cameras/ci/1881?sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW&filters=fct_price%3A1500..3000

 

integrated XLR audio inputs to connect a variety of mic systems, power zoom lenses with some lenses are parfocal some have internal ND filters, comes with ac power adapter, shotgun mic mout

all video ready with need for few extra accessories 

[GDRRiley]

3 minutes ago, LaFemmeEnVert said:

I will also use any of these 1500-3000 cameras for video work, not always for cinema but for general video work over any of the DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras you listed

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Pro-Camcorders-Cameras/ci/1881?sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW&filters=fct_price%3A1500..3000

I'm not against camcorders other than JVC units. they just aren't the focus of this

7 minutes ago, LaFemmeEnVert said:

 looking at zcam the cameras are interesting but the lack of support for editing the native files in most common editors is going to be a major issue, even with zraw plugin in premiere use proxy instead of natively working with the file.  Need to find sample files to test if it’s a big problem

I wouldn't shoot zraw, just shoot Pro res

[GDRRiley]

2 hours ago, RTX 2070 Max-Q said:

He wouldn't exclude cinema cameras without a reason.

it just wasn't my first priority.

[LaFemmeEnVert]

1 hour ago, GDRRiley said:

I'm not against camcorders other than JVC units. they just aren't the focus of this

I wouldn't shoot zraw, just shoot Pro res

If we’re going to try a camera like the zcam it would be so we can make use of all features available including zraw…

[RTX 3070 I7 11800h]

1 hour ago, GDRRiley said:

it just wasn't my first priority.

See.

[GDRRiley]

7 minutes ago, LaFemmeEnVert said:

If we’re going to try a camera like the zcam it would be so we can make use of all features available including zraw…

zraw won't be as good as one of the other raw codecs because of red and their patent trolling

[LaFemmeEnVert]

9 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

zraw won't be as good as one of the other raw codecs because of red and their patent trolling

If our supplier stocks zcam, we will do tests ourselves to see if the camera is something we can add to our inventory.  Right now we have a few red cameras on the shelf so we don’t have any plans for adding new cine cameras yet

 

our priority right now is to add some broadcast and ptz cameras because we are now renting over 20 cameras and 150 computers for a virtual event.  If the production is successful and the client corporation is happy we will sign a long term agreement with them and we can cover the cost of getting new cameras

[D13H4RD]

On 6/4/2021 at 12:06 AM, GDRRiley said:

I'd be more likely to run something like a fuji X100 if I'm after that 35mm FF walking around setup, right now I'm carrying a 60D with a 24-105 F4

X-Pro3 for me

[Evolution.]

been looking for a used full frame camera around the 1kish usd range (max probably 1500 but would like stay under that to make room for lenses etc.)

want to go with canon most likely since cheaper used lenses compared to others + abundance on the used market unless I'm mistaken (I'm open to try different brands).

Eos RP looking alright but so does the 6D mk II although no 4k. I do want 4k any suggestions? maybe i should go with sony but lenses are kind of expensive even 2nd hand

[Electronics Wizardy]

34 minutes ago, Evolution. said:

been looking for a used full frame camera around the 1kish usd range (max probably 1500 but would like stay under that to make room for lenses etc.)

want to go with canon most likely since cheaper used lenses compared to others + abundance on the used market unless I'm mistaken (I'm open to try different brands).

Eos RP looking alright but so does the 6D mk II I do want 4k any suggestions? 

Not used, but how about a eos rp? The msrp is $999, and its basically a mirrorless 6d2. Pretty good camera overall, but 4k is cropped and a bit limited. Get the ef to rf adapter and you can use all the old canon lenses. 

[Evolution.]

16 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Not used, but how about a eos rp? The msrp is $999, and its basically a mirrorless 6d2. Pretty good camera overall, but 4k is cropped and a bit limited. Get the ef to rf adapter and you can use all the old canon lenses. 

yeah probably my best option, see a used one for $800 might have to scoop it up 

[GDRRiley]

On 6/12/2021 at 11:51 AM, Evolution. said:

been looking for a used full frame camera around the 1kish usd range (max probably 1500 but would like stay under that to make room for lenses etc.)

want to go with canon most likely since cheaper used lenses compared to others + abundance on the used market unless I'm mistaken (I'm open to try different brands).

