Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Filming with DSLR's?

profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
im going to pick up a new camera since my previous one broke and it was time for an upgrade anyways.
i was looking at vx2000's and dvx100's, etc, and the canon dslr's really caught my attentions but i was wondering; to get good quality video from say the t2i or t1i or even the 7d, do you have to buy a better lens or is the lens provided good enough to for crisp high quality video?
Apr 18 2010 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
I see lots of ppl doing it, switching to the DSLR, or as a backup. it gets great stills. and films. i personally think its just a camera w/ youtube mode. i dont know if they have the same functions as video cameras do, but i would still buy a video cam. ((i have a D300)) but do some diggin, look for reviews on youtube.

Good luck
Apr 18 2010 10:29PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
18-55 kit lens isn't that great. go to your local best buy or what have you and you will immediately know that its just a cheap, plastic lens without a focus ring. Not saying it doesn't give you good results and you definitely can still use it, its just that you are better off putting that $100 towards a better lens. Remember that with DSLR's you don't have a great auto focus mode during filming and that you are going to have to do it by hand, and with that kit lens you are going to be doing the focusing via menu and not on the lens itself.
Apr 18 2010 10:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8863 - Karma: 31,577
auto focus is one of the main cons of HDDSLRs what the deal with the AF?
Apr 18 2010 10:37PM
0 0
profile picture
Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
Don't ever use AF. Manual focus is key when shooting DSLR's. If you want to shoot action shots buy a fisheye and set the focus close to infinity, or any lens for that matter at least of action shots.

Before you go out and buy a T2i (best deal) or 7D, I'd highly suggest researching a shit ton. They are so new and they do produce great images but there are drawbacks also. I'd suggest lurking forums like Cinema 5D, Skateperceptions DSLR forum, etc. Also check out Vimeo for tests and comparisons. Learn about Aperture, shutter speeds, and exposure.

As for a beginning lens I'd suggest the Canon 50mm F1.8. Cheap at around 100 and it will give you a nice shallow depth of field. This is way sharper/better than the kit lens and you can use this for about anything. The one downfall is that it has a shitty focus ring.
Apr 18 2010 10:45PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
alright, im already kind of leaning away from dslr's
what camera do you guys suggest for no higher than $1000
it can be used, and ive found some good prices on vx2000's, and i have also been looking at hv40's?
any thoughts/advise
Apr 18 2010 10:47PM
0 0
profile picture
Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
camera with a youtube mode...ha
you clearly don't know the potential of them.
Apr 18 2010 10:48PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
if you are serious about filming, DVX100
Apr 19 2010 12:52AM
0 0
profile picture
dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
Seriously.  I work at a big time production studio and they've basically switched over to shooting 100% on 7D's.  We used to shoot mainly on super16, but the average joe, and even techie viewers can't tell the difference, especially with good lighting. 
Apr 19 2010 2:41AM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
they are the death to the 35mm adapter too: no need to over light a scene and cost the same as one too
Apr 19 2010 2:44AM
0 0
profile picture
Static
Posts: 8494 - Karma: 4,068
I disagree, I had a t1i for a few weeks and the AF worked fine. Cropped in(just enlarging on the lcd) for focusing there wasn't a difference between what I could pull by hand and what AF set to.
Apr 19 2010 6:56AM
0 0
profile picture
*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Get the Canon T2i.

HDDSLR's are great, its just they have limitations. You really need to manual focus. You can't record a clip longer then 12 minutes (not a big deal), and you really should get a new microphone. Check out these videos, they were all shot with a HDDSLR.



Apr 19 2010 10:17AM
0 0
profile picture
Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063

I bought the T2i, very similar to the 7D (video wise, if not the same) and it came with the kit lens.  Can't complain one bit about the quality of the video.  Shoots in 24p, 30p and 60 (in 720p).  Much better than "youtube" videos as one said earlier.  Quality is awesome even with the 18-55 kit lens.  Great for day shooting.

Apr 19 2010 12:21PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
do u have any skiing, skateboarding, etc. with it
Apr 19 2010 12:30PM
0 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
I have the D5000, which is probably the poorest quality DSLR video, but its still pretty damn impressive
it only shoots 24p, which sucks for slo mo, but its a very fun cam to film with, because at any moment I can switch to pictures instead

Apr 19 2010 1:10PM
0 0
profile picture
horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
Nikons HD video has a much more organic look. I like it better than canons HD. If only they could get their shit together and release a camera similar to the 7d.
Apr 19 2010 2:00PM
0 0
profile picture
RightCoastRiderK2
Posts: 39 - Karma: 41
what lens was used in that video?
Apr 19 2010 3:32PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Pros:
-interchangeable lenses
-sharp images
-large sensor = great lowlight, shallow DOF

Cons:
-AGC makes it so that you basically have to record sound on a separate system if you want anything quality.
-Aliasing, which is really the single biggest drawback to these cameras
-Lack of image controls

If you get a DSLR, you would need at least a Z-finder (or something similar), a steadicam or shoulder mount system, and a fast prime. Stock lenses suck. I highly recommend a follow focus, although it isn't essential.

