Are there any DSLRs for filmmakers?

[Chrisbitz]

I popped into PC world the other day, and thought I'd talk to the chap about DSLRs for video.

I have Canon lenses, so ideally I'd like another, but also for filmmaking, a mic socket, manual recording levels and headphone socket are absolutely the bare minimum.

It seems that all the cameras now have mic sockets, some have manual volume control, but none in the £600 area have headphone sockets!

For me this is a complete deal breaker, so the only solutions I can think of is to have a zoom recorder sitting on top, or have a Juicedlink box underneath.

What a pain in the neck for such a simple feature as a headphone socket!

I guess I'll have to wait another year or so....?
What do other people do with sound?

[Dave Watterson]

The sound recording quality of DSLRs has been a recognised weakness. Specialist software has been created to help such as DualEyes (http://www.singularsoftware.com/dualeyes.html) Add to that the need to buy a range of clamp-on gear to hold and use it like a movie camera ... and it all becomes unwieldy.

It seems to me that what attracts film makers to such cameras are the large chips and the possibility of using a collection of lenses bought for their still camera.

The next development will be movie cameras - designed for movie making - that use such chips and have suitable lens mounts.

Of course a Zoom Recorder will be useful for lots of other things too.

Dave

[col lamb]

Save up and buy a Canon 5D Mark II.

I have a 7D and still use it for video but using a DSLR for video is definately not a point and shoot arrangement.

The lack of manual sound control on my 7D is a limitation but I just slip on my Rode Videomike and get going and then sort out sound issues in post.

Yes DLSR's with an add on sound recording device and a loupe do become unweilding but there again my TM900 with mike and windgag attached is no longer a small camcorder (the sound off a 900 Panasonic is terrible due to wind noise using inbuilt mike, an add on is a must)

[tom hardwick]

My Canon 60D was the closest thing I could get to a movie-making SLR that would use all my existing lenses and had a fully articulated rear screen. It has an external stereo mic socket and full manual level control over the sound, but monitoring isn't catered for. Many people simply use a Zoom H1 in the hot shoe. The Magic Lantern firmware upgrade is a worthwhile improvement.

tom.

[col lamb]

Just to update readers on Tom's comment on Magic Lantern firmware, Canon in their wisdom do not include certain features in the inbuilt software that controls the camera functions (this is the firmware and all techie devices have it including your Blu-ray drives, TV's, standalone DVD/Blu-ray players etc).

Canon's 5D mark II did not have manual audio control when it first came out and Canon updated the firmware to allow manual control, my 7D does not have manual control and the firmware is locked which means that only Canon official firmware updates are possible.

Magic Lantern is a third party firmware upgrade that releases many locked features in cameras, unfortunately for 7D users that is not an option.

NOTE the use of third party firmware will render guarantees invalid.

[fraught]

A bit like Col i use the Canon 7D and record all sound with my Zoom H2. Work's really well for me!