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October, 2024

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Looking to get into filming

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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
So basically i have started doing a bit of skiing filming and want to start getting more serious about it.
I was wondering, how good is a DSLR for filming? Should I just get a camcorder for a similar price?

I'm looking at a pretty nice quality piece between $300 and $700.
Im not very good yet but I really want to learn.
I wouldn't mind giving it to a friend, and I have a macbook pro 2011.

I am ATM looking towards something like the t3i-t5i or a SONY camcorder, but I want to be able to take good stills as well.

Do you guys ever film with DSLR?
Is it ok for Stuff like Urban and BC(Not follow cam, more stationary stuff)

Thanks and +K for good answers
May 4 2013 9:04AM
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skibumb2929
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,475
i would look into the rebel series like the t2i 3i ect they are very easy to use and in your price range you would have to get lens of course to do stationary backcountry shots because the standard lens that comes with them the 18-55 is a peace of shit if you are filming park and want a uwa i would go with the famous tokina 11-16
May 4 2013 12:39PM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
How good are the rebel series for filming though?

Is it worth just getting a camcorder?

thanks for the answer BTW
May 4 2013 6:30PM
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homestar
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 4,197
they are fine for videos. By the time you get the lenses and stuff, a DSLR would be out of your price range though.

If you got a camcorder, you wouldn't be able to get good stills but you could get decent videos for a much lower price. If you do get a camcorder, I would recommend a Panasonic TM700 for your price range. I used one last year and was really happy with it. My most recent videos on my profile were taken with one.
May 4 2013 7:34PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
get a dslr if you are looking into getting more serious about your filming, a camcorder like that will not serve you like you want it to and won't allow you to broaden your filming horizons.
May 4 2013 9:48PM
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mM*
Posts: 366 - Karma: 787
Get yourself a t3i or t2i (Body ONLY) and use the extra money to save up for some nice glass. I have a t3i and love it. I've done follow runs and I've done stationary with a tripod. Its very simple for beginners, like me.
May 4 2013 9:59PM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
Thanks for all the replies guys I reckon Ill get a t3i
May 5 2013 5:58AM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
I wouldnt go the dslr route unless i had atleast a grand. You would need a nice tripod and a few lenses. I would buy a nice camcorder instead of a dslr for your budget. A dslr setup will be something like this: t3i: 400$+nice tripod with video head:250$+long lens:200-1000$+extra batterys:50$+lots of memorycards+++.
If you are willing to drop that amount of cash and spend the time to learn dslrvideo, then a dslr is you best bet. If not then a camcorder is the best.
May 5 2013 6:11AM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
On second thought, do you recon I should invest more and get the t4i? Ive got just enough to get that and a nice lens.
May 5 2013 6:12AM
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KillerPow
Posts: 99 - Karma: 113
If you don't have i tripod i would really recommend investing in one
May 5 2013 2:24PM
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Mar-O
Posts: 960 - Karma: 827
Unless you can raise your budget and continue to invest in gear in the feature don't get a dslr. And if you do get a dslr get a cheap t2i or t3i. Remember all the extra stuff you are going to spend money on with a dslr like batteries, filters, tripod, lenses, glidecam, microphone and cards..
May 5 2013 2:43PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
Definitely go with a DSLR not a camcorder. It might push your budget a bit but youll be glad you did, camcorders lock you in to a very limited style of filming. You cant really do anything that interesting with them.
May 6 2013 9:26AM
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