replied :thumbsup

I have lenses that cost upward $7K :2 cents:

I realize the real defined lenses are going to cost an arm and a leg.

But I'm looking for a simple good DSLR starter kit just for the learning curve. Still find it difficult to find an accurate quote on just the t2i body, and some basic good starter lenses that go with it.

You can always rent and test different lenses until you can buy one you like. If you have a couple bucks you can rent a body as well but its like 120 bucks for 2 weeks. I am just making an assumption that you are not looking to spend much on this due to budget? Just going by the flow of posts. if that is not the case rent the body and a lens for 2 weeks or so and play with it. If you like the camera then buy one and keep renting lenses until you find the ones you love then buy them if you can afford em.

http://www.borrowlenses.com/

Best of luck

Get the T3i instead. The flip-out LCD screen really comes in handy for shooting from low angles and from high angles. I think the "kit lens" is 18mm to 55mm which is a good all around lens at a decent price. As you get more experience and more comfortable shooting, you can replace that lens with more expensive lenses that offer more variety.

Canon T3i body & lens!


Feel free to contact me directly if I can help you in any way. My contact info is in my sig -

just get the kit lens that comes with the body... pretty simple really :2 cents:

Looks pretty slick for out of the box!
From all the people I know who own it it gets a +10 for mobility and weight.

Dean,

as always quite the gentlemen.

It certainly is appreciated and I just might take you up on that offer!

By the way,

how does it perform in low light?

I have seen some incredible stuff in low light at night with a set of bright stars or a full moon with other DSLR samples. It's one of the aspects I'm interested in testing. Done anything similar?

Thanks again for the link, I think I just might go ahead and pop for it. I was about to set out to buy a really nice camera and another video camera as well.. Looks like I might get some utility out of this bad boy.

Body doesn't matter for low light. It depends on the f-stop of the lens.

The kit lens is shite in low light, however that 50mm 1.8-f can see better than me.

Well,

then the night lens of choice should definitely be one of the few I pop for at the get go.

It's not completely without light, on clear nights outside of the city, the stars provide quite an effective light source for beautiful shots. So does a full moon.

I haven't shot my T3i in low light so I don't have any info on that for you. I have shot the 5D Mark II in relatively low light and it does a great job. If there is noise in the footage that I want to get rid of, I can run a noise reduction plugin in post...and that'll clean it up just beautifully.

If you plan to shoot a lot in low light, that kit lens will work if up turn up the ISO. Of course that will introduce some noise but if you don't have big budget, that's the best way to go about it. If you do have nice budget, you can pick up better lenses for low light shooting.

And just remember, this camera is manual focus and manual exposure. Unless you have time and patience to deal with that, it'll be better to shoot video on a dedicated video camera.

for porn I would think you would need a wide angle lens depending on your location. But in a bedroom you could get the camera pretty close. In a studio you could use a prime lens.

Very good reminder indeed. Something to seriously consider. I don't mind spending an extra couple of hundred on the ideal lens for night shooting (star light, moonlight, etc).

I also have no problems with manual exposure (does it stay set to the last setting?). But one serious consideration is no auto-focus. But I still think it all might be worth the hassle.

What I was considering before this was a Canon Vixia (hadn't chosen which exact model yet) for a dedicated VC for around the same price. But having the option of the really great camera with the really great video in one is definitely a selling point as well.

Shouldn't have any problems with the manual focus at night, once it's pulled properly for "star depth" it should be ok.. and that is the only time I need to be able to film quickly with it. For the other uses I should have plenty of time to pull focus.

The DSLR's just look so bloody fantastic, it's really hard not to want to lean that direction, plus the added camera too. But I understand what you mean about the dedicated video camera. It's a difficult thought.

Also,

for editing.. you think Sony Vegas? Might need a little bit of new hardware for the editing. But I am ready to get knee deep into this, I am a fast learner and I have fairly decent taste for an amateur eye.

Again,

thanks for all the helpful info Dean & Mafia. It is VERY much appreciated. :thumbsup

I'm almost there,

but I might end up asking one more simple question or two :Oh crap But I am already feeling a whole lot better about the situation, you guys rock!

I should be able to figure out the editing by myself sooner or later, but what is of true importance is getting the right machinery first and I can't thank you guys enough for the help.

Ok,

enough research for one day. My brain is officially spent.

Still a bit torn between the ideal Vixia vs the T3i. I know which has the better quality. But total function must be considered.

Will continue tomorrow and ask a couple more minor questions, thanks again guys :thumbsup

Definitely grab the 50mm f/1.8 - it's a steal at $125

Here's a nice rig that rivals the ones that cost $2k plus. I've had mine for about a week now and love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Star-Rever...6144656&sr=8-2

Will definitely be picking this up as my one extra starter lens other than the kit lens.

Bookmarked the rig for future reference too, thanks:thumbsup

Also worth mention Panasonic GH2 with Hack

I also want to buy an t3i.

Looks good.

pics are good with L series glass, but if your going to do that I'de step up to a 7d.

I shoot all of my pics and vids with my Canon eos 7D!!! it's alot more work, but worth it in the end, the quality is unbeatable...


"I didn't read all the posts before posting this"

Yeah,

I was reading about this last night. Apparently you have to get it before 2010 though, because they rectified it.

But I saw some of the video from it, fucking amazing.

It's weird how it happens when your buying something,

first your going to spend $800, then it turns to $1000.. then you find yourself contemplating $1500 models.

DAMN.

