Anyone Know Anything About Cameras?

[darthmunky]

I'm looking to buy a DSLR camera but I'd mostly be using it to film videos. You may ask "why not just get a camcorder then?" The reason I have decided to get a DSLR is because I am also interested in still photography and I would rather not have to buy two cameras. So basically, I want help choosing one. I don't know much about them. My requirements are: 1080p, mic input, good battery life, not super expensive. Basically I want a still picture camera that can film pro quality video with good audio.

[Blu]

You'll come to find out that if you're looking for a DSLR, you'll most likely prefer either Nikon or Canon. My girlfriend prefers her Canon Rebel, but I also know people that just like the Nikon brand. The features are very similar, but for whatever the unsaid reasons that I am unaware of, you either prefer one or the other. The T3i is pretty reasonable in price now, and has a lot of the features that you are looking for.

[Duane Dibbley]

Current camcorders can take still photos as well, so I'd say decide whether you plan to use the still camera or the video camera more, and go with that one. Camcorders are going to have more features and controls tailored to shooting video. I don't think you'll find anything under $5-10k that will record pro-quality video, but you can get high end consumer video for $1000 or less. Most camcorders have decent built-in mics, but you will definitely want an external one to get good audio. It's been a few years since I really researched camcorders, so it's possible things have changed, but that's my advice.

The camcorder I use for my video business is a Canon Vixia HFS10 with a DM-100 mic.

[girlracer]

nikon just came out with their d5200, 24 megapixels and 1080p video



i myself just got the d600 with a full frame sensor. but that was $2000.

i don't know much about canons, but i'd stick to either nikon or canon. you can also look at mirrorless cameras, but i'm not sure what all offers 1080p

also here's a cool diy shoulder rig: http://fstoppers.com/how-build-your-own ... oulder-rig

[darthmunky]

I'm thinking about getting the Canon 3Ti for 599 (100$ off) and buying an external shotgun mic for it.

[girlracer]

I'm thinking about getting the Canon 3Ti for 599 (100$ off) and buying an external shotgun mic for it.

you also my check out the nikon d3200, i forgot they released it a bit before the d5200.

B&H has the D3200 for $597 with bag and 16gb class 10 sandisk. as long as you are not in new york theres no sales tax.

review: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D3200/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... _With.html

bhphoto.com and adorama.com are also good places to buy cameras

whatever you choose i wish you luck in your projects.

[fastbilly1]

Dont forget about Micro 4/3s. Most people write it off since the sensor size is smaller than a full 35mm, but it works exceptionally well for video and fairly well for pictures. That and the sensor size is just slightly smaller than 35mm film stock ( http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.ph ... Micro-4-3s ).
A GH2 will run you $700 with the 14-42 3.5 to 5.6. And you can get a 100-300mm for it for $500. The GH3 or AF100 will run you alot more, but you get alot more kit out of it.

The only downside of a GH2 is that the onboard audio is not very good for movie production and an external recorder like the Zoom H4n or a Tascam DR40 will be needed. And yes you can run the output from the external into the GH2, but the audio recorded on the external will still be better.

I do not know much about Canon, but if you are looking at a Nikon, I HIGHLY recommend plunking the grand down for their ultimate lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _5_6G.html
a 28-300 3.5 to 5.6 is just silly for 1k. After my little brother bought one for is d800, he sold all of his other zooms and bought two for his D7000s (he kept a couple primes, sub 28mms, and some oddball lenses that he has either had since the beginning or have effects you cannot replicate - one we made where you shoot through a prism system and you get this odd radiating glow of three colors around your subject). Then everyone in the family with a Nikon sold their zooms to buy one. Its seriously replaced a whole bag of lenses my little brother would take on a shoot with a single one. It never leaves his D7000s except when cleaning.

[Jrecee]

Well I don't know what you mean by not super expensive, but if you're looking for a DSLR that shoots video, then the new GH3 or the recently retired GH2 are the BEST. If you want better quality than either of those, you'll be looking in the $4000+ range.

Nikons are great still cameras, but worthless for video. I shot on a D3100 and while it wasn't terrible, the video is simply an afterthought. The GH2 got picked up by filmmakers, and in turn, Panasonic went all out making the GH3 into a movie making machine. I don't follow Canon super closely, but I'm pretty sure all the praise you hear about their DSLRs being used for video is referring to their highest end rigs.

So if you've got $1500 to spend, pick up a GH3. If you're looking more in the sub $1,000 range, you'd, in my not very humble opinion, be crazy for buying anything but the GH2.

[Blu]

I'm thinking about getting the Canon 3Ti for 599 (100$ off) and buying an external shotgun mic for it.

If you're just going to be a hobbyist and shooting for leisure/fun, the T3i is going to be a great investment. It will do everything you need.

[Luke]

Any thoughts on the D90?