The Camera Companies DO NOT Want you to Know This

[@joeyzhao465]

can't agree more with those! that's a lesson for professionals. hobbyists don't care about how much they spend, they just simply wants more fun. but professionals are different, we need to consider how much income the equipment can bring to us, so we only spend money on something we really need.

[@harrr53]

I shoot stills, and very little video. And I mostly subscribe to what you're saying in that we shouldn't be constantly chasing the latest and best camera, and instead focusing on our craft. That said, when I left behind my Canon 5D DSLR, and got the new Canon R5, the eye detection and the much lighter RF 800mm lens have really changed my bird photography for the better. Being able to hand-hold such a long lens is game changing. And eye detection means I get a lot more keepers, which is very important when that marsh harrier you've been waiting for is only going to fly past once that day. So I'd say we shouldn't go to the other extreme and totally ignore new features, we should just be more analytical about what a new feature will really mean in the real world, and make a proper judgment to decide if it is worth spending money on.

[@BenTutton]

Totally agree. Features will get better with time, but it's only worth upgrading if you're actually going to use them!

[@dalecunning868]

Yes absolutely. Working on our craft 100%. With that said... so many of us refuse, flat refuse to learn the camera or equipment we have. I see my students in the field constantly struggle. They will say my camera is a piece of junk. I ask them to let me see it and I set settings in that camera for the situation at hand, take a photo, and they look at me in amazement. And then double down with all kinds of reasons to not learn their camera. And still insist on going out and getting the latest and greatest before it is even out. Then they still ask if their is something wrong with their new camera? NO!!! LEARN YOUR CAMERA Period.

[@DustinShort]

Excellent perspective and accurate. For me personally, I just upgraded from an A6600 to an A6700 because I do think having 10bit video is a HUGE tech improvement over 8bit, also rolling shutter is a real concern if your videos have a lot of panning motions, but even then a lot of new cameras will be released with awful rolling shutter. I have an A7sIII as well so I wanted my FF and APS-C cameras to both be 10-bit and comparable for editing simplicity. The only reason I felt like justifying the cost of the A6700 was because I found a refurb unit for 40% off MSRP from a halfway reputable source. Actually that's they only reason I have the A7sIII is because they listed a refurb for 60% off MSRP only a few months after it was released (similar story with my 200-600 lol). Overall though, it's time behind the lens that has improved my footage way more than any gear. Wait, I take that back, a good fluid head and sturdy tripod is probably the most important gear you can buy after a camera and lens!

[@NishantKapoor]

Hey, Ben! Always good to see you talk about kit. Could you share a link to Used gear dealers you mentioned at 10:30 onwards? Would like to explore stuff they've got.

[@BenTutton]

Hey Nishant! I’ve just added the links to the description of the video. The companies are MPB and WEX. WEX sell new and used kit, whereas MPB is all second hand. They will both buy used kit too.

[@NishantKapoor]

@BenTutton sweet, thanks! We've been looking at second hand stuff - good tripods and accessories are hard to come by in India.

[@SpudUna]

This might be only a small thing, but MPB says that the photo is actually the item being sold. But I’ve seen so many that clearly show hot shoe covers fitted on the camera, but in the incudes list it says hot shoe cover not included. Just based on this I will not buy off MPB.

[@happy1wandering]

Great video Ben!! Quoting Jamie McPherson on this…”It’s not about what you film, it’s how you film it”. Everyone is so focused on gear while very little talk about skills & techniques!!

[@BenTutton]

Lots of important skills and techniques in wildlife filmmaking. - We do use some amazing cameras, and working on high end shoots it makes sense to use them, but I think that time spent in the field would always win over less time but a better camera. Jamie brought a new style to wildlife filmmaking on The Hunt - such a stylish series.

