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Looking for a decent HD DSLR setup

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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Hi guys, I am getting into filming and photography this year, but I'm not rich enough to get separate photo and film setups, so I was thinking about getting a HD DSLR, with which I could do both.

The most obvious choice for my budget (let's say 2000-2500 for the whole setup) is the T2i. I'd get the kit with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens (not the basic kit): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680673-REG/Canon_4462B005_Canon_EOS_Rebel_T2i.html

Now I know this probably isn't the best lens, but would it be good to get started with photography and experiment so after I know what kind of lens I want to expand to?

On the filming side, I'm gonna need a fisheye, I was thinking one of these two:

Canon Fisheye EF 15mm f/2.8 Autofocus
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12069-GREY/Canon_2535A003_Fisheye_EF_15mm_f_2_8.html
Sigma f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/535763-USA/Sigma_477_101_10mm_f_2_8_EX_DC.html

As for the accessories, I am for sure getting a tripod, a glidecam, a camera pack, extra memory cards, etc. But I was wondering if, when you've got the battery grip on the T2i, if you can still put it on a tripod/glidecam, because if I can't it would be pretty useless getting the battery grip for me, I'd just get extra batteries.

And before anybody tells me to upgrade my computer before I get a HD camera, I've got the latest 17" Macbook pro, so that won't be a problem.

Thanks a lot to anybody who helps me!
Jun 15 2010 11:54AM
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TomasAa
Posts: 585 - Karma: 699
Of course you can use your t2i with batterygrip on a glidecam! Check out the cheap off-market battery grips on ebay.

I have the t2i and the 18-135mm ef-s lense myself. Its not great, but def much better than the 18-55 kit lense! Its ok.

You should also get the canon 50mm f1.8. Its prettymuch just plastic, but very sharp and cheap! Also you should invest in a proper sound setup... Like a zoom h4n, or Beachtek adapter with the option to turn AGC off!

If you want some real good lenses, check out zeiss.
Jun 15 2010 12:05PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Alright, thanks for the advice. Since I'm gonna be filming more in the winter, and I've got a decent summer job, I'll wait till the end of the summer to buy my fisheye, so I can get a better one. You recommended Zeiss, so I looked into them, and they indeed look like really good lenses. The one that seemed the best was this one : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655185-REG/Zeiss_1762_827_Distagon_T_18mm_f_3_5.html But is it worth the hefty price tag? Is it that much better than the 650$ sigma I put in my OP? And yeah my question about the battery grip might have been a little stupid, but since the battery grip seems to screw in the tripod hole (or atleast covers it), I wasn't sure.
Jun 15 2010 1:03PM
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TomasAa
Posts: 585 - Karma: 699
If you want a sweet wideangle lense. Check out the tokina 11-16mm! Its pretty much out of stock everywere right now cus its so popular, but I think adorama has some kind of pre-orderlist.. Its def worth the wait.

That 18mm zeiss prime is def better than the sigma, but expensive.. I would go for the tokina
Jun 15 2010 1:14PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Alright I'll check that out. Thanks!
Jun 15 2010 1:43PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
the tokina 11-16 is pretty much the tits. Great low light and super super wide. Get it, its worth EVERY penny.
Jun 15 2010 1:53PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Great, seems like it's exactly what I need. Now I just have to try and find one
Jun 15 2010 4:10PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Oh and sorry for the double post, but I have a little question about editing programs. Right now I have the Adobe master collection CS5, with premiere pro and after effects, and I've learned a bit how to use them. But next year I'm gonna be studying Televisual Production, and the editing program they use is called Avid. I had never heard about it before and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it.
Jun 15 2010 4:13PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Get on the Adorama waiting list ASAP. This is easily the most fun lens I have ever shot with. It kills it in every scenario: landscape; portraiture; POV; astronomical timelapses...
At $700 it's kind of spendy for most budgets, but for how fast, sharp, and wide this is, its a steal.
Jun 15 2010 4:17PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
You don't need zeiss glass...


