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June, 2025

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Camera help needed!!!

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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
I am considering getting a camera for this upcoming season—while I already have a photography DSLR that works fine for videos, I don't find it suitable for filming action sports. I've also used gopros, but I don't like their filming style (that high-res wide go-pro look) and I want to lean towards more skater-esque cameras.
The real question is if I can mod my current Nikon D3200 to make it a fisheye, or if I should just lean towards a film camera that can do zooms and fisheye without all focus hassle that I experience on this photography camera.
Below I have filled in the sticky questionnaire:
—————————————————————
1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
Preferably somewhere under 300$ with plenty of possibility to invest in the future

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?
I am experienced with cameras. Used gopro 3, 7 for edits before. Currently using a Nikon D3200 for personal projects. Used JVC Camcorders, and Canon film cameras for short films. I can figure out how to use a new camera interface pretty quickly.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
Nikon D3200 with 55m and 200m lenses. Gopro Hero 3, 7, (black) accessories. Camera cage. Tripod with a broken leg.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)
This camera (if neccesary) would be for filming skiing and b-roll for squad edits. Could also be used for other projects in which dad-cam skater video (dad-cam zooms, fisheye, etc) is stylistically preferred.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
Not a huge problem but it shouldn't be a pain to operate. I plan on also being filmed.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)
Follow cams, usually. Open to other styles. My friends are snowboarders which is why I am hesitant to give them a decent setup and prefer to just give them the gopro (even though it looks like shit)

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
I use a macbook pro. For some reason I only have 500gb on my drive but i have an external drive or two that I use for storing raw clips when i'm done with projects. I don't want to work with huge files, nor do I want to work with tape.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
I use fcpx and I am probably at a 6 or 7.

---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?
Yes
2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?
Not much
3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?
Not really
4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?
Sure!
5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
I want to ski too, so i'm not doing all the filming.

Thanks for the help!
5 years ago
3 0
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P-wurps
Posts: 215 - Karma: 1,207
shinbangclanI am considering getting a camera for this upcoming season—while I already have a photography DSLR that works fine for videos, I don't find it suitable for filming action sports. I've also used gopros, but I don't like their filming style (that high-res wide go-pro look) and I want to lean towards more skater-esque cameras.
The real question is if I can mod my current Nikon D3200 to make it a fisheye, or if I should just lean towards a film camera that can do zooms and fisheye without all focus hassle that I experience on this photography camera.

Not sure what you mean by looking for a camera that can do zooms and fisheye? It's the lens that will give you the fisheye look and with a d3200 you can just get a Rokinon 8mm for like $200 or less on ebay. Set to f/8 and everything will be in focus.
5 years ago
5 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
P-wurpsNot sure what you mean by looking for a camera that can do zooms and fisheye? It's the lens that will give you the fisheye look and with a d3200 you can just get a Rokinon 8mm for like $200 or less on ebay. Set to f/8 and everything will be in focus.


by zooms I mean that slide zoom that a lot of camcorders have via a little knob or dial or something. With the d3200 its a manual adjustment of the lens width which isn't very smooth. Thank you for the reccomendation!
5 years ago
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P-wurps
Posts: 215 - Karma: 1,207
shinbangclanby zooms I mean that slide zoom that a lot of camcorders have via a little knob or dial or something. With the d3200 its a manual adjustment of the lens width which isn't very smooth. Thank you for the reccomendation!


oh gotcha, I'm not too familiar with Nikon lenses but sony does have a few for the E mount that are power zooms like the 18-110mm but not sure if anything like that exists for Nikon.
5 years ago
1 0
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SmartWater
Posts: 102 - Karma: 490
P-wurpsoh gotcha, I'm not too familiar with Nikon lenses but sony does have a few for the E mount that are power zooms like the 18-110mm but not sure if anything like that exists for Nikon.


piggybacking off this, you wont find a servo zoom lens for nikon. youd need a whole new camera for that.
If you're cool with more standard I think your best bet would be a used JVC camcorder looking one and getting an opteka baby deathlens. Paired with an x-grip/cam caddie type of handle and light travel tripod will have you set most likely
5 years ago
3 0
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
P-wurpsNot sure what you mean by looking for a camera that can do zooms and fisheye? It's the lens that will give you the fisheye look and with a d3200 you can just get a Rokinon 8mm for like $200 or less on ebay. Set to f/8 and everything will be in focus.


