Which is the best DSLR for video?

So this may be the recent eternal question. (Thats an oxymoron.) But my question is intended for single model specific answers. Not a debate. I am interested in personal conclusions. Lets assume that someone is going to buy a DSLR and they have no previous lenses. What do they buy. Of course money should be a factor. I've seen some great work with relatively budget DSLRs.

In any case, what is one to do for a DSLR that will have the primary purpose of shooting video?

A secondary consideration may be buying a lower priced DSLR initially so as to invest in glass, that can always be used on upgrades of bodies.

Ohh and having the perspective of a videographer is always better, for the known nuances of DSLRs with respect to video shooting.

Thanks for all the effort and responses in advance.

Get the latest T3i or whatever number Ti it is now, or 7D in a kit with a lens. Great starter packages. That's how I got started. Then when you know what you're doing, you can get better glass, eventually move on to higher end DSLRs.

There is no one best, though, just what works for you, personally.

BenB, Thanks for posting this advice. Just a clarification. That is exactly what I meant when I said "personal conclusions" and single-model specific answers.

I'd like to know what is the one best "DSLR for video" of the person commenting, personally.

And you pretty much did exactly that - thanks!

(The reason I ask responders in this thread to give their single most loved DSLR for video, for them specifically, is to avoid the multitude of typical threads; that spiral out of control in to a debate of which are best based on balancing different factors of glass vs future vs body vs models vs popularity vs ML vs etc.....thats not what I'm looking for here. I'd just like to know what works for you (the commentor).)
:blink: :blink: :blink:

Thanks again BenB!

Everything BenB said... and please use a tripod!!



PS: Don´t buy the T1i (the oldest model doesn´t record 1080p @ 24fps)

Of course not he said the newest t?i....which is the t5i


www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/945049-RE..._rebel_t5i_dslr.html

My 2 best friends, a tripod and a CineSaddle.

Well from my experience nothing shoots video like the Canon 5D Mk III.
But you really have to know how to use it.

You can run and gun with it, I've proved that, but it takes a lot of practice and setting up to work well in situations that require fast thinking.

Don't forget the Panasonic GH2 or 3.

if you are on a shoestring budget like me, and fx/full size sensors is just a priceless dream:

… my final candidate was
Canon 550d/t2i
Canon 50mm/1.4
Tamron 10-24mm

if you shoot some eBay fortune, you'd get the whole set for ~1k€

… but …

in the end, for my needs , the Pana hcv707 was 'better' (and cheaper).

While trying to maintain the DSLR only (because of lens choice) suggestions for this specific thread, I wanted to add another facet. Has anyone experimented, purchased, or thought about mirror-less?

waternyc wrote: … anyone … thought about mirror-less?

I dare to make the following statement:
no differences btw DSLR and mirror-less …  :ohmy:

it's just about sensors (size, moire, etc) , usability (auto-focus, connectors) and optics (aka glas).

for sure, the two dinosaurs Nikon and Canon offer the wi(l)dest range of glasses. E.g. excellent devices like Sony NEX offer superb electronics, but less choice of lenses.

From a video-graphers pov, DSLR is not automatically a 'magic bullet'. APS-sensors can be found in other, mirror-less devices too.

Back to your initial question: 'best' mostly means 'best compromise of features'. One needs flexibility, one needs compact, one needs ext. hdmi recording ....

Make a weighted list, what you want, what you really need. A 'jack of all trades device' is mostly over-priced and less in use than some tiny, cheap, fun to use thingie.

Finally: Picasso created art with a paper-napkin and a chewed pencil :lol: :lol:

Great advice. I love Picasso.

waternyc wrote: While trying to maintain the DSLR only (because of lens choice) suggestions for this specific thread, I wanted to add another facet. Has anyone experimented, purchased, or thought about mirror-less?

How many lenses do you need?

Is that a trick question?

I'd love to ideally have 7 or 8 lenses. But minimally I'd choose a 50mm, a 135mm, a 16-35mm and possibly 70-200mm.

I would probably need at least the first two as a base and the rest build slowly.....

but this is a trick question because it may reveal my preferences (full-frame or not, brand, etc....

Although, I'd like to point out that someone's setup for their personal-preference-outcome-workflow may be enough for them. I'm more interested in what already works for someone with DSLR and additionally I'll say creating a cinematic feel !

