Quick sanity check for me on the ole T2i or 60d question

tildenm

tildenm

Member
(Yes, I know this is a similar question to 1M other posts, but just checking for my situation.)

I am a director/producer of narratives shorts mostly but a couple of feature projects in early development. My last was shot on a 5d, next on a 5d or an AF-100. I am never my own DP and don't particularly want to be. Looking for a camera mainly for test footage, location shots, story board samples for my DP, and sometimes stills for plates.

I desperately want the coolest , but alas, because of my needs it isn't really practical. So, I was thinking of getting the T2i instead of a 60D or a 7D. Does this sound like the best choice?
 
Well, for your needs, the only significant difference seems to be the swivel LCD. (But you knew that right? There's like five thousand t2i/60d discussions 'round here)...

For scouting and storyboards - heck, use your iPhone (or whatever you have). For test footage... and especially for actual stills that will be plates in a "real" production... you should likely be more concerned about lenses that will deliver the looks you need. Any modern DSLR will shoot a still that's absolute overkill for a plate (in the right hands with the right glass). To shoot useful footage with any DSLR, you'll need a decent tripod (or a really good one if you're panning), good ND filters, and some level of exposure know-how. Toss in a follow focus and maybe a handheld rig... well, you get the drift, ain't no end to it. It's gear, there's never enough.
 
I bought the new T3i for it's 3x zoom function and it's quite good. It effectively extends the range of any lens you have three fold. For down and dirty test shots it would be invaluable as a light weight, cost effective alternative that produces very similar PQ. In some ways I actually like it better than the unzoomed clips as it gives it this buttery smooth image that is quite appealing. The image is a tiny bit softer, but the aliasing seems to be gone. You can even get something similar to 720 quality all the way out to 5x zoom when shooting in 1080p.

Anyway, the T3i might be worth a look if your function really is just as a knock around tool for sussing out ideas on a shoot.

Cheers,
Pete
 
I'd get the t3i hands down, the T2i is a complete ripoff for the price, and for about $100 more, you get a crap load of amazing features on the t3i. I'd say its a useful camera just to have, you can learn more about video work just in your spare time, and the S setting gives you more manageable 2k JPEGs that will take up much less space. If you have a budget, you can probably find a very old DSLR that's compatible with your lenses for like $100.
 
Snapper123 said:
I'd get the t3i hands down, the T2i is a complete ripoff for the price, and for about $100 more, you get a crap load of amazing features on the t3i. I'd say its a useful camera just to have, you can learn more about video work just in your spare time, and the S setting gives you more manageable 2k JPEGs that will take up much less space. If you have a budget, you can probably find a very old DSLR that's compatible with your lenses for like $100.
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Thanks Snapper. I definitely considered the T3i, but the lack of Magic Lantern right now makes it not a good choice for my needs. I probably would have gone T3i if it had ML because of the additional features, but I think saying a 'complete ripoff' goes a little far. :-)
 
For your needs, I would get the T2i. It is considered the best bang for your buck because of almost all of its features are shared by its big brothers, but it also has ML.

It's light on the wallet, light on the body, and, based on the cameras you shoot your projects with, it is good for scoping out locations and for taking test shots.
 
Snapper123 said:
I'd get the t3i hands down, the T2i is a complete ripoff for the price,
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Sounds like a bitter 5d or 7d owner. T3i, 60d, T2i, 5d, 7d all nice cameras. Magic Lantern makes my T2i sing. I f@#*ing love it. All of them will do what your asking for but none are the answer to every situation.


EDIT: Sorry Snapper123 I see you own/owned a T2i. My personal opinion right now T2i best Canon DSLR for video. With the news of ML for 60d that may change but today T2i is king in bang for buck category.
 
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