The Canon 7D
Ever since I got into this game I’ve wanted to own a camera. When I first started out I had a straight choice, buy a computer or buy a camera. As it turned out I bought a computer and taught myself how to edit, eventually learning after effects and becoming pretty savvy at post production. But now I’ve finally come full circle and my how the world has moved on. I’m primarily a director and editor but I now spend at least ten days a month being a cameraman so I’ve picked up a few things. I work mainly on the EX1 or EX3 (a horrid camera… take note Sony!) but I’d never buy one. I’m not a DOP, I’m not a cameraman but I’m part of a new breed of self-starting filmmakers eager to take advantage of the digital tools that are now available. RED’s amazing, but it’s probably on its way out, Scarlet’s not here yet and for me the EX1 isn’t quite what I’m looking for. I’m after something that will give me access to amazing looking images for drama, I’m not looking for an EPK, doc/news tool like the EX1.
Sony EX1
That’s where it all gets really really interesting. If you’ve stumbled across this blog then you’ll almost certainly know about the Canon 5D and 7D stills cameras that shoot HD video. So what? The EX1 shoots HD, hell even crappy little camcorders shoot HD. No biggie. Fact is HD is becoming standard, and not before time, it just means a resolution of 1920×1080. The RED shoots up to double that at 4K and the Scarlet is going to shoot 3k (although they’ll probably just switch it all up again). So, HD is just resolution, but let’s face it, it’s a massive improvement on SD. And so what if a stills camera shoots video anyway, it’s just a bit of fun for stills photographers… isn’t it? Well, I’m not a stills photographer, and I’m not a DOP with a fetish for cameras but I’ve just bought a Canon 7D for its video capabilities. The fact it takes stills photos rather well is a bonus. Weird, huh?
Here’s why. Let’s say I buy an EX1, to get it ready as a kit that’ll help it pay for itself, you’re looking at probably £5.5k give or take. What do you get? An HD camera that shoots fabulous images compared to its predecessor the Z1, no options on lenses and once the next generation comes out you’ll be trading up. When you buy the DSLR you’re going to be in for £1200 for the body, then you’ve got to buy lenses, then you need some support kit for it, some audio gear for it, and you’ll probably be in for about £5.5k once you’ve got everything. So, you’re going to be good either way, financially at least anyway. Also worth mentioning that the 7D can only shoot 12mins at a time, not exactly practical.
The reason I went for a 7D? Well there’s a couple actually. The 7D’s chip equates to near enough the size of a motion picture 35mm frame which means a badass depth of field, which means your footage looks more filmic, which means it looks more expensive which means you’re saving money and as an indie filmmaker, that’s crucial. Secondly, all the gear I’ve bought for the camera is modular and if I want to upgrade my kit all I have to do is switch out the camera body for a better model. At present the 7D is the one to go for as it shoots 25p and has a 720 50p option for slow mo. As I’m sure many would be quick to point out the 7D doesn’t shoot full frame. True that. The 5D mark II does, but its video capabilities are limited by the frame rate. You can bet your ass that the MkIII won’t be compromised in the same way. So, hang tight till it comes out, trade in my 7D and get the next gen, full frame 5D MkII without having to shell out a big dollop like you would to replace the EX1. The full frame 5D can also take 35mm primes…. imagine that.
Thanks to Vincent Lafloret, rig by Shane Hurlbut
So, it all boils down to bang for your buck. I love what can be achieved with stills lense in video, the incredible depth of field and just the fact that the gear you attach to it is so completely customisable. Lots of people are asking me whether they should go for a 7D for shooting documentaries and music videos and all sorts of other stuff. There’s no simple answer, do your f%^&ing research and work out what’s best for you. All I know is, if you’re looking to buy a DSLR to shoot video instead of an EX1 or the like without any attachments or additional gear, then you’re an idiot. As I’ve already mentioned, it’s not a video camera, but what it can be is the heart of a really brilliant, affordable filmmaking tool. If you’re prepared to do a little digging around, and if you’re a massive geek at heart like me, then you can’t fail to be excited by what’s out there.
In many ways this is like going back to old school filmmaking, the camera is a body, you’ve got lenses, the audio’s separate and the support is assembled on rails that you can build up to your own spec. I love that. I’ve invested in a ton of kit and you’ll be able to see how I get on as this blog develops. The reason I’ve done so is because I love to produce, I love being prolific and production is a slow, cumbersome machine that constantly gets in the way of the actually joy of just making stuff. With my new camera I want to shoot a lot more stuff off commission, drama, dance films, music videos. At the end of the day it’s just a camera, but damn it’s exciting.
