Which cameras do I need?

[davorr]

The Sony A7ii and iii cameras have a 30 minute record limit due to silly EU rules.

Apparently, hacks exist to work around this.
https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/a-first-real-sony-hack-removes-the-30min-video-recordi...language-menu/
https://www.sonyalphaforum.com/topic/11142-openmemories-bypass-of-4k-recording-time-li...in-sony-a7iii/
https://sony-pmca.appspot.com/

Doing so should allow these two cameras to work until manually shut off, however, you'd have to test if they overheat running hours and hours since it's not how they were designed to be used.

Thanx babygdav!

[davorr]

Thanks! 7k for one AW-HE130KPJ is a bit too expensive for us.
I'd say we'll pimp up one of our Alpha's (NDI adapter, maybe some electrical toys for zoom and movement), buy a PTZ (up to 2-3k) and a simple plain one, a concept like Cornucopia suggested. Coz Three cameras are ok for us. But, it is an interesting report, how they did it.

When you said "Now, for 2K", which PTZ did you have on your mind?

thanks to everybody! I learnt a LOT!
Friends, is there a PTZ that will give me a great image somewhere near a DSLR?

https://www.soundandcommunications.com/real-time-pope-phillys-cathedral-basilica/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N3aVMg7gboE

Keep in mind dslr imaging differs from camcorder/ptz imaging.
1. Dslr uses a bigger sensor to capture better in low light conditions even with slower lenses (e.g. F/3.5, 5.6, ....).

The moment you say Fast Zoom DSLR lens
A. Either you're getting a nice f/1.8 ish short zoom
B. Or a f/2.8, 3.5, even 4.0 longer zoom.
All at $1000+ prices.

2. Camcorders/ptz For video work typically use smaller sensors, 1" to 1/2.7", but often come with 20-40x zoom lenses that have fast apertures f/1.2-2.8~. The type of range you'll never get with a dslr.
The fast aperture allows these cameras to get away with smaller sensors.

......

Now, for 2K, what you see on tv, news, etc, all typically use smaller sensor cameras that do well as long as you've got good light levels.

..

Now, check out the Pope's visit.

Of note from the equipment list:
https://www.soundandcommunications.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Cathedral-Basilica-EL.pdf
6 Panasonic AW-HE130KPJ 3MOS integrated pan-tilt cameras

Watch the video.
A. Is this quality sufficient?
B. What's the light levels at your church?
If very low, can you upgrade?

...

Now, nothing wrong with the cameras you have if they can be adapted for use (e.g. At minimum, won't shut down automatically once powered on for use.).
The easiest is to ask the production deck vendor like Newtek - hey, can this camera work? They've likely seen it all being around for 20, 30 years.

[babygdav]

Now for 2k, meaning 1080 video.
Everything today - hdtv, bluray, news, etc are in 2K, and the various cameras (ptz, fixed ) mentioned in the equipment list i noted earlier all film in 2k/1080 resolution using small sensors (smaller than a dslr).

As you can see in the linked Pope visit video on YouTube, to me, everything looks fine. Perfectly good video despite coming from small sensor cameras they used because the light levels are good inside that church.

....

No idea how low the light levels are in your church, and this will affect image quality greatly on small sensor ptz/fixed cameras as light levels drop. Dslrs / bigger sensor cameras do better in low light, but the best solution is always to increase the lighting if possible.

...

So it comes back to - is the Pope visit video good enough?
(Or Do you need 4k video? Higher quality dslr video?)

And what's the light levels in your church?

[babygdav]

If not a ptz, your Sony would be the first to investigate using as a locked down camera since you have them.

If you choose ndi over sdi, fewer ndi camcorders out there.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1545631-REG/panasonic_ag_cx350pj5_ag_cx350_4k_c...4d7f0faf17fec0

The main reason for this vs a ptz are
1. Higher image quality with a better lens, bigger sensor.
2. Ability to hand hold and move about.
3. Ability to record even with a power outage on batteries.
No reason for one if you don't have the camera, or find the ptz video already sufficient.

......

The report gives anyone a good idea to build up or down from.
Smaller church, simply delete most of the extra gear, substitute lower cost equipment where appropriate.

[babygdav]

https://www.dvestore.com/blog/upgrade-your-church-video-like-a-boss/

https://youtu.be/3bM6yciCjtY?t=401
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZAZHz1DxDo

One point not to forget about ptz is programmability and auto tracking.

Both features make it really easy for a layman to operate the video production without any camera training.

Just click a preset and the camera pans by itself.

[Cornucopia]

Auto tracking that is decent is VERY expensive, so shouldn't be part of this conversation.

Scott