Shooting news on a DSLR

I have been using big cumbersome broadcast cameras for 20 years now. While they haven't got any lighter, the quality has improved dramatically. From standard definition 4:3 to full 16:9 HD, they have come a long way in a short period of time. At Al Jazeera, we shoot on Sony's XDCAM HD system, which basically records to a disc that is similar to Blu Ray technology.

The biggest problem with most TV cameras in general is their lack of dynamic range (i.e. the ability to show dark and bright images in the same shot). This is where film cameras have a huge advantage. Up until recently most film cameras were very expensive and out of reach of most people. Now there are fantastic new DSLR cameras available from Canon and Nikon that enable you to get a film-like image for a fraction of the price.