First post! 600D or 700D for shooting video.

nowhereboy

nowhereboy

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Richie
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Hey folks! First post here. I want to get back into filming and I've been out for over 7 years, wow things have changed. I used to have a canon XM2 but thats starting to look old hat now.

I want a DSLR for a few reasons, mainly to film Rollerblading and a documentary for my band (interviews, gigs etc), I also like the idea of learning to take a picture or two along the way. I've got a few queries and could use a little help.

My main concern is getting my shots in focus, with the XM2 it was just point and shoot but I understand it's completely different whilst using a DSLR. When looking at the differences between the 600d and the 700d autofocus is one of the "benefits" am I right in thinking this is pretty pointless as I'd get better results with manual focus anyway?

I plan on mostly shooting still video shots, for example a still shot of a ledge and then a skater rolling into view doing a trick on it and rolling out of view again, I also plan on getting a fisheye style lens for the cliche skate video look.

So to cut a long story short, should I opt for the 600 or the 700D? I keep edging towards the 700D but I can't see any real benefits of doing so, it's substantially more expensive too. I also looked into the nikon range but from what I've read so far the canon is better for video.

Just a side note, I am only looking to buy new, if you have any other recommendations feel free to pass on your ideas but bear in mind my budget is only around £700/800 maximum.
 
I'm trying, rather unsuccessfully to write a paper so will be brief and can spend more with a reply tomorrow evening/ Sat if needed.

Using autofocus sucks on DSLR's- manual focus is the way forward.

There's a 650D as well. Canon frame rates are a bit limiting although there is magic lantern but yes, Nikon is still a bit shoddy on video front in general. The D5300 is them starting to realise where they should have been years ago.

I would be looking at Panasonic if it's for video- a G6 would allow for a lens or two- check recent thread out. GH3 would also be good but at limit of your budget without lens. I'd want an input for an external mic with whatever you got and the ability to do slow mo at 1080.

GH4 is pretty much where's it at just now but only just out so prices haven't dropped and wont for a while.
 
Thanks! I'm about to sleep now as I've got work early tommorow morning, I'll do some research on what you mentioned and post back tommorow.
 
I've done a little reading at work today on the G6, along with the 600d and the 700d.

I've took what you said about the panasonic on board but to be honest the camera just doesn't appeal to me, I don't like the size or the look of it and as daft as it sounds thats enough to put me off.

The Nikon however is now a very serious contender the D5300 is priced on the higher end of my budget however the D5200 is more affordable for me. I've watched a load of comparison videos between the D5200 and the 600D on youtube and for video quality the nikon seems to be coming out on top. This low light comparison on youtube really shows that

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what I opt for the quality is still going to be way better than my xm2 and for what I intent on using the camera for I'm sure all of the one's I've mentioned will do a great job.

I think I'm obsessing over the nitty gritty a little too much?
 
I forgot to say - I had came across an XM2 for £300 a few days back- I can't remember what I was actually looking for- think it was X4 propellers lol but I was like wow that's really cheap. I guess the reality is it's not, given how far things have moved but it was quite funny that I had this nostalgic view on pricing:D.

I can relate to your feeling on aesthetics- it's why I shoot Nikon. I really hate the Canon L lenses with a black hood, white then black body- it's looks like a liquorice allsort and is just not right for my idiom:). I was only forced to shoot canon for movies as nikon was so bad lol. The GH series are bigger but I agree I'm not a fan of small form factor either unless weight/ size is uber critical- even the xxxD and Dxxxx can feel a bit toy like when you're used to the metal bodied cameras.

It's a tricky one- I would probably go for a 650D if you can- stereo mic and touch screen as well as hybrid focusing for movies. The sensor is the D5200 is better which is why it performs better in low light but trump card for Canon is access to magic lantern which transforms movie mode with many useful features. Depends how much you are into it and what you want to do of course.

Either way I doubt you will be disappointed as you say. There are plus/ minus points to both. If you can get hold of a canon or nikon see how it feels and operates- that may help you decide.
 
don't some of the sonys have no line skipping, plus evf etc
think its the rx series, maybe some of the nex or a6000 line too
think its the rx10
 
Dr_O said:
I forgot to say - I had came across an XM2 for £300 a few days back- I can't remember what I was actually looking for- think it was X4 propellers lol but I was like wow that's really cheap. I guess the reality is it's not, given how far things have moved but it was quite funny that I had this nostalgic view on pricing:D.
Click to expand...

Yea I'm sure I paid something like £1200 for my XM2 when It first came out :wideyed:

Anyway I ended up going for the 600D, mainly down to the cost as now I have enough left over to get a decent wide angle lens. I picked the camera up tonight but the SD card doesn't come until tommorow! First impressions are good but I have so much to learn, I'll stick around this forum and read up as much as possible in the mean time. Thanks for you advice along the way :)
 
No probs- glad your sorted despite logistics of card and camera lol.

With ref to your wide angle- Canon have just released a new wide angle- a 10-18 with STM motor and IS. A bit slower than their 10-22 which is very good but it is cheaper. As it's just out, it's £300 hasn't seen any movement but should have dropped a bit within 6 months. Worth bearing in mind anyway.
 
Cheers, I'll do a little research into that lens tonight. I'll have about £300 to spend on a lens when I get paid at the end of the month. I tried my hand at some manual exposure on the way home from work tonight, this is litteraly the first time I've tried taking photo's with a dslr. I set the ISO at 400 and tried to blur the background with a large aperture but that wasn't very successful, I have a feeling that may be down to the kit lens but I'm not sure? Anyway this is the only photo that came out half decent but I quite like it! Can't wait to get a day off work so I can really get to grips with the camera.

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At least you're using it- that's always a good start(y). Quite difficult to get good bokeh from kit lenses. At 18mm and f4.5 with the background so close in relation to the car you will struggle. At 55mm it would probably be slightly easier but then you need to be further back. Faster lenses do allow for much more creativity and flexibility and telephoto lenses will also allow a different perspective due to narrower field of view compared to a wide angle which combined with the increased working distance can help isolate the subject more even with what would be considered a slower aperture on a wide angle. I'd certainly recommend taking a bunch of pictures/ movies and seeing what your most used lengths are and then perhaps investing in a fast aperture lens around those lengths- zoom or prime. Don't let people convince you to buy a 50mm f1.8 because they are great and really handy if you never shoot at that length. Not that I've seen that happen:p:D
 
Thanks for your advice fella, I bought the camera primarily for video but I can really see me getting into photography now too. I'll do just what you said, take a load of pictures first and work out what will best suit my needs a little further down the line :)
 
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