Eos RP looking alright but so does the 6D mk II although no 4k. I do want 4k any suggestions? maybe i should go with sony but lenses are kind of expensive even 2nd hand

I wouldn't be worrying about FF with a 1k budget, I'd more likely recommend a nicer crop body

I don't like the RP for its 4k crop, and meh body handling, I'd go try one if you can and see if you like it

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 new for 1700$ and used for around 1300-1400$ is a better buy to me but L mount just like E mount glass isn't cheap

[Evolution.]

4 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

L mount just like E mount glass isn't cheap

This lmao. Would’ve gone with an A7 iii or the Panasonic you suggested by now if the lenses weren’t so darn expensive. Ordered the EOS rp let’s see how it turns out for me I guess

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, Evolution. said:

This lmao. Would’ve gone with an A7 iii or the Panasonic you suggested by now if the lenses weren’t so darn expensive. Ordered the EOS rp let’s see how it turns out for me I guess

try it out quite a bit for a week and see if you like it

[Evolution.]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:55 AM, GDRRiley said:

try it out quite a bit for a week and see if you like it

welp so far so good minus the limitation of the MP being cut in half using EF-S lenses 

[GDRRiley]

6 hours ago, Evolution. said:

welp so far so good minus the limitation of the MP being cut in half using EF-S lenses 

Well yeah that was always going to happen 

[Brian McKee]

Why is there no DSLRs on the list? They have cooties or something?

 

Also what's with nonsense like this?

 

Quote

Sony    A7III I can't recommend due to it being from 2018 and due for a refresh this year

 

People still shoot professionally with 5D MKIIs, let alone an A7III. Unless you're shooting with an ancient mirrorless where you have issues like lag in the EVF and god awful focusing, anything past 2012 has barely improved in image quality and anything in the last 5 years is almost indistinguishable with featuresets.

 

Cameras are not commodity devices, they don't become out of date in 2-3 years from planned obsolesce or some huge jump in tech.

[GDRRiley]

1 hour ago, Brian McKee said:

Why is there no DSLRs on the list? They have cooties or something?

nope, just felt like none of them are worth their price tag new.  Used they are certainly an option and I had not added more. Issue is where do I pull pricing from ebay? place like MPB, KEH or retailers like B&H and adoramba?

 

if there are some noteworthy ones in existing price brackets suggest them and if I feel they fit I'll add them
5D mk3 at the 500-900$ fine with you?

 

Quote

Also what's with nonsense like this?

 

The A7III new in my opinion isn't a good buy, its specs are in need of a refresh at this time.

Quote

People still shoot professionally with 5D MKIIs, let alone an A7III. Unless you're shooting with an ancient mirrorless where you have issues like lag in the EVF and god awful focusing, anything past 2012 has barely improved in image quality and anything in the last 5 years is almost indistinguishable with featuresets.

 

Cameras are not commodity devices, they don't become out of date in 2-3 years from planned obsolesce or some huge jump in tech.

Notice I didn't go above 2.5k.  I stopped short of pros and stayed in prosumer or consumer (in terms of price, not that some of these bodies can't do pro work)

 

2012 to now has had an upgrade in many regards from low light and ISO performance, to rolling shutter and better screens/EVFs. not saying yo80u need to toss gear that old, I still use a 60D all the time. it just needs to be the right price

I had wonderful photos taken on a 5Dmk3 by a pro a few years not saying they are bad bodies.
Not saying the A7III doesn't do great work, just for the 2k price now, hard to recommend, closer to 1500$ and its an easier recommendation.
 