Rokinon punches well above its weight in the lens department. I have the 14mm and am always impressed how sharp it is and how well it renders colors. You get some distortion but if your not doing architecture it really doesn't matter.

5 years ago
1 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
SuspiciousFishRokinon punches well above its weight in the lens department. I have the 14mm and am always impressed how sharp it is and how well it renders colors. You get some distortion but if your not doing architecture it really doesn't matter..


So I could put a Rokinon Cine lens on my Nikon D3200? I'm just wondering if this camera is suitable for someone who is not doing any photography whatsoever, just video. If is appropriate I'm more than happy to look into it, because I'd rather not have to buy a whole new camera to get the look I want.
5 years ago
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
shinbangclanSo I could put a Rokinon Cine lens on my Nikon D3200? I'm just wondering if this camera is suitable for someone who is not doing any photography whatsoever, just video. If is appropriate I'm more than happy to look into it, because I'd rather not have to buy a whole new camera to get the look I want.


Yep, the Rokinon has a version that works with the D3200 mount which looks like the standard Nikon mounting system for DSLRs. It works with Full Frame DSLRs too if you ever want to upgrade. That is one of the advantages of using a DSLR instead of a micro or mirrorless for filming, you have a lot more lens choices. It looks like the D3200 does a decent job filming and should be good for your needs. Others here know a lot more about filming than I do though.

The Cine version looks cool too with the no click aperture. All in all its a fun lens and if your used to filming with a 55mm lens on a crop sensor your going to enjoy this a lot more, especially for follow cams etc. The 14mm is a wide angle but not a fisheye, Rokinon also makes a 8mm Fisheye but honestly I think the 14mm is more versatile and the fisheye look is kind of played out IMO.

One word of caution about this lens though, the bulbous front element is very exposed so just be careful when using it. It can get scratched easily if dropped etc and you cant put any kind of lens filters on them. The Lens cap is easy to take on and off though.

Here is a random YT video that has some good examples of the kind of perspective you can get with this lens:


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/982899/Samyang-14mm-T3-1--f-2-8--Cine-Lens-Test---Sony-A7s---Zhiyun-Crane
5 years ago
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SmartWater
Posts: 102 - Karma: 490
shinbangclanSo I could put a Rokinon Cine lens on my Nikon D3200? I'm just wondering if this camera is suitable for someone who is not doing any photography whatsoever, just video. If is appropriate I'm more than happy to look into it, because I'd rather not have to buy a whole new camera to get the look I want.

The D3200 is the equivalent of a Canon T3i, which is totally usable for video, just don’t expect to keep up with a gh4,5 or a7iii.
idk much about Nikon but the T3i used to be one of the most popular entry level DSLR’s for video. That was like 2015 though
5 years ago
1 0
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eheath
Posts: 61964 - Karma: 126,873
NIkon D3200 is kinda shit, only 720p60 and 1080p30 (thats not even real 1080) but if its all you got itll work.
5 years ago
3 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
eheathNIkon D3200 is kinda shit, only 720p60 and 1080p30 (thats not even real 1080) but if its all you got itll work.


Yeah that's why I was wondering if there's a better video camera I should be looking into. I think the D3200 is mainly for photography. Only films 20min clips at a time too. I looked around but the sheer amount of options is frankly quite daunting lol
5 years ago
0 0
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eheath
Posts: 61964 - Karma: 126,873
shinbangclanYeah that's why I was wondering if there's a better video camera I should be looking into. I think the D3200 is mainly for photography. Only films 20min clips at a time too. I looked around but the sheer amount of options is frankly quite daunting lol


Do you have a budget? There are tons of options at different price points.
5 years ago
1 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
eheathDo you have a budget? There are tons of options at different price points.