I'd also suggest getting a veiwfinder and maybe some sort of cage system with rails if you can afford it.
Jun 15 2010 4:32PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Alright, thanks alot everybody
Jun 15 2010 4:43PM
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powday
Posts: 3055 - Karma: 326
my threads because im pretty much in the same boat as this guy...
Jun 15 2010 5:05PM
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Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
pentax (super-tak) 50mm is legit.
Jun 15 2010 5:46PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
What do you mean by a cage system, I think I kind of get the idea but I can't find anything on google.
Jun 15 2010 6:29PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
you need to custom build a computer for avid, just use final cut pro if you have a mac.
Jun 15 2010 6:32PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Custom build a computer? What the hell. Anyways I couldn't find any torrents for FCP and I'm definitely not gonna shell out 1000$ for it. Is it that much better than Adobe premiere pro?
Jun 15 2010 6:35PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
go to www.vuze.com and download that and then just search "final cut pro 7". honestly its probably not that much better than premiere haha but whatever its up to you to decide.
Jun 15 2010 7:07PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
Just a rig that holds your camera, usually has rods for attaching follow focuses and usually has some sort of shoulder mount option and a handle option too.
Jun 15 2010 7:15PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Alright thanks
Jun 15 2010 7:18PM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
remember there is a 1.6x crop, so for fisheyes you need ones made for the crop if that makes any sense
Jun 15 2010 11:23PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
Yeah the cannon 15mm is not going to work
Try the nikon 10.5 and get an adaptor ring so it works on your camera, it's such a sharp/fun lens, and it's made for the crop
Jun 15 2010 11:40PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
well a 15 would work it just wouldnt be as wide. 10mm on a 1.6x is PRETTY wide but i suppose 10mm crop = 16mm full but 15mm wouldnt be bad on your crop, 24mm roughly but still quite wide.
Jun 16 2010 1:28AM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
The 10.5 is meant for 1.5x crop nikon sensors (DX line of cameras) The t2i is 1.6x, so only a tiny bit of crop, it will not be super noticable and it's an awesome sharp lens, made specifically for crop sensors.
Jun 16 2010 7:15AM
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Bukkakeskitrip
Posts: 5677 - Karma: 95
http://www.monova.org/details/2991224/FINAL%20CUT%20PRO%207.html
Jun 16 2010 7:24AM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
Nikon D3s. nuf said.
Jun 16 2010 7:05PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
nikon is better optically. if u want the mag shots, you need good lenses. that basically settles the nikon vs canon dispute.


Jun 16 2010 7:06PM
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IrideWI
Posts: 2882 - Karma: 316
good thread, thanks for the info guys
Jun 16 2010 7:24PM
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Kopacz
Posts: 295 - Karma: 67
sorry to thread jack, just a quick question:
is it a bad idea to get the 7d over the t2i if i am just starting out with no previous experience with cameras.
thanks
Jun 16 2010 7:36PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
something like this is what i was talking about

Click for larger image
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=213370
Jun 16 2010 8:20PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
Also great if you don't want any good frame rates...

I actually have been using nikon glass on my t2i.
Jun 17 2010 9:53AM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
The fact that you said if you want the mag shots leads me to believe you've never gotten a "mag" shot. Canon L glass is just as good as any nikon lens, if not better.
Jun 17 2010 3:03PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,095
Not to mention canons superior bodys for sports photog.
Jun 17 2010 3:03PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Actually, "better" is subjective in this case. Both brands have certain personalities. I personally like Nikon glass much more, but Nikon's body's get smoked by Canon for video purposes ergo, this cat dont know shittt
Jun 17 2010 3:19PM
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TheGreen
Posts: 504 - Karma: 41
Well thanks everybody for the advice, I'm pretty decided on what I'm gonna get now, I just need to wait for my next paycheck. Can't wait!
Jun 17 2010 9:00PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
What is it about the cannon cams better then nikon for sports photog?
and dude, nikon is all about their glass, they are an optical company.
about the lenses, you will not sell anything that has CA or diffraction.
Jun 17 2010 9:07PM
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LBJJ
Posts: 683 - Karma: 1,730
I just bought almost the same exact setup.

Proaim quick release rail system and CPM film tools cage and top handle,


ALSO- Jag35 is coming out with their new V3 follow focus early july and will be available more often due to better manufacturing methods and maybe even a little cheaper
Jun 17 2010 11:51PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
dope to hear about a cheap FF
Jun 18 2010 5:05PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
This is retarded. Any sub-$1,000 lens is going to have at least a little CA. Just because it has a Nikon logo on it doesn't automatically make it better.
Jun 18 2010 5:12PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
I am not saying that nikon lenses are free of CA and defraction, every lens, no matter the price has it, nikon, canon, olympis, etc. The fact that nikon takes great care, has the technoligy and resources is why they make better glass.
Jun 18 2010 9:36PM
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Static
Posts: 8484 - Karma: 4,033
I got a mag shot once, took it with a shitty p and s, half page print in freeskier. O yea.
Jun 19 2010 7:32AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
then again, it's freeskier..
Jun 19 2010 3:06PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Again, this is all subjective.

I like my $20 Helios lens more than Canon L-glass, but does that make it "better?"
Jun 19 2010 3:33PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
/canon vs nikon vs other camera brands argument, never ends well.
Jun 19 2010 3:48PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
There really is no argument. All glass has its own distinct personality. Many people (including myself) find Nikon "better" than Canon's glass. At the same time, many people feel Canon's image is "superior." It's completely personal, which is why I feel its ridiculous to tell somebody that one brand is objectively better than the other. Obviously, Zeiss CP or Leicas are nicer than still lenses, but you're comparing two lenses that are mediocre for cinema purposes anyway, so it's not like Nikon glass is in some superior league by any measure.
Jun 19 2010 3:58PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
exactly.
and yes, everyone has an opinion.
Jun 19 2010 4:36PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
ZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Jun 19 2010 5:56PM
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