It's definitely down between the Vixia (whichever model is best for a grand, hf200?) and the T3i.

I'll do some more research and shut my mouth for now, I guess it comes down to what is best in low light. Although the no auto-focus option on the t3i does hurt, if it weren't for that it would be over with.

that's a great price... the matt box and rails for the sony nex fs1100 was comming in at 2K

Sony has a nice little dedicated video cam with an interchangeable lens system that you can find for around $1500 if you're looking in the right places.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CGoQ8wIwAw

Nice,

but I'm definitely going to go with either the T3i that Dean suggested, or the dedicated Vixia (not sure which model is the best for a grand yet). I would step up and get the G10, but I just don't want to step up to $1500 yet.

A little over a grand all included is where I want to be with a good learner piece.

Does anyone know if the T3i has auto-focus on the video for sure? I've read conflicting stories.

I know the Canon updated the Vixia's this year,

which leaves my figuring out the difference between the HF 200, and what this year's version of it is. If there is one.

The T3i does have an auto-focus feature but it's nothing like you're used to using on a typical video camera. Basically, you compose your image looking at the LCD screen on the back. On the LCD screen there is a little box that you can move around the frame. You move that box to what you want to focus on, then push a button and the camera will focus on that spot. It'll hunt around a bit before it locks down on focus. To focus on another area, move the box to that area, push down the button and the camera will re-focus to that spot. It's not smooth and it's not pretty. You'll definitely have to cut out that part of your footage. I've found it faster to just focus manually.

As I mentioned before, shooting with DSLR is nothing like shooting with a traditional video camera :)

Thanks again Dean,

some of my other video cameras have spot focus so I'm familiar with it.

What are your views on the Canon Vixia, if any? I've seen some incredible looking stuff come out of those things.. but I'm worried about low light. I hear the G10 is killing it.

Ok,

so Tuesday I am making the purchase final and I'll stop chipping away at this thread.

It's still down to a dedicated Vixia (unsure which model is ideal yet) or the T3i with a couple of essential lenses.

I think after the lenses and everything with the T3i I will be looking at around $1100, and that is what I really want to spend.. Around a grand or less for a good learning curve camera. The Vixia HF G10 is about $1500, and I hear great things about it.

I know the quality is unbeatable on the T3i for this price range, but I'm unsure of it's practicality.

Anyone got some hands on knowledge about the Vixia range?

This company should have something for the fs100. I can add longer rails, so this may work already.

GH1 and GH2 can be hacked, I paid for mine $950 Dollars with 14-42 kit lens. video way better then my canon 60D. Photo quality canon beats GH2 but for video with the hack applied none of the canons beat the GH2

i have the t3i and honestly i miss my GL1 minus the hassle of tapes. i think you're better off with a dedicated video camera i dont recommend it for starters. you will need a wide angle lens if you do pov also, they can be had cheap on ebay under 30 bucks or so but the AF is a pain i'm not used to hassling with. try fiddling around making sure everything is in focus while youre fucking. you will need both hands to operate this camera so if youre into tittygrabbing or asssmacking forget about it for your POV vids

Here's a cheap solution for follow focusing on your DSLR. Pretty simple and ingenious. I have one and it works as advertised.

http://www.dslrsolutions.net

no kidding :(

that's great :thumbsup

The first time I saw it, it was one of those "Duh, why the fuck didn't I think of that" moments.

It's really useful when I don't feel like running putting the cam in the rig.

my work flow doesn't really have room for manuel focus but still it's very cool indeed. vid cans will catch up in a few years after the RD is paid for. the nex fs100 is basically a DSLR in a video cam body...

I can't wait for my FS100. I have actually be toying with the idea of buying one now and just selling the one I get when it arrives.

I don't really have much patience, especially when it comes to new gear.

this is working for now:

http://www.strangebabes.com/set0.jpg

We bought this as well and enjoy it :thumbsup

Looks like he's building quite a following if students and pros alike are snatching them up.

$89 for the set was a great deal.

Yes,

this does loom in my mind. Seems like a bit of trouble.

Probably clever of me to save that purchase for the near future once I learn a bit through a couple other devices like the new vixia g10 or the t3i.

I like you Shimmy, full of advice and willingness to share knowledge :thumbsup

Thanks for the good advice fella, think I'm going with the Vixia G10 for the learning curve, after I heard about it's brand new low light performance chip.

Thanks man,

I'm bookmarking all these gold tips of yours. It truly is appreciated.

Looks like you've been having a serious crack at things.

To all those who have given me such sound advice and been so helpful,

thankyou :thumbsup

I know I kind of hi-jacked this thread, but at least it sent me into the purchase of a new learning curve camera.

I will definitely be getting the T3i DSLR, and also in future a GH (hopefully I can figure out the hack) I say all within another 6 months to a year.

But for now,

I chose the Canon Vixia HF G10 dedicated video camera for the learning curve, MAINLY because of the new image sensor that is said to be the best in the business at lowlight (and that is one of my main points for buying a new piece).

I will shoot some footage once I get the hang of it and upload it for a couple to check out.. ordered it from 6ave.com , got one of the last in stock at $1300.

Something I found along the way is the Canon Vixia HF M40 for $560 at 6ave.com (THIS IS A MAJOR FUCKING STEAL) some people should consider it for a backup. I might get one in future at that price.

Thanks again to everywhere, will be keeping you posted.

Canon has a huge announcement in the video department in November.

I got a Cannon 60D it's pretty nice... :D