Either a dad cam in the sub-350 dollar range, or I could look into a long-term personal camera for short film projects as well in which case it would probably be under a thousand. If I decide on the latter I'm probably not gonna pull the trigger until next season, because that's a pretty big purchase, and the nikon will do okay until then.
Do you think that's a suitable price range for someone filming stuff at least weekly?
5 years ago
0 0
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eheath
Posts: 61964 - Karma: 126,873
shinbangclanEither a dad cam in the sub-350 dollar range, or I could look into a long-term personal camera for short film projects as well in which case it would probably be under a thousand. If I decide on the latter I'm probably not gonna pull the trigger until next season, because that's a pretty big purchase, and the nikon will do okay until then.
Do you think that's a suitable price range for someone filming stuff at least weekly?


Just all depends, there are some good mirrorless cameras for < $1000 like gh3/4 or sony a6000 or a6300 but you have to make sure you have glass too, so I think $1000 would be a good start but if you only wanna spend like 300-400 a gopro will always do a decent job. TBH id rather film with a gopro 7/8/9 over a nikon D3200.
5 years ago
3 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
eheathJust all depends, there are some good mirrorless cameras for < $1000 like gh3/4 or sony a6000 or a6300 but you have to make sure you have glass too, so I think $1000 would be a good start but if you only wanna spend like 300-400 a gopro will always do a decent job. TBH id rather film with a gopro 7/8/9 over a nikon D3200.


I have a gopro 7, I just don't really like how it films. There's this distinctive gopro feel; I've tried narrower FOVs, color correction, and yet there's always something off about the footage that gives away that it's a gopro.
Hell, maybe I can just use both the D3200 and the gopro. That way it's not just a total gopro edit.
Thanks for the camera suggestions. Will look into it.
5 years ago
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GrapeHunter
Posts: 2406 - Karma: 8,779
Sounds to me like you have no idea what you're after... With a DSLR you're not going to get the smooth zooms and look of a camcorder. With a camcorder, you're not going to have as versatile of a camera when you're not filming skiing. There isn't a perfect go-to camera, you have to factor in what you're doing with said cam.

For me, I want to shoot skiing, take picture, film car DIY videos, and also have the possibility of making short film/documentary stuff. That put me with a DSLR, and in my case a GH4.

You get a DSLR, you're going to have to get lenses. You won't necessarily need lenses for a camcorder, except for maybe a fisheye.

Figure out exactly what you want in a cam, and then do research and find the specs you're after. There won't be much out there for sub-$300, but good luck.
5 years ago
2 0
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Pilgore
Posts: 71 - Karma: 283
shinbangclanSo I could put a Rokinon Cine lens on my Nikon D3200? I'm just wondering if this camera is suitable for someone who is not doing any photography whatsoever, just video. If is appropriate I'm more than happy to look into it, because I'd rather not have to buy a whole new camera to get the look I want.


I currently rock a d3200. Hopefully switching to a xt3 shortly.
As far as making clips for YouTube and Instagram I think the out of camera footage is fine. It's more about you finding the right lighting and angles.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/986314/Dog-meets-Chickens
5 years ago
1 0
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
jeffrushtonI currently rock a d3200. Hopefully switching to a xt3 shortly.
As far as making clips for YouTube and Instagram I think the out of camera footage is fine. It's more about you finding the right lighting and angles.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/986314/Dog-meets-Chickens


cool vid! lol
Definitely should do more research. D3200 might be fine for my caliber of filming, honestly. Will look into it more. Thanks all!
5 years ago
2 0
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Pilgore
Posts: 71 - Karma: 283
shinbangclancool vid! lol
Definitely should do more research. D3200 might be fine for my caliber of filming, honestly. Will look into it more. Thanks all!

Hey if you haven't gotten anything I'd recommend a panasonic gh3 for lower end there's a YouTube dude who crushes it with his
4 years ago
2 0
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isaacwrong
Posts: 2449 - Karma: 19,630
Def gh3, a6000 or a6300. Sony offer an 18-105mm with a servo zoom, same with olympus, they have a 12-50mm with servo zoom. can't really have both though. if you're looking for just the zoom aspect don't get these cams i listed
4 years ago
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