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Another What Camera Thread

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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
1) I don't have a tight budget but i would like for everything including the camera, tripod, and holder thing to combine to be under $800 but i would go a little over. If one suits me that is way cheaper i would love that too.

2) I do not have great experience with cameras. i have used my moms nikon D40 from a couple years ago a lot so i have good experience with still pictures and shooting sporting events, trampolining, etc.

2) I currently have no gear besides some of my moms extra lenses for her nikon D40

4) I Would mostly use it for skiing but i would use it for the trampoline and taking pictures of friends to but mostly skiing.

5) I would want one that i could just hand to my friends to use that don't have much experience.

6) I will most likely use a tripod if we are just hiking a rail, doing urban, backyard seshes, etc. but most likely follow cam if we were on the mountain

7) I have a macbook pro from 2 years ago.

8) I currently just use iMovie and iPhoto but will consider buying a better editing software. i am probably a 3 when it comes to experience with it

I would like a camera that takes good stills and even better video. i would like one that can go up to 10 frames per second but that is not a priority. So NS, what camera would be good for me. +K if you know your stuff
Jun 18 2012 9:23PM
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B.Taillefer
Posts: 420 - Karma: 321
Hmm for $800 including tripod and camera bag your options are pretty limited.

If you are really just starting a T2i is a great option. A lot of really good filters on here shoot with a T2i, like Will Start and Michael Blatt, so it can undoubtedly perform quality wise, and you can snag them for so cheap that they are a really really good camera for the price.

Right now on B&H you can get a T2i with a kit lens for 600 plus shipping which is an unbelievable price for that camera, and the kit lens really isn't that bad either, so right there you have a pretty sweet camera for a great price.

The camera:

I would spend a little more money on getting a good tripod with a fluid head instead of just a 3 way pan tripod as fluid heads truly are much better.


Its not a fantastic tripod, with for $190 its pretty damn good.

So that puts you at at about $790 for both a camera and tripod minus shipping so that puts you right around your price! You may have to go a bit over on your budget if you want a camera bag but that is my recommendation for a camera set up!
Jun 18 2012 9:38PM
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B.Taillefer
Posts: 420 - Karma: 321
Ahh double post, put pick up a good class 10 SD card for your camera as well. Sandisks are really good, as are Transcends
Jun 18 2012 9:39PM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
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Jun 18 2012 9:52PM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
then what is?
Jun 18 2012 10:12PM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
Any panasonic or sony avchd handheld camera that fits your budget. Some of them shoot 1080p60/30/24, have great OIS, and are budget friendly. Take SD cards (which are cheap) and leave your budget with plenty of options for a nice tripod, wide angle, and mic.
Jun 18 2012 10:20PM
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B.Taillefer
Posts: 420 - Karma: 321
He said he wanted a camera that could shoot good stills as well?

I know that the AVCHD handheld cameras you mentioned shoot stills but they are not great especially compared to a DSLR...

What is so wrong with a T2i? If someone really wants to learn and put int the effort, I'm sure they could learn how to operate a DSLR.
Jun 18 2012 10:24PM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
Ahh, the classic "I want a camera that can do both" line, aka "I want an HDSLR." I hate to rip on you guys, but it just doesn't make sense at that budget. You cannot suggest to someone a setup that will suck easily 1000+ out of them (body, standard/wide zoom, a couple primes, telephoto, decent tripod, glidecam, viewfinder, memory, batteries, flash, etc etc, you see the point) when they just aren't fully committed and somewhat experienced. OP, I'm not saying you aren't, but it just isn't where a beginner should start. Learn a camera, use it until it limits you, then upgrade with priority on what you find you were lacking in the first.

Like I said in my previous post, there are many cameras out there in the ~$500 range that record great images with full manual control at impressive frame rates.

Jun 18 2012 11:43PM
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B.Taillefer
Posts: 420 - Karma: 321
Very fair statement, and I completely agree.

Wasn't really thinking about how expensive it really could be if you really get into a DSLR set up (as you mentioned), I was just thinking based directly based on his criteria that he outlined, and I agree that if you are not entirely sure if you want to seriously get into photography/cinematography that it may not be worth it to get such an expensive set up.


Jun 18 2012 11:54PM
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