Suitable DSLR Sub £600 - Video

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gingerweasel

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I have a rather interesting website project coming up that would really benefit from adding video content. This would add significant value to the project but really would have to be top quality, both in terms of the footage and the editing.

The videos themselves would be shot in difficult lighting conditions. Specifically pointing into brightly lit tents, and in very dark conditions with multicolour lighting.

Audio would also have to be thought out as the builtin microphone would not give me the quality I'm looking for.

These videos will then be encoded for web use but may also be encoded for DVD later.

My budget will not stretch to a Canon 5D MKII, but I may be able to stretch to a second hand 7D if I really had to. However I would prefer to keep within £600 if at all possible.


Can anyone please make any suggestions as my knowledge in this area is lacking?
 
if you're looking for a DSLR option and low light, what field of view are you looking for?
canon DSLR can do movies, including the cheaper current models, 600D for example
however, the lens will make a difference, so you might have to source a low light lens
f2.8 for 200ish plus 2nd hand
or a 1.8 50mm (not wide) for 60 ish
etc, 30mm 1.4's are good for 200-300 quid
however, in a short term project, buying these 2nd hand isn't bad as they'll retain much of their value if you go for popular components
 
if it was me i'd get a 550d, a zoom x1 for audio (and sync in post), and sigma 30mm 1.4 (or canon 50 1.8)
 
mrjames said:
if it was me i'd get a 550d, a zoom x1 for audio (and sync in post), and sigma 30mm 1.4 (or canon 50 1.8)
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Agreed. 550d is identical to 7d for movie, and the 50mm 1.8 lens is brilliant.
 
550d overheats in video mode. 600d doesnt. 600d has flip out lcd. 600d best bang for buck at the moment. Get a zoom H1 for audio.
 
So, am I right that, as everyone recommends synching the audio post capture, having a DSLR with in built mic socket isn't exactly needed?
 
I would say a 550d an f2.8 lens WITH image stabilisation
 
For the £40 extra for a 600D I'd take that option. In fact I just have. Not had chance to use it yet as I only got it yesterday.
 
YouTube 'canon 600d slow motion'. I did that last night and was amazed at some of the results. I already have a 600d but never recorded any video. I will do now.
 
I'm very tempted by the 600d. All the cameras I am looking at take good pictures but the 600d seems to video very well and from what I have seen allows most control compared to similar spec/price models.
 
The problem with the 600d is you can't use magic lantern and the flip out screen isn't brilliant for using a EVF. Two important things to remember when choosing 550 vs 600.
 
GeForce Junky said:
The problem with the 600d is you can't use magic lantern and the flip out screen isn't brilliant for using a EVF. Two important things to remember when choosing 550 vs 600.
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you are joking right,
Magic lantern works great on the 600d and has been doing for a good while :shake:
 
Ah cool, I was talking to a mate who used one and was ranting on about how his 600d sucked without ML. I shall let him know :)
 
What is Magic Lantern? Google was not my friend.
 
craig.walton2 said:
What is Magic Lantern? Google was not my friend.
Click to expand...

Essentially it's firmware for enhancing canon video that was written by indie guys wanting more control- very useful and I'm pretty sure it's helping Canon not take their eye off the ball. I'm sure I have stuff bookmarked...one sec... ah ha :)

Sadly only for Canon but then Nikon video is crap anyway so it's not a big deal I guess.
 
What's the best way for recorded audio aside from a Zoom H1? And with the Zoom.. is it easy enough stitching the audio up later?

Going to go down the 600D route soon when I move my arse over to Phnom Penh.
 
550d overheats if shooting one shot for more than 20 minutes, who does that?
 
I shot this on a 600D with 50/1.8, Tamron 17-50 and Tamron 90. It was my first ever attempt at filming anything aside from mobile phone videos and I would say the camera is more than sufficient.. no post-processing and sound is straight from camera with internal mic, too. No extra lights or anything either... just a mild sunday morning and a window near to the scene.

Your X100 is supposed to be decent at video, too, by the way.
 
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Dr_O said:
Nikon video is crap anyway so it's not a big deal I guess.
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Video focussing on the Nikon D7000 is supposedly far superior than the 600D. Don't really know from experience though, and never once used video when I had a D300s. Curious to know if others think the difference is still in Canon's favour. Is there a Nikon equivalent of Magic Lantern yet?

edit, and btw OP, since you had the D7000, maybe you could give me your thoughts compared with other camera vids you've tried. Was it not up to the job?
 
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PhotoTalk said:
Video focussing on the Nikon D7000 is supposedly far superior than the 600D. Don't really know from experience though, and never once used video when I had a D300s. Curious to know if others think the difference is still in Canon's favour. Is there a Nikon equivalent of Magic Lantern yet?

edit, and btw OP, since you had the D7000, maybe you could give me your thoughts compared with other camera vids you've tried. Was it not up to the job?
Click to expand...

The D7000's CDAF may be better but it's still far from great in use although I had expected that before I tried it. Not that AF really matters in movie mode- the best results require manual focus although I concede it depends how serious people are about it. Anyone who expects a DSLR to replace their camcorder will be disappointed. Anyone who wants to exploit the advantages of using a DSLR to capture motion knows they'll need to invest in an external mic, sound recorder, follow focus rig, fluid head, steadicam etc in order to maximise results. Still a lot cheaper than a camcorder with interchangeable lenses of course. A lot more faffing though:lol:

Nikon have no magic lantern equivalent
 
We are involved in a video production at the moment and we are using 2x 5D mark II's and a 550D. The 550D and 7D use the same sensor so they are identical except for having different bodies and the 7D is weatherproof. The video quality is no different. The 550D has the advantage of 720/60p which the 5D mark II does not have.

The Black Swan had a couple of scenes shot on a 7D using anamorphic lenses, and that was a big budget production film. The 550D would have probably been suitable except the 7D has the advantage of 1080i HDMI output during the recording (the 550D drops to 480p).

Personally I think the 550D is fine for video. The 600D has a fancy swivelling screen if that's your thing but again it uses the same sensor. My 550D has never overheated and I've shot with it in a small radio studio before with 6 people, a computer and no air conditioning and it was VERY hot. The camera got warm, but never warm enough to automatically stop recording. Unless you're in 40c+ heat, I don't think you will have a problem.
 
i was considering the 550d as an upgrade to my 400d for video. Reviews seem to be pretty darn good for it. Havent looked into the 600d much though....
 
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