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Question about canon EF 50mm f/1.8

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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
I am new to filming with dslr cameras a currently have the 18-55mm kit lens w/ a t3i and I am in need of an upgrade but have a very tight budget of about $100. Can/Is the Canon 50mm used for follow cam shots?

thanks a bunch
Jan 30 2013 5:28PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Do you have a glidecam? if not absolutely no chance, if you do you'd still need to be seriously skilled to use it well, even then I'm not sure how well it'd work.

Use your kit lens at 18mm to get the least shaky shot.
Jan 30 2013 5:31PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Looking into getting a glidecam/flycam
Jan 30 2013 5:32PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
I'd get a good tripod first, I still don't have a glidecam, don't see it as a priority.
Jan 30 2013 5:40PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Have a tripod. Not a very nice one though, $50.
Jan 30 2013 5:42PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, although it probably is.

I'd definitely say a good tripod is one of the first things to buy.
Jan 30 2013 5:43PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Standard Tripod. gets stuff done, I dont think i need anything more
Jan 30 2013 5:44PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
$100 isnt enough to get a (good) stabilizer. I agree with magnus, you should get a good tripod first
Jan 30 2013 6:39PM
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Juicy-J
Posts: 1901 - Karma: 1,765
i disagree with you once again. I found my glidecam for $50 used, you just need to look around. you can also build a DIY fig rig cage out of PVC for a cheap yet fairly stable solution. yeah its not going to be anything like a glidecam would be, but better than nothing.
Jan 30 2013 6:45PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Alright enough about stabilizers I have that all figured out, Im talking about the 50mm
Jan 30 2013 6:50PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
What? $50 used. That's insane. Sure, fig rigs are good but i think a good tripod matters more. Why not just get a good tripod and then make a diy fig rig/pvc thing. That or save up for a glidecam/other stabilizer, but only if you really want to do only follow cams.
And yeah 50mm is way too long to do follow cams unless you're insanely good.
Jan 30 2013 6:54PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
I have about $390, glidecams on ebay are going for $400 used
Jan 30 2013 7:00PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Can't you just put it on your camera and see? It's a great lens but its pretty long (as in zoomed in). Maybe if you only want to see their feet and have to be really far away
Jan 30 2013 7:41PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
I don't have the lens.. that's why I'm asking
Jan 30 2013 7:42PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
50mm on your kit lens will look the same
Jan 30 2013 7:45PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Well now I feel stupid.
Jan 30 2013 7:53PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
No
Jan 30 2013 9:01PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Unless your talking about focal length then yes obviously, but image quality wise no. Still not a good lens at all for follow cams though.
Jan 30 2013 9:02PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
isnt it because the minimum focal length is 50mm so the steadiness and quality wont look as bad as on the kit..
Jan 30 2013 9:03PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
i've seen wide open 50mm follow cams that have looked well done and it was very cool. It was some NS member, can't remember who. Pretty sure it was hand held too. So yeah, its very much possible, probably hard, but seriously you post more shit that makes me think you don't know what you're talking about.
Jan 30 2013 9:22PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Have you actually tried doing a follow cam at 50mm? Especially on crop bodies, its hard. I didn't say it was impossible, its just really hard. Anything is possible. You can shoot handheld follow cams with a 1000mm lens, but its going to be nearly impossible.
Jan 30 2013 10:23PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Obviously I meant. Fl. and was the handheld 50 on a crop body?
Jan 31 2013 4:02AM
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sweatshirt
Posts: 1357 - Karma: 483
just stop your kit lens down, it is a way better tool for the job then a 50mm
Jan 31 2013 5:19AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106

i found it. Not a canon 50mm, but yeah point being you can do it. OP sorry for the trainwreck of a thread.
Jan 31 2013 12:56PM
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Andi_G
Posts: 3083 - Karma: 15,099
that was fuckin sweet
Jan 31 2013 1:41PM
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NPF
Posts: 5152 - Karma: 12,119
that was really sick
Jan 31 2013 2:36PM
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