60D or Wait?

[kentandersen]

I have 60D and it is a great tool for video for a good price.

I have a 60D with a canon 15-85mm. That is in my eyes the perfect all around lens.
As already mentioned, the 60D has its nose a bit before 7D if you want to make video.

For photography I would recomend a Prime, like 50mm. But for video a zoom is definently the best choice, and even more if you also intend to use the camera on a tripod.

The build quality is bether on 7D, but it doesn't really make a big difference. I have an old 400d, that is far away from the build quality of 60D. Still afther 5 years, more than 100 000 klick, and lots of brutal threatment... my small kids has used it alot. It is still working perfect!!

The difference that really mathers between 7d and 60D is autofocus. But that difference is not that big. If you are not intending to specialize in action shot, birds in flight. And you really feel that 5.6 pictures a second is really giving you big problems in achieving that big stunning picture, well then 7D is youre camera.

The live view of 60D is working fine also for manual focus. I have taken lots of macro this summer, and have mainly used the live view function to take them. I get more excact focus with live view, becouse I can zoom in to 100% and get the focus where I want it.

 

[bycostello]

rumors are rife so i'd be tempted to wait till after Christmas....

 

[tnelson42345]

I thought the 60D was weather proof as well? Is it not? I'm leaning toward the 60D, but I'm waiting to see what Canon announces as far as video before I buy anything.

I'd second what a lot of the post above are saying. Personally I'd recommend the 60D - better build quality than the t3i and a bigger, more comfortable grip. The 7D is a fantastic camera, undoubtedly, however I would still choose the 60D over the 7D if your primary useage will be video. The flip out screen does it for me, I've been on shoots where it's simply been invaluable, some of the shots we just wouldn't have been able to do without that screen.

The 7D does offer better build quality still, and weather proofing, so if it's within your budget I'd recommend it over the 60D for photography, but again, for video I'd still pick the 60D.

Also as someone mentioned, the 50 f/1.4 is a wonderful lens, it's just a shame that the 7 and 60 are cropped - 80mm is great for portraits but general use it can be a little confined sometimes.

 

[Loswr]

I thought the 60D was weather proof as well? Is it not?

Somewhat. The rank order of weather sealing for Canon cameras is: 1-series >> 7D > 5DII > 60D/50D/40D.

 

[tnelson42345]

Thank you

I thought the 60D was weather proof as well? Is it not?

Somewhat. The rank order of weather sealing for Canon cameras is: 1-series >> 7D > 5DII > 60D/50D/40D.

 

[rocketdesigner]

.... Practice following moving objects; practice predicting which way they will move, what that does to focus. Go to high school athletic activities and practice following the action football / soccer / baseball; basketball / tennis / badminton (indoors and smaller distances), swimming / diving (up and down AND sideways); practice following cars in traffic (you on a sidewalk); bicycles, pedestrians at a corner (or if in Portland OR, anywhere on any street downtown, pedestrians ignore corners there);

Good Points ... all of them.

I ran into 2 situations shooting video this week where I got absolutely killed on ...

1st was shooting an indoor furniture store ... panning - no less with rolling shutter in all its glory, across an acre of furniture that all had to be in focus under dim flourescent lighting ... the higher the iso i went to increase DOF made me increase ISO to the point where the pan and the shutter roll was unusable.

The 2nd, shooting my daughter at her HS volleyball game in a gym that had the strangest, dimmest lighting I have ever encountered. Ever try following a teenager with an HDSLR and a zoom lens on a volleyball court in those conditions? I have had more pleasing root canals than that experience.

 

[Edwin Herdman]

Prepare to lose many of the shooting opportunities open to you with the camcorder as the 60D and EOS lenses are mostly suited to stationary angles, and not situations with a changing focus point. If you can nail it, of course, the cinematic DOF is pretty popular - don't know what it is you're filming, obviously documentary (non-talking-heads-style, and for talking heads DOF often isn't important anyway) or ENG type video is mostly out of the question (unless you can get everybody to sit down in front of the camera).

Nikon might be worth looking at here, since they have continuous AF during video / live view now, IIRC.

You might wanna look at this thread just briefly, too...

 

[elflord]

Prepare to lose many of the shooting opportunities open to you with the camcorder as the 60D and EOS lenses are mostly suited to stationary angles, and not situations with a changing focus point.

Yes, absolutely. I picked up a 5D Mark II recently but held onto my budget camcorder for that reason. It obviously can't out-5D the 5D, but it can do some things very well that the 5D can't (e.g. stay focused on a kid running across a football field without needing a large lens or support gear)

Nikon might be worth looking at here, since they have continuous AF during video / live view now, IIRC.

Good point. For other brands, Sony are also worth a look (continuous phase detect autofocus in video for the SLT models). I can't remember where the Panasonic GH2 fits in, but it's worth a look too.

 

[fifowarehouse]

60d seems to be a better choice for you. I like the swivel screen alot, especailly shooting video.

50mm f1.4 will give you great blur background.