With DSLR type cameras there are 2 main schools of thought here: Canon vs Panasonic. Nikon & Sony are also fast becoming contenders (though I have little experience with them so I wont comment much about them).

Sony: Use the old Minolta lens mounts. Available in APS & Full Frame.

Nikon: Aliasing & Moire is still an issue it appears. However Nikon offer clean and uncompressed HDMI out. Nikon lenses are great (I have a lot of old vintage Nikkor lenses). The only thing is that Nikon cameras will not accept Canon lenses due to the flange distance. Available in APS & Full Frame.

Panasonic; what can I say. GH2 and GH3 users are like the Taliban of the camera world - total fanatics who are pretty sure they are right about everything, and they are convinced that Canon users are going straight to hell. They'll happily dress a Canon user in an orange jumpsuit and behead you, just to prove it too.

The GH cameras are very sharp, but they lack a large sensor (it's only a 4/3 which is probably closer to 16mm than 35mm). No Full Frame. I repeat: No Full Frame.

The GH is mirrorless (so technically its not a DSLR). If you use regular 35mm lenses then you'll have a major cropping issue. If you purchase 4/3 lenses then it wont be an issue, but bear in mind that you'll be locked into that format (they wont work on APS or FF cameras).

I think the Panasonic has a very video-y look to it, but thats just me.

Canon: Available in APS and FF. Canon L series lenses really rock. The Canon EF mount accepts a whole host of other lenses (with adapters) so you can use a whole variety of vintage lenses with your canon.

Canon DSLR's are very soft; some people like the look as it can be very filmic. Aliasing and moire used to be an issue; its nearly completely gone now with the 5Dmk3 though - I cant make it happen when I tried too.

Canon cameras make a very pleasing image right out of the box - very warm skin tones, some people hate that, but a lot of people like it.

Once you shoot Full Frame you never want to go back to APS. For that reason I would say that the 5Dmk3 is the best of the bunch (I have used most of them, and there is nothing else quite like it). People often ask me are we going to shoot the Ad/PR/Music Video with a 5Dmk2? When I tell them no, they look disappointed. When I tell them we'll be shooting it with the all new improved 5Dmk3 they literally piss themselves. With joy.

So yeah, the 5D name carries some reputation with it, and people outside of the business seem to know what it is. I cant say anyone has ever asked 'Are we going to shoot the Ad/PR/Music Video with a GH2'. Except for that PR piece I did for Al Qaeda.

You chose wisely with the T2i/550D for specs on ext mic as well as the most stable release of the Magic Lantern. I'm sure you may have had that advice already but I never saw it in the comments threads...I skimmed briefly. I have been using the 550D since its release and it will have its 3rd birthday this June. I have gripped it and given it some new glass and it has been with me through Arctic Scandinavia down to -27 and currently it is in +37 in the tropics of SE Asia. I've used about 30K shutter actuations, mostly video and she's still going strong. Good luck:)

Thanks, I gave you a positive Karma for that answer! Keep in touch. and show us your stuff...

Many thanks for the karma and a wee sample at the following vimeo.com/60899429 , I look forward to contributing to the creativity in here.
Cheers

Is that a trick question?

I'd love to ideally have 7 or 8 lenses. But minimally I'd choose a 50mm, a 135mm, a 16-35mm and possibly 70-200mm.

Nope, no trick question. If your focal lengths above are "35mm equivalent", you have all bases covered with the Olympus and Panasonic program. With 15 dollar adaptors from eBay you can mount about any lens (besides EOS and Nikkor G) to the GH2 or 3.

I am still sitting on the fence if I should go with a DSLr, but for me it would be a Panasonic GH, or a OM D as my preference for a DSLR still is stills. What I've seen from these cams has looked better (to me!) than anything I've seen from Canon and Nikon so far. I have been shooting stills with the Olympus 4/3 system nearly since it came out (coming from Nikon). Even though my E1s are absolutely obsolete, I have never seen a reason to go anywhere else. That old Kodak sensor still holds out - with good light though - and I'm using my old AiS Nikkors.

Totally agree that if you are starting out you should invest in good glass and go with a cheaper camera body. I have a T3i and love it. Of course I dream of a better camera, but when looking at biggest bang for the buck, I've found my trusty T3i with a great L series lens to be rock solid (and I LOVE my LCD screen that pivots out on that model). I shot a film on the 1Dmk4 and the T3i and you can't tell the difference between the two.

But it's what works for what you do. How you shoot, etc. my 2¢!