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DLSR or Video camera

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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032
I just don't know which to turn to... I was kind of leaning towards a DLSR and it would be a canon t2i or t3i... But a good video camera would be good too. Help?
Feb 21 2013 1:16PM
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eheath
Posts: 61090 - Karma: 118,082
First of all, lets start with your budget, how much money do you have to spend? Like absolute maximum.

Second, what will you mostly be shooting? Just skiing?
Feb 21 2013 1:35PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032

My budget is probably around 500 would be maximum.

I will be shooting a lot of stuff. Mostly skiing but skateboarding, biking, etc.

Feb 21 2013 1:40PM
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eheath
Posts: 61090 - Karma: 118,082
So here's a huge issue, $500 is gonna get you a t2i body at most and maybe a kit lens if you're lucky. Yes, you can shoot video with just a t2i and a kit lens but its not favorable over a $500 video camera.


So, that being said, check out a canon or panasonic handy-cam type HD camera, should be able to find one for 400-500 bucks.
Feb 21 2013 1:43PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032
I take that back like 600 or 700 would be max
Feb 21 2013 1:43PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
still get the camcorder
Feb 21 2013 1:46PM
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eheath
Posts: 61090 - Karma: 118,082
Definitely still pushing it for a functional dslr setup.

Check out this little cam, seems like a solid choice:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/838769-REG/Canon_M52_VIXIA_HF_M52_Full.html

or this guy is even better, but more expensive:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/838813-REG/Panasonic_HC_X900M_HC_X900M_High_Definition_Camcorder.html

Just a couple ideas, hope it helps. Also consider buying like a cheap handle for a video cam like this and maybe a cheap tripod too and you can upgrade to maybe a nice tripod and glidecam or even a dslr setup when you have more money/are more serious about filmmaking. For now, just get one of these handicams.
Feb 21 2013 1:47PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032

Ok thanks I will definitely look into hand held video cameras. I have this camera right now http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749857-REG/Panasonic_HDC_TM41H_HDC_TM41_High_Definition_Flash.html

but I am using a gopro hero 2 mostly.

Feb 21 2013 1:52PM
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eheath
Posts: 61090 - Karma: 118,082
Oh i see hmm, maybe just save up some more money for a better cam then? the pani i posted would be an upgrade but you would probably barely notice.
Feb 21 2013 1:54PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
^why are you suggesting the x900 over tm900/700?
Feb 21 2013 1:54PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032

I am planning on selling the pani idk what price yet, but I have like 400 right now. If I do upgrade would you suggest a cam caddie or just use without anything?

Feb 21 2013 1:58PM
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eheath
Posts: 61090 - Karma: 118,082
because its cheaper?
Feb 21 2013 2:01PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J3V90Y/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

What do you think of this too? it is about the same as the hand held

Feb 21 2013 2:04PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
There's one other thing you need to decide. Are you going to want to spend more money in the future on it? Personally if I had $700 I'd get a dslr and then save in the future for more lenses and gear. A camcorder would be good but you can't upgrade it in the future (or at least easily), if that matters to you. Obviously like heath said a t2i and kit lens isn't exactly the best setup but if you are ready to upgrade later than it can work.
Plus there have been planty of good edits filmed iwth the kit lens. Its the way you film it.

Feb 21 2013 2:07PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
you sure it is? In Scotland it's a lot cheaper for the tm900/700, And isn't the x900m the one up from the tm900(which I heard was better In most respects weirldy enough), and the tm900 is the one up from the tm700(but I've heard the only real improvements are low light capability and the os, but not a great improvement for either)
Feb 21 2013 2:08PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
for exclusively filming, you won't be dissapointed with a good video camera, but you might be dissapointed with a dslr.
Feb 21 2013 2:09PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032
I really think that is what I will do but I will get a t3i with a basic lense kit and just a cam caddie or something like that till I can upgrade a little bit. It is totally about finding those good shots too that sounds really good.
Feb 21 2013 2:13PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Yeah you might be, but I think it's worth it for when you upgrade it later, plus use for photos if op ever wants to try that.
Feb 21 2013 3:44PM
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DANIELMORTENSEN
Posts: 272 - Karma: 1,032
Yeah that is probably what I will do just got to save a little moire money
Feb 22 2013 10:43AM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
agree 100%
Feb 22 2013 12:25PM
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mortamus13
Posts: 5 - Karma: 16
There's a lot of extra crap you'll have to get with a DSLR to give it the functionality of a camcorder. Not to mention they can't shoot for extended periods of time. I shoot on a Panasonic HVX. The DVX is its SD little brother that you could find pretty cheap on ebay. It's a good professional-prosumer camera that can get you great footage without being high def.
Mar 8 2013 12:21AM
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