Time to buy a camera!! ?

Fate

Fate

Hello everyone. I've been looking for a camera to get for the past while and now I think I've finally found something suitable!

Here's the link to the bundle I may get.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-camera-camcorder-lens/winnipeg/canon-7d-dslr-filmaker-package/1063008730

Now, I'm a sucker for deals. I looked up the cost of each individual item and this is what I got.

Canon 7D $1000
Manfrottoo 681B monopod with swivel $155
Zoom H1N Digital Recorder $125
Shoulder Mount - $400
3 32 GB Extreme Compact Flash Memory Cards - $300
*He forgot to mention there are 3 memory cards not 2.

So if I were to get everything new it looks like it would cost me around $2000, but I can get all this for around $1000.

The package doesn't come with a lens, but I can buy one separately.

Question is, should I? I'm still very new to cameras, but from what I've read the 7D is a better choice for film than say the T5i. It's like an advanced version. Plus with this deal (I think) I'm getting, it seems like a no brainer. But I would like some input of someone who is more experienced, just so I know for sure.

So what do you think?
 
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I guess to be specific, I ask:

Is the Canon 7D a good camera for a novice filmmaker, as a first camera?
Is the gear involved useful?
Is this in fact a good bargain?

I feel as though I should add I am also interested in photography.
 
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Beware the T4i, they have a nasty tendency to have the grips go white and chalky.
A T3i is essentially the same thing, APS-C sensor (which is the same as the one in the 7D) and since Canon is now up to the T6i, you can score some pretty good deals on the 3.
I'm still partial to the T2i, but the 3 has the advantage of a flip out screen.

You can also use Magic Lantern in the T series with no problems. Because of the dual processor system in the 7D there were development issues from Magic Lantern to get it to work right in that camera.

All the Canons are robust little cameras, I love my T2is even though I'm also shooting with a Panasonic GH4

Hope that helps!
Neil
 
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Fate said:
Now I see a t4i with an 18-55mm lens "still in box" for $450. *groan!* lol
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georgiahoosier said:
Beware the T4i, they have a nasty tendency to have the grips go white and chalky.
A T3i is essentially the same thing, APS-C sensor (which is the same as the one in the 7D) and since Canon is now up to the T6i, you can score some pretty good deals on the 3.
I'm still partial to the T2i, but the 3 has the advantage of a flip out screen.

You can also use Magic Lantern in the T series with no problems. Because of the dual processor system in the 7D there were development issues from Magic Lantern to get it to work right in that camera.

All the Canons are robust little cameras, I love my T2is even though I'm also shooting with a Panasonic GH4

Hope that helps!
Neil
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Fate said:
This makes my decision harder haha but thanks for all the input!
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That price for the t4i is cheaper than the t3i without a lens.... how did that make your decision harder?

I have the t4i and it's an amazing entry level camera. I find that when using MagicLantern's more demanding features, my t4i heats up slower than most of my classmate's t3i's.
 
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Fate said:
Well, Georgia said beard the t4i. I am still very unsure what to do, more so now. Just because it appears both cameras have big flaws?
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You consider grips wear-and-tear a big flaw? Also on that point... two and half year use so far... my grips are fine. All my classmates also have perfectly fine grips. I've never even heard of that problem before haha...

Also... your camera really should never be handheld in production anyways... Tripod, Glide, Steady, Slider, Dolly, Etc... none require the grip of the camera.
 
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haha, well I guess it's not a big flaw. :P

But the other bundle (7d) is still available, the guy said it has a shutter count of about 13,000. But it comes with all that gear. I just like this bundle because the 7D is reviewed better and it seems to be offered at a big discount.

But perhaps I should get the t4i, and spend the $500 i would save on gear. I wish I knew. lol
 
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buying a 7d is a waste of time, the t3i is the best choice as its almost the same sensor and a hell of a lot cheaper.

sd cards are dead cheap I bought a 64gb UH3 card for my gh4 for only £20.. even the 128gb cost around £30-£40.. the 7D is the wrong choice for a beginner filmmaker.

$300 for 96gb is stupid I can buy a SSD for 1tb for that price...

essentially no matter what you buy the only thing that matters is a great script first, you can learn how to do that for free but whether you can do it or not is another thing.
 
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Can I be honest? You can get some amazing images from a Canon T2I with Magic Lantern.. I have been shooting with my T2I for 4 years in such BAD environments for a budget camera and it's never failed on me, I just recently bought a GH4 and am still using my T2I for most shoots!

Take a look in to it, I know in Toronto you can get T2I bodies for $200 on Kijiji than go buy a few lenses invest in glass.
 
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Any digital cam will work (including the one in your phone) if you've great contents and willing to set up lights for each shot.