I currently own:
60d - will upgrade to 5d mrk III when comes out
50mm f1.4
24-105mm f4 IS
70-200 f2.8 IS

Goodluck

 

[sammy]

I own a 60D and based on above am sure you'll be happy with it

 

[J Live]

I'd say go with the 60D for the type of content you're planning on capturing.

I've been using the 5D for the same thing since it came out and was tired of carrying an EX3 video camera with me on flights (I always travel with a backup camera & prefer to shoot interviews with 2 cameras anyway for editing reasons). Anyway, I was about to get the 7D when the 60D came out so I grabbed it instead and really like it. The build quality is no where near the 7d so if you were doing tons of outdoor shooting I'd go that route but remember your lenses will/would also need to be L series to handle weather. Also, 7d has no manual audio controls so that's one advantage of the 60d. The tilting screen is the other. For 2 camera interviews it is very handy to tilt the viewfinder so you can see it while you're standing behind the other camera - very annoying for subject to see you walking over to other camera while they are trying to maintain eye contact with interviewer - as well of course, useful for low/high shooting angles for other stuff looking over protest crowds etc.

Advantages over Rebel line are significant:

Build quality, same batteries/chargers as 5d & 7d if you ever decide to get a 2nd body, and biggest is it's ability to shoot native ISOs (160,320,640 etc) which is essential for video IMHO for lowest noise.

Anyway all that to say, i'm very happy with the 60D considering it's price/options, but don't forget to budget for all the other 'little' things you'll need that add up - like mics, audio recorders, good headphones, ND filters for outdoor shooting, fast(ish) SD cards etc., so factor those extra expense in as well.

Good luck!

 

[tinalear]

I have had my 60D for the past 4 months and it is absolutely fantastic.

I would highly recommend it to all!

 

[Isaac]

I would say wait for the 70d or go with the 7d.

Both the xxd series and the xd series are high performance with incredible specs.

 

[ianhar]

It always should i buy this or that now or wait. Seriously if you have the money now you should go for it. If you wait for a thing that has not been announce yet you are losing the chance to do all the things you can do with the camera. Do not procrastinate on anything! Even if a new camera is announce you still have to wait for it to be on the shelf for you to buy it. That is going to make the waiting process even longer.

But if your budget are tight and wont be able to do much after you buy the 60d, the best thing to do is to wait first and save up some money and spend it later

Cheers!

 

[jasonmillard81]

Thanks for some of the replies gentleman.

I am patiently waiting for the $ I have coming my way from selling my HFS20.

I should have about $1300 when that comes. I'd like to get my reserves up to $2,000 before I begin shopping.

I am starting from scratch (body, lens, bag, audio, filters, memory card)

I have a few follow-up/repeat questions:

1. 60D vs. GH2? Many are saying the GH2 is far superior than the 60D for video quality? Can anyone weigh in on this?

2. Will there be a new camera before Christmas? I do not think I'd like to wait any longer then a few weeks unless a comparably priced body is coming out.

3. Any good websites for beginner DSLR video users?

 

[briansquibb]

As far as lenses go, I bought the 50mm F/1.4 and love it. Lightweight, portable and not cumbersome for walking around.

The 50 f/1.8 is good value for money - but the 1.4 is worth the extra money. I use the 50mm on the 7D for portraits - a good combo.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Compare how they feel in your hand, operate the buttons and controls.

I have large hands, and the Rebels are noticibly more difficult for me to use even though many with more normal sized hands prefer the smaller format.

It can make a difference, so consider the fit and feel of the body into your decision.

 

[ecka]

Thanks for some of the replies gentleman.

I am patiently waiting for the $ I have coming my way from selling my HFS20.

I should have about $1300 when that comes. I'd like to get my reserves up to $2,000 before I begin shopping.

I am starting from scratch (body, lens, bag, audio, filters, memory card)

I have a few follow-up/repeat questions:

1. 60D vs. GH2? Many are saying the GH2 is far superior than the 60D for video quality? Can anyone weigh in on this?

2. Will there be a new camera before Christmas? I do not think I'd like to wait any longer then a few weeks unless a comparably priced body is coming out.

3. Any good websites for beginner DSLR video users?

Some good point here:
http://www.eoshd.com/content/460/Canon-60D-versus-Panasonic-GH2-Full-Review-Part-1
http://www.eoshd.com/content/465/canon-60d-versus-panasonic-gh2-full-review-part-2

 

[jasonmillard81]

Those reviews completely rip apart the Canon DSLR's for video and highly recommend the GH2...is that the general consensus here?

Are there legitimate counterpoints to that review?

 

[ecka]

Those reviews completely rip apart the Canon DSLR's for video and highly recommend the GH2...is that the general consensus here?

Are there legitimate counterpoints to that review?

Well. Canon APS-C sensor is still larger than M4/3 and 5D2 is FF. That alone is one heavy, unbeatable point (if you know what I mean). On the other hand, GH2 is a mirrorless camera, so you can use pretty much any lens you want via adapter and that is a huge advantage too. However, there is one more player - Sony NEX. It is mirrorless + APS-C sensor + decent video capabilities .
For me, sensor size is more important. I'm not that much into filming, but I think that 5D2 is the king of the hill for now.