Need Decent Editor for DSLR Footage

[askclifford]

Hi
My name is Will and I am 14 years old.
I edited on FCP6 for 2-3yrs until my hard drive crashed...and now my FCP is gone.
I can't find the box, so I need to buy a new editing software.
I want to be in the Broadcast/Media industry when I'm older, and I want to learn the software I will edit with in college.
I need a complete editing suite, so I can finish a production start to finish
I want something that works seamlessly with my DSLR
I want something that enables me to express my creative potential
I was going to wait until the New FCP came out, but I don't want to wait any longer!

My computer is...
Apple IMac 21.5'' 2008-2009
Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06ghz
4gb Ram
256mb 9400m Integrated Graphics

I am considering...

Adobe Production Premium CS5
Sells for $350 at my school's education store
Like: After Effects, Photoshop, Bundle Value, Great for DSLR
Dislike: Not heavily used, Not use to Premiere Pro

Final Cut Studio
Sells for $300 at my school's education store
Like: Final Cut Pro, Bundle Value
Dislike: Not FCPX

What do you think would be best?
Do you think FCP is going to remain the industry standard now that it looks like IMovie?

Thanks!

 

[kgimedia]

First I must say congratulations on being a FCP editor at 14 with 3 years experience. Keep at it and you came to the right place to learn.

Second do you have the Serial Number from your old install? If so it may be possible to get the installer and not have to make your decision until FCPX come out. If at that time you still decide to go the Adobe route you have that choice. I might get flagged for this but there are places you can download FCP and if you have the serial it will be legit.

 

[Boncrek]

First let me say that I am a windows man who loves Premiere Pro so take my advice/bias with a grain of salt.
I started out the same way you did (just not on a Mac) and eventually moved to Premiere Pro.
Honestly my biggest love of the Adobe suite is integration.
If you do alot of multi-program switching (like using After Effects/Soundbooth/Encore/Media Encoder) then Adobe will be for you.
If you like native support of DSLR footage then Adobe is also for you (although it'd be best with an NVIDIA graphics cards)

Honestly though I've seen too many threads and discussions fight over which editor is better.
Just go with what works for you.
Give Adobe a try and see if you like it however. They have 30 day trials of all their software on the adobe website.
Try it for the 30 days and see if you like it.
If you do like it then use your status as a student to get lots of money of the purchase of the suite and you'll be golden.

Edit- As for your last question: No one knows what's gonna happen to the industry standard (we can only guess). In Jamaica (where I live) I've seen many pros use Macs running both FCP and Adobe but I've seen more people use Adobe though to be honest.
It may be that Macs are expensive and Adobe works on both Macs and Windows so its very future proof and will migrate to whatever system you use for now and in the future...

 

[NoahK]

Heh- yeah I'd suggest you wait a little longer before spending your nickels and see what happens with FCP X. You can use the Adobe trial for the next month for free which will keep you going and help you decide.

Noah

 

[NoahK]

t there are places you can download FCP and if you have the serial it will be legit.

Just wanted to point out this would still be pirating. If you truly have a legit license of FCP and can prove it, Apple will send you a replacement copy for a small fee for the asking.

Noah

 

[jamani]

Heh- You can use the Adobe trial for the next month for free which will keep you going and help you decide.

Noah

Not to steal the thunder from the OP, but I'm glad this came up at this time as I am faced with the dilemma of my life. I decided to download the Adobe premier 30-day trial as I await FCPX. Like the OP, I intend to work exclusively on DSLRs but it turns out the Premier CS5 trial does not support DSLRs. Adobe mentions on it's website that the trial for CS5.5 will not have any limitations but no one knows when it will be available and I'm not sure I will even qualify for a trial, having already installed the CS5 trial. I understand this might not be the right forum to raise this but I thought it wouldn't hurt to throw it out there now that it came up.

 

[NoahK]

Well you could still easily bring your footage in using another program and convert it to something the trial could edit. But yeah that's a really lame way to cripple your demo Adobe- because no one is shooting DSLRs these days... :beer:

Noah

 

[askclifford]

Well you could still easily bring your footage in using another program and convert it to something the trial could edit. But yeah that's a really lame way to cripple your demo Adobe- because no one is shooting DSLRs these days... :beer:

Noah

LOL. Thanks guys! I think I'm going to do the same and wait it out until FCPX comes out. I can easily use MPEG Streamclip, no adobe limitation is gettin' in my way! Thanks!

 

[Boncrek]

Not to steal the thunder from the OP, but I'm glad this came up at this time as I am faced with the dilemma of my life. I decided to download the Adobe premier 30-day trial as I await FCPX. Like the OP, I intend to work exclusively on DSLRs but it turns out the Premier CS5 trial does not support DSLRs. Adobe mentions on it's website that the trial for CS5.5 will not have any limitations but no one knows when it will be available and I'm not sure I will even qualify for a trial, having already installed the CS5 trial. I understand this might not be the right forum to raise this but I thought it wouldn't hurt to throw it out there now that it came up.

Oh thats a real bummer. I know Adobe has a history of disallowing certain features in their trials.
A real bummer and if you ask me it has now caused them to lose a potential customer because of a simple trial.
Anyways the benefits of CS5/CS5.5 are there regardless so its still out there if you like.