Cinematography : DSLR Camera possibility by Karen Goldfarb

Hi Karen... I am on the hunt too... hopefully we can get an answer soon...

Thats a great camera to choose. At the end of the day it really comes down to you the Photographer.

i'm actually leaning toward the Sony Alpha 58.. mainly because the video has auto focus and it's a big lighter and seems more user friendly.. I have a really dumb question: When shooting video .. is it better to shoot at 60 or 24fps? and can you tell me what that means? Best, Karen

Well... firslty you'd never really use autofucus in video-- even if it's there. Maybe a touch autofocus if you need it; but never a roving one. Also recall you don't buy a camera, you buy a lens series. This is as true for stills as it is for video. So you have to ask yourself what lenses do you like? You will spend a few grand on them afterall. I am partial to Nikons and Nikkor lenses since i can use pretty much any lens ever made by nikon on my camera, -v- canon where many older and fine lenses will not work As for 24 or 60, that will depend on what your client wants. 60 is more tv broadcast (and truthfully soap opera) and 24 is motion picture. It refers to the frames per second.-- and it has an effect on the shutter speed and motion blur, and the psychological perception of the images you are shooting. However it also has consequences for deliverables-- and the "right" fps is often told to you by the people for whom your shooting.

I am caught between Nikon d5200 and Canon rebel t5i... not sure which brand I want... I do like how the Nikon feel, and the shots I tested were great, just don't know though...

I am much keener on Nikons since the lenses are better/cheaper/more interoperable. But that would be just for stills. For video, only the D800 is really good

Ok... but for that price I could get the black magic 2.5k (body)... on a budget though which is better for starting?

I would get a pocket camera. However the BMDs don't take stills. I have a pocket and have shot 2 features on the 2.5Ks and have a 3rd going on the 4K this yr-- they're nice cameras, but you have to at least double the price of the body for all the accessories to make it shoo table.

cool deal... Thanks! I wanted to save up for the BMC, but need something ASAP to shot a few things... then most likely next year will purchase the BMC, been looking and researching them and they look FANTASIC!

By next year the 4K should've come down in price a bit-- or you can get one used. But I always recommend not buying anything until you absolutely need it-- because you want to make an ROI before it's outdated by the net trendy camera.

4k is great but only if you have a need for it. I work with some pretty big clients and they still don't seem interested even though i can use it with my kit. The canon T3i is a great camera, I have one my self and still shoot on it every now and again. For that price point i would say your bang on the mark. Good luck with your shooting! :)

Cameras and tech change so fast, what I post today could be old news tommorrow. I'm a huge Panasonic fan, they were one of the first to bring 24p and various film speed to digital. I also think there is something very organic about the image I get with their cameras. Do your homework and see what your eyes tell you, you will be using that camera, no one else. All of my stuff was filmed using Panasonic HVX200 and Gh2. Both cams are old news now, but I still use them daily. I'm looking at the AF100a for my next camera.

The older T2i may be better than the T3i and is still available out there. Read the comparisons between the two. If $500 is your overall limit -- including a lens (or two) then you'll need to aim low. You can always go to Lensrentals.com to try out some camera and lens options.

I use the Nikon D7000. But I bought that because I already had lenses from my 35mm days. Just remember, the body isn't as important as the lenses. You're going to spend more money on quality lenses than the camera body. The Sony is a good choice because of the massive amounts of excellent Minolta used lenses out there. However, you don't necessarily need to buy a Minolta lens. I mostly use a Tokina AT-X Pro 2.8 lens with my Nikon for video work. And when you're starting out shooting video, shoot 24 or 30fps. You can experiment with 60 later.

One more thing, unless you're a pro shooting features and music videos full-time, don't chase technology. Get a good camera, even an entry level camera, and learn the basics. You can even use the Panasonic G5 micro 4/3rds to shoot video. It shoots amazing video and you can buy Panasonic or Olympus 4/3rds lenses for it. Don't buy 'serious' gear unless you're making serious dough.

All said from a professional point of view... But I would say you rather get a Canon T4i (650D) good for both still and video and like the 600D(T3i-) has a rotational (touch screen LCD,long battery life and durable for a conventional camera work. User friendly. Cheers . JAH bless.

