Need some input... just cannot decide.

J

JonRocks62

Member
Hey,

I will be purchasing either a 7D or a T2i this week, and I keep going back and forth on this. Here is the deal...

I will be using the camera almost exclusively for video. I am shooting a documentary and will be using it for several interviews and a lot of B roll.

I can either...

A.) Buy the 7D and rent external audio equipment when I have interviews scheduled.

or

B.) Buy the T2i and buy my own external audio equipment and perhaps a lens to go along with it.


I have read that the video on these two cameras is pretty much identical-- is that really true? Also-- does the T2i overheat quicker/more often due to its build?

I am not a DP or a professional photographer, so I won;t be using either camera to necessarily or directly make money...

Everything I am reading says that the extra $1000 you spend on a 7D is mostly based on its still photograph capabilities... ?

So, I guess what I am asking is... is the T2i too good to be true? I mean, the SAME video quality for $1000 less? I don't know...

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
 
The 7D is also built a 100x better than the T2i. It just feels stronger and nicer in your hands. And it's weather sealed. That being said, you dont always need those extra features. The video looks great on both cameras. The 7D does have the added custom white balance feature which is incredibly nice, but it depends on the look you're going for. All that being said, the T2i with an L lens and some audio gear would cost about the same as a 7D with an extra battery so the T2i may be best in your situation.
 
I chose the t2i and my own audio gear. The chip on the t2i is the exact same thing as the 7d. The 7d does have the better build quiality, more iso settings and the better white balance.
With the coming magic lantern firmware for the t2i you will get a lot of nice features on the t2i that the 7d still lacks.
 
All we know so far is that audio levels are able to be displayed on the t2i, beyond that is pure speculation.
 
Hmm... Like I said , I'm not a DP and most likely won't be getting paid or renting the equipment out-- just shooting my own stuff. Sounds like the T2i will give me the ability to still get the 7D image quality while also being more able to afford the equipment to really fill out my kit (Audio, lenses, etc)

I just have this feeling that the T2i will overheat more often... I don't know. Wish I could get both!

Any other factors I'm neglecting? If used only for video, am I foolish for spending the $$ for 7D?
 
I am currently shooting a feature documentary with an HVX200. I've lost my DP, and will be finishing the last several interviews and B roll film with the 7D or T2i myself. It's just... I cannot come down on the decision... *Ulcers quickly forming*
 
White balance is WAY overrated in these cameras. Given the choice between the T2i and the 7D, I'd take the T2i every time. And that is exactly the choice I made. That assumes video use and not stills.

I'm less afraid to do things with it, it's easier to use on a stabilizer, lighter to handhold, takes cheaper media (THAT YOU CAN LOCK!), and the accessories are all cheaper. And it gives the same video quality.

Unless you plan on shooting outside in the rain, I can't see any $1k advantage in the 7D.
 
having said that, I think that you get what you pay for. I'm thrilled with my t2i, but I wish I bought the 7d for the white ballance and the true hd out during recording. If I had to do it again I'd get the 7d, then again I already had some nice lenses...

Tough.
 
HDkilledFILM. said:
having said that, I think that you get what you pay for. I'm thrilled with my t2i, but I wish I bought the 7d for the white ballance and the true hd out during recording. If I had to do it again I'd get the 7d, then again I already had some nice lenses...

Tough.
Click to expand...

I'll grant the video out is quite helpful, but not worth $1k to me unless you can record it.

What is the big deal about the white balance?
 
It seems like the pros and cons of both cameras make this all a relative wash...

I'm much more of a writer, so I don't feel like I need to have a ridiculous kit, but if it comes down to kicking myself for skimping, I'll be annoyed with myself...

By the way-- Adam, we went to film school together. TU Class of 2004.
 
$1000 more?

The t2i Body only cost $800 , the 7d Body only can be found brand new on ebay from several sellers for $1400, that's a $600 difference.


Second the video quality on both cameras are the same. White balance and iso settings are fine on the t2i. You can use custom white balance on the t2i. The t2i also accepts SDXC cards. The t2i has a CRAZY crop mode that allows you to zoom like crazy ( 640x mode ) that is not on the 7d.

Just like the 5d, the t2i outputs a 480p signal instead of a high def one like the 7d.


All in all the 7d can be considered a better camera feature wise, but when it all boils down to how does the image quality look they are virtually identical.

So if you want to spend an extra $600+ for HD out and a weather sealed body + better photography functions then that's your decision.
 
Ian-T said:
I think it's the ability to dial in the Kelvin Temps on the 7D.
Click to expand...

Great, boost the gain in the blues in the camera, make the image more noisy, and wonder why the camera isn't as good as everyone says.

Or, set the camera for daylight, light accordingly, and enjoy lovely footage.
 
JonRocks62 said:
By the way-- Adam, we went to film school together. TU Class of 2004.
Click to expand...

Holla!!! Dude, it's a tough decision but if it were up to me between the 7d and t2i (for video only) right now I'd buy... The gh1. Hack it and get a few nice lenses all for around the same cost as the 7d. I love my t2i and no doubt it kills for pics, but the hacked gh1 (IMO, not to be taken as truth) is the best dslr for the money for video.

PM me, what's going on with your feature?
 
Or buy two T2is and have a proper backup camera or, alternatively, a second angle.

Given how quickly DSLRs are going to evolve... why not consider the above (you can sell one when something better appears) or at the least save $800 and use that for a quality lav, or some lights, etc. etc.
 
after agonizing over this decision, I got the T2i. very glad I did if for nothing more than an inexpensive bridge to better cameras in 2 years though right now I really don't want for more. I'm not doing rugged outdoor project so I don't need the better build quality. So for the price of the 7D, I have the T2i and a couple great lenses... perfect for me.
 
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