DSLR for video
Discussion
Hello all,
Its been a while since I have been in this part of the forum! I have been out of the photography world for a while and i guess things have moved on!
We need to do some filming at work (just head and shoulders stuff of people talking) and assume that an SLR on a tripod with something like a 50mm prime lens is the best way to get a "professional" look? Or have dedicated camcorders / mirrorless cameras moved the game on?
We wouldn't need anything with bells and whistles, so I am assuimg that something like the Canon 2000d will do the job? (There was talking of filming it on iPads... so anything too expensive might get a resounding no!)
Its been a while since I have been in this part of the forum! I have been out of the photography world for a while and i guess things have moved on!
We need to do some filming at work (just head and shoulders stuff of people talking) and assume that an SLR on a tripod with something like a 50mm prime lens is the best way to get a "professional" look? Or have dedicated camcorders / mirrorless cameras moved the game on?
We wouldn't need anything with bells and whistles, so I am assuimg that something like the Canon 2000d will do the job? (There was talking of filming it on iPads... so anything too expensive might get a resounding no!)
DSLRs make very good video cameras; a 50mm lens will be fine and give you suficiently shallow DOF to blur the background if you wish.
Equally importantly get the lighting and background right, so be prepared to spend some money on lighting.
The only drawback to DSLR as opposed to a video camera is that shots are limited to 30 mins - something to do with taxation I think.
Equally importantly get the lighting and background right, so be prepared to spend some money on lighting.
The only drawback to DSLR as opposed to a video camera is that shots are limited to 30 mins - something to do with taxation I think.
Simpo Two said:
The only drawback to DSLR as opposed to a video camera is that shots are limited to 30 mins
Yep - found that out the hard way!!DSLRs can indeed produce some stunning video.
Two other things....
Sound is quite poor from the built in mics so you'd need to get a decent one. Rode do some really good mics for not a lot of money and make a huge difference.
AutoFocus in video mode can range from being lethargic to useless. Not a huge issue for the sort of stuff you're going for but don't rely on it. Get your focus right and leave it in manual.
Nothing wrong with shooting on a phone or iPad but there's something about it that to me don't 'look' right compared to a DSRL or Video Camera. I've yet to work out what it is.
If you already have the DSLR use it.
If you are going to buy something, get a camcorder.
It will have better auto-focus, it will have a more useable zoom, it will have better built-in Micoprhones, it will probably have better battery life.
The downside to a lower end camcorder is, it won't give you such an "arty" look.
If you are going to buy something, get a camcorder.
It will have better auto-focus, it will have a more useable zoom, it will have better built-in Micoprhones, it will probably have better battery life.
The downside to a lower end camcorder is, it won't give you such an "arty" look.
For two years, I used this as my 'A' Camera:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Has since been relegated to my B camera but still an astounding bit of kit. £600 new but often see them pop up second hand for around £400.
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Has since been relegated to my B camera but still an astounding bit of kit. £600 new but often see them pop up second hand for around £400.
StevieBee said:
Sound is quite poor from the built in mics so you'd need to get a decent one. Rode do some really good mics for not a lot of money and make a huge difference.
AutoFocus in video mode can range from being lethargic to useless. Not a huge issue for the sort of stuff you're going for but don't rely on it. Get your focus right and leave it in manual.
Yes, sound is a dimension often overlooked by amateurs. A Lavalier clip mike is good for people talking.AutoFocus in video mode can range from being lethargic to useless. Not a huge issue for the sort of stuff you're going for but don't rely on it. Get your focus right and leave it in manual.
With time to set it up, use manual exposure and manual focus, and take time to set the white balance (as per the manual).
Thanks for the responses all.
I don’t think budget will stretch to £600, but you never know. It’s not like we are making money or anything from these videos, they are for some promo type stuff for a school.
These don’t need to be beautiful videos, they just need to look decent. Having the option for a shallow depth of field is a big plus... if external mics / lighting is needed then it’s probably going to be a non-starter!
I seem to remember Panasonic were making some pretty decent video products. Are they worth a look?
I think budget is likely to be £3-400. Will this get something demonstrably better than a 2018 era ipad?
I don’t think budget will stretch to £600, but you never know. It’s not like we are making money or anything from these videos, they are for some promo type stuff for a school.