If you don't have a story that keeps people on the edge of their seat or want to bother with the grunt work of using proper lighting techniques, the time splitting hairs over a camera is a bit wasted.

Good luck.
 
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Of course. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting my money. Certain cameras are good for film, others are not. This'll be my first camera, I've come here for some assurance.
 
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If you've got a T4i that hasn't gone all chalky then you're very fortunate. Apparently there was a run of about 70,000 that had the bad grips.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/14/canon-rebel-t4i-recall-rubber-grip-allergic-reaction-rash/

The main advantage that I've seen from the cameras made after the T2i is the flip screen, I solved that by picking up a couple of inexpensive 7" HDMI monitors that make life a lot easier for an old guy like me anyway.

A nice T2i on Ebay looks to be running in the $300 range, add a Lilliput monitor for about $150 more, and get a Russian Zenitar 50mm lens (beautiful optics) and an adapter for around $50 and you've got a pretty nice little movie package.

Currently B&H has a nice looking shotgun mic (Polsen SCL-1075) for $55 that will round out the kit for starting out.

Other than that you'd need an HDMI to mini-HDMI cable, a V bracket to mount the monitor and the mic on the camera shoe at the same time, some memory cards, and I'd get a battery grip just to make the camera easier to handle.

Then over time you can go crazy adding extras like follow focus rigs, matte boxes, etc.
 
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Fate said:
Of course. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting my money. Certain cameras are good for film, others are not. This'll be my first camera, I've come here for some assurance.
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I know how you feel fate..

When one of my friends gave me his old t2i it was a big weight off my shoulders. No longer did I have to consider what camera to buy, I simply had one and I could start shooting stuff.

t2i/t3i is INCREDIBLY common at this low budget level, it's a great camera for a great price point. Unless you're trying to spend a lot more money I'd say do yourself a favor and just buy one of those t2i or t3i and you can stop worry about the equipment and start worrying about your scripts and storyboards.

sure it would be nice if it could record in prores, if it had a global shutter, etc.. but this is your first camera. unless you're paying big bucks you'll never get it all in one package.
 
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georgiahoosier said:
Currently B&H has a nice looking shotgun mic (Polsen SCL-1075) for $55 that will round out the kit for starting out.
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The one last thing I saw in the thread I wanted to remark on, and I'm not at all trying to single out something you said to be an asshole.

SOUND IS HALF YOUR FILM. DO NOT SKIMP ON AUDIO OR NO ONE WILL GET PAST A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR VIDEOS.

Practice with your scratch audio. Do not waste 55$ on a junk mic... The audio people here can help you with picking your sound equipment. Here's a quote from a thread that helped me a lot.

Alcove Audio said:
Hire someone who knows what they are doing. If you shoot for two days that will cost you between $200 and $500 ($100 to $250 per day). Buying a decent production sound kit will cost about $1,200. Even if you spend $1,200 you will not get the quality of sound you will get if you hire someone because you have neither the skill set nor the experience - or even the equipment. Even an ambitious up-and-comer working for $100 a day will have better gear than your $1,200 will buy.


All that said, here's the $1,200 buying guide. Select one from each category:


Shotgun mic kits will have the shotgun mic, boom-pole, shock-mount and simple wind protection (softie).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551607-REG/Audio_Technica_AT_875_Shotgun_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...chnica_AT897BK_AT_897_Shotgun_Microphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/461493-REG/Rode_NTG_1_Shotgun_Condenser.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747422-REG/Rode_NTG_2_Shotgun_Microphone_HDSLR.html


Hypercardioid mic:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867157-REG/Avantone_Pro_CK1_CK_1_Small_Capsule_FET_Pencil.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359043-REG/sE_Electronics_SE1A_SE1A_Small_Diaphragm.html



Audio recorders:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832911-REG/Tascam_DR100MKII_DR_100mkII_Portable_Linear.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821259-REG/Tascam_DR_40_DR_40_4_Track_Handheld_Digital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821260-REG/Roland_R_26_R_26_6_Channel_Digital_Field.html



Headphones:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49510-REG/Sony_MDR_7506_MDR_7506_Headphone.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507447-REG/Sennheiser_HD_25_1_II_HD_25_1_II.html



You'll also need cables, cases, battery packs and other miscellaneous items - about $200+.




But who is going to run the sound for you? They will know less about sound than you do; and you don't know much. (Don't be insulted, I wouldn't know an F-stop from a bus stop; and I'm married a photographer.) That's always the issue - knowledge, skill and experience. Even if you learn a lot about sound when you are on the set you won't be handling the sound responsibilities, someone else will, because you can't direct, DP and do production sound all at the same time.
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source: http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=49443&highlight=$1,200
 
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