Possibly buying T2i, need opinions in comparison with other alternative

L

LightupChoiceFry

Active member
If no one minds, I'd really appreciate some opinions on a matter I am debating about.

I currently own a Canon XH-A1 and two rode ntg2 mics, and have been very satisfied. After proper post work the footage is great. But I am getting sucked into the DOF/DSLR craze, with good reason obviously.

I have debated about buying a DOF adapter for the XH-A1, but after seeing prices and reviews, it seems like it isn't worth it when there are other options available. Also b/c I am sick of capturing and want to fully adapt to the instant capture/SDHC aspect.

To get a camera as good as the XH-A1 with those features is way beyond what I can spend.

So I have tossed around options, and need some opinions from you, if it's no trouble.

With my price range, I am thinking about getting the body of a T2i(like everyone else), a Canon 50mm 1.8/f prime lens,, and a H4n audio recorder.

I know of the advantages and disadvantages of the DSLR's, and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for me, but at the same time, I feel it's a waste b/c I really don't plan on utilizing the photography aspect the camera has. So I'd lose a lot of the functions and smooth mobility and all that of a camcorder.

So I thought about the possibility of buying a fairly inexpensive consumer camcorder that shoots in the exact same quality as the t2i for video, and also has digital capture..but then I'd be absent of any DOF. So then I thought about purchasing a DOF adapter for a more inexpensive camcorder, since they tend to be cheaper than those for the prosumer's like the Xh-A1. So I'd get the same quality, DOF ability with focusing.

I'd lose manual aperature adjustment, but I can live with that. Unless are there consumer cams with that?

With both options, my budget of around 1000 would be met. I'm just not sure which is more practical and has more longevity.
If anyone goes with the camcorder, what are some good ones that people have been having success with?

Thank you
 
LightupChoiceFry said:
If no one minds, I'd really appreciate some opinions on a matter I am debating about.

I currently own a Canon XH-A1 and two rode ntg2 mics, and have been very satisfied. After proper post work the footage is great. But I am getting sucked into the DOF/DSLR craze, with good reason obviously.

I have debated about buying a DOF adapter for the XH-A1, but after seeing prices and reviews, it seems like it isn't worth it when there are other options available. Also b/c I am sick of capturing and want to fully adapt to the instant capture/SDHC aspect.

To get a camera as good as the XH-A1 with those features is way beyond what I can spend.

So I have tossed around options, and need some opinions from you, if it's no trouble.

With my price range, I am thinking about getting the body of a T2i(like everyone else), a Canon 50mm 1.8/f prime lens,, and a H4n audio recorder.

I know of the advantages and disadvantages of the DSLR's, and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for me, but at the same time, I feel it's a waste b/c I really don't plan on utilizing the photography aspect the camera has. So I'd lose a lot of the functions and smooth mobility and all that of a camcorder.

So I thought about the possibility of buying a fairly inexpensive consumer camcorder that shoots in the exact same quality as the t2i for video, and also has digital capture..but then I'd be absent of any DOF. So then I thought about purchasing a DOF adapter for a more inexpensive camcorder, since they tend to be cheaper than those for the prosumer's like the Xh-A1. So I'd get the same quality, DOF ability with focusing.

I'd lose manual aperature adjustment, but I can live with that. Unless are there consumer cams with that?

With both options, my budget of around 1000 would be met. I'm just not sure which is more practical and has more longevity.
If anyone goes with the camcorder, what are some good ones that people have been having success with?

Thank you
Click to expand...


It's not just about DOF with these DSLR cameras..... The T2i can shoot in low light conditions that would NEVER be possible with any consumer camera or prosumer camera. Secondly if you add ANY DOF adapter to a video camera you would lose even more light.


If you are looking for DOF + low light capabilities in a camera you will simply not find ANYTHING like the t2i, especially within it's price range.
 
I would add a little more to the budget and go with the new 60D. The swivel LCD and improved audio will be well worth it...

Good luck.
 
First off, you need to get past the common mistake of thinking "small sensor DSLR (t2i, 7d, 60d, D90, etc) and a 50mm lens". The 50 is the "normal" lens for a full frame SLR. The crop factor on the cameras you're considering makes it effectively a 70mm - which is great for faces, closeups, or large sets. You really need something like a 28mm 2.8. I get it that 50's are very inexpensive for a fast prime, but... a 28mm is on my T2i 90% of the time.

Honestly, if my gear got stolen today, I'd find one of the plentiful name-brand or aftermarket 28-70 2.8's out there - I used a Sigma for Nikon stills for years (prof. product and people shots that were used in catalogues, billboards, etc) - though the neighbor's cat recently knocked my tripod over and killed that lens, I'll get it repaired eventually. That would give you effectively a 42 - 105mm 2.8 range. And the kit lens is really just fine for wider shots - it's a 3.5 at its widest.

