My intended use is to set the camera on a tripod (I purchase a good lighting setup, and external Rode wireless lavalier system) and record videos while sitting at my desk in the office. Most videos will be under five minutes, but some will be 40 minutes. With any setup, I would prefer (and pay extra for, if needed) the ability to click one button and have the unit record, and click another button to end the recording, and not getup from my desk and walk around to push record and stop. I'll pay for convenience. And then most easily transfer the video to my iMac for editing, which hopefully won't take me forever to learn. From time to time, I will also be taking the system to a conference room where I'll be giving presentations to groups. Again, I'll be a one man band, and so while I know I'll need to stand in relatively the same spot, I want the camera to do all the work focusing and whatever else, and be confident I'll get good video and audio without relying on a buddy to babysit the camera. I currently have a Canon 5D Mark II, and a Canon 7D, and I'm asking here if I should simply use what I have, or spend the money on something like a Sony AX53 camcorder (which, or course (I think!) can record longer videos).

Can anyone opine on this question?

I signed up to specifically tell the community that my dad truly enjoyed being part of the Ugly Hedgehog community. My dad, Jerry Goldberg, died last July (1943-2017). He did wedding photography and nature photography and worked as a "photo journalist" for the local Pike County, PA, Courier. Anyway, whenever I spoke to my dad for many years he would be so joyful and animated about something he learned from participating in this group; what other folks were talking about; new cameras discussed, what he was learning about shooting in RAW format; lots of different things. So I just want to say 'thank you', and let you folks know that your conversations and community made an real and positive difference in my dad's life.

Thank you all.


My dad spent thousands of dollars on expensive camera equipment which I have now in my apartment. I'll try tonight or this weekend to make a video and go through his camera backpack and bags of lenses and battery packs, etc., and I'm hoping you folks can tell me the best way to get what I can for my mom. Whether selling the lot on eBay, or just taking everything to Adorama or B&H Photo, etc. There's a lot of stuff, but I don't think it's the most current. Anyway, I'll let you check it out, please.

Thanks again.

Richard Bryan
New York, NY