Looking to Finally Get My Own Camera

B.Taillefer

B.Taillefer

Member
1) My budget is around $1500-$2000

2) I am relatively experienced with cameras, and shot a few edits this year, primarily using my friends Canon XF 100, and a Canon T3i, but also a few on a Canon HF S200, which is my parents video camera, but it just doesn't do it for me. I have filmed lots in the past, and know how to use a camera.

3) As of right now, I have my own tripod, just a little Velbon fluid head, and nothing else.

4) I am planning on shooting a lot of skiing, but also skateboarding, mountain biking, and just plain cinematography.

5) I will be doing a lot of filming, and I don't really have to worry about handing it to my friends and worrying that they won't be able to film, because the kids I ski with primarily (NS members TaySwift and A.Haydenluck. Look their videos up!) are very good filmers, and have their own cameras, so I'm not too worried about that.

6) When I film skiing, I do quite a lot of follow cams (with a glide cam, which I also am looking to invest in), but also I use a tripod, so it is not entirely follow cams.

7) Currently I have a 15' Macbook Pro, 2.2 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB memory and this is the computer where I do all my editing. I also am looking at getting an external memory drive.

8) Currently I edit on Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 and have the entire creative suite. I am not extremely familiar with it yet, but I do know various shortcuts, how sequences work, what settings work for specific cameras, transitions, and generally just how to put videos together.

Examples of Edits I Shot This Year

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I would really appreciate some feedback!

Thanks, Ben
 
You could probably get away with a T3i, a decent lens, a decent tripod and maybe a glidecam. You didnt really say if you wanted a DSLR or a more professional one.
 
LCW Fader ND - $120 (77mm)

Rode VMP - $230

Deadcat - $40

Sandisk 32GB Extrem Cards - $50 each

Batteries - $50 each

Panasonic GH2 with 14-42 - $850 (the 14-140 kit will be about $1300 on ebay, but there have been specials lately on amazon)

14mm f2.5 - $160

Nikon 80-200mm f4.5 -
 
Why would I want to get away with something? If I am going to be spending money on a camera set up I want a camera that will perform very well, and not just "get away with".
 
Alright I should specify a little more. $1500-$2000 is just what I am willing to spend on a BODY AND A LENS, not accessories. My entire budget would be about $3000 with accessories
 
I haven't been filming for a lot but what i've learned on here i would say a canon 60d with a couple nice lens, nice tripod, definitely a glide cam and definitely a Rode Mic, and i would say start using final cut pro 7 that just seems like most of the professionals are using these days.. hope that helps?
 
OP you're the perfect candidate for a DSLR, as oppose to so many kids on here.

This is my list for you.

Lumix GH2

-Sub 20

-15/20-40/60

-60-200/300

Lenses that match up to those focal lengths. You might have to start with 1 or 2 lenses and get the 3rd in time.

(I know nothing of lenses)

Accesories:

-Some type of high quality tripod, it'll probably run you 300-600

-Glidecam 2000HD + QR Plate that matches tripod head

-Mic

-Batteries

-Cards

I also would say apply the bitrate hack as soon as you get it, it really makes it the perfect DSLR for filming, better than anything Nikon or Canon are putting out.

 
Just noticed that my first post got majorly cut off, and that the budget is a little bigger.

Camera and Lenses:

GH2 14-42 (same price as body only on amazon) - $850

Tokina 11-16 nikon mount + "g" lens adapter -
 
t2i

glidecam 2000hd

tokina 11-16

tamron 17-50

and a good tele 70-200 f4l non IS?

that setup is about 2 grand and once you get magic lantern you'll love it
 
and I managed to get cut off again, lets give it one more try

Camera and Lenses

Panasonic GH2 14-42 kit (same price as body only on amazon) $850

Tokina 11-16 in Nikon mount and "g" lens adapter ~$750

Nikon 80-200 f4.5 ~$100

Samyang 85mm f1.4 ~$300

Alternatively (to the samyang), you could get a 20mm f1.7 (~$350, for a semi-normal fast lens), or a legacy Nikon prime (I know the 35mm f2 is popular on here)

These are all new and average prices, some are slight over estimates, so that should put you under $2000

Now for Accessories:

LCW Fader mark ii ~$120 (77mm)

Step up rings ~$20 or less each, may need multiple on some lenses

Rode Video Mic Pro ~$230

Deadcat ~$40

Sandisk 32gb Extreme ~$50 (these last a little over 30 min in the highest quality setting with the hack)

Batteries ~$50

Ownuser Battery Grip ~$110

And it may be a slight stretch, but a Sachtler Ace, or if you are happy with the velbon, a glidecam
 
Yah, off brand batteries are generally shit, but off brand grips are literally the exact same thing other than a tiny bit lower build quality.
 
The GHx series doesn't have many off brand battery grips on the market, well, not like the canon/nikon ones
 
I shoot with one (gh2, no grip), and I honestly wish I could just get a cheap grip, as you need a cable to even use the shutter release on this one, and it is pretty expensive. Not to mention that you pretty much need the panasonic batteries, which are $50 each on a good day
 
I've had mine for a while, the hack has been stable for a few months and the quality is insane, landis got one, and you can use pretty much any lens on them
 
GH2's are pretty sick. I don't own one but they are bomb for the price. I'd definitely throw Nikon's into the mix. I love my D7000 and some of the new models are going to be at least on par with Canon.
 
Well actually it's because the GH2 makes Nikon/Canon's beginner DSLRs looks like shit for a couple hundred more.
 
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