Canon 7D accessaries suggestion

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cellarmedia

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Hey all. After doing my research I'm going to be purchasing the Canon 7D for some promotional videos that I'll be doing in Europe starting in February. For those of you with the 7D already, what have you found to be helpful to have on hand? What are your thoughts on the battery grip? This is going to be my first DSLR.

Here's the list of what I'm going to buy from B&H Photo Video:
(1) Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera with 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=647503&is=REG
(3) Canon LP-E6 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4V, 1800mAh): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=590459&is=REG
(1) SanDisk Extreme CompactFlash Card 16GB: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=646867&is=REG
(2) SanDisk Extreme CompactFlash Card 8GB: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=646863&is=REG
 
If you can forget the kit lens and go for something like the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, which has a constant aperture and a wider end, both of which are very important for video.
 
Jester2138, okay good to know. I'm also thinking about purchasing a 50mm lens. Any suggestions? Canon makes one that I've seen on B&H PhotoVideo but all the reviews state that the body is cheap.
 
I'd get a second charger aswell.
The canon 50 mm f1.8 comes in handy in lowlight situations , indoors and well shallower DOF.
I like to use it for interviews and it's pretty sharp to.
 
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Get at least 16GB cards so you don't have to swap to often. Go for some primes 35mm to 85mm or a Canon 24-70/2.8. You'll need a tripod or other kind of support. Some spare batteries, ND-filters (or a Fader ND), some sort of audio recording equipment if you want audio in your promos.
 
Hey all, thanks for the feedback. Very helpful. I should have mentioned that I don't have a couple thousand to spend for everything. It was suggested on another forum that if I wanted to go cheaper I could buy an FD adapter and FD lenses. Has anyone had any experience with them? I know that their manual, but that wouldn't bother me too much. I'm used to shooting in manual mode.

Editman, I already have a Manfrotto tripod and audio equipment. So I'm good there.

I know this is pretty cheap, but would it be worth having as a second option? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

Or would it be better putting the money down and buying a more durable lens with a better casing?

Thanks again for the feedback.
 
Skip the Nifty50 Its a build is not very good. Though it is very sharp(tack sharp) and very fast, the focus ring is horribly placed and makes pulling focus terrible. I have had one get dust inside it after 3 mos use. the nifty 50 cost about $100.
An alternative is an old nikkor 50mm f1.4ais with an adapter. That will run you close to $150 and will last you forever.

The nifty fifty is not a bad choice though if that's all you can get, and you will be shocked at the lowlight performance at 1.8......
 
Cellarmedia

I have that Canon 50mm 1.8 lens, and I love it. Like you I had a very limited budget but wanted a prime for low light conditions. It is a cheaper plastic lens, but since I have bought it I have heard from quite a number of photogs who told me it's one of the best, cheap lenses out there.

I'm thinking, however, that when I ever add a follow focus to my kit, the small focus ring on the lens will be a problem.

Also, I'm not sure if it's in your budget, or if you are going to be doing much hand-held stuff, but you might want to consider some sort of loupe. I bought the Z-finder and could not imagine doing video (especially handheld) without it. Well worth every penny for me.

Mark
 
The 18-135mm kit has more range at the wide end of the lens and an extra battery. So, if you're getting an extra battery anyways, factor that into the price increase of the 18-135mm kit.

B&H is over $100 more than where I bought my 18-135mm kit:
http://nationalcamera.com/

So basically, at that vendor, the 18-135mm kit costs $200 more than the 28-135mm kit. ($2000 vs. $1800) Take away $65 for an extra battery that comes in the 18-135mm kit and the difference is down to $135 more for the wider lens.
 
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1. You need a viewfinder - the Zacuto and LVDCVF are the most popular. Without it focus is next to impossible. Bonus - it adds a point of contact to help stabilize hand held shots.

2. A constant aperture zoom - with IS or VC - the Tamron 17-50mm is highly regarded. In video you will be shooting full manual. Without constant aperture, every time you adjust the zoom your exposure changes.

3. Additional support - some sort of shoulder support for hand held work - Zacuto, Red Rock, Cinevate etc.. You cannot hand hold this camera as easily as a video camera.

4. For locked down shots - a very good tripod that doesn't wind up and a good fluid head. Sachtler, Vinten, Miller, Gitzo are solid options but expensive. Libec 38 is less expensive and reportedly acceptable. Do thorough research before you waste money trading up on tripods/heads.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. Very helpful. I ended up purchasing the Canon 7D with the kit lens (28-135mm) and a 50mm prime. I'm loving the camera already. Here's some test footage I took with it a couple of days ago:

1. I'll probably end up buying the LCDVF. Although I don't have a problem with focusing right now, I know in sunlight it will be a must.

2. I've decided to buy the kit lens and a 50mm prime. I don't have the budget for a couple nice lenses.

3. I already have a Manfrotto tri-pod that I use for my DVX100B (which I'm trying to sell) video camera. I'd like to purchase the GlideTrack Shooter: http://www.glidetrack.com/products/glidetrack-shooter.html?options=cart We shall see.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 
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