[@gearoidosullivan356]

Kinda funny to see this video now, as I am about to buy a new main camera body, but I totally agree with you. My only caveat really would be that if you have a job coming up shortly that needs something specific, then It can make sense to get the newer model and get the immediate rental (and have the benefit of all those new features). I made a mistake a few years ago when buying my first proper video camera, and spent a lot more than I probably needed to anticipating doing a lot of filming. However, I ended up doing mostly gaffing the last few years, and that camera has largely sat on the shelf. Even in the lighting world, it's the same, where the LED tech is evolving so fast there are new lights every month. But the one rule i'd have would be to buy quality when you can, as that will last and thereby give you value (And that quality can definitely be second hand gear). As an example, I still have and use my canon 500mm f4 from over 20 years ago, and the gitzo tripod I bought with it, while many camera bodies have rotated through.

[@markbrown6755]

Ben, that is the most frank and correct analysis of new kit and whether we need to buy the latest gear, I myself have fallen into this trap in the past with Sony and Red, but now I shoot with a modest GH6 setup, 4k is more than enough for most people, you correctly point out, its behaviour that counts as well as a good story. An old friend (the late Mat Thompson ) said exactly the same, good behaviour on inferior resolution is better than average behaviour on the highest resolution. We should all heed your words. All the best Mark

[@BenTutton]

The Panasonic GH lineup has consistently punched above its weight for years! It is very tempting to want to upgrade - it's much easier to buy something in the hope it'll fix our problems, than spend time out practicing!

[@markbrown6755]

@ couldn’t agree more, I’ve often raised my brow to everyone wanting 6-8k when as you say in reality programmes are still being churned out in HD!!!! Loved your piece on the CN20 vs the siggy 60-600mm 👍👍 All the best Mark

[@PetriKoivistoPhoto]

Good points. Story, soundscape and good editing could be more important.

[@Bernies-Naturfilm]

Hello Ben, a great post, but I would like to disagree with one point. I often film in really tough conditions with a lot of wind. Even my homemade Vinten Wilderness tripod with the Manfrotto 504 HD fluid head is often not enough to keep the micro-shaking out. I really appreciate the internal stabilization of my Panasonic Lumix G9, the first series, and the Leica 100-400mm. The images are much more stable and, in my opinion, more beautiful. Your videos here have inspired me to install a follow focus so that I can focus even more sensitively. I also hope that this will reduce camera shake when focusing. Best wishes from Germany and always good light, Bernd

[@MovingPicturesAfrica]

Great video. I mostly agree with you, but on image stabilisation I must disagree. I do mostly vehicle based filming so i can never be perfectly solid, and a big heavy duty fluid head is expensive. Good IS makes a huge difference in this particular scenario (and also when doing gimbal work). My Canon 200-400 has great IS and i have used it quite successfully out of a moving vehicle.

[@BenTutton]

I have filmed from the back of an Indian Gypsy jeep and you could see everyone breathing through the vf as they’re so wobbly! IS would have helped then!

[@albe2002]

Exactly! I use GH5II With Panasonic Leica 200mm f2.8 and 1.4 extender I reach a 560mm length f4 FF equivalent

[@scottzorro]

Enjoyable video & on point - I recently got a great deal on a used canon c70 for £2500 which I have paired with the sigma 60-600 - looking to get a used tripod & head now as my 75mm old & small sachtler head isn’t cutting it- especially for birds in flight- do you have a recommendation for head & tripod - have been eyeing used video 18 & video 20 heads - is there much of a difference & do HD sticks add stability or just durability?

[@joystickmusic]

I like the the digital rows on your traditional icelandic jumper.

[@BenTutton]

I hadn't noticed that before - I wonder what it says in binary?!

[@James-ke5sx]

I grew up with nikons, hasselblads and 4x5 Sinar P cameras with acetate film. And all we had was manual everything. Many years ago when I switched to digital all I wanted was a regular Nikon d80 with manual everything. I don't like all the new fangled stuff it's too complicated. When I was younger I used to shoot quite a bit of fashion and you don't really want high resolution when you're photographing a model because if you show every single zit and pimple on her face she is not going to be too happy with you.

[@BenTutton]

4x5 is pretty high resolution! A lot of the time the new tools can make our lives easier, but they aren’t really necessary. And like you say above a certain amount of t resolution is just excessive!