[Brian McKee]

9 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

nope, just felt like none of them are worth their price tag new.  Used they are certainly an option and I had not added more. Issue is where do I pull pricing from ebay? place like MPB, KEH or retailers like B&H and adoramba?

if there are some noteworthy ones in existing price brackets suggest them and if I feel they fit I'll add them
5D mk3 at the 500-900$ fine with you?

5D MKIII, Nikon D750, original A7 all around that range yah. I think a buying guide doesn't need to be exact in pricing, it just gives people ideas. Personally whenever new people who are interested in mainly stills ask me I suggest stuff like the Canon 60/70d, Nikon D7100/7200 or the Pentax K-5IIs/K3 as their build quality and general features will be much better for the average (stills) user than some low tier mirrorless.

 

To me the only real difference between systems these days is the glass you put in front of the sensor. And each system has some truly cool and unique options.

 

Quote

2012 to now has had an upgrade in many regards from low light and ISO performance, to rolling shutter and better screens/EVFs. not saying yo80u need to toss gear that old, I still use a 60D all the time. it just needs to be the right price

I'd say mirrorless cameras improved the most as some were absolutely truly horrible in 2012. However in terms of even ISO the performance gains were pretty substantial in APSC space (my pentax KP is about as clean 2 stops faster than my K-5IIs) but in terms of full frame options the gains are far less obvious. And general IQ really isn't that much better unless you're looking at sharpness charts I guess. 

 

Quote

Not saying the A7III doesn't do great work, just for the 2k price now, hard to recommend, closer to 1500$ and its an easier recommendation.

I understand this. I apologize for the aggressiveness of the statement.

[GDRRiley]

1 minute ago, Brian McKee said:

5D MKIII, Nikon D750, original A7 all around that range yah. I think a buying guide doesn't need to be exact in pricing, it just gives people ideas. Personally whenever new people who are interested in mainly stills ask me I suggest stuff like the Canon 60/70d, Nikon D7100/7200 or the Pentax K-5IIs/K3 as their build quality and general features will be much better for the average (stills) user than some low tier mirrorless.

hesitant to add the OG A7 but I'll look into the nikon line. similar recs from me

1 minute ago, Brian McKee said:

I'd say mirrorless cameras improved the most as some were absolutely truly horrible in 2012. However in terms of even ISO the performance gains were pretty substantial in APSC space (my pentax KP is about as clean 2 stops faster than my K-5IIs) but in terms of full frame options the gains are far less obvious. And general IQ really isn't that much better unless you're looking at sharpness charts I guess. 

well some of that also is we haven't seen many FF sensor updates vs APS-C. 5D get updated every 3-5 years. 5Dmk3 vs R6/R5 is an interesting test, idk if I've seen that yet.

1 minute ago, Brian McKee said:

I understand this. I apologize for the aggressiveness of the statement.

its fine, happy to explain

[Brian McKee]

1 minute ago, GDRRiley said:

hesitant to add the OG A7 but I'll look into the nikon line. similar recs from me

 

One distinct advantage of the A7 as a budget option is the fact that it's a cheap full frame mirrorless that's easy to adapt a lot of glass to. I think that has a lot of value but I can certainly understand the hesitancy of recommending it since I think it has some crippling faults like battery life.

[GDRRiley]

1 minute ago, Brian McKee said:

One distinct advantage of the A7 as a budget option is the fact that it's a cheap full frame mirrorless that's easy to adapt a lot of glass to. I think that has a lot of value but I can certainly understand the hesitancy of recommending it since I think it has some crippling faults like battery life.

for the 500-600$ I'd say save a bit more and go RP at around 800$

[rrats]

Which ones better when it comes to mirrrorless cameras - canon or Nikon?

I was thinking of getting a Canon

[GDRRiley]

5 hours ago, rrats said:

Which ones better when it comes to mirrrorless cameras - canon or Nikon?

I was thinking of getting a Canon

the brand doesn't matter, they both make good cameras

whats your use case? do you have any existing lenses?

[rrats]

15 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

do you have any existing lenses

Not really, I've used mobile devices camcorders and cameras without interchangeable lenses before