Opting out of a GoPro for once..

Well the GoPro 4 is out now, and based on the effort you put into this thread it may be best for you. And what to you is affordable? How much money?

McMilliamDespite the new GoPro 4 or whatever it's called out soon, I'm not going to get one this time but instead spend more and buy my first DSLR for filming... What's the best affordable option?

Completely depends on what you want to do. If you want 1080p/60, however.. you're going to want at least a Nikon D5300 or a Panasonic GH3. If you want to shoot more photos, get the Nikon. If you're more video dedicated, the GH3 is probably a better option. The Nikon will run you around 650. GH3 will run you around 800ish new. From there the question becomes more 'what lens'.

The Gopro Hero 4 black is going to be better than almost every dslr expect the gh4, a7s, 1dc and a few others above the $1,500 to $2000 price range. If you are just upgrading for video its not worth it.
If you are upgrading to do mostly photos with the dslr and not as much video it makes sense

Rdwagner2The Gopro Hero 4 black is going to be better than almost every dslr expect the gh4, a7s, 1dc and a few others above the $1,500 to $2000 price range.

Please explain to me how that works?

The GoPro obviously has some pretty powerful features inside of it such as 4k/30fps, and 1080/120fps but you lack many features you would find on a full size camera. It's pretty hard to adjust frame rate, ISO, aperture, white balance, etc. on the camera. There are other disadvantages such as low battery life, no screen (or have a screen and have even less battery life), fixed lens, and it goes on.

I just dont see a point in spending the money on a lower end dslr. I would just say with a gopro or go with a pro level dslr. battery life and a screen are the only major issues with the gopro. the new firmware allows for manual control of ISO, aperture, shutter speed and white balance on the hero 4 and 3+ i think. Fixed lens is also a problems but 50% of ns shooters shoot with a single lens or maybe two.

I just dont think its worth the extra $200 to $500 to get a basic dslr kit over staying with a GoPro Hero 4

If the OP is doing more than filming action sports it and looking for something for narrative and cinematic filming and photography then a dslr is a better option.

Rdwagner2I just dont see a point in spending the money on a lower end dslr. I would just say with a gopro or go with a pro level dslr. battery life and a screen are the only major issues with the gopro. the new firmware allows for manual control of ISO, aperture, shutter speed and white balance on the hero 4 and 3+ i think. Fixed lens is also a problems but 50% of ns shooters shoot with a single lens or maybe two.

I just dont think its worth the extra $200 to $500 to get a basic dslr kit over staying with a GoPro Hero 4

If the OP is doing more than filming action sports it and looking for something for narrative and cinematic filming and photography then a dslr is a better option.

I'm about as much of a go pro fan as you can be but I disagree with you. A DSLR will teach you how to use a camera, what the settings mean, and how to set up a shot. Sure, the new go pro has manual settings but chances are they are a bit of a pain to play with.

So many people get blown away by the gopro's specs and assume it must be a better camera. Sure, it is a great camera for a lot of things, and I really want a 4+ to complement my DSLR

Interchangeable lenses are a HUGE deal, DOF control is a big deal, easily accessible manual settings are a big deal.

You can get a used t3i or t2i for $300, the kit lens is like $90, thats still less than the $500 gopro. Anybody who says you should only get a gopro or pro level DSLR should look at Gavin Rudy, I mean, seriously, How many POD's and a full length movie?!?! With a T3i.

It's not about the specs or the 4K or any of that. A camera is just a tool, get the tool that is best for you.

Yeah, I agree. If you ever want to improve with video and be able to really control your image, even a basic T2i will give you more leeway than a Gopro. Sure, in the end it's certainly more expensive, but you also get the added benefit of photography and high end lens options that the Gopro as it is could never possibly allow for.

Additionally, You'll learn so much from that setup, that you'll be able to more effectively use a go-pro, knowing what your limitations are with it and where it's going to benefit you more - thus absolutely complimenting your other things.