[@James-ke5sx]

@@BenTutton Besides high resolution in a 4x5 format, back in those days we did not have Photoshop. So we had to do our retouching Etc on the negatives in some cases. Sometimes we would shoot 8x10s and there were people who had even larger cameras. Especially in the printing business gay

[@scottievee330]

I get it. But I don't buy another camera until I sell a camera or 2 to offset the cost. The person that buys a used camera can get a great product for a fraction of my cost. It's not all bad.

[@davelawery4811]

To the point Video. New Cameras don’t make you take pictures better, Time, Practice and Patience do. If your Camera platform is good, new upgrades can be delivered in a Firmware Upgrade not a New Camera. IBIS is useful but not essential. Keep Well & Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

[@BenTutton]

Most of the newer cameras seem to get quite a few upgrades via firmware. I'm glad the cameras are still supported. The cynic in me would say that the early adopters are the beta testers ironing out all the kinks!

[@davelawery4811]

@ I was interested to hear that your 60-600 was EF Mount on Sony E, ironic being that Canon has a bad record in 35mm with previous Lens Mounts not being compatible with newer Mounts (BL/FD/EF/RF) however in Cinema World it is a more universal Mount. My Leica R Mount Lens have a new life via Mount adapters, especially onto 4/3, Autofocus not required, IBIS the same, however the benefit is increased Focal Length and no light loss. The way forward is onboard Media Storage (Leica/Hasselblad) and Mount Adapters? Keep Well & Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

[@Sweetflyfilm]

Preach

[@BenTutton]

🙌

[@CooperGabriel]

how about a camcorder for wildlife filming

[@jamesandcamera]

I am definitely a 2nd hand kit advocate. Not any new camera features I feel I need to do my job besides internal ND and 50p, anything extra is gravy 😊🤙

[@BenTutton]

Internal ND is a lifesaver!

[@mmhm007]

When you are saying HD, do you mean 720p or FHD 1080p?

[@BenTutton]

Generally 1080P, but the original Planet Earth was filmed mostly in 720P. I think broadcast varies. A lot of people who are watching broadcast TV aren’t watching in HD(1080) in the UK.

[@muckmirrors2512]

Nice video Ben totally agree, shot some footage of a white egret on the GH5, manual focus at 4K and delivered in HD and it's the best looking footage I've ever shot on a decent TV it looked as sharp as anything BBC show on their Blue Chip productions.

[@BenTutton]

Thanks! The GH5 is still a little powerhouse of a camera!

[@harlemwoodstudios]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@demz3514]

Of course it is vital to upgrade to at least a 4K sensor camera. 1080p camera when upscaled with AI will not have the same level of detail as a 4K sensor. Look at what David Cameron do to his movies with AI upscaling - an absolute shit show of a mess. Faces all messed up and other details warp because AI does not read the information well. Despite delivery being in 1080p or at times even lower than full HD. For archival purposes it is best to have 4K RAW or ProRes RAW with max frame rate. The reason for that is because when a studio would like to re-edit or re-use the footage, then there will be flexibility in post. If you have exported mp4 for delivery, there is not much you can do after. For example if on delivery there will be missing frames, stutters, bit rate problems, the fps of the footage itself was at 60p and yet the exported one was 25/30. Also cameras such as R5C have two crop modes - 35mm and 16mm. 35mm - 6k RAW. 16mm is at 3k resolution RAW. This allows for so much more flexibility and different shooting scenarios. Also as time progresses the in body noise reduction advances, dual base/triple base ISO also advances. Sure the AF is more of a gimmick still to this day because the reliability is not 100%. On this point I agree. IBIS isn’t that important when you have IS lenses. However with IBIS being included into more and more cameras, some lens manufacturers are taking a step back with lens IS and that is a shame. I personally prefer no moving parts in my camera and no expense in resolution. That’s my two cents on this matter when it comes to cameras and if to consider that R5C is a 2 year old camera, the upgrades we see today are very small to warrant an upgrade. There needs to be a bigger leap for me to warrant for the next upgrade.

[@BenTutton]

I think we agree. Your last paragraph is what I was trying to say! I suppose Im not really saying go out and film in 1080 and up-res it, more don’t buy a new camera just because it has 8k (unless for some reason you need 8k!) 4K should be sufficient for most instances. I’d love to have a play with the R5C! I used a friend’s R5 and it was a very nice camera. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@alexbuess]

wise words. I am just starting off taking video. how do you track birds in flight?

