$2400 to spend on DSLR accessories

[Richard Harrington]

Tripod
Viewfinder
Plate or mounting box
Prime lens 22 or 35 for interviews
External audio recorder
External mic

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and ATS:iWork

[Steve Crow]

I can’t argue with anything Richard suggested. I did a series of blog posts on this topic recently, breaking down your kit option into 3 levels: basic, advanced basic and pro. Check it out if you are interested!

start here: bit.ly/aaFQQp

[Paul Sholly]

Thanks! I was definitely considering a tripod and external audio recording device. What about for handheld stuff? Can anyone suggest an affordable option there that would offer good image stabilization? Also, the stock lens for the camera is 18-55mm. Would that suffice for a 35mm lens, or do you still recommend a separate 35mm lens?

Also, does anyone have some good resources on the drawbacks of filming with DSLR’s?

Thanks for the responses.

[Paul Sholly]

Thanks. That’s a really awesome post.

[Michael Sacci]

The stock lens is a tough thing to use IMO. It is really slow and tough to focus and it cannot be used with a Follow focus. You want straight f-stop lenses, not variable, which the stock lens is 3.5-5.6 this not only means that the widest opening will stop down as you zoom, even at f-stops above 5.6 you will see exposure changes as the aperture changes to keep the f-stop the same. So if you plan on use the lens just keep the limitations in mind and don’t zoom while shooting.

$2400 will go pretty fast so think everything through, new (or used lens) should be high on the list. For video I always recommend getting fixed f-stop lenses and faster the better.

[Michael Sacci]

Steve your blog posts where really informative but I would suggest you pull the MBP pricing from basic kit, if someone needed it they would need it for any of the kits, and that is 1/2 the price of the kit. The recommendation is fine but I wouldn’t put in the “Adding it all up” it is not a camera accessory . Just my 2 cents.

[Steve Crow]

Hi Michael,

That’s actually a great point and something I will really think about, thanks for the input! 🙂
Steve

[Noah Kadner]

Yeah the stock lens is really not good for much of anything other than checking that the camera itself is functional. Budget yourself some better zooms and primes- otherwise you’re kinda missing out on what’s great about DSLR cameras in the first place.

Noah

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[Norman Pogson]

I use older Nikon prime lenses with an adapter I get from Ebay for $10.00 I use a 24mm Nikkor f2.8 I also have the Canon 50mm f1.4 which is a great everyday lens and good for shallow depth of field.

I have heard a lot of shooters checking out the Indieslider people for low cost shoulder mounts and sliders. A slider would be good, here is the website https://www.indisystem.com/products/indirails_pro_dslr_sm

You will need a polarizing filter and neutral density filters, in order to open up the lens aperture, there is the Fader ND from Ebay. I have started reusing my Cokin filters which I have 4x and 8x ND filters etc.

If you are into time lapse, then an Ebay intervalometer would be useful for $40.

I second the tripod and if you are running and gunning then a bean bag and a Manfrotto super clamp and ball head might be useful.

The Tokina 11-16 is on my shopping list, which gives a great wide angle.

My Canon 7D Blog

[Paul Sholly]

Can I ask what advantages you gain from using Nikon lenses vs Canon lenses? Was it just cheaper for you since you may have already had some Nikon lenses around? Also, what size polarizing filter and neutral density filter would I need? I notices there are so many sizes (52mm, 62mm, 72mm, 77mm, so on) and I wonder if these mm sizes refer to.