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June, 2025

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New camera thread...please help.

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Bryan*
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 115
1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?

i can get around $1000 right now and then more after that for sure after.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?


I have used cameras before mostly a hv30 and a few others. like a GL2 and gopros.


2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

I own a tripod.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

Mostly skiing and sports.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

it would be nice.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

Follow cam and film from a tripod.


7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.


I just have a newer macbook with no firewire.


7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

i use FCE and im about at a 7
---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?

YES!

2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?
A little bit

3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?

no

4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?

yes!

5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming

if possible.



PLEASE HELP.
15 years ago
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Bryan*
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 115
help a brotha out!
15 years ago
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CaliforniaDouble
Posts: 218 - Karma: 22
Although advice is easy to come by on this site, you definitely want to do some outside research for this sort of purchase. dpreview.com is a great site with reviews on most DSLRs as well as many lenses. And if you do purchase a new DSLR, I highly recommend David Busch's Digital Photography Guide (for your particular camera). I had a Nikon D100 for about 8 years, and just stepped it up to a 7D, and his guide was great. Since I'm now Canon guy, I'm going to go ahead and tell you to look into the t2i or the t1i. At least between Canon and Nikon, I think they are the only options out there with 1080 under $1000. I believe they have similar video capabilities, but this is something you should check out.
With all DSLRs, they are offered either body only or in a kit with a lens. For the cameras I mentioned before, you can get either an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 or 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6. The problem with either of these is they aren't very good at all for filming in low light, however they do give you a decent range if you're only filming during the daytime. Even though they are ok lenses to start out with, you'll probably end up wanting to replace them down the road. In the end, it can be better to get a cheaper body and more expensive glass, learn that camera, and then upgrade the camera itself later on but still have your lenses.

Another option is to get something like the 50mm f/1.8. This lens is only $100, gives you great depth of field, and will perform well in low light situations. The drawback here is obviously that you have no zoom at all, so you really have to move yourself around to get the exact shot you want. Despite its limits, you won't ever grow out of this type of lens. There will always be a time when it could come in handy, so it might make a good starter lens for you. There are other prime lenses out there (fixed focal length) that are a little more expensive, but will still be a cheaper alternative to zoom lenses (If you're filming skiing, 50mm will probably be too long for follow-cam stuff)

Hope this was semi-coherent and helps a bit. Good luck, and let me know if you have further questions.
15 years ago
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Sklar
Posts: 8865 - Karma: 31,618
$1000 is a little low for a DSLR setup, but if you're going to keep investing it might be alright
but if you do go with a dslr you will almost certainly not be able to hand it off to a friend to film with, unless they know what they are doing
15 years ago
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CaliforniaDouble
Posts: 218 - Karma: 22
I think it depends on what kind of filming you're hoping for. If it's simple shots, all they have to do is keep everything in focus. Harder than it could be, but most people can get the hang of it pretty quick.
15 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61964 - Karma: 126,855
This.
15 years ago
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
really low...
15 years ago
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MANDER
Posts: 4017 - Karma: 2,038
T1I is garbage. T2I is way better for like $70.
15 years ago
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