Am i ready for an entry level dlsr?

pjbackwoods

pjbackwoods

Active member
about a year ago i started making videos with my phone and movie maker. i made around 20 videos of random things such as biking dirtbiking and skimboarding. i bought a kodak playsport in january and made a few skiing videos with it. i started using after efffects and premier pro 2 months ago and im getting a lot better at editing. my question is am i ready for an entry level dslr for video? (id like to practice photography aswell) ill leave you with 2 edits i made with a gopro and you help me out.

looking at a t2i, d3100 and t1i right now*

buget is under 1000$

no expirience with dslrs

would like friends to help film

want great video capabilities aswell as decent photo aswell.

EDITS:

Keith Baker Quick BMX Edit from Patrick Jedrzejko on Vimeo.

/images/flash_video_placeholder.png

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGJnBxYvpmQ&list=UUGdoM8IgW-B19Viso3fTwuA&index=1&feature=plcp

 
just have $1,000 will hold you back a lot if you get a dslr. that allows for pretty much a body and two okay lenses. If you feel like you can put in 2,000 overtime I'd say go for it.

To answer your question, as long as your willing to take the time to learn your camera there's no reason why you aren't ready for it. It's not all that hard to figure out-- but so many people buy dslr's and don't look into the best settings to use or how things like shutter speed effects motion blur. if you're willing to put in the time, then I say go for it
 
^i take it all back, didn't see that you wanted friends to film as well. dslr isn't for you if that's the case
 
my friends know stuff about cameras. more then me. they have taken com tech classes and i havent. trust me they are full capable.
 
Then sure, you're definitely ready. Go ahead. :DGet a entry level dslr like the T2i or D3100 or whatever with a kit lens and learn how to use it. Maybe get a decent tripod and/or glidecam or flycam if you're doing lots of follow cams for skiing.

If you have the money, go for it.
 
Dude, SHUT THE FUCK UP.

You've been spewing bullshit in SO many suggestion threads lately. You have literally NO idea what you're talking about. Quit making suggestions and learn a thing or two about hdslr filmmaking, and the many DRAWBACKS that make it an AWFUL suggestion for amateur/hobbyist filmmakers.
 
This. OP Do not listen to this fool.

Also, I'd say that a DSLR is a little out of your budget. However, that doesn't mean you can't get equal quality out of a better cam. The Panosnic TM700/900 is a great camcorder and will definitely teach you a lot. I think it's in the $600-$800 range and doesn't require much after that initial purchase.
 
I'd go with a camcorder if I were you..

videography with DSLRs is a whole other monster.

If you really want to get into photography on the side as well, then I'd say consider it from that point of view, but I really would say stay away from even the most basic DSLR's at this point for straight up videography. It's definitely for more advanced filming, and for if you REALLY have a need for changing out lenses all the time.

 
Really DSLRs aren't like operating a space shuttle. They are not even hard to figure out. If you have taken a photo class in school you should be able to use a T2i or what ever you are interested in. I have a 7d and I can hand it to my friends who have taken photography and they know what to do with the camera. It may take a little getting used to but its really not hard to figure out. I say get a DSLR if you really want to get into video and Its a nice thing to have if you like taking photos too.
 
im really wanting to get into photography aswell so im think a camcorder isnt the best choice for me. you guys dont understand i am willing to put in weeks and weeks to learn dslrs and i wont get scared off when its difficult at first! from what i hear a t2i and a 50mm f1.8 lense is a good setup for me for now>
 
I don't think it will take weeks or even close to that to figure out the f-stop, sutter, WB, ISO stuff. Really I don't find those things too hard to learn. I think the biggest thing people fail to do is keep their subjects in focus since there is no real auto focus. Save up a couple extra hundred or so dollars so you can get some get some good lenses.
 
If you're REALLY set on getting a DSLR, then here are my base pointers...

Use a kit lens or whatever for just walkaround general photography for now until you get enough to buy more EOS lenses, but for video applications, just go with some vintage glass. Pick up a 20mm, a 28mm, and a 50mm. (crop-factor will make these focal lengths more like a 35, a 43, and an 80mm). When you get the money for one, pick up a rokinon fisheye for around 300ish, if you really want that look.

With an adapter, it shouldnt cost you all too much for the three, and they will cover most of the same range as your kit lens, but will be sharper and, most likely faster - not to mention easier to dial in the focus, as the throw on vintage lenses tends to be around 180 degrees rather than the laughably short manual throw on modern AF lenses.

For vintage glass on a canon, probably go for pentax or nikon glass, since it will be the easiest to find and afford right now - the adapter is pretty cheap as well.

For a Nikon, I'm not entirely sure how vintage glass will work on a 3100 or 5100, but it should fit that mount at least, and be useable - which is all you will give a shit about anyways.

Another cost-saving idea would be to get an m42 adapter (or one for each and every lens you have, as i'd recommend - so you don't have to take them off) and invest in some older screwmount glass. There's tons of old Chinon, Pentax, and Russian made m42 glass available out there for really affordable prices.

...for any more info on vintage glass, just searchbar the official vintage glass thread.
 
UPDATE: (if anyone cares)

I purchased a t2i body plus a kit lense for $470 and a couple months later a tokina 11-16 f2.8.

Really happy with the prices and ill be starting videography soon
 
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