Which DSLR is best for my situation?

B

baseball

Member
I shoot mainly weddings with a Panasonic HMC150 and Canon HV30. I am looking at getting a dslr so I can take high quality pics for the DVD cover design as well as the depth of field possiblities with video. I would use the dslr during the pre ceremony getting artistic shots and during the entire ceremony. (I wouldnt need it during the reception bc hmc15o is pretty good at low light and I would only use one camera setup) I would want this dslr to take the place of my HV30 or else I would be carrying around 3 cameras.

I have narrowed it down between the T3i and Gh2.

Pros of T3i
-really cheap $579 at BhPhoto with two lenses
-30fps (That is what I usaully shoot my weddings in)
-18 mp stills
-person I work with can teach me

Pros of Gh2
-Auto focus for video
-I can shoot continuously for over an hour
-I can take stills while I am recording a video

Is the overheating an issue with the T3i. Can I just turn it off and on to resolve the recording length problem?

Also i am totally clueless when it comes to dslr lenses. What lens would I need for my situation for the GH2? I would only want one lens that would perform for the reasons I stated about and not be crazy expensive as this is my back up camera.

Thanks for your input.
 
baseball said:
I shoot mainly weddings with a Panasonic HMC150 and Canon HV30.
[..] I would use the dslr during the pre ceremony getting artistic shots and during the entire ceremony.
[..] I would want this dslr to take the place of my HV30 or else I would be carrying around 3 cameras.
[..] Is the overheating an issue with the T3i. Can I just turn it off and on to resolve the recording length problem?
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1) If you're used with both Panasonic and Canon, then you'll have to look at the specs and decides what's the most important for you. I still own my HV40 and I must say it completes well my T2i.
2) That's eactly what you should do. Keep the DSLR for short clips here and there, and then mix it when editing the whole thing. The HV30 or HMC150 isn't affected with recording length (except for SD cards capacity or mini-DV tapes) as the T3i would (12mins). But there's workaround: if you install Magic Lantern the you can lower the recording bitrate of the video, which will allow longer time to be recorded. But as I said, if you use it only for short clips here and there, it isn't an issue to start with, just a technical limitation (like miniDV tapes: 60mins).
3) I wouldn't "replace" the HV30. Keep it, steady in a corner at least, and keep it recording, even if it's on a tripod (static shot) all the way. You will have a backup video in worst case.
4) Overheating isn't an issue at all. Dealing with cheap SD cards is on the other hand (Movie has stopped recording automatically - error). I never had a problem recording outside on a bright day during summer last year.

All in all, I would keep the HV as a backup, use the DSLR for low-light and short "artistic shots" (which flags "DOF" shots) during the ceremony and all. That's my advice. That's what I did on my last wedding: shot with the HV40 on a tripod and used the T2i more "run-and-gun" and captured a lot of small clips that served me for transitions and "fill-shots"/b-roll. Worked well.
 
I think a 3 camera set up is just too much for me when I do weddings solo. Plus I am tired of the whole tape thing.

Also, I like to offer my brides a full length ceremony edit.So I would want both cameras running continously so editing would be easier.
 
baseball said:
I think a 3 camera set up is just too much for me when I do weddings solo. Plus I am tired of the whole tape thing.

Also, I like to offer my brides a full length ceremony edit. So I would want both cameras running continously so editing would be easier.
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I think that narrows your choice right there... GH2/3 all the way. (AFAIK) no other DSLR/IM camera will roll continuously for more than 30 minutes.

GH2/3 will shoot 1080p30... on GH2, it's called "HBR" mode (because Panasonic loves inventing creative names for their shooting modes - clarity be damned!)
 
Thanks Mcbob for info about shooting 30fps..Looks like it is Gh2 for me. It seems the 14-140mm lens is best for video recording.
 
baseball said:
Thanks Mcbob for info about shooting 30fps..Looks like it is Gh2 for me. It seems the 14-140mm lens is best for video recording.
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Shooting in churches, I'd advise against the 14-140 and would suggest something faster (in the f2-3.5 range). Several of the 4/3 zooms (14-50, 14-54, 14-35/2, 35-100/2) or the Panasonic 12-35 and 35-100 will anger you less.
 
It seems the 14-140mm lens is best for video recording.
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NOPE.

the 14-140 will be too slow for anything other than outdoor daytime weddings. you can push the ISO, but it will be grain city.

thats the biggest problem with the m4/3 format. there are too few really nice looking fast native lenses. and the good ones will be as much or even nearly twice the price of your camera.

the GH2 shines best with older adapted primes. of course with adapted lenses you will lose all auto features
 
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Yes you would need to buy an adapter to use the Olympus 14-54 on your GH2. And there could potentially be slow focusing or noisy focusing issues as well as image stabilization issues. Best to ask your question on this forum: http://www.mu-43.com/
 
baseball said:
What about the Olympus 14-54/2.8-3.5? Its more in my price range. Also would I need to buy an adapter?
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I use the Leica 14-50/2.8-3.5... essentially the same lens, albeit different optics and with OIS (so not really the same lens at all, really......)

anyway...

Yes, 4/3 zooms like those I mentioned all require the 4/3 to micro 4/3 adapter. Autofocus is slow and noisy, which may or may not be an issue for you (never has been for me).
 
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