Any photographers here?

"d00mZ" (d00mz) 04/26/2014 at 12:52 • Filed to: Photography, Film, Oppo

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It's been a long time since I've posted.

Film student here and I want to know what's a great DSLR for a filming/photography. My eyes have been gawking over the new 5300 for its all around use. I'm also looking into Canon's T5i. The "more bang for the buck" is my goal and something I can use for awhile. It's my first DSLR since I've worked and owned a few SLR's so it's time to move on from manuals. Any opinions? Any other students using anything in particular?

INB4 photography.kinja.com and youtube reviews.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > d00mZ 04/26/2014 at 13:05

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The T5i is a good entry-level DSLR, but it appears that a common DSLR for filming is the 5D MKII.

d00mZ > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 04/26/2014 at 13:10

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Yeah, I can't get the 5D as it's too expensive. The cinematics on the 5D is incredible though and some movies were shot fully on the 5D. Crazy.

AthomSfere > d00mZ 04/26/2014 at 13:17

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I personally don't care for either of those, they aren't bad but the features I use are all buried in menus. I would much rather find the older D90 or a used something more "prosumer". 50D, 60D, D90, D7000 (What I bought new).

Really though, stop looking. Go to Best Buy and play with all the DSLRs and their settings. Find out what body you like as far as weight, features, menus, buttons and lenses.

I much prefer Nikons, but Cannons entry level lenses are much faster to focus than Nikons. Nikon and Canon make some great mid and high end glass.

Sony (And I don't like Sony as a brand) has the full support of all of Minolta's old lenses and in body image stabilization. These are the best value on average of features to price.

If you find what you like, buy it at the store so those stores can keep showing us hardware. Best Buy will generally price match too.

If not, hit up eBay for the previous generation of the same camera (D7000 vs D7100, 6D instead of the 7D) 99% of the time the differences between the two don't matter for taking great pictures. When I went from the D90 to D7000 for example, features that really made a difference to me were dual memory card slots and a faster FPS for sports/ kids. Neither of these changes make a difference in my photos really though.

If I stepped down a class though I would lose a ton:

I would lose the buttons to make fast changes, lose the top LCD which I use almost exclusively. I would also lose some of the functionality of the dials which I don't want to dig through menus for.

You also lose the built in motor for old lenses and the ability to use your pop up flash as a commander I believe. But remember, that is going down a class, not a generation.

You are going to want prime lenses, but as you learn your camera and your style, don't be too embarrassed to use the kit len(s) like the 18-55 or 55-200 that are cheap and common.

Don't fall into the RAW trap unless you find you have a need to. If your only reason to shoot RAW is to photoshop dark shows up to par, then your technique is the issue, address that. If you take too many business shots and can't risk it, see the earlier point but shoot RAW so you don't lose money.

This is straight out of a kit 55-200 shot JPEG, if you can't get at least that good consistently its you, not the format of the camera, the camera, the lens or a lack of Photoshop skills, regardless of what the average internet photog says.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > d00mZ 04/26/2014 at 13:47

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A buddy of mine in SoCal got a T3i, didn't like the "amateur" label, then traded it in and got a 60D.

Here's what he made with it.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > d00mZ 04/26/2014 at 14:26

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I have a Nikon D300s and I love it. It's proven to be a great camera that has both the technical, manual options for when I want to challenge myself a little bit, as well as a great automatic mode for less artistic shooting (or for when I'm feeling lazy). I'm no professional, but more of a hobbyist when it comes to photography and this camera is spectacular for what I need it to do and it has a pretty good video function that is super easy to access and use (though I admit video isn't my forte so it might not be as good as I think it is). I picked mine up as a replacement for my D3000, but I got it refurbished. If I ever upgrade again, thats probably the route I would take. The discount for what is basically a new camera can't be beat.

JGrabowMSt > d00mZ 04/26/2014 at 14:48

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Used 7D, or used 5Dmk2.

It'll give you a good introduction for both video work and photos, but it will also allow you to use audio rigs later if you want. I work in audio, and it is half of film, so yes, you do need to have the option for later.

New isn't always important, especially if you're learning. Used will be fine, and it may even pay for new gear later in life.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 04/26/2014 at 15:45

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Another D300s and D80 owner here. I find the D80 to be extraordinarily sharp and the D300s incredibly fast for shooting motorsports. I'm sure the newer Nikon gear is pretty good.

Here's some random pictures I've done: http://joelbennett.wordpress.com/photography/

It's hard to say what to go with. Honestly, if I had to do everything over again, I'd be very tempted to go the Canon route for one reason - there's more used equipment out there. Once you get a nice body, you'll be wanting to get some good glass. At least in my area, there seems to be a lot more used Canon gear floating around. That being said, the Nikor 18-70 kit lens has been amazingly good and sharp. It's my general go-to lens. (I've also got the 50 mm prime, which is also amazing, a Tokina 11-16 and a Sigma 70-200 f2.8, with a failing focus motor).

Whatever you end up with, I'm sure it'll be great. It seems like you've already been doing your homework, which is a very good thing.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > JGrabowMSt 04/26/2014 at 15:46

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I'll second the "go used" route. I bought almost all my gear new (except my big zoom lens), and I could have saved a ton had I been willing to go the used route.

craig-oesterling > d00mZ 04/28/2014 at 21:09

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I've got a Canon 60D body that I'm looking to sell. It's in like-new condition, with only 6600 shots fired. I'm asking $600 for it. It's a brilliantly capable camera, but I jumped on an opportunity to go full-frame with the 6D.