If you're going a different route, an HV40 will blow a VX out of the water. A DVX will outperform both if you get good at using it.
Apr 19 2010 3:39PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
sooooo
HV40 vs. t2i
those are my top two choices
Apr 19 2010 9:11PM
0 0
profile picture
dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
If you're considering the HV40, it would be also be worth checking out canon's tapeless options.  I bought an HV20 a long time ago, so I haven't researched them recently, but i've seen some pretty good looking footage from them.
Apr 19 2010 10:25PM
0 0
profile picture
KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
i have a hv40 and love it, but i feel that it may be obsolete soon. HDSLRs arent perfect but they seem to be the future of budget filming
Apr 19 2010 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
I have a hv30, I kinda wish I got a DVX to get started with instead.
Apr 19 2010 10:53PM
0 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
the kit lens.
Apr 20 2010 12:01AM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
bumpppp
Apr 21 2010 7:17PM
0 0
profile picture
IrideWI
Posts: 2882 - Karma: 316
thinking about purcahsing a t2i
Apr 21 2010 8:14PM
0 0
profile picture
mattyb.
Posts: 6041 - Karma: 2,091
I got a t2i a little bit ago. It's a super fun camera, really small and light. I havent been able to play with it to much cause I have been in the hospital a month now. But I filmed one time that edited and uploaded. Just some shots around my ski house, nothing special. Oh and filmed on the kit lens.

http://vimeo.com/10156217
Apr 21 2010 9:12PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
heal up matty!
but just wondering what your thoughts for using this camera with the kit lens for making skiing, skateboarding, etc. edits.
do you think this cam with the kit lens would be good for fast moving things?
Apr 21 2010 9:28PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
yes, it will hold up fine. the 18mm end of the lens will work well for wideish shots, and as long as you arent zooming and you have everything on manual you should be fine. fast moving things? yes, it has 60p recording and even 30p works well. probably want to keep the camera incredibly stable and try to avoid handheld because the IS doesn't work as well as a video camera. The less vibrations, the better.
Apr 21 2010 9:38PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
so following a person is out of the question with a basic handle unless i get like a glidecam
Apr 21 2010 10:00PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61110 - Karma: 118,334
People should use glidecams anyway...
Apr 21 2010 10:05PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
its actually a combination of rolling shutter, aliasing, and small body size, so it NEEDs a stabilization system of some sort. The footage doesn't just shake, it becomes warped and distorted.
Apr 21 2010 10:19PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
Absolutely correct

and to eheath: definitely, its one of the pieces of equipment i'm not going to cheap out on
Apr 21 2010 10:25PM
0 0
profile picture
Max-Steeze
Posts: 448 - Karma: 171


heres an edit filmed with my d90 and tripod. 24fps
Apr 22 2010 1:13AM
0 0
profile picture
salomonskiier12
Posts: 2862 - Karma: 19
it seems like great video, the only problem must be stability...i mean what do you do yo keep it stable?  Make a handle?  Always carry a tripod??  Seems like stability wouold be the only issue.  unless they really are easy to keep stable...any input?
Apr 23 2010 11:20AM
0 0
profile picture
207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
god dayum, if you hadn't said so I would have figured it was filmed on a $800 video camera, not a DSLR camera. Haha, I have a D40 I'll have to try that out.
Apr 23 2010 11:57AM
0 0
profile picture
Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
the nikon d40 is probably the most underrated slr for video!
Apr 23 2010 3:03PM
0 0
profile picture
207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
haha the funny thing is, I've had it for like a year, taken 1000 pictures, and not a single video. I thought the FPS sucked but I gotta try soon.
Apr 23 2010 3:15PM
0 0
profile picture
Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
ok now i feel bad...
Apr 23 2010 4:51PM
0 0
profile picture
J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
bump
are there any traditional hd video cameras in the price range of teh t2i that even compete with it, that you recommend
May 25 2010 10:34PM
0 0
profile picture
Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
Like others said, the HV series and they are a bit cheaper by now, however they are tape format compared to the SD Card.  Check out my profile for the new edit I shot with the T2i.
May 26 2010 8:38AM
0 0
profile picture
Static
Posts: 8494 - Karma: 4,068
not that it's a bad thing
May 26 2010 8:56AM
0 0
profile picture
Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
That's very true, but in my mind, everything seems to be moving away from the tape format (p2 cards, sd cards).  For most people, its more time effective to use a card format (basically drag and drop) rather than capturing the clips you want from a tape.  Plus dirty heads suck.
May 26 2010 10:09AM
0 0
profile picture
LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/5d-mk-ii/video.htm

K-Rock has spoken. Amen.
May 26 2010 1:18PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Actually that's exactly what it is. Tapes are ass.

Sure I'm going to love pulling out my tape-based DVX when I'm in my late 20's, in the same way I love breaking out tape-based echo units for guitar, but relying on a tape workflow causes nothing but problems.
May 26 2010 3:24PM
0 0
profile picture
ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
The DVX will always have a place in my heart.  But this is true.  My DVX just ate a tape the other day.....
May 26 2010 7:20PM
0 0
profile picture
mak
Posts: 700 - Karma: 167
oh my god! why did I even buy my 7d?!!??
May 26 2010 10:53PM
0 0
profile picture
japollner
Posts: 1699 - Karma: 459
Ken Rockwell is an overly opinionated Hack.  If he is talking about quantitative data, I will listen, but half the time, his jibber jabber is just that.  "I like this lens because it looks nice to me.  You should like it too.  Click on these links so I can feed my kids."
May 29 2010 8:03PM
0 0
profile picture
Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149

The panasonic hs700 looks good for what it is.  60p 1080 on a handy cam is dope.  I wouldnt personally get it but if your looking to just film your friends and have no real desire to really learn everything about filming it could be a good bet.

May 29 2010 8:53PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)