There's a ton of manual used glass out there, and the Canons can take Nikon, older manual canon, and Pentax glass - the Canon compression negates needing a super-sharp lens anyway. it also means you can use screw-on glass ND filters if you can't afford 4x4's to get started, and ND is a real must for these cameras. If you have all the cash in the world, go for wicked glass - if not, grab some Nikon series E primes or similar.

The 60d's swivel screen is pretty cool, but I have never taken my magnifying viewfinder off the T2i - it's another necessity IMHO, especially outdoors. I use a cheap LCD for cranes, overheads, etc. For my needs it's overrated. The 60D audio isn't likely "better", but you can manually control it and turn off the AGC - it's still pretty lame in the preamp and noise dept. and likely only useable in a pro situation for synching a different sound source. But maybe better than nothing if you just can't get separate sound recorded, in which case, go 60D all the way.

You didn't mention your industry or clients, etc - I'm about to shoot a bunch of info-mercial-ish stuff, and I think I need to just grab an HMC 150 or something to deal with audio (my other cams are a DVX and a D90, and I'm not quite ready for the AF100 outlay) - the DSLRs - to me - are more "cinema beauty cams" and you need to shoot more like a motion picture than a video. But you can do luscious work with tons and tons of mojo for a dirt cheap outlay.

The big negatives are audio capture, recording time, and the really hideous moire and aliasing which makes pulling a truly professional key very very difficult. That said, I'm just a freak for shooting cool/pretty/groovy stuff with the T2i - and 60D or 7D footage and useability would have produced the same final look as well (not that most of the footage below was shot with a super-cheap "wide adapter" with terrible fringing and softness, but it was just right for this song):

 
i have 3 T2i's and 2 XH A1 units. there are plusses and minuses to each. I also have a pair of Letus Extreme 35mm adapters. I am completely tapeless (DN-60 CF recorder with both XH A1's) and i love it. yes that 28mm would be a nice lens; so would a 35mm or a 24mm.

I shoot a variety of subjects, from ads to weddings to some show gigs. The T2i and XH A1 have complimentary strengths and weaknesses, one is better in low light, the other can shoot practically indefinitely (32GB CF card is 2 hours 20 minutes of record time, pop in a tape while exchanging cards and you can keep rolling indefinitely). The T2i has a 12 min (HD) limit. The T2i lacks all the controls, manual and menu, that make the XH A1 a great tool. The T2i has a great LCD, but the XH A1 screen can articulate. The T2i outputs SD during record, the XH A1 outputs full HD; and we use 8.9" LCD's so i would prefer HD output. at studio's, we can monitor on nice big full HD screens, whereas the T2i monitoring looks bad.

The list goes on and on, but personally i prefer the XH A1 with or without the Letus; the HDSLR limitations are somewhat crippling in some situations. I use them for low light, alternate angles, and B-roll. if you can afford to shoot both, do so. They are a spectacular combination. that said, the T2i is a great camera, but i NEVER use them as the primary cameras.

Still, if i HAD to choose, i would take the XH A1. zebras, peaking, full HD output during record, headphone out jack, PROPER manual audio control and monitoring, dual WB, built-in ND's, custom adjustable WB, built in viewfinder, and scan mode for flickering lights are all things the T2i does not offer. No overheating, no card buffer issues, no jello if you arent perfectly still, unlike the T2i.

The T2i itself is not that great of a camera for video, unless you have a lot of other gear for audio, filters, a support rig, etc. If its tapeless workflow you are after, there are $400 options to shoot to memory cards with the XH A1.
 
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Call it lack of knowledge, but I never knew that HDV field recorders existed, b/c I've never seen or worked with anyone that uses them, I can't imagine why. Have you ever had any issues with them while recording? Is the footage from the XH-A1 better without that loss through capturing? It will capture video/audio as the tapes do, correct?

Have you had any issues with your letus adapters? Spots on the lens, black bars, etc?
 
I would NEVER trade in my dslr for an XhA1.... I could never go back to those horrible small sensors + tape work flow with hdv....... Disgusting!
 
no problems, and yes it records audio as well. you record straight out of the HDV (firewire) port. never had an issue with the Letus adapters that 1 minute and compressed air couldnt fix; no different than cleaning a 35mm lens. ive had 2 tape dropouts total, zero issues with the DN-60. its pretty simple, really. There are more options than the DN-60, but it is the simplest and cheapest at around $400 (vs over $1200 for some of the firestores)

personally i cant stand the DSLR form factor; awkward to handle without a rig, and even worse with menu options and lacking features. i do NOT miss tape though. now i keep a handful of CF and SD cards and i have hours and hours of perfect record times.
 
I'm one of those who do miss tape - we shoot a lot of longform work and have taken to importing the canon stuff we shoot into an avid and archiving back out to hdcam - imho you can't beat tape as an archive format.
 
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