Interested in Buying a DSLR for Video? Want the cheapest setup possible? Come here!

S

S.C

Active member
I have bought and sold way too much camera gear in the last 6 months and have found (what I think) the ideal DSLR setup for those of you on the tightest budget. That being said, I do not own this setup, and if you don't have enough money for this setup then I would suggest NOT getting a DSLR camera for video.

Note that these prices will go down over time...

Body: Canon Rebel T2i $400-$600

Whether you get it new, used or refurbished, you can find this body for between $400 and $600

Has basically all the features you can get out of ANY DSLR with Magic Lantern installed.

Lens 1: Tamron 17-50 f2.8 NON-VC $300-$400

Whether you get it new, used or refurbished, you can find this lens for between $300 and $400

Tripod: Manfrotto 055 Legs or Bogen 302X Legs with a off-brand Head $150-$200

Whether you get it new, used or refurbished, you can find this tripod for between $150 and $200. Note that the price will not stay under $180 unless you get the older Bogen legs.

This head is a very good head comparible to the Manfrotto 701 head according to my friend Brian White (Jabronis*Mom).

Here's a link to the head http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Photography-Video-Camera-Fluid-Drag-Tripod-Head-717AH-/360319878569?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e4bd05a9

IF this head is not available or you are willing to spend a little more money the Manfrotto 701 Head is also a great option. that will run you about $50 more.

Cards: 2x Transcend 16gb Class 10 SD ~$50

You may be able to find this for even cheaper than $50 if you shop around.

Mic: Azden SMX 10 $60-$80

Good enough of a mic.

SO, thats the VERY BASIC DSLR setup that every one should start with AS A MINIMUM.

This setup is only worth posting if you fit these two things:

 
damn, got cut off,

1. You are comfortable installing ML on the T2i

2. You plan on expanding your setup in the future.

I made this thread just because I see so many entry level videographers on here asking about DSLR's all the time.

Remember this is the BARE MINIMUM TO make HDSLR video worth it.

Thanks! Chai.

PM me with any questions or post in this thread!
 
The head you posted in my opinion is much nicer then the 701 actually. I have used them both many times. There is one flaw though. The QR plate is so wide that you cant replace the battery in the camera without taking the QR plate off itself. Its a pain. So if you do get this, I recommend getting a battery grip so you can get to the battery compartment without taking the plate off.
 
really? ive heard a couple different people say that theirs have had weird dead spots with no drag that make the head basically unusable
 
yeah i loved mine. the legs were super shitty it came with, so i just decided to upgrade to all manfrotto. but i for sure like the 707 head better. it seems built better to. a lot heavier. the drag is a bit stiffer, but I loved that in my opinion.
 
If we don't feel comfortable installing magic lantern should we not get the t2i, I just finished saving enough money for a t2i (630 on amazon) but I don't feel comfortable installing software onto the camera. any suggestions? Is the t2i fine without it?
 
.

If you still wont install it, though, I would get a T3i for the manual audio (kinda the biggest deal of ML IMO
 
dude downloading ML is literally so easy now from the newest release just do it, people have downloading it a million times and there have been no reports of damage. Just watch the installing tutorial it's soo easy and straightforward
 
dude downloading ML is literally so easy now from the newest release just do it, people have downloading it a million times and there have been no reports of damage. Just watch the installing tutorial it's soo easy and straightforward
 
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