5DmkIII vs t2i for 1080p Timelapse Video?

lalugela

Active member
Hi all,
I'm working on a timelapse music video and debating between renting a 5D Mark III (or possibly buying) OR just using my Canon t2i. I will be shooting night timelapses on a Canon 24-70 f2.8 L USM in beautiful southwestern locations... I don't have a ton of money to spend so I would prefer to work with what I have.

Any thoughts? If I have similar resolution and I'll be using the same sensor either way, will the difference be hugely noticeable?

Thanks!
 
I'm working on a timelapse music video and debating between renting a 5D Mark III (or possibly buying) OR just using my Canon t2i.

I've been able to push my little T2i to it's limits many times in the past, so I would say, use the T2i all the way!
you can use lower shutter speed and higher ISO. Yes the 5DMkIII is better and has a better sensor for low-light work, but for a timelapse, I would try the T2i first for sure.
I've done some work using that T2i, in low light and I got interesting results. Worst case, some work in post with NeatVideo and some Levels adjustment did the trick. But that was for live action sequences.
Hope it helps!
 
Does the T2i have built-in timelapse recording? I had one and don't recall it, though there are aftermarket solutions.

The Nikon D7100 (and I think the 7000) have it. Shot a lot of timelapse with the 7100, very easy to set up and let it click away. You can use your Canon glass with a $15 adapter.

The nikon's DOF button allows you to lock the aperture on aperture ring lenses which really rocks for TL - no more flicker or being forced to shoot wide open.
 
In timelapse mode, the t2i has an image quality comparable or better than the highest-end cinema cameras (Red, Arri, F65, etc). Your T2i shoots 6K 14bit raw images, so you have about 9 times the resolution needed for 1080p video, it's going to look stunning anyway so 5D mk III for timelapse is not needed.

(Of course that's in stills mode for timelapse. When shooting H.264 1080p video, the 5D has greatly improved image quality compared to the t2i)
 
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