These don’t need to be beautiful videos, they just need to look decent. Having the option for a shallow depth of field is a big plus... if external mics / lighting is needed then it’s probably going to be a non-starter!
I seem to remember Panasonic were making some pretty decent video products. Are they worth a look?
I think budget is likely to be £3-400. Will this get something demonstrably better than a 2018 era ipad?
TBH, the camera is only part of the cost.
You will also need a tripod, microphone and SD card.
If it was me and I had a budget like that I would just use my phone (iPhone X max) with a gimbal or tripod with a phone adapter.
Make sure you have loads of light and try to make the area you use as quite and as dead as possible.
You will also need a tripod, microphone and SD card.
If it was me and I had a budget like that I would just use my phone (iPhone X max) with a gimbal or tripod with a phone adapter.
Make sure you have loads of light and try to make the area you use as quite and as dead as possible.
jimmy156 said:
Not aware of anyone with the required kit at work. My old 50d is pre video unfortunately!
As suggested, maybe just try the iPad and see how it looks!
That's a good plan. If it looks crap then you know you have to spend some loot As suggested, maybe just try the iPad and see how it looks!
Just keep a little distance and use a little zoom to frame (if they do that, I have no idea). You might be able to use an anglepoise etc for some mood lighting, or a handy window.When recording keep a wary ear out for doors slamming, cars going past, aeroplanes overhead etc and reshoot if they do.
jimmy156 said:
Not aware of anyone with the required kit at work. My old 50d is pre video unfortunately!
As suggested, maybe just try the iPad and see how it looks!
You can use magic lantern to hack your 50d to do video! It won’t do sound though!As suggested, maybe just try the iPad and see how it looks!
You can pick up a 60d for £250-300 used from MPB that’ll do video.
But you’ll 100% want a lav mix, tripod and lighting to go with it
Simpo Two said:
Does anyone at you workplace already have a DSLR that would do it? Then you only have to buy lighting (can be cheap stuff from eBay with a softbox) and a mike.
Or try the iPad. If the results look good enough for you, use that.
This.Or try the iPad. If the results look good enough for you, use that.
I'm always astonished by the results I can get from an iPhone 11 Pro Max. I've been doing some Linkedin videos every week, whilst visiting customers or in the car - you'd never have guessed I was doing it on a phone.
I believe even pro. outside broadcast will use iPhones these days.
Assuming a budget of £600.00 I would buy something like:
Used Nikon D7100 - £170 (Has a focus motor in the body so will work with AF-D lenses)
Used Nkion 50mm AF-D f/1.8 - £50.00 (nice shallow depth of field)
Used Nikon 18-55 AF-S 18-5mm - f/3.5-5.6 - Cheap and cheerful second lens £50.00
Zoom H1 sound recorder - £80.00 Use this to record sound completely separately - sync it later
Cheapish Lavallier Mic to accompany above (which already has decent mics anyway) - £30.00
5m Extenstion cable for mic so that you can plug it into the camera if you want - £6.00
SD Card - £10
Manfrotto Tripod with ball mount head - £100
Cheap and cheerful pair of video lights with softboxes and stands from Amazon - £80.00
That comes in at a shade under £600.00. If you want to cut costs then just get one lens for now, and/or a cheaper tripod.
Used Nikon D7100 - £170 (Has a focus motor in the body so will work with AF-D lenses)
Used Nkion 50mm AF-D f/1.8 - £50.00 (nice shallow depth of field)
Used Nikon 18-55 AF-S 18-5mm - f/3.5-5.6 - Cheap and cheerful second lens £50.00
Zoom H1 sound recorder - £80.00 Use this to record sound completely separately - sync it later
Cheapish Lavallier Mic to accompany above (which already has decent mics anyway) - £30.00
5m Extenstion cable for mic so that you can plug it into the camera if you want - £6.00
SD Card - £10
Manfrotto Tripod with ball mount head - £100
Cheap and cheerful pair of video lights with softboxes and stands from Amazon - £80.00
That comes in at a shade under £600.00. If you want to cut costs then just get one lens for now, and/or a cheaper tripod.
Edited by SCEtoAUX on Saturday 14th November 18:06
Edited by SCEtoAUX on Saturday 14th November 18:07
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