I agree, I have a 650D/T4i and it is great, get a 40mm 'pancake' lens and you will be off to a great start

Guys.. Thanks so much for all your comments.. I am still a beginner.. so I won't be having clients .. just yet! Scott.. are you talking about the lumix for hte panasonic....

Has anyone used the Sony Alpha 58? I liked the feel of it.. that's why i'm leaning towards it

Yes the lumix. I have a G5 with a Leica lens and its awesome. I use it primarily for still photography when I want a lighter camera. And it's a 1.4 lens so it's great for low light or night photography. I'll ask my friend about his Sony Alpha. He owned one briefly. I'll see if he had any issues with it.

ok thanlks. .but if I got the G5 and just used their lens in the beginning.. would that be okay for video?

Of course. Like I said before, don't chase technology. You will eventually get there. I still use my Panasonic DVX100 SD miniDV camera. I used it last year. I don't know what kind of videos you want to make, but a good story comes first. Think of any bad Hollywood movie you've seen. They spent tens of millions of dollars and the movie is still shit. They could have shot it with a Kodak super8, and it would still be shit. Yes, there are pros and cons to buying gear, but anyone starting out just needs something to get started. You can email me at haveblu@yahoo if you like.

Scott.. what do you think of this? http://snapsort.com/cameras/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ200

I wouldn't recommend this one. Very small sensor and not good above 400 ISO. As for the Sony, my friend said forget it. Unless you buy the top full frame model which is about $2,000 for the body. Look into the G5 or an entry level Nikon or Canon. I hope this helps! As for lenses, I buy all my lenses used. You can save money this way.

oh really.. darn...ok..well..we'll see.. thanks Scott..;)

OK ONE MORE Scott and I won't bug you anymore.. is this more of what you were thinking of? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/968554-REG/panasonic_dmc_g6kk_lumi...

Yes, that's a great camera to start with. Looks like a good price too. You have everything you need to start shooting video and stills. Then at some point, you can work on upgrading your lenses. Also, I would recommend getting a compact microphone with a hot shoe mount. Better sound quality. Enjoy!

You can bug me all you want. :-)

ok the panasonic dmc-g6... will probably be it.. Thanks Scott!

any of the Canon "D"s (the 5,6's are good w/natural, low light) however w/the 5's you have to use their software, instead of dragging & dropping which could be a real drag.

The Panasonic Lumix cameras are a real golden find. The lenses will continue to be useful for micro 4/3 usage as you move up in skills. For still photography work they have excellent autofocus. On the video side there are many excellent cine style prime lenses that you can rent to improve your skills without breaking your budget. A used gh-2 or gh-3 could be a really good next step. The Panasonic gh-4 will feature the ability to shoot 4k so when it comes out many gh-2 & gh-3 shooters will be upgrading and maybe selling their old cameras. For the low entry price & high professional quality I highly recommend the Panasonic Lumix cameras. When I shoot lower budgets projects that still want a cinema look my gh-2 has never let me down. That same gh-2 that will become my "B" camera when the gh-4 is released.

Robert.. I'm so glad you posted this because I went to look at it yesterday at B&H and I think this is the camera he was suggesting.. but I felt more inclined to the lumix http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/869238-REG/Sony_DSC_RX100_Digital_... my only concern about the Lumix is that it didn't have a place to put a mic.. so if ii wanted to make little documentaries.. the guy said I would have to get a zune mic.. does that make sense.. and the sony did.. what do you think?

actually I think this is the one.. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892146-REG/Sony_nex6l_b_Alpha_NEX_... the guy said was better buy than the lumix.. any thoughts? it was on sale for 600

Karen, firstly, the Panasonic G6 absolutely DOES have a mic input port. Not sure about their other models, but it wouldn't surprise me if they do. Secondly, I'll bet that salesperson gets a higher commission on Sony products. Something to think about.

ok maybe it was the Gf6 that doesn't.. i was just gonna ask you which is better the g6 or the gf6?

Looks like the G6 wins.. I just found this http://snapsort.com/compare/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-G6-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-GF6

Ha! I wasn't even aware there was a Gf6. I think you'll really like the camera. I love my G5. So far, I've only used it for still photography. When you couple these cameras with the higher end lenses, you're gonna get some great results. Enjoy!