Deciding on a first DSLR for video.

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

This might help: https://wolfcrow.com/blog/your-first-video-camera/

Take a look at the GH3.

Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera – one guide to rig them all – DSLRs to Reds to the Arri Alexa.

[Teddy Juras]

First question would be how much do you have for a lens?

Any of those bodies are going to give you amazing video.

Hacked GH2 is nice, but I would step down from the 7d and get the 60d myself. Then get a higher quality lens with the savings.

Teddy Juras
https://www.HDVideo101.com

[Curtis Kreidler]

Thanks for the posts, guys. I’m looking at spending around 400 dollars on lens plus the extra if I don’t buy too expensive of a body. Out of all the cameras mentioned I’m really liking the hacked gh2. The problems I see with it is doesn’t have the largest image sensor and it doesn’t shoot 60 frames like the Sony. That being said the Sony doesn’t have the best lens. The Canons (60d and 7d) probally have the best lens line up, but still don’t shoot 60 frames which I would like for shooting any sort of slow mo. So, I’m still not fully sure on anything.

[David Rehm]

Is Nikon out of the picture for you? The D7000 is a great camera with killer video picture results. Which leads me to my next question – What type of lens are you interested in getting? On the Nikon side of things you could get a 35mm 1.8 ($200) or 50mm 1.8 ($125) – for the price these are very great lenses. Or do you want something with a more flexible range?

If Nikon is out of the question for you I would recommend doing what another poster said – ditch the Canon 7D and go with the 60D and put the money towards glass.

A good site for info on cameras and lenses is kenrockwell.com

David R.

[Curtis Kreidler]

I suppose Nikon Isn’t completely out of the question. I just heard that Nikon wasn’t as good at video shooting as Canon cameras. Although that D7000 doesn’t look too bad. Also, as far as lens I haven’t picked out specific lens yet, but just looked at lens available for each body. I do know that I would like a zoom and one or two prime lens. Any suggestions as far as Sony or Canon lens. Also, what kind lens mount on the Panasonic gh2? Sorry I’m all over the place with these questions, thanks again for the responses.

[Teddy Juras]

As for the glass – I would start with the best prime you can afford. You are looking at cropped sensors, so I would stick with a 28mm. Nothing longer than a 35mm. I made the mistake of starting with a 50mm as my first lens and had a hard time with everything “looking” the same – crushed background with zero ability at getting wide enough.

You will have a better selection of shot choices with a wider lens. Not too wide or you will experience distortion close up.

Teddy Juras
https://www.HDVideo101.com

[Charles Meadows]

You need to answer a couple of questions for yourself. What do you want to get out of your first camera? Once you start buying lenses then you’re kind of like beholden to that camera manufacturer. All of these a great cameras. I do like the Nikon cameras and I think the D800 is better than the Canon 5D III, plus the lenses are excellent and the primes are easily available at good prices. I agree with the D7000 suggestion, it an excellent camera at a great price. If you’re partial to Canon then find a cheap 550D, it’s a 7D in a cheaper body. With you the money you save, get yourself a nice 50mm prime lens. The thing is the lenses are going to stick with you forever and a good lens makes a real difference to the quality of your footage. Like I said, start off with a good used camera and when you’re ready to move up then you’ve already got the beginnings of a good collection of lenses. Have fun, get out there and film the crap out of things.

“There’s no point in filming if you don’t have fun”
Charles Meadows
Creative Director
Incubate Productions South Africa
http://www.incubatevideo.co.za

[Rob Manning]

Nikons typically have better DR than Canon.

They started the party with the D90, then let Canon run the table until the D7K, which would record for at least 20 minutes.

With proper technique, it becomes (Camera/lens) a Chevy, Ford, Buick, Chrysler issue.

Nikon also has arguably better glass across the range (not all).

If you are loading a flat picture control, outside of the usual moire and endemic artifacts in every HD enabled DSLR, Nikon does a great job. I never did use an off camera PC, haven’t needed it.

We have 2 D7K’s in the kit, one D800, one D3S for low light stills. My associate now has the A99 for (AF) based in the CPU which smokes Nikon and Canon’s lens motor slack.

We shot a concert last April, 2-D7K’s one T2I, one MK2, the footage is all good, but the D7K with a 24-70 f/2.8 was the choice for roam and close in on stage work because of DR. The Label released the DVD in December, and hits a world tour this weekend (merchandise kiosks at each venue).

No one cares which camera was what angle, except the operators who got line credit for their footage.

Whoever said the D7K is not good, may have had a bias.

The costs (used) may be headed down with the pending arrival of the D7100.

So, sure, Canon has a marketing edge, but there is no truth that the D7000, the D600, the D3100 are not up to the task, that sounds like uniformed opinion.

Rob Manning

[Rob Manning]

Yes, yes and yes…

[David Rehm]

hey Rob,
You seem to have more experience with D7K. I’m looking for some pointers on picture styles when shooting video. I’m never sure exactly what settings to use to shoot flat so I can have the most flexibility in post. Do you shoot flat and then fix in post?

Thanks for any help you can give