Advice

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ash333

Member
Greetings my friends:

I would like to ask you for an advice. This is my situation:
I'm a TV screenwritter here in Chile and I want to start my career in movie industry as a director. I wrote a low budget short movie and a friend borrow me his camera: a Xt1i canon. In my life I've owned two cameras: DVX100 and HVX200, I had to sell them (this is just information :D) Is the Xt1i the right option to make my short movie or is it not a good machine.

I don't have much money...
I spent it in the actress (*****)
 
Do you mean the XTi, or the T1i?

The XTi has no video recording, so not a good choice.

The T1i has limitations. It only shoots 20fps at 1080p, and only 30fps at 720p. This makes 720p your only viable option, with the 30p limitation. Is it good enough? Well, it shoots video and you can make a movie with it. It won't be 24p (film frame rate), and it won't be 1080. But if you know how to set up your shots and how to set exposure, and you can tell a good story... sure, you can make a short with the T1i.

And sound support is non-existent on this camera, so you'll need a separate recorder, good mics with support gear, and someone who knows how to use the gear correctly.
 
I don't know much about those cameras but based on the first response, I would suggest trying to get your hands on a DSLR.
 
Indeed, if it is a T1i or a XTi, it's not great.
Try to get a Nikon D5200.
If that's too expensive, go for a second-hand Sony NEX-5N, those are dirt cheap and provide a VERY nice image (not as nice as D5200, but second to none if your budget is below that). But make sure it's one that shoots the fps that you need (European version does 25p and 50p, American version does 24p and 60p). And beware: you'll need glass too (the Sony kit lens is quite bad), and lights, and sound, and...

Some links you may find useful:
http://www.similaar.com/foto/tuten/600.html Spanish version here: http://www.similaar.com/foto/tutes/600.html
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_lensc.html
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lensmount/lensmount.html
 
Or find a used T2i if you're in a cash bind. There are better looking cameras these days, but thousands of projects have been shot on the same sensor (60d, 7d, etc). In the US, a T2i body can be found for $300. Get a lens adapter for $20 and the simply massive world of used Nikon glass is available to you as well.
 
(5N has better IQ than T2i if you ask me, and is about that price too; but T2i with kit lens will work fine, whereas 5N with kit lens is not ideal)
 
Here is a short list of affordable cameras that are DSLR and Mirrorless, if you haven't already invested.

Panasonic:
Lumix GH1
Lumix GH2
Both are hackable and provide an image that is often compared with a Canon 5D Mark II and for the GH2 the Mark III, and you can find a GH1 for $200-250 all day if you look around, and a GH2 for about $400-500. Very flexible range with what you can do, if you want a touchscreen, better screen, evf, and just overall better camera go with the GH2, but don't underestimate the GH1 (some people prefer the image it provides to any other with proper lighting).

Canon:
T2I
T3I
I list both because I have often times found them within a $50 price range of one another, and the articulating screen really helps for film making on the T3I. Plus both can have Magic Lantern hack, which if you didn't know is a simple memory card install and doesn't actually run internally (so you can literally remove the card and remove the mod, really that simple). They are both very capable in the right hands, and very affordable too.

Nikon:
D5200
D3200
I list both (and not a D3100 because it is too close in price range to the D3200 and really not nearly as good in my opinion) because if you can the Low light performance on the D5200 is astounding, provides a crisp picture too, but my biggest gripe with Nikon's personally is that the operating system can be cumbersome at best (just with what I have tested, I have not had an opportunity for a full shoot with one), so take that portion with a grain of salt because some people may love the Nikon set up. It is all just preference.

Sony
Nex5N
As the user listed above it can be had on the cheap and provides a very pretty picture. May not be as cheap as some of the others listed though.

I am sure there are some I missed, but I have to go to class now and have to log off. I personally own a Lumix GH1, and Lumix GH3, however I will be seeking to trade my GH3 for a 70D based on the fact that my neighbor owns like a dozen really nice lenses that I have full access to right away, otherwise picture sharpness and quality is better on the GH3. If you buy any of the cameras listed you will be very happy, I really do recommend the Lumix GH2 as my top pick just because nothing will touch the quality for price, or a Canon for the Magic Lantern hack which is super easy to setup. I also know this is a APS-C forum but I am sure many will agree with me on the GH2.
 
MaxwellIncStudios said:
Here is a short list of affordable cameras that are DSLR and Mirrorless, if you haven't already invested.

Canon:
T2I
T3I
Click to expand...

Also, Canon EOS M.

Compact APS-C mirrorless camera. Same video capabilities as T4i, with full manual control in video mode.
There is no viewfinder on the M, but the T4i's viewfinder can only be used for still photos, anyway.

Picture styles can be installed and Magic Lantern can be used with the M.
Presently there are only two lenses for the new EF M mount (in US), but adapter can be purchased to fit other Canon lenses.

body only
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-Com...ie=UTF8&qid=1381699714&sr=8-11&keywords=EOS+M

with 22mm pancake lens
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Compact...?ie=UTF8&qid=1372028085&sr=8-1&keywords=EOS+M

with 18-55 zoom lens, stabilization
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Compact...?ie=UTF8&qid=1381699743&sr=8-1&keywords=EOS+M
 
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ash333 said:
I don't have much money...
I spent it in the actress (*****)
Click to expand...

If you can try to borrow a camera to test out. If you are a writer you must know people with cameras.The reason I say this is cameras are changing by the month now. The T2i, D5200, Nex5, GH2 what ever are all good but will still cost you and they will be outdated very soon. maybe you don't need a camera at all if you can find someone in need of a film script with gear to work with as a DP on your project. (Except the ***** of course)
Never know until you ask
 
A short with good actors and a crappy camera is usually much less painful to watch than a short with a good camera and crappy actors.
Also, these cameras are quite popular for regular people starting out in photography. It shouldn't be difficult to find a friend who has one, or who knows somebody who has one.
And if you're buying one, I'd stay away from the D3200: if you go Nikon, the D5200 is awesome, but the D3200 is very far below (in fact I'd say it's the worst one in that list in the previous page).
 
Samuel H said:
It shouldn't be difficult to find a friend who has one, or who knows somebody who has one.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree, films aren't created in a vacuum, they are a team effort with many players. Maybe the camera, actors and crew are looking for the same community to work with together and move ideas forward. T2is have been out to 4 years now I'm sure there are many collecting dust waiting for a creative spirit just to charge the batteries.
 
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And then... we have the black magic pocket cinema camera. The Pro Res footage I've seen is stellar (with a good DP behind it). RAW is now in beta for it.

I've seen RAW grades done through Capture One... pretty astounding. Out of a $1k body no less.

The Original BMC goes for $2K. Shoots RAW at 2.5k, comes with a full version of Resolve. I'd choose it over a DSLR for many projects. Has its ups and downs, but if you can afford the on-set offload requirements... lovely footage, even in Pro Res.

Thinking back to the OP, who is jumping into directing and asking which camera to buy... I think I'd say with all respect: ask which DP to hire for this one.
 
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