What are skateboarders filming with ??

M

malibudutchie

Well-known member
HELP!!
Aspiring 14 year old skater/filmmaker wants a birthday present to shoot semi-pro skating vids. Already has all the go-pro stuff.
Max $600 for a camera and fisheye adapter/wide angle.
Suggestions please.....
Panasonic G3 ???
 
Perhaps you could let us know what limitations you're finding with the GoPro setup so that we can point you in the right direction. IMHO, the GoPro is ideal for skateboarding-- durable, high bitrate, high frame rate options (black edition), etc. The only knock might be it's deep DOF, but not having to nail focus when shooting another rider is generally an advantage.
 
Jive, he's been using the go-pro for a few years with really nice results and I guess he wants to move to the next level of filming, which I suppose means interchageable lenses and maybe some of that stylistic shallow DOF, good audio and a handle or stabiliser.
Hope that helps
 
malibudutchie said:
Jive, he's been using the go-pro for a few years with really nice results and I guess he wants to move to the next level of filming, which I suppose means interchageable lenses and maybe some of that stylistic shallow DOF, good audio and a handle or stabiliser.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...

Its going to be tough to get that at $600 though. The best bang-for-buck DSLR right now is probably a Canon T3i. Here is a new one from Amazon with a kit lens for just $564 (thats an absolute bargain):

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Digital-Imaging-18-55mm/dp/B004J3V90Y

The kit lens is not great, but its possible to get shallow DOF and he can start building a lens set up over time. The nice thing about the Canon DSLR is that you can buy inexpensive vintage lenses on ebay, and a couple of cheap EOS adapters, and then he'll really be on the filmmaking bandwagon (once he gets an understanding of old glass).

There are probably some options from Panasonic too I guess?
 
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What's up! i film BMX mostly which comes quite close, i'm currently running a hacked GH1, Samyang 7,5 Fish and the kit lens, that plus a handle will do for sure! get your self a second hand gh1 and kit lens and buy a samyang 7,5, that will come out under 600USD or maybe a little more depending on what you pay for the GH1, also for skate related filming and photo, check out Skate Perception, make an account, everybody there either films skating or other related actions sports.

Hope this helps out.

Bob.
 
Hey Bob, I like that option - the samyang looks like a killer fisheye and listed at around $250 seems like excellent value. Will look at Skate Perception too thx.
 
Canon is selling a refurbed T3i w/ the 18-55is for $519 and the body only for $439. You will want to get more lenses and some kind of support at a minimum.

-gl
 
All wrong. no self respecting skateboarder would settle for anything less than an alexa. just common sense really. S-M-R-T smart.

Oh and you need michael bay to direct it, so no real story will be required

cheerios,
 
malibudutchie said:
Hey Bob, I like that option - the samyang looks like a killer fisheye and listed at around $250 seems like excellent value. Will look at Skate Perception too thx.
Click to expand...
Fishey IS killer! supposedly it's wider then the samyang 8mm for canon too!, BTW, are you actually a dutchie?
 
I would go refurbished t2i, or t3i. T3i if you can, the adjustable screen will be great.

Then a samyang/rokinon/bower/whatever 8mm 3.5
 
Thx everyone, will check the canon and GH1 and the fisheyes you mention. I'll give Alexa a miss but thats something to shoot for in the future.
Bob I'm from Oz - down under, not the HBO series...or holland.
 
I'm going to go the other direction, and suggest getting this young filmmaker more/better training materials at this point rather than yet another camera. There are many good training options available on DVD or download now as opposed to printed materials. You might even see what local classes might be available.

My thoughts..... A new camera in the hands of a young filmmaker becomes an old boring camera very quickly. But new ideas and fresh technics inspire the young filmmaker, and that old camera becomes new again.
 
Oh sucks, i'm dutch though :D, one tip, the gh1 shoots 720/60 waay better then the canons, because canons suffer from intense moire in 720/60
 
Hi, I've been shooting snowboarding for about 10 years and I guess that crosses over fairly well into skateboarding. I currently shoot on a hacked GH2 and I'm pretty happy with the results. You can see some of my stuff here - www.submotion.net

I have a GH1 and a GH2 and I'd say go for the GH2 if you can find one at a decent price. However, you already mention that you're getting him a fisheye, which leads me to believe that he's doing a lot of follow cam (?), in which case, I'd say that DSLR's aren't a great choice as they suffer from nasty rolling shutter. Personally, I wouldn't get him a fisheye and save your money for other lenses. The GoPro already has a super wide lens and does that job just fine. Use the DSLR for tripod, crane, dolly etc and use the GoPro for follow shots.
 
I dont think you can go past a DSLR,

they are great learning cameras which are easy to upgrade further down the track and still give out amazing pictures.

perhaps a second hand T3i/ 60d,
rokinon make a cheap 8mm fish eye which is perfect for cropped sensors.

or even a second hand GH2.

just be wary when buying second hand cameras.
 
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