Affordable 4k video with shallow depth of field

[torqueofthedevil]

I am producing some videos for clients where we need 4k and with many of the shots inside buildings (hotels / restaurants etc) we need that blurry effect of a shallow depth of field. (Of my terminology isn’t great it’s my business partner who is the technical one!)

I looked into renting but the spec is probably higher than we need and the costs are too high - particularly as weather could put a stop to filming and we have to go repeated visits.

We already have an canon dslr but it’s 1080.

Basically I’m thinking just need a cheap osh canon 4k dslr with a lens to give the SDOF and maybe a half decent tripod and gimbal?!

Any suggestions?

[Simpo Two]

Can't tell you what body to get, but if you need a wide angle lens with enough aperture (ie f2.8 or less) to give you the shallow DOF it probably won't be cheap. Tripod if your shutter speed is slower than 1/60th (or to look professional because clients expect to see one). Gimbal?

[singlecoil]

Panasonic GH5 is what many pro YouTubers are using now for 4K video.

[Simpo Two]

singlecoil said:

Panasonic GH5 is what many pro YouTubers are using now for 4K video.

How is it for shallow DOF though, being micro 4/3?

[singlecoil]

Simpo Two said:

singlecoil said:

Panasonic GH5 is what many pro YouTubers are using now for 4K video.

How is it for shallow DOF though, being micro 4/3?

Well, I guess that will be all down to the lens chosen.

A FF camera would probably be better but I don't know of any at a reasonable price that are so good on the video side, which is something of a Panasonic speciality

[ReverendCounter]

torqueofthedevil said:

Any suggestions?

Look at the kit list which youtubers usually list in the More Info section of the vid - that way you can see the exact results of their choice of camera.

And PLEASE, if you're doing macro stuff, take some soft, dry, clean paint brushes to remove the dust just before shooting (canned air, bulb and microfibre will come in handy).

I like youtube channel The Boat Show for instance, but the dust and fingerprints on the detail/macro shots inside luxury yachts let their productions down in my opinion.

[C&C]

Simpo Two said:

singlecoil said:

Panasonic GH5 is what many pro YouTubers are using now for 4K video.

How is it for shallow DOF though, being micro 4/3?

It's not exactly cheap at £1550 for the body only.

I'd image for shallow DoF, if you're not worried about a zoom, the 20mm f1.7 (£240), 25mm f1.7 (£145), or 42.5mm f1.7 (£299) would probably deliver the required effect.

There does seem to be a range of 4K cameras out there though, and the GH5 is well thought of - also aparently just updated with the GH5S - Link to review of a few

[singlecoil]

[quote=C&C]

It's not exactly cheap at £1550 for the body only.


[/quote]

The OP did say that he was doing this professionally...

[FurtiveFreddy]

Well, if you're doing it professionally you build the cost of renting into your quote, surely?

If money is such an issue, look at using a video effect/filter to give that tilt/shift look maybe?

[Simpo Two]

FurtiveFreddy said:

Well, if you're doing it professionally you build the cost of renting into your quote, surely?

Much easier just to buy the thing and save having to courier it back and forth every time you want it. And it can be offset against tax.

It's easy to work out how many jobs you need to make each bit of kit pay for itself; after that it's all profit and no timewasting, just open the bag

[FurtiveFreddy]

Sure, but I don't think the OP is in a position to invest in expensive new kit in the hope they'll get more 4k commissions, hence the renting suggestion.

[Bacardi]

torqueofthedevil said:

Any suggestions?

Hire a professional?

[ukaskew]

Panasonic G80 is less than £600 and does 4k. Even with Micro 4/3 you'll get shallow depth of field in abundance if you pick the right lens. Anything f2 and faster is fine of which there are loads of affordable choices, and the longer the focal length the greater the separation from background will appear even with slower lens.

This is f3.2 with a 45mm lens on a Micro 4/3 body...



I'm a little nervous that we're talking about professional videos yet 'blurry effect' and so on. Does your technical partner not know what is required?

Edited by ukaskew on Monday 12th March 05:19

Edited by ukaskew on Monday 12th March 05:20

[Phunk]

Can I ask why you need 4K?

I’ve never had a client ask for it, if anything resolution that I’m delivering is getting lower as most web traffic is on mobile now.

You’re best concentrating on better glass and grip for your 1080 setup.

4K will make little difference to the final product for 99% of viewers and on top of that it’s a pain to edit and store the files. 👍