7D Video: Bad vs Good

Below is a list of what I considered bad and good about the video SLR rig I used on my last trip to the Philippines. This list is slanted because I have been shooting a camcorder for the last three years. The list highlights some of what I ran into. Others would create a different list and emphasize different points, these are just what struck me as important. Please take some with a grain as I am still very new to DSLR’s and cameras in general.

The Bad

1. Autofocus is unreliable, you can count on it focusing on the wrong point. Handy to get you close quickly but you will have to turn the focus knob.

2. 2.Full-time autofocus could be useful. My experience with camcorders is they will hunt. However autofocus will help to change focus on the fly: lock focus and then re-lock if your subject moves.
   

3. 3.Follow focus is your only alternative, possible but takes loads of practice and keen eyesight.
   

4. Unless you are nearsighted critical focus depends on using expanded or zooming to get it crystal. This is not available while shooting.

5. SLR housings are intrinsically unstable video platforms.

6. No zoom feature with my lens selection. My FX1 had a 12X optical zoom. Water clarity aside this gave me a wide range of framing options without having to reposition the camera. I need to look at other lenses.

7. SLR video files are HUGE. This has to be accounted for when on a trip. I use Final Cut and doing a log and transfer actually took longer than doing a log and capture from tape. Odd.

8. Sensor overheats. However this does not seem to affect the shot. Apparently the camera will shut down if you continue shooting for too long, again I had no problems.

9. White balance takes many button pushes to accomplish. Oddly, for wide angle balancing against sand or rocks works better than a slate.

10. Video lights that cannot be remotely controlled means hands over the camera means critters freak and hide.

11. ULCS arms and clamps are not friendly enough to easily place lights without a lot of fiddling. Either too loose or too tight or they just cannot be placed where needed. Consider lock-line arms.

12. Depth of field is razor thin which makes everything else you do that much harder.

13. Smaller housing size means it is heavier in the water. Counterintuitive to the casual observer but a smaller housing displaces less water and therefore weighs more in the water. Floats are a must.

The Good

1. Colors are stunning. Saturated and vibrant and pretty close to what you get with a strobe.

2. Contrast is sharp. Blacks are really black and not washed out.

3. Resolution is excellent. Allows for cropping over 2X without degrade.

4. Able to take stills while shooting that are high quality. Just remember that to select a format best suited for your needs (RAW, JPEG, or both).

5. Smaller package overall, lighter out of the water. Good for baggage allowances these days.

6. Able to change lenses? This should be on the good side but I found this a hinderance. A good zooming lens would be better than a collection of prime lenses.

I am lucky enough to afford the chance to try out an SLR. Also my experience shooting a camcorder gave me a unique perspective. So some of my views may be skewed. I am not a technician and only manage to set up my camera with help. After 100's of hours shooting a camcorder and many more hours editing, my videos have started to win contests and got placed in festivals.

If any of this article or its companion articles helps someone to decide I am glad to have written them.