The 50mm f1.8 is about $120, this is quite zoomed and can't really get up close. Especially on the cropped sensor of the T2i/3i and 7d.

The Tokina is about $550, I can't comment on it because I don't own one.

go to dpreview.com.... all the info you need is there

that's with a cheap lens???

that looks GREAT!

DSLR are great for erotic, solo and x-art style porn...

For wall to wall porn ( aka gonzo) better go with a dedicated video camera

So were looking at around $700 for the same setup? Apologies. So many different names and specs I'm a little confused.. It's like code.

The camera "out of the box" as stated in - http://vimeo.com/9744624 ,

T2i
No cc
Out of the box picture style standard
Canon 50mm f1.8
Tokina 12mm-24mm f4

So that's just for the lenses and addons? how much for the t2i itself?

Thanks for the info you've already given.. I was just about to buy a canon vixia, but am totally into really getting into something new and learning about it.

$600-$700 for the body.

It's not uncommon to spend a lot more on the lenses than the body.

you in LA? hit me up with an email... photo at wanton dot com

I replied in my profile. I'm from across the pond.

Interesting,

so we are looking at $600-700 on the body, and another $600-700 on lenses too?

My favorite lens is my Sigma 30mm 1.4 which only ran me about $300.

The $100 50mm Canon lens will get you pretty decent results too. Search for videos on Vimeo that utilize it. It's just that you're going to get a pretty close to first person pov out of it on the camera.

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 :)