ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

12 years, 6 months ago - Shoaib Vali

no one mentioned Canon 7D yet?, its a great bit of kit that is pretty versatile given that it takes ef and efs lenses, always kinda thought that would be the staple for quite a few newbies, the 50fps function is great at getting some cool smooth slo-mo shots should the need arise. With Canon 5Diii out now, the 7D should be reasonably cheap...But it does come down to the lenses that you buy, that would ultimately be what you should be aiming for, getting some great lenses, but as your using it for blogs, something like a 35mm or 50mm prime would suit. I've been using the 7D for about 3 years now, and purchased mine early last year, and still love it.

12 years, 6 months ago - Ross Leeson

At the end of the day a camera is a camera, its one part of the kit albeit an important one. Just start making films and be positive. Oh and don't underestimate how hard and important getting sound right is.

12 years, 6 months ago - James Northcote

As for camera bodies I really am not an expert (I was basically making the same decision from the same position last year). My vote would go to the panasonic gh2. Its not too expensive (about 500-600), has been used to shoot some recent micro budget feature films and is a micro 4/3 system camera so you can basically put any lens you choose to buy/borrow with the right adapter. Zak is right, lenses are the key (along with a million other things like, lighting) but for a good value body with a ridiculously fine high definition video, even better when hacked in my opinion, the GH2 is pretty special in my mind. I bought a panasonic gh3 (about 1000 without lens) recently to replace my old DV Canon XM2 because i wanted something a bit more solid for shooting promotional work but the GH2 is so close in quality and so much cheaper I think its amazing. The sony's like the nex7 are also brilliant and have probably a better colour palate out of the box (correct me if i'm wrong anyone) and are ridiculously portable. The low end canon's like the 550d are also probably just as good for what you are thinking about doing. I'd go dslr but then thats just me.

You probably already have but check out eoshd.com if you're tempted by a gh2 or any other dslr, he know's what he's talking about,

12 years, 6 months ago - ZAK SHUKOR

re: GH2- i mentioned earlier start with a 50mm, so with a GH2 the equivalent would be a 25mm. (50mm i guess is the same as how your eyes sees things that's why i advised this). re: T3i-Any camera you buy whether it be a GH2 T3i 7D is a personal choice. When i buy a new camera or lens i watch hours upon hours of footage then decide. youtube is great for this, type in the camera model and 'footage' or 'test' or 'film' and you'll get an idea from pro's to hobbyist to get a wide range of usage from everyone. just one more thing - expensive doesn't mean amazing results-in my opinion. trial and error ay Vicki? google or youtube Phillip Bloom & Drew Network to name a few people who can give you years of knowledge. Good luck!!

12 years, 6 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

For DSLRs, there's one thing to be warned about, the full frame verses the smaller frame. If you get a 600d, and use a full frame lens (a quality lens like an l-lens), you don't get the full picture, instead only part of the image is received by the computer chip. This means that the room is suddenly smaller, everything is more close up than you expected.

But, if you get EF-S lenses, the smaller frames made for these compact DSLRs, and later upgrade to a mk ii or mk iii or higher, then you'll find that there's a lot of black in the camera.

If you're not looking at upgrading your lens kit, I'd recommend something like a Legria. Sure, it's not a "professional" standard, but the sound is much better than any DSLR, and you won't get better picture quality in your price range. It hooks up nicely to a tripod, and films full HD, and you'll still have money left over for sd cards and other essential accessories.

12 years, 6 months ago - ZAK SHUKOR

That cinematic look you're after is more to do with the lenses you will invest in, camera bodies come and go. Invest in prime lenses not zooms. Start with a 50mm prime and build from there. With your budget you can pick up old Nikkor Kogaku non AI lenses for under £100, these old ones are good as they are non coated and give a flattish image with gorgeous bokeh, in my opinion. These lenses depending on what camera you buy might need an adapter but don't let that put you off, as it'll justify the results you want. I don't really buy off eBay when it comes to these lenses but from a co. in the US which deals with top quality second hand lenses, my point being don't buy off eBay but off a reputable dealer. I wish I could write more but it would border on being a novel. :) but glad to help if I can

12 years, 6 months ago - Vicki Helyar

Thanks for the further comments. I will do some research on the suggestions. Thank you.

12 years, 6 months ago - Vicki Helyar

This whole camera IS a can of worms, you didn't open them!
Thanks for that. Although I understand what you guys are saying, it's hard to really understand fully, I imagine, until I get there - but obviously you're suggesting to buy the correct lens for a GH2, so that the picture doesn't end up looking to wide, is that right?
Also, thanks for the mic advice - that's my next can of worms...

12 years, 6 months ago - Diarmuid Keane

I have a 7D and it is great. I bought it from this site http://www.digitalrev.com with a full UK warranty. Trust me I searched high and low for the best price.

12 years, 6 months ago - ZAK SHUKOR

Vicky, have we opened a can of worms? lol.
Vasco is correct on the chip size ie. on a GH2 your 50mm lens would be 100mm...correct me if im wrong James & Aaron. Talk to the dealer if it's a DSLR you're going for concerning this and yes whether it's DSLR or HD cam etc. re: Ross-sound is more important than anything else. Personally on this i'm quite strict. With your budget try get a H2N recorder and get a decent mic (RODE is good for starters)then upgrade when you made your first million ;)

12 years, 6 months ago - Vicki Helyar

This whole camera THING, I meant to say - see what it's done to me?!

12 years, 6 months ago - Vicki Helyar

Thanks everyone. I've read these over a few times and taken notes - am going to research these suggestions and check out the links. Thank you for your help.

12 years, 6 months ago - Vicki Helyar

Hi all

If you could spare the time - what do you think of the Canon T3i? It's had loads of good reviews. It's a bit pricier (along with everything else I have to buy), but if it's worth it I'd wait a couple of more weeks and save up.

Thanks.

Vicki

12 years, 6 months ago - aaron trinder

I also vote for the GH2 which you can supplement with old Canon FD lenses cheaply off ebay plus an adaptor. Check out the hacks for the GH2, particularly Flowmotion 2.02, and the Driftwood hacks. You can read up on the GH2 at http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?175-Panasonic-GH-Cameras