So I'm not super camera savvy. I have a Canon Eos Rebel T3 and have been using it for a while but am finding it rather limiting. It's not full frame and isn't as versatile for video shooting as I want it to be.
Question is, what is a good camera. Mot sure if I should go with a DSLR or pro-camcorder. I want one that can shoot good video primarily, and still shoot decent stills. It's film first before still photo. I'm especially itching for one with good high-speed to toy around with.
Thank you! I'm looking at the Casio EX-F1 or Blackmagic Cinema. I already have a great Zeiss CP2 lens so I wouldn't want to waste it on a non-interchangeable camera. The 7D and Mark III look great too. High speed cameras at decent quality looks to cost anywhere between $30000-$150000 so fuck that.
I just started shooting on a Mk III. I'm loving it thus far. Upgraded form a Mk II for a number of reasons and have been very happy with it. There's more to learn and a lot of nuances though when filming FSLR, which at times has been an annoyance. Although I do a lot of still photography as a hobby and am always working on that portfolio for any chance I can get to do still work as well. Which is one of the biggest reasons I use a DSLR.
I have yet to shoot anything on it yet. Im working on writing a web series for the summer that I will be shooting. Other than that I might have some video I can put up from my trip to San Fran next week and definitly from E3.
I've been using a 60D for the passed year and I'm really enjoying it personally. I'm mostly using a bunch of old Russian lenses and I love hunting down new cheap ones to play with.
My only issue so far is I would like to go wider but that gets pretty expensive on the crop sensor and I haven't busted out the cash to buy something in the 10-15mm range.
Oh and obviously sound is a pain in the ass. We've just been going with recording it off-board and syncing is pain in the ass.
If you have a lot of money get the Canon 5d Mark II and install MagicLantern on it. It's a DSLR videographer's saving grace. It offers a ton and I mean a ton of features that helps DSLR Filmmakers get the shots that they want. You can have a zoom feature that doesn't interfere with your screen, audio levels that you can see without having to go through Canon's menu and so much more. Partner the 5dmkII with the 24-105 f/4 IS and you are on your way to becoming a filmmaker. (I would recommend the Canon 5dmkIII but it currently does not support MagicLantern)
If you have a decent amount of money, get the Canon 60D. The variable film screen gives you an advantage of getting shots at comfortable angles. It has the same sensor as a 7D, but it does not have the magnesium alloy body of the 7D. The 60D is not full frame, but it does off great images with Canon's EF-S line of cameras. Get the 60D and partner that up with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and you will be surprised how well it works with the 60D.
My last suggestion is to get the Canon T2i, the camera that started it all. It's the most powerful, yet underrated DSLR camera. A lot of people over look it due to the fact that it is a Rebel (consumer) camera, but it's such a beauty. Believe it or not, the camera has the EXACT same senor as the 7D. This is my recommendation for you since the camera is such an easy to use DSLR that offers great image quality and video as as well.
I'd be glad to give you some info on lenses as well, because the lens is what truly makes the image spectacular.
But that's gonna run you somewhere north of $100K so probably a bit out of your price range. The higher end Canon's are alright for shooting stuff so long as you don't do any high speed moves with it, and can live with the shallow DOF. What would you define as high speed shooting? For most slo-mo, 60fps works just fine. If you;re looking to shoot stuff in super high speed like balloons popping and that kind of thing, you'd want to rent a Phantom camera, or something similar.
The T4i is a very impressive DSLR. If you are primarily a video shooter, the STM lenses are a good for videos but the problem is that the lenses are still not fast enough to focus on moving subjects. None the less it's still a good DSLR if you are just getting into DSLR filmmaking. If you do have an older body, it's best to skip this body. It still uses the same sensor as the T3i, and the auto focusing system still needs work.
Do you have one of the new STM lenses? How well is the new shorty fourty? The T4i is not something that I wish to upgrade to. That 899 price tag is the same price as the 60d, but the 60d offers a better poly carbonate (i think that is what it's called, I know for sure that it isn't magnesium alloy) body, faster shooting, better iso control, and it supports magic lantern.
I do not. I use the standard 18-55 lens. I don't actually have a good lens. The biggest sellers for me is the fact that is has an HDMI out which goes into the Blackmagic Intensity I already owned for video game capture, and the mic jack which allows for synced boom mic support, AND the 1080p. I should probably upgrade my lens, but as a camera body, it's fantastic! The touchscreen is nice too.
Alright, I didn't read a lot of the previous posts but I'm going to attempt to answer your initial question. The highest video quality you'll probably want is 1080p HD anything higher than that and you'll have to buy a powerhouse computer to render it out. So let's take a look at DSLRs. The Canon t3 is a terrific starting point for a beginner looking into manual focus. The downside is it doesn't give you much room to grow. So let's jump backwards to a camera that came out before the t3, the Canon t2i. This camera is going to allow to advance your skills. It shoots 1080p video. It also shoots 720p at 60fps which is outstanding for such a cheap camera. The t2i also supports an external mic which the t3 does not. The downside to the camera is the screen does not pop out and rotate. This can get annoying in some shooting scenarios. ex: Video of a flower close to the ground. The second camera you maybe interested in is a Canon t4i. The main difference is that the screen does pop out and that same screen is touch sensitive making navigation easier. These two differences cost an extra $200-$400 over the t2i depending on if you buy it used or new. As a photographer for 5 years and videographer for 2 years I suggest that you stick with your t3 for the time being. Use it to advance your skill in the editing room. Learn how to do slow motion while using 30fps. There is a lot you can learn from editing that will help you more in the long run. However if you have an extra $1000 lying around, buy the t2i and a mic setup.
Thank you! I actually did end up getting the T4i about 3 weeks ago. I already had a mic and boom pole, which is fantastic with the T4i as opposed to my T3. I used to have to manually sync up the audio I capture with a field record. Bloody painful, it was!
Oh, I actually forgot to mention something. I've been able to get very good video and edit it pretty well, except I'm getting a lot of shaky cam with moving shots and it's very hard to edit in post. My lens has stabilization, but it's not amazing. It's a pain to edit in post, so what is a good cost effective stabilizer for my SLR?
-edit- I'm not looking for a shoulder mount specifically, by the way. I tend to use a lot of different angles. Worst case scenerio, I'll just need to learn to be more steady when filming.
If you mount your camera on parallel to the rubber grip, rather than as shown, the curvy metal part acts as a great counter balance if you need a free hand to focus. The X-grip also has a shoe mount where you can add some external lights or mics.
Sorry if what I'm say is confusing xD I'll post a picture If I can find one.
I've been stuck with my Canon T1i for about 3 years now and for video, it serves me well haha although, I had to install magic lantern to enable full exposure control haha.
If I had to suggest a lens for you it would be the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. It's as sharp as the Canon 17-55 but cost waay cheaper. :D. If you want primes, then go for the Canon 35mm f/2 or Canon 28mm f/1.8 or Canon 50mm f/1.8
Film Riot is a great resource. freddiew and freddiew2 are great because you can see how they work with limited crew and what cameras they use. CorridorDigital are very similar to freddiew in that they have to be creative and efficient in their shooting. They do use a RED Scarlet now but before they were using more affordable cameras. If you want to use DSLRs check out Phillip Bloom's website. Shane Hurlbut and Vincent Laforet are a few other people you should look up.
After making our last two short films we learned a lot about how placement and movement of the camera coupled with good lighting add so much more than neither and a really nice camera. This boils down to get something that you can learn how to use. DSLRs aren't that complicated once you get past how ISO/Aperture/Shutter Speed work together.
I learned that the best thing to do is just have conversations with friends, and get ideas from funny moments in conversations and expand a joke. I usually film with about 2 or 3 random friends and one consistent partner. It's a great system!