Super slowmo shot? Use your gopro.
Long-shot of someone hitting a cliff or jump, with added depth? Use your bigger badder camera.
High contrast late-day situation? Definitely use your bigger camera.
Don't have time to setup shots today? Doesn't matter if they're all wide angle? GoPro!



SO . WITH THAT SAID.

If you want 1080p60 like I previously stated, obviously the Nikon D5300 or GH3 are your jam...

If you really just want to get into the game and learn-learn-learn, Either a Pana GH2, a Canon T2i, or a Nikon D5100 would do the trick and not cost you over 300-400ish.

DingoSeanCompletely depends on what you want to do. If you want 1080p/60, however.. you're going to want at least a Nikon D5300 or a Panasonic GH3. If you want to shoot more photos, get the Nikon. If you're more video dedicated, the GH3 is probably a better option. The Nikon will run you around 650. GH3 will run you around 800ish new. From there the question becomes more 'what lens'.

The new 7d Does 60fps at 1080 as well

CamWillisThe new 7d Does 60fps at 1080 as well

Yes, but it's also not as cheap as the other two. OP asked for cheapest option. For pure video, I'd also probably take the GH3 over the 7D2... this obviously changes if photography is in any way a consideration in the matter, as that 10fps burstrate and super fast and accurate AF are sexy.

Thanks a lot for the responses. I should have explained myself a bit more in the original post.

I am really keen to learn more and I've done 3 x GoPro 'edits' and I just feel like limited with it. I don't want to just do action sport / POV filming, I travel a lot and sure I would definitely take more photos if I had a bigger camera.

What is affordable? I guess if I'm getting the right camera then I could justify spending up to £750 pounds.

I'll definitely check out your recommendations and hopefully start getting some shots! cheers

McMilliamThanks a lot for the responses. I should have explained myself a bit more in the original post.

I am really keen to learn more and I've done 3 x GoPro 'edits' and I just feel like limited with it. I don't want to just do action sport / POV filming, I travel a lot and sure I would definitely take more photos if I had a bigger camera.

What is affordable? I guess if I'm getting the right camera then I could justify spending up to £750 pounds.

I'll definitely check out your recommendations and hopefully start getting some shots! cheers

are you looking for a whole setup, lenses and all for 750?

Is 750 for both possible? if so yes!

McMilliamIs 750 for both possible? if so yes!

Wait, so 750 pounds? so that's like $950? Sure, that's totally possible, I'll leave it to wiser people than me to make final recommendations but I would lean toward a t3i or a gh2, t3i if you want to get into photos, gh2 if you want to get a bunch of cheap vintage glass and do video. I'm sure someone else will have more deeply seated recommendations though.

And if you only have $750 I still think it's totally possible. I mean, my favorite video I have made I did with $400 worth of camera and gear (t2i with the kit lens)

cydwhitWait, so 750 pounds? so that's like $950? Sure, that's totally possible, I'll leave it to wiser people than me to make final recommendations but I would lean toward a t3i or a gh2, t3i if you want to get into photos, gh2 if you want to get a bunch of cheap vintage glass and do video. I'm sure someone else will have more deeply seated recommendations though.

And if you only have $750 I still think it's totally possible. I mean, my favorite video I have made I did with $400 worth of camera and gear (t2i with the kit lens)

I actually think that my old gh2 might've been my favourite camera of all time.... it's really not that bad for photos either tbh, I liked it a lot.

nutz.I actually think that my old gh2 might've been my favourite camera of all time.... it's really not that bad for photos either tbh, I liked it a lot.

It's not bad, but compared to DSLR's it's really not as useful. Compared to other M4/3 cameras as well - the Olympus EP's crush it.

id buy a gh3 with 18 140 that would be dope. or even a used gh2. and you wont notice a difernce between the gh3 and the nikon d5300 for stills there both very good but the for video a gh2 and or gh3 will be alot beter then a nikon d5300