[@BenTutton]

There’s no real secrets, just practice. I’d go somewhere with lots of birds flying - maybe a pond or the beach where there’s ducks or gulls - (they are a bit bigger and easier to follow) Just pick one and try and keep it in frame for as long as possible. Think about framing, and maybe go off speed to 60fps or 120fps and that should help.

[@BenTutton]

Let me know how you go on.

[@alexbuess]

@@BenTutton thank you. I am trying mostly with pelicans, herons and gulls but I truly need to suck less, can't even track a gull walking along the beach properly yet.

[@BenTutton]

@@alexbuessare you using a video head on a tripod? If so, it’s just about getting used to how they walk and anticipating their movement. Sometimes it’s worth just watching for a bit. Maybe even counting their steps before you point a camera at them. But they never do what you want them to do! 😂

[@alexbuess]

@ both, depending on the situation. I would guess my biggest problem is that I have no feeling for how much focus changes with how much of a twist, so I suppose a lot more practice should help. And patience as I just started taking videos after years of stills...

[@georgereed1568]

2nd hand Sony A7siii nearly £1000 cheaper, 2nd hand Mavic 3 pro £800 cheaper. Also, refurbished stuff from companies can be good, dji refurbished items have been excellent so far. Also, I'm rather enjoying the Atomos Ninja V for the pre roll feature that enables me to save storage and get cool shots on time, like kingfisher driving or birds taking off, etc got that 2nd hand for like £100 cheaper.

[@BenTutton]

Ah nice, I hadn’t thought about refurbished items. Cheers for the tip. Looks like you got some good deals there. And the Ninja V is great. I’ve mostly used it for Raw recording. Works really nicely.

[@Natez-vw4kd]

I don't know who exactly this video is aimed at, but I would guess its mainly landscape / wildlife photographers. A nice, relatively laid back genre where you have time to set up your tripod and wait around for the right light. For fast run n gun photography, like street photography or sports photography, IBIS / OIS and fast accurate AF is necessary. I currently use a Fuji X-T30. A great little APSC camera that's pretty good in bright, sunny conditions. Pair it with a fast prime, it's usable in well lit, low light scenes. In poorly lit low light scenes it just falls apart. I then spend hours denoising images with no guarantee that they'll even be usable. Often they turn into scenes from Minecraft. I'm not setting up a tripod in the middle of a busy and sometimes dangerous city like London or New York, on my own, in the dark and often in unfamiliar areas well off the beaten tourist paths. I've done it. It's laborious, time consuming and at times sketchy as hell. Tomorrow I'm picking up a full frame Sony A7Cii. It's more than I ever really wanted to spend on a camera, but I expect it will cut down a lot of the post editing. I'm keeping the Fuji for now. I know I'll regret it if I sold it.

[@BenTutton]

This is aimed mostly at wildlife filmmakers, but is fairly relevant to most filmmakers I’d say. Definitely different for stills though. Good luck with the Sony A7Cii 📸 I hope it speeds up your workflow.

[@dicekolev5360]

You're missing the most important point man. Newer cameras, lenses, etc. aren't meant to make our content better. They mean to make it easier.

[@BenTutton]

Fair point! Some of these actively make our lives as wildlife filmmakers harder though - sensor size in particular.

[@michaelfrymus]

Then again, depends how old your gear is too. My camera is pretty old and the quality ain't that great.

[@BenTutton]

@ I bet you’ll it’s better than what they filmed the original Planet Earth on! But yeah, at some point it’s worth upgrading if you feel it’s holding you back. I’d just argue you don’t need the newest camera. The previous version is probably good enough, and you’ll save some money!

[@NebulousFilms]

​@BenTutton the original planet earth was filmed on 2/3rd inch sensor, 720p, tape based cameras right?

[@BenTutton]

@@NebulousFilms Exactly - Mostly filmed on Panasonic Varicam HPX! Some